(ARA) – Every football season nearly 35,000 players are admitted to the hospital for head-related injuries, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Thousands of other concussions will go undetected at the high school and college football level, often due to the desire for athletes to stay on the field, despite the warning signs.

Every football player, of course, wears a helmet, so why are so many football players at all levels at risk for traumatic brain injuries?

While helmet technology has evolved, traditional helmets often fail to protect athletes’ brains from the repeated blows that happen on the field. Now an improved technology in a new helmet is better protecting athletes, so that the hits that sound so punishing from the stands, aren’t as punishing to the athlete’s head.

Xenith — a company dedicated to health and safety in sports through innovation and education — has developed a new football helmet called the X1. Unlike traditional helmets, it adapts to both a player’s head size and the force of each hit through a unique technology called Adaptive Head Protection. The fit system allows for instant customization to the size and shape of a player’s head, allowing the helmet to stay secure upon impact. Unlike traditional helmets, no inflation is needed.

The helmet features a suspension of adaptive air-filled shock absorbers, which allows it to adjust its compression to the magnitude and direction of each impact. The design reduces the sudden movement of the head on every hit, reducing the risk of brain injury.

“I’ve seen firsthand with former and current athletes the trauma that football can have on the head and brain,” says Dr. Robert Cantu, clinical professor of neurosurgery at Boston University Medical Center and co-director of the Neurological Sports Injury Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “I have been closely following Xenith since its inception, and applaud their mission to make a difference in reducing head injuries to players across the country.” Cantu calls the helmet “the greatest advance in helmet design in at least 30 years.”

Vin Ferrara, a former starting quarterback at Harvard University who received medical and business degrees from Columbia University, is the brain behind the safer helmet technology, and says he looked at the concussion problem as a parent, coach, player and doctor.

“I concluded that a complete risk-reduction strategy was needed,” says Ferrara, Xenith’s founder and chief executive officer. “Our goal has been to not only construct the smartest and most optimized helmet, but to also provide the educational information needed to complement the helmet.”

Here are a few simple actions parents can take to help make the football season safer, this year and beyond.

* Be proactive in talking with the coaches to learn about the condition of the helmets.
* Speak to their child, educate him on the severity of concussions and ensure he knows proper tackling techniques.
* Look for concussion education materials online. One source is www.xenith.com, where parents can find information that explains the risks of traumatic brain injury, as well as offers strategies to reduce the risk of concussions.
* Band together with your child’s school and other parents to educate them and get them involved in the One Player: One Helmet program.

A common problem is the condition of the helmets. Currently, most parents do not have access to the state and condition of their child’s protective gear, and players are often given helmets that have been refurbished with parts from multiple sources.

The One Player: One Helmet program is designed to end the standard industry practice of players wearing used football helmets with mixed components of unknown age, history or quality.

Parents of players can fully or partially fund the purchase and maintenance of an X1. Each participating player is guaranteed to receive the same helmet throughout his career, and in addition, any reconditioning performed during the life of the X1 can be tracked via the serial number. While families help fund the purchase of the helmets through the program, the team will handle the logistics.

If resources are limited and donation is not an option, parents can opt to create a fundraising program to outfit their child’s team with safer helmets.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: football helmets, football safety, safer football helmets

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River kayak fishing is really one of the most enjoyable sports in the world. It is great for people of all ages, men and women alike, and is not only a whole lot of fun but also a very athletic sport and will help keep you in shape.

Before you get out there and go river kayak fishing however, there are a few things that you are going to want to know.

What You Need

If you want to go river kayak fishing, first and foremost you are going to have to get all the necessary equipment. You will need a fishing rod of course, so that you can catch the fish, and you will also need all the other basic fishing equipment, such as bait and lures.

It really all depends how serious you are in the sport and how much money you are willing to spend on it, which will determine how large a collection you will want to purchase and the makes and models that you will end up going with.

There are also other items that you will need for a river kayak fishing experience. A professional is one, unless you have experience. If it is your first time out, the best idea is going to be for you to hire someone to come with you, or take an experienced friend or family member if you have one.

This way you and your guests can feel safe and the professional will spend their time showing you the ropes and instructing you on how to do it so that next time you will be able to go out on your own, without them.

River kayak fishing is very similar to ocean fishing, and they both implement a lot of the same equipment and ideas. You also have to be very cautious when you are participating in either of these sports, to ensure that you are safe out on the water and that you are going to have the most success on your adventures.

Planning and preparing is one of the most important aspects of all here, because the last thing you want is to get all the way out on the water only to discover that you have forgotten something important. There is no turning back without ruining your adventure, so check and double check that you have everything you need before heading out onto the water, this will ensure you have the most fun and success with your fishing as possible.

Tags: Ocean Fishing, River Kayak Fishing

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Anyone who is interested in going kayak fishing is going to have to invest in an inflatable river kayak. There are some terrific options out there for an inflatable river kayak, and you really just have to know where to look. Here are a few of the best companies for anyone looking for an inflatable river kayak.

Zebec Boats

If you want a large selection of inflatable kayaks to choose from, this is the perfect company for you. They feature quite a few different kayaks, including the Sport Bug, which is one of their best selling kayaks. This kayak features built in transom, self bailing floor, three quick e-inflate twarts, rubbing strake around the sides of the hull, collapsible aluminum oars, patch kit, foot pump, carrying bag and comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

Sierra South

Another fantastic retailer you should check out if you are shopping for an inflatable river kayak is Sierra South. They have a vast selection of new and used kayaks and rafts for you to choose from, all at very affordable prices. Their Dagger Agent 6.0 is one of the best sellers, and this is the newest play boat design from Dagger. It is a very nice aerial boat with quick edge-to-edge transition, and plenty of rocker front and back allows for front and back surf as well as traditional slicey moves.

There is also the Dagger Agent 6.2 which is basically the upgrade on the 6.0 Retailing for nearly $1000 it is quite pricey but well worth every penny because it is an inflatable river kayak that you know is going to be durable and last you for years.

Clavey

If you have ever purchased an inflatable river kayak in the past or are a kayaking expert, you have surely heard of the Clavey name before. They offer whitewater rafts, fishing inflatables, inflatable kayaks, touring kayaks, kayak accessories, camping equipment, drop bags and cargo, gear bags, oars, repair materials, pumps and much more.

These are just a few of the many different retailers and companies that are out there and which offer inflatable river kayaks, so take a bit of time to browse through the selection so you will be able to decide on the right one for you. Any good kayaking store will have a well-trained staff that will be able to work with you and ensure that you are getting the best kayak for you and your needs.

Tags: Inflatable River Kayak

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If you have never been kayaking before then you probably don’t know what a canoe kayak trailer is and why you would need to use one. Basically a canoe kayak trailer is just like any other sort of trailer, and is used to transport the canoe kayak to the waters of your choice. If you store your canoe kayak at your home, as most people obviously do, then you will need a means of getting it to the water when you want to go on a kayaking adventure.

The canoe kayak trailer is very easy to use, and it just provides a support than can attack to your vehicle so that you can quickly and simply drive your canoe kayak to the water and take it out.

The basic canoe kayak trailer will work for any type of kayak, from the inflatable kayak to the wood kayak.

Do You Know Where to Look?

If you have decided that you would like to make your next kayaking adventure easier by getting a kayak trailer, there are a few places you will want to look. You may want to start by heading to your local watersports store that should have at least a decent selection of kayak trailers for you to choose from.

If you would like a broader selection then you may want to try the Internet, as there are literally thousands of different websites that you will want to check out and companies that offer vast selections of kayaks and kayaking equipment for you to choose from.

Just make sure that you perform proper maintenance on your canoe kayak trailer when necessary, for instance when it rains you may want to cover it up with a tarp just so it will not get soaked or ruined. For the most part, the trailers are very durable and weather resistant so you probably will not have to worry so much about this.

Just make sure, regardless of what kayak or kayaking equipment you get, that you take proper care of it so that you can have it for years to come and will not have to worry about replacing it. There are certain care procedures that you are going to want to follow, and which will differ depending on which particular equipment you decide to go with.

To make it easiest on yourself, check with the manufacturer of the product or equipment that you have, and they will offer you useful information on how to properly take care of it.

Tags: Canoe Kayak Trailer, Inflatable Kayak

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So the idea of finding an ocean kayak for sale may not seem too daunting at first, but once you get into it you may find that you are having troubles. This is not because there is nothing to choose from but rather the complete opposite, as there is a great multitude of makes and models of ocean kayak for sale on the market these days.

If you want to have the most success in the process of finding an ocean kayak for sale, there are a few steps that you are going to want to follow.

New or Used?

The first thing that you should decide is whether you want to find a new or used ocean kayak for sale. There are advantage and disadvantages to both, so let’s start with new. Obviously when you buy a new kayak you know that you are getting it brand new from the shelf so it will be in the best possible condition and you will not have to worry about it having any rips or marks.

You also tend to have a better selection when you buy new because you can decide what type of kayak you want and then find it right away, whereas if you buy used you generally have a bit less broad selection. One of the biggest disadvantages to buying new however is that you will be paying full price for the kayak, and the price of kayaks can get to be quite steep.

There are also both pros and cons to buying used kayaks of course, namely that you will be saving a great deal of money and yet you will have to be concerned with whether or not the kayak is in good enough condition to spend the money on it.

As long as you make sure that you check the kayak out yourself before agreeing to pay for it, there is really no problem with buying it used.

Once you have purchased your ocean kayak for sale, don’t forget that you are also going to need to get yourself the proper kayak gear. You are going to need everything from a wetsuit to paddles and then if you want to do any activities on your kayak such as fishing or whitewater rafting of course you are going to have to get additional gear for these specific purposes. For fishing for instance you will need to get a rod, bait, and any optional pieces of equipment you like.

Tags: Ocean Kayak for Sale

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There are quite a few different types of river kayak fishing that one can go on, and kayak sport fishing is definitely one of the most popular. One of the reasons that so many people love kayak sport fishing is because it is more than just fun and enjoyable, it is as athletic a sport as you can get. It really works all the muscles in the body and will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Kayak sport fishing is great for people of almost all ages, so it is a sport that the whole family can participate in. Before you head out on your own kayak fishing trip however, there is some important information that you are going to need to be aware of.

Equipment

The amount of equipment that you purchase will really depend on how avidly you are into the sport and also how much money you have available to spend. There is quite a broad range of options to choose from, some that are necessary and others that are optional.

There is everything from kayak seats, landing equipment, electronics, compasses, rod holders, retractors, anchors, PFDs, leashes, chutes/socks, clothing, safety equipment, bowlines, bait tanks, and more.

Tips

There are some great tips that will come in handy for your next kayak sport fishing adventure. For one, if you are fishing for smaller species such as bass, bonito or barracuda, then you simply do not need to have 400 yards of expensive line. This is important to know because this is then one area where you will save a lot of money. Instead, you can choose to use backing of any sort, twine or Dacron.

Another tip is to leave your drag alone after you have adjusted it appropriately. There is really no way to know how much you are tightening when you are fighting a fish, so you will need to make sure that this done appropriately beforehand. You may even consider typing a back up outfit to the first and then get rid of the original overboard and hope that you can stop the big fish.

These are great tips for kayak sport fishing but there are many others that will be helpful as well, so take a bit of time to read more tips and techniques so that you can be as educated as possible.

As long as you have all the right equipment and some of the best tips in mind, you should have some great success with your fishing adventures and surely can’t wait to get back out on the water.

Tags: Kayak Sport Fishing, River Kayak Fishing

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You basically have two options when it comes to your kayaking equipment: renting and buying. There are both pros and cons to going with a canoe kayak rental, which will be discussed here so that you can make the best possible decision for you and on whether going with a canoe kayak rental is going to be the best idea for you or not.

Pros

One of the biggest advantages of going with a canoe kayak rental is that you have the opportunity to try out a few different types of paddles without fully committing to any. You can simply rent the paddles for a day or even a few days, try them out and see what you think, then move on to a different type of paddle.

This will allow you to see what you feel comfortable with and then from here you can purchase your favorite paddles, or continue renting, whatever you wish.

Another benefit that comes from going with a canoe kayak rental is that you will be spending less money, at least at first, because a rental is obviously much cheaper than buying it new.

You can rent whatever type of kayaking equipment you want, from a canoe kayak trailer to paddles and safety equipment.

Cons

There are also some disadvantages of a canoe kayak rental, which you will also want to be aware of. For one, although you may be paying less initially, if you continue to rent time and time again you will end up spending much more money than you would have if you had have just purchased the paddles for yourself, especially if you are a frequent kayaker.

Another disadvantage is that you will need to be extra careful not to damage the equipment, because then you will probably have to end up paying for it anyway. At least with your own equipment you know that it is yours and that you own it, and so you do not have to worry so much about ruining it.

Make sure that you really take all the pros and cons into consideration so that you can weigh them out and make the best possible decision. Also do not get too frustrated over this because kayaking is supposed to be fun and enjoyable and you certainly do not want this of all things to ruin the experience for you. If you ever need help there are many professionals out there that you can contact and who will be able to make the process much easier for you.

Tags: Canoe Kayak Rental, Canoe Kayak Trailer

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Buying anything is an important process, especially if you are planning to spend quite a bit of money on it. There are some kayaks out there that are quite pricey, and so if you are interested in buying an ocean kayak for sale there are a few steps you are going to want to follow to ensure that the entire process goes as smoothly as possible for you, including reading an ocean kayak review.

Learn What is Out There

First and foremost you are going to have to learn what is out there. If you have already been involved with watersports of any sort in the past then most likely you are at least remotely aware of ocean kayaks, what they are and the selection that is out there today.

On the other hand if you are just getting into kayaking now you probably have no idea what you are dealing with and will basically be starting from scratch. Learn what is out there by reading up on the different types of kayaks that are available, what the average price range is for a kayak, and so on.

Set a Budget

Because the price of kayaks varies so greatly, it will be useful for you to set an approximate budget for yourself. For instance maybe you have only a bit of money to spend and will have to stick to smaller, less expensive kayaks, whereas if you have a couple hundred dollars or more to play with you will have much more variety and be able to choose almost any kayak on the market today.

Read Reviews

One of the best things that you can do is take some time and read an ocean kayak review or two. By reading even one ocean kayak review you will be gaining great insight into what your options are and which kayaks are worth actually considering.

To find an ocean kayak review selection, one of the best and quickest things you can do is use a search engine on the Internet. Just type in the name of the kayak that you would like a review on and you will get some terrific links and responses as a result.

Even if you have never gone on a kayaking adventure before, it may be well worth it for you to purchase one and have a new experience. Kayaking is quickly becoming one of the most popular watersports in the world and for good reason.

Tags: Ocean Kayak Review

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If there is one item that you should purchase for the upcoming summer season, it is the inflatable ocean kayak. This is a fantastic way to get yourself out on the water and experience some great adventures, and if you buy a two or more person inflatable ocean kayak you will even be able to bring a couple of friends or family members along for the ride.

What It Is

An inflatable ocean kayak, also known as an inflatable river kayak, is a small human-powered boat that can take people down the ocean or river. A double-bladed paddle, by one or more sitting paddlers, propels a kayak. There is no actual motor in a kayak but instead completely human-powered, and so not only are they a whole lot of fun but they are also great for a workout.

Remember

There are a few things that you want to keep in mind about the inflatable ocean kayak. After all, if you think that all inflatable kayaks are just children’s toys, you are very wrong and are in for a pleasant surprise. Inflatable kayaks are actually incredibly rugged and durable, and can take you all the way down the whitewater rapids, if you want.

Well made inflatable kayaks also offer several advantages over their hard-shelled counterparts. For one, they are much more buoyant because they are more lightweight. They are also much easier to assemble because rather than having to put parts together you simply inflate the kayak and you are set and ready to go.

If you are looking for a kayak that is easily transportable, the inflatable kayaks are going to be perfect for you. They can be stowed into a pack that can be carried in planes or in a backpack if you are going to be doing some hiking, and this is one of the greatest features of all because you certainly would not be able to do this with the basic kayak.

Where to Buy Them

If you are interested in getting an inflatable ocean kayak for yourself, there are various companies located all around the world that you can go through. Because of the multitude of makes and models of kayaks that are available however, it may take you a bit of time to decide which one is going to be best for you.

Any water sports store will have at least a remote selection of kayaks to choose from, but if you want more variety when shopping then you will want to head to a retailer who focuses on inflatable kayaks and similar products.

Tags: Inflatable Ocean Kayak

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There is different sea kayak gear that one can use when kayaking in warm waters. Depending on how long you intend your kayaking trip to be and where you will be kayaking, the basic and necessary sea kayak gear should be appropriate. If your kayaking trip is only a few hours then the basic safety equipment should only be brought along. For longer trips that require camping and overnights, more safety gear should be brought along.

Kayaking Trip Necessities

Sea kayak gear that should be brought along for just a few hours’ sea kayaking should include a personal flotation device, an extra kayak paddle, protection from the sun and a location device, if available. These sea kayak gear can help reduce the risk of mishaps and accidents that can threaten your life.

A personal flotation device or a life jacket is necessary for any kind of kayak trip, whether long or short or even river kayaking. This sea kayak gear will help you float even in rough waters and even when you are tired of swimming. Experts recommend that the kayaker should be wearing the personal flotation device before entering the kayak. Stowing the life jacket in the kayak and then opting to try to wear it when you have capsized will not only risk your safety but also might separate you from the kayak containing the sea kayak gear for safety.

An extra kayak paddle will help you get to where you need to go if you have lost the initial paddle. You might get stuck in the middle of the ocean and drift with the currents if you do not have an extra paddle with you. This sea kayak gear is an absolute must, especially when kayaking alone and in the open sea. Sun protection can range from sun block to a sun hat. Lightweight clothing can be cooling but at the same time protect your skin from burning. A sun hat can protect your eyes from the sun’s glare reflecting from the ocean as well as shade your face from the sun’s rays.

A location device may also be useful to have even on short kayaking trips. This sea kayak gear will help other people locate you even if you have drifted with the current a few hundred kilometers away from your place of origin. Since the open ocean is vast and oftentimes unreadable, having this sea kayak gear in the kayak can help minimize the area where people will search for you.

Tags: Kayak Paddle, Sea Kayak Gear

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