Alternative sports includes skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, motocross, etc., continue to grow in popularity as they receive more widespread TV coverage. There is a solid foundation for fashion influenced by these sports so it is not faddish. There are many people out there who have no exposure to surfing in particular, and they may rarely go to the beach, if ever, but they feel connected to it because it's on TV and it's on the Internet. The surfer and the skateboarder have become the salvation of two Southern California companies whose target customers are teenagers and young adults.
Surf style caters to the narrow and ever- changing tastes of the 12-to-24 age group while larger, more traditional companies such as once-hot American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and Abercrombie & Fitch are struggling. The surf and skateboarding culture has exploded in recent years thanks to television shows such as MTV's "Surf Girls" and "Boarding House: North Shore" on the WB network, and movies such as 2002's "Blue Crush." Boardsports have also been a staple for years on ESPN's popular "X-Games" competitions.
The clothes feature bright, colorful displays, often highlighted by surfboards or skateboards autographed by stars of each sport. Their Web sites feature articles and photos of competitions and lifestyle articles along with online stores. The market for a company that can keep pace with teens' trendy tastes is enormous. It's like buying an identity, but it is fun and healthy, unlike some other identities you can buy. The clothes are comfortable and it promotes fun.
About 70 percent to 75 percent of teens have a steady source of income that is for them, like an allowance or part-time job. Their main objective is to make sure they look good. The last time surf was this hot was in the late 1980s, when anyone who could get a bolt of neon and make clothing called themselves a surf company. When the neon craze died, the industry got chopped at the knees because they we had was a one-trick pony. All they had was men's and neon. Now, however, surf companies have the legs right now to continue to grow exponentially.
The summer surf flick "Blue Crush," helped drive the surfing U.S. sales. Some companies have launched an entertainment unit that's created an action sports television show and a new book series about girl surfers, among other moves. The image that Orange County's surf crowd perpetuates will help fuel their demand.
You may have been skiing for a few years now but still aren't completely confident on steeper and more intense runs. It is more than likely that you're looking for just the right blend of challenge and ease. You want to push your abilities a bit farther with each run without going overboard. Breckenridge is an ideal place for intermediate skiers to find the perfect combination of challenge and comfort. As an intermediate skier, you may want to familiarize yourself with the peaks for a great day of skiing in Breckenridge.
Peaks 7 and 8 offer thrilling areas for intermediate skiing. Northstar and Claimjumper are two runs that are marvelously moderate while offering more privacy than some of the other runs on Peak 8. Right next door at Peak 7, several intermediate trails provide the finest cruising zones. The bottom of Peak 7 also features the Independence Super Chair that serves as the heart of the peak.
Peak 9 is the ultimate area in Breckenridge for intermediate skiers. Ballroom skiing is ideal on smooth trails here, especially on runs such as Columbia and Sundown. In addition, the Peak 9 Restaurant makes for a wonderful place to have a break and catch your breath. You will want to avoid the nearby Bonanza run as it's usually crowded with beginner skiers who are not only practicing but spend unnecessarily longer time scooting their way down the trail. For a bit more challenge, check out the more bumpy yet mild terrain on Peerless and Volunteer at Peak 9.
Peak 10 offers three blue runs and a much more technical terrain. Crystal, Centennial, and Doublejack are excellent choices if you’re looking for a bit more challenge. Those who are ready to take it up a notch will find Peak 10's Falcon Super Chair and expert terrain absolutely magnificent as you'll be rewarded with lesser crowd and shorter waiting time than usual.
Intermediate skiers are usually those who are relatively new to the sport or have taken several years off. They are mostly comfortable on the mountain but can be a bit rusty at times. It's always advisable for intermediate skiers to keep a few factors in mind before hitting the slopes hard on their very first day. Be sure to spend some time training for the sport before ski season opens. You will want to prepare yourself with cardio and aerobic exercises as well as strength training, stretching and flexibility exercises.
While you're on the slopes, monitor your activity level by taking breaks regularly and increasing your difficulty level gradually. You might be feeling that you are ready to move into the more advanced bracket but a long and tiring day of skiing can be hard on your body. Don’t push it too hard and always listen to what your body is telling you. At the end of the day, the last place you want to wind up is on a run that's too difficult when you're losing steam. Save the harder runs for a new day.
Beginners find Breckenridge a wonderful and unintimidating mountain town to practice while experts absolutely love the challenge and variety. On the other hand, intermediate skiers find themselves mastering areas and moving ahead to endless new terrains that lie before them in Breckenridge. The Ten Mile Range offers marvelous intermediate skiing areas in a stunning backdrop. It is no wonder why Breckenridge is the favorite place of skiers of all difficulty levels to enhance their skills.
