WhatElse WordPress Plugin

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Add related content to your posts to enhance the user experience!

This plugin was developed for the needs of this blog. Sometimes you want to enhance user’s experience with some related links, picture gallery, file to download or just advertising. With the standard posts you have to put all this inside the post flow which isn’t very well looking. The other option is to plug tables so you can somehow make the related content stand out.

This plugin instead let you keep your related content in separate capsule and show it in the sidebar’s widget area. That’s much better!

Download the plugin here

Supported WordPress Version: 2.5 and up

Plugin version: 1.0

Installation and how to use:

1. Unzip the contents and upload the entire `whatelse` directory to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
3. Go to Appearance -> Widgets to add the widget to any of the widgets areas.
4. In add/edit post page you should see “What Else: Related Info Or Links” box where you can add content.
5. In the widget area you can place default content to appear when nothing is entered. For example this can be advertising or invitation to subscribe to your blog etc.

Air sphering – what is it?

Monday, November 7th, 2011

The wind in the tunnel can reach speeds of up to 150 mph which is comparable to a hurricane apparently, so the experience you will feel is at the same time unpredictable and exhilarating. Once you are lifted off the ground you are suspended in mid-air whilst the ball floats and bounces around the top of the wind tunnel.

Although it is certainly not a leisure activity for the faint hearted, Air Sphering is not just about crazy facts and used solely for the pleasure of adrenaline junkies, it can be an alternative less scary experience than other more dangerous leisure activities. Have you ever wanted to do skydiving but are too afraid to because of the heights involved and the fear of falling? Air Sphering is a great alternative to skydiving as it gives you a similar sensation of feeling what it is like to move through air quickly without the need to get into an airplane and being pushed out the door, plus it is totally safe. Safety is a priority and the wind levels can be controlled by the machine so the height the ball can go and the level of the experience can be controlled to suit the user. Plus you are strapped into an inflatable ball so risk is minimalized.

Hopefully this article hasn’t scared you off from experiencing Air Sphering as it is a fun activity which can be enjoyed safely by all the family as all you need to do is sit back and relax!

By Daniel from Wish.co.uk. For more adrenaline experiences click here

The Best Global Skydiving Locations

Monday, October 10th, 2011

SWITZERLAND

It tends to be more famous for skiing, yodelling, cheese and a certain army knife, but the Swiss Alp region can provide the backdrop for an unforgettable skydiving experience. The Interlaken area, a popular tourist spot in Bernese Oberlandis, is probably best known for its breathtaking mountain-based free-falls, featuring incredible scenery and winding rivers below and craggy cliff-faces whizzing by as you drop. With a focus on new and inexperienced skydivers, Switzerland may not be the first place to springs to mind when considering extreme sports, but it’s definitely worth investigating.

http://www.scenicair.ch/

SOUTH AFRICA

The options for skydiving are pretty limited in Africa, though there are options in Namibia and Zambia, but South Africa has become the freefall centre of the continent. View wonders such as Table Mountain and remarkable wildlife reserves from a great height. Or head to Plettenberg Bay and view the Knysna forest from 10,000 feet. With a tantalizing exchange rate, a jump in South Africa can also be thrilling for economic reasons.

http://www.southafrica.info/travel/adventure/skydiving.htm

NEW ZEALAND

Synonymous with extreme sports and action activities, New Zealand doesn’t disappoint in the skydiving stakes. With some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet and containing incredible unique landscapes, you know your jump will be an unforgettable experience. Motueka, on the South Island near the Abel Tasman National Park provides one of the highest freefalls on earth, from a mind-blowing 16,000 feet. While Lake Taupo on the North Island is considered one of the sacred spots of skydiving, with tens of thousands jumping there every year.

http://www.skydivingnz.co.nz/

HAWAII

Already known as a paradise on Earth and one of the most sought after holiday destinations, Hawaii also provides the perfect location for a skydive. In fact, the first parachute jump on the Islands, in 1889, predates the invention of the aeroplane, so extreme sports is obviously in the blood. Skydiving companies on Hawaii have also embraced their eco-tourism responsibilities, utilising fuel-efficient planes that reduce your carbon footprint by 40%. You’ll be able to view every inch of the island from up to 18,000 feet, with the emphasis on first time jumpers.

http://www.skydivehawaii.com/

JERSEY

If you want a beautifully scenic freefall experience, complete with a thrilling beach landing but don’t fancy stumping up the airfare to Australia or New Zealand, then take a trip to the Channel Islands. From 10,000 feet up, you’ll be able to view the entire island and possibly get a glimpse of the English and French coasts. Though it may not have the adrenaline-pumping reputation of certain adventure-obsessed nations, when you’re plummeting towards the Jersey shore at terminal velocity, you wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else.

http://www.skydivejersey.net/

About the Author: Dale Shaw is a freelance writer who currently works for Wish who sell a range of exciting experience days and activities. Visit the site to find out more.

11 of the World’s Best BASE Jump Sites

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

If you thought skydiving was extreme, then BASE jumping takes it to a whole different level. Definitely not something for the faint hearted, BASE jumping offers one of the most challenging, exhilarating and downright dangerous activities imaginable.

Jumpers use modified parachutes to leap from fixed objects and land masses, giving rise to the acronym from which the sport gets its name – Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), Earth (cliffs).

While not strictly illegal in the UK, jumpers can be arrested for related offences such as trespassing or public order charges. It is directly and indirectly outlawed in many of the most desired destinations, meaning BASE jumpers regularly flirt with prosecution, although a jail term can be the least of their worries as the sport has claimed plenty of lives over the years as well, Little wonder too, when you see some of the perilous cliffs, bridges and skyscrapers which are commonly tackled.

Needless to say, it’s not for beginners and it is not one of those experience days you can try at the drop of a hat. Many BASE jumpers will tell you to get at least 200 ‘regular’ parachute jumps under your belt before even beginning to consider BASE jumping.

When you’re ready, here’s a selection of the some of the world’s most exciting – and notorious – BASE jumping spots:

Lauterbrunnen valley, Switzerland

Responsible for more BASE jumping deaths than anywhere else in the world, this breathtaking collection of cliffs still attracts daredevils from around the globe. Implausible looking overhangs top the cliffs which overlook serene woods and a chocolate box village. It has of course been the scene of many thousands of successful jumps and even boasts BASE jumping schools for beginners looking to dice with death in search of the ultimate thrill.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

The tallest waterfall in the world stands at a towering 3,212ft, nestled deep in the Venezuelan jungle. It is a challenge to get to, let alone jump off, but the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Canaima National Park scenery makes the views from this unparallelled vantage point worth the trip. Legal, organised trips are common, with jumpers taken by helicopter to the top of the falls.

Burj Khalifa, Dubai

If you’re going to jump off a building, might as well make it the tallest building in the world. Construction had barely been completed when two jumpers leapt from a balcony two floors below the top in 2008, while Nasr Al Niyadi and Omar Al Hegelan topped that after the skyscraper had officially opened, breaking the world record for the highest BASE jump from a building with an officially sanctioned leap from the 160th floor, some 2,200ft high.

El Capitan, California

‘El Cap,’ as it’s affectionately known, has been a favourite ‘earth’ location for BASE jumpers since the 1960s when Californians Michael Pelkey and Brian Schubert made the first jump down the 3,000ft vertical cliff drop. Both men suffered broken bones but that did  not stop crowds of jumpers flocking to the cliff in Yosemite National Park since to repeat the feat.

Jinmao Tower, Shanghai, China

For urban excitement, few spots compare with the bustling metropolis below when jumping from the 88-storey Jinmao Tower in Shanghai. Although it has recently been overtaken as the tallest building in mainland China, it put the country on the BASE jumping map in 2004 when crowds watched a team of jumpers taking part in a promotional event to show off their skills by parachuting down from the 1,380ft skyscraper.

Perrine Bridge at Twin Falls, Idaho

A professionally-run, ‘safe’ jumping spot, offers legal jumps every day of the year, with a wooden platform set up for jumpers to hurl themselves towards the Snake River 480ft below.

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, USA

Another safely maintained spot, it hosts one of the largest gatherings of BASE jumpers every October for Bridge Day, when hundreds of daredevils from across the globe turn up to leap from the 876ft tall New River Gorge Bridge.

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

A long-standing favourite, these Malaysian landmark towers are among the most architecturally striking buildings that jumpers have tackled.

Empire State Building, New York

For many BASE jumpers, tackling a true icon is as much part of the challenge as the jump itself. Buildings don’t come much more iconic that New York’s Empire State. It’s a tough nut to crack though and renowned extreme jumper Jeb Corliss was foiled by security in his attempt to parachute from the observation deck in 2006 and subsequently hit with three years probation, 100 hours of community service and a lifetime ban from setting foot in the tourist attraction.

Old Man of Hoy, Orkney Islands, Scotland

One of the most distinctive jump sites, this 449ft plinth of red sandstone juts out into the sea and was tackled in May, 2008, by Roger Holmes, Gus Hutchinson-Brown and Tim Emmett. Showing the true danger of the sport, Englishman Hutchinson-Brown was killed just days later during another BASE jump from a cliff in Switzerland.

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

It’s certainly one way to beat the queues on matchday. Three BASE jumpers made quite an entrance ahead of the Wales vs South Africa rugby match in June, 2010, jumping from the roof to the pitch in front of the crowds. A relatively short jump compared to some, but the thrill of performing in front of tens of thousands of spectators adds an extra dimension.

This article has been created by Activity Superstore, the UK’s leading gift experiences supplier.

Skydiving in Cars

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Skydiving can be, if you’ve got the balls for it, unbelievably exhilarating. Most people are too scared to even consider jumping out of a plane at 100ft, never mind 5,000ft, so when you find out people are skydiving in cars, it makes you wonder just what these people have had for breakfast.

With that being said, then, here are some clips of the best skydiving in cars we could find. It’s an odd hobby, and it must be, presumably, quite xpensive, because no car is going to survive hitting ground at terminal velocity.

Just chillin’

For when normal skydiving is just so boring and mundane; this video shows that skydiving in a car is not only a possibility but a reality, too. It’s quickly an eye-opener, as it proves that people will do anything for a buzz. Their adrenaline must be – and pardon the pun – sky- high.

Rather worryingly, however, the video doesn’t show how they landed. Did they manage to get out of the car, or did they struggle to undo their seat belt? Let’s hope it’s the former!

Death by Polo

It may only be a bit of marketing, but VW’s Polo advert from 2007 represents the world’s weird love of car skydiving. Yes, it is fake, and obviously produced in a controllable CGI environment, but it still looks really good!

If you’ve got a £14k to spend on a VW Polo and you fancy destroying it in some car skydiving, then you go and pursue that dream!

Grannie diving!

Electric scooters, you know them; they’re the mobility aids that older people tend to use when the legs are starting to rust up a little. You’ll see them in Asda, down your street and in your towns, and, surprisingly, in the sky! That’s right; somebody thought that the electric scooter should be used in a far more practical way than helping the elderly do their weekly shop, and so we were blessed with scooter kydiving.

Awesome.

Maniacs

These adrenaline-seeking young uns are too much for us old folk. They just re-define what is possible, and when you see videos like this, you realise just how insane they are. These couple of guys are putting themselves at risk just to shift the car in a different direction!

The car, thankfully, ends up in a worse state, as it hits the ground at biblical speed.

“We can’t tell you why people do stuff”

The skydivers in this clip all look so happy. They’re just chilling in a car that’s falling at hundreds of feet per second, but do they care? They’re having a ball! The car begins to rock like a bucking bronco, as the divers jump out and continue on their dive.

Surely, this type of skydiving can be made into a sport? It could be introduced at the London Olympics 2012, perhaps.

Lee Pickering writes for both netcars.com, a used car classified website and Car Finance 247 who specialise in helping people obtain car finance deals.

Third Time’s a Charm (My First Skydive)

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

When my college outing club sent me an email with the subject: We’re Going Skydiving!

I was first in line, crumpled cash in hand. I had never been before but was sure I’d love it. No fear of heights and always game for a thrill, I arrived at the small air strip at some horrid early hour (8am–ah college!) with a group of fellow classmates.

As our instructors went through the training procedures, clouds began to roll in. By the time we had taken turns awkwardly assuming the free fall position on the cushioned pedestal in front of the group, there was fog as thick as pea soup. No jumping today. I looked longingly at the parked Cessna 172 and turned for home.

The radio in the Cessna had malfunctioned so it would have to be grounded for the rest of the day, waiting on its mechanic.

I was inconsolable. All that build up, all the mental preparation, out the window for a second time?! Beginning to think maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all, I scheduled a third jump appointment with the reassuring instructor. He promised he’d take me “extra high” and the wait would be worth it. Wary, I returned a third time to the air strip. A crisp autumn day, not a cloud in the sky, I was carefully optimistic about maybe getting the chance to finally skydive, after a month of anticipation. Bingo! Winner! The plane was in perfect working order, the sky was cooperating and my scrambled egg breakfast was suddenly tumultuous in my stomach.

Without further ado, I wedged into the Cessna across from my tandem jump instructor. We taxied, smoothly ascended over the northeastern carpet of fall foliage and thankfully, I calmed down a little. A life long lover of flight, I felt at ease behind the buzz of the prop, bumping over air pockets. It helped that the view was bloody staggering; my delayed jump was seemingly in perfect sync with the fiery orange and neon yellow of the changing leaves.

We shifted into position and I felt very much like Mini-Me, finding myself strapped to this burly man’s chest. Not at all concerned about this stranger pretty much spooning me in an airplane with the door open, I tentatively stuck my foot out onto the small platform. I was shocked at the force of the wind as my leg blew back, and the adrenaline began throbbing in my head. It was too high to be scared of the height—it was a completely different sensation.

Experiencing half overwhelming appreciation for the beautiful landscape below and half pure euphoria, I was on the verge of thrill-meltdown as the instructor peeled my white knuckles from the handle on the side of the plane. Grateful for his commanding presence behind me, he took over and we barreled out.

Oh, awesome weightlessness, rush of wind, ass over tea kettle- WOW. Free fall was so intense! We spun, dove, I screamed like a baby, and it was over way too quickly. I could feel my heartbeat in my skull as the chute deployed and we began the calm descent

to ground. At this point I started trilling like Beatlemania, elated. “Again, again, again!!”

I chirped, and the instructor just chuckled. Poor guy’s ears were probably bleeding, but I was way too pumped for that consideration.

A smooth landing on my jelly knees and I was wild-eyed, grinning sloppily and quite beside myself. I probably looked like I’d had a few too many, but I was still too happy to care.

I still get sweaty palms just thinking about that day, and I so look forward to doing it again. I think everyone should try it; skydiving is certainly a life changer! That jump will remain steadfast at the top of the list of amazing things I’ve done, and I hope you all someday give it a try.

Noella Schink is a travel and writer from Portland, Maine. Try skydiving in Great Britain! When you take the plunge, hire your car rental in the UK from Auto Europe to get you to the jump site!

The Cost Behind Sky Diving

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Sky Diving Equipment

You are able to rent your parachute from the sky diving instructor if you only plan to do it one time and save money. Those who want to make a hobby of this sport will want to buy their own parachute. The price range for a good parachute is between $2,600 to approximately $7,000. You should remember that you do not want to trust a used parachute because you cannot return it if it does not work. You are not going to find cheap, safe, equipment when it comes to buying a parachute.

The clothes that you buy for skydiving are reasonably cheap. You can probably get a good skydiving outfit for around $100. You will need gloves and a good pair of boots that should cost you about $100 so the total cost for clothing can range from $200 to $300 for your whole outfit. You must also invest in a helmet and glasses, which could cost you approximately $300. When it comes to your equipment, you will find that your total cost for good safe equipment and clothing could range from $3,000 to $7,000.

Cost of Sky Diving

The higher you go the more it will cost you when it comes to sky diving. Most people start out at about 14,000 feet and that costs about $200. You would need to check with your training school for rates and introductory offers.

This guest post was written by Victoria. She is a freelance writer who is currently helping Amazing News.

10 Mobile Apps For Skydivers

Friday, September 9th, 2011

1. Skydiver Game

A basic but fun game. The “secret” to continue with the paid versions seems to be known to everyone so it’s up to you whether you’d like to pay or not.

2. Canopy Calculator

This is a little useful calculator for Android. It will help you figure out required canopy size or wing load depending on your body weight and gear.

3. Skydive Planner

This excellent app is for iPhone users. It helps you plan 4-way skydives and has a timer function.

4. AFR Drop Zone – Extreme Skydiving

Here’s another iPhone game. You can jump, perform skydiving moves and drop at the drop zone. Most users seem to like the game a lot and it’s just $0.99.

5. Skydiver Drop Zone Free

Here is a free addictive game for Android. The site offers also versions for iPhone and iPad, and also a paid version which is more advanced.

6. Skydiver GPS

Using GPS connectiong this app records data about your parachute jump, analyses it and displays useful stats.

7. Skydive Mapper

This is a fun app for iPhone users. It will draw the route on the map showing how you have travelled in the air during your jump. The app is free.

8. USPA SIM

The United States Parachute Association’s Skydiver’s Information Manual for Android. And it’s free.

9. Skydiver HD

Another game by YoYo Games for Android. It has very good user responses so it’s worth to have a look.

10. Skydiving Dictionary

This is an iPhone and iPod Touch dictionary with skydiving terms, slang, definitions and more. Just $0.99.

Anymore useful mobile apps for skydivers you know about?

Birds, Squirrels, Superheroes, and Rock Climbers: The Rise of the Wingsuit

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

Even kid who has been allowed to wear a Superman costume has wondered if the cape could assist flight, but most children grow out of the idea after a few test jumps off the garden wall. Unless they grow up to be skydivers or BASE jumpers, that is. Then, they might find themselves graduating to a wingsuit (also known a bird suit or squirrel suit).

Fly for miles

Wingsuits allow much greater horizontal movement than parachutes. The Guinness World Record for the longest wingsuit flight belongs to Japan’s Shin Ito. The total horizontal flight distance was well over ten miles, from a starting altitude of around 34,000ft. Even greater distances have been unofficially reported by wingsuited skydivers in Australia and Spain and a wingsuited BASE jumper managed a distance of 3.6 miles from the top of an alpine peak in 2009.

Wingsuits and climbers

That man- Dean Potter- is best known as a rock climber and mountaineer, and a number of climbers have been at the forefront of BASE wingsuit activity over the last few years. More recently, professional climbers Leo Houlding, Sean Leary, and Carlos Suarez tackled a 6,600ft peak on Baffin Island (well above the Arctic Circle). Their goal wasn’t just to get to the top, although that’s the traditional be-all and end-all for climbers. They also wanted to make a wingsuit jump from the summit.

The resulting film, The Asgard Project, was featured at the Banff Film Festival and won major awards from Slovenia to the US to Switzerland. Others, like pioneering female climber Steph Davis, have been experimenting with combinations of solo climbing, BASE jumping, and wingsuiting. The best case scenario is that the climber gets to the top of their chosen route and then jumps. At worst, they fall, deploy the wingsuit or parachute and hope for the best.

A wingsuit timeline

Despite the recent burst of publicity, wingsuiting isn’t a new development. Here are a few key moments in wingsuit history:

- 1912Franz Reichelt falls to his death from the top of the Eiffel Tower in an early wingsuit experiment

- 1930s First successful wingsuit flights

- 1969Burt Lancaster’s film The Gypsy Moths featured a wingsuit sequence

- 1999The first commercially available wingsuits arrive on the market

- 2003 Widespread wingsuit interest starts to hit the BASE jumping community

- 2005 First international wingsuit piloting contest

- 2011Jeb Corliss becomes the first man to pilot a wingsuit through a waterfall

What now?

The next big wingsuit piloting challenge is to land without a parachute. A number of groups have plans in this direction, although many experts think it’s impossible to accomplish this without exposing the pilot to extreme danger. Well-known American BASE jumper Jeb Corliss certainly wants to have a shot at it.

Inevitably, there have been deaths and serious accidents amongst both BASE and skydiving wingsuit pilots, but the discipline continues to grow fast. There are now about a dozen wingsuit flight schools in the US alone. Exact figures for the number of active pilots are hard to come by, but there is little doubt that there are far more now than there were a decade ago. We’ll be seeing more and more wingsuits in the skies over the next few years.

Jess Spate is an Australian extreme sports enthusiast. She works for Appalachian Outdoors, a US-based outdoor sports store. They don’t stock skydiving gear but they do carry rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering, and snowsports equipment.

10 Things You Should Know Before Your First Skydive

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Skydiving, that exciting extreme adventure sport to which adrenalin junkies are drawn like moths to a flame, takes a bit of preparation. Like most extreme sports, skydiving carries several risks. Being prepared with the salient facts will help you face this sport in complete readiness. Here are 10 things that you absolutely must know before your first skydive.

Basics For Beginners

1. Before you start your skydiving adventure, you need to decide on what kind of skydiving instruction you want to take. You can choose from the following options:

• Tandem skydiving: In this mode, the skydiver is attached to a certified skydiving instructor who will be in charge of opening the chute. Tandem jumping allows the beginning skydiver to prep for the static line or accelerated free fall jumps.

• Static line skydiving: In this form, you won’t be attached to an instructor, but your parachute will be deployed through a static line that’ll be attached to the plane.
• Accelerated freefall skydiving: in this mode, the skydiver has his or her own chute, but two certified instructors make the jump along with the skydiver, maintaining physical contact until chute is opened. If you want the best adrenalin rush, and if you’re confident, then this is the jump for you.

2. Before you attempt skydiving, find yourself a reliable skydiving school. To find a good school in your area, check at your local airports, phone books and search the internet.
3. If you’re in a hurry, opt for tandem skydiving as the instruction takes about 30 minutes after which you’ll be on a plane.
4. You must be above 18 years of age, and weigh less than 250 pounds in order to qualify for skydiving.
5. Check the accident records of your local sky diving airport or your skydiving class. Choose the skydiving organization that you want to join based on their accident records and safety regulations.
6. Note that skydiving can set you back anywhere from $150 to $300 for a single jump. Consider both cheap and expensive skydiving places but when you make your final choice, don’t let money be the deciding factor.
7. A lot of first sky dive attempts are recorded on camera. Some skydivers tend to dress glamorously for the camera. Remember not to do this: wear comfortable clothing and not something that constricts movement.
8. You can leave your spectacles or contact lenses on if you like; you’ll be given a pair of goggles for your dive.
9. If you have long hair, pull it back and fasten it into a bun. Loose hair or a flipping ponytail can cause issues not just to you but to your jumping partner, who’ll be strapped to your back. Accidents happen when loose hair blocks the skydiver’s vision.

Skydiving Errata

10. Depending on your jump height, the average free fall time is anywhere between 30 to 45 seconds. The regular jumps are from 10,000 feet; however, you can jump from as high as 13,500 feet if you pay extra.
11. After your parachute opens, lift your legs and place your thighs into the stirrups; this will place you in a sitting position. This will not only help you make a comfortable landing, but also discourage your jumping partner from spiraling and twirling towards the earth like a tornado. Jumping partners tend to do this to add a level of additional excitement to the jump but if you have a sensitive stomach, this move can make you vomit before you land.

Health And Safety

12. During freefall, you will reach an unbelievable speed of 110 miles per hour. If you have heart issues, unregulated diabetes or high blood pressure, compromised blood circulation, damaged nerves or other issues, speak to your doctor and then your instruction. Find out your options and how much you can attempt.
13. Even the best divers hit the ground with a jolt. If you have bad knees, or spinal cord issues, it’s best not to attempt skydiving.

Qualifying As A Skydiver

14. Once you’ve completed about 5 hours of skydiving school training, and have successfully completed 25 jumps, you are eligible for a skydiving license. You can proceed then to obtain your D license, for which you need to make 500 jumps.

Teena Celis is a copywriter for Adrenalin, an Australian presents for men company that offers a lot of experiences like helicopter helicopter rides, driving, flying and water experiences all across Australia.