Infographic: The bad and the ugly of boating accidents

by Scott Carmichael on

Summer is a fine time of year, but out on the water, things can be pretty dangerous. This past weekend, a man was killed when his boat was hit by a drunk driver operating another boat.

Sadly, boating accidents like this are quite frequent; in 2008, there were just under 3000 boating accidents. In those accidents, 614 people were killed. Even more surprising is that 9 out of 10 people who died in a boating accident in 2008 were not wearing a life jacket.

The artists at Boat Insurance have put together a fantastic graphic showing the causes of boating accidents in the U.S. as well as the kind of watercraft involved in the accident.

[Image source: Boat Insurance]

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Beach-bound? Head to these best beaches on the west coast

by Gadling Staff on

Hanging 10 in Hawaii? Settling along the California coast? If the West is your destination this summer, don’t miss a day at one of these fabulous west coast beaches. Not only are they free, they offer plenty to do if a day in the sand gets dull (although, we can’t imagine it would)!

Kaanapali Beach – Maui – West Maui’s Ka’anapali Beach is undoubtedly is easily accessible by a concrete path. Here you’ll find Black Rock, along with some of the best snorkeling on the island. Entering right from the wide stretch of golden sand, you will be transported into an underwater world teeming with tropical fishes, a turtle or two, and if you are lucky you’ll spot a few eagle rays. At sunset, you are treated to a free torch lighting and cliff diving ceremony right off Black Rock.

Makena Beach (Big Beach) – Maui – South Maui‘s Makena Beach is a State Park, meaning there is no man-made development. Visitors concentrate on body surfing, snorkeling, or enjoying a picnic with the views of islet, Molokini, in the distance. There are no resorts nearby so there is often ample parking.

Poipu Beach – Kauai – Unlike most beaches in Maui which can get quite rough for timid swimmers, Poipu Beach’s protected area is a great option for beginner swimmers and snorkelers. With lifeguards on duty everyday and a relatively calm environment, it is considered one of the safest beaches in Hawaii.

Lanikai Beach – Oahu – Bypass the more famous Waikiki Beach for the more secluded and postcard-perfect Lanikai Beach. Divers and snorkelers alike will find delight in the reefs. As the sun sets, you could almost swear that Don Ho is strumming his ukulele in the distance. Carmel Beach – Monterey Coast, California – Anyone who has ever been to quaint Carmel-By-The–Sea along the Monterey Coast would have experienced firsthand the beauty of Carmel Beach. The best part? This beach is perfectly pet friendly! Owners and their canine companions can frolic freely on the white sandy beach, play in the water, or throw around a Frisbee.

Huntington Beach, California – Located in sunny Southern California, Huntington Beach has some of the best and most consistent surf in the U.S., making it the ideal site of the annual world surfing championships. Those hesitant to try the surfs firsthand can channel their Karch Kiraly and practice their beach volleyball skills at one of the famous stops on the renowned AVP Beach Volleyball tour.

Coronado Beach, California – Fronting the famed Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Beach has something for everyone. With the widest stretch of sand in San Diego County, it offers plenty of space to fly a kite, fish, or explore the tide pools. It is an excellent location to swim or body board or bike along the path south of Hotel Coronado.

Pismo Beach, California – Located in California’s Central Coast, visitors can walk down the 1,200-foot Pismo Pier to try their hand at catching their dinner or just catch a beautiful sunset. Beach wheelchairs from Wheel Fun Rentals are even available free of charge to visitors.

Half Moon Bay, California – Northern California’s Half Moon Bay offers dozens of beaches along the Pacific Ocean. With its spectacular sea cliffs and beautiful shoreline, Half Moon Bay has some of the best vista points for spotting the annual gray whale migration and elephant seals, and its sandy shores are perfect for horseback riding right on the beach.

Joyce Zee is a Seed.com writer.

World Cup: other things to do in South Africa

by Kraig Becker on

While the World Cup is currently taking center stage in South Africa, the country has plenty of other things to offer travelers who venture away from the stadiums to take in some of the amazing culture and adventure there. Here are five other suggestions for things to do while your favorite team isn’t taking the pitch.

Go on Safari
If you’re going to visit Africa, you simply have to go on safari of course, and South Africa has some of the best game preserves on the continent. Chief among them is Kruger National Park, which is home to lions, elephants, zebras, and the famous cape buffalo. If you’re lucky, you’ll also catch a glimpse of the rare black rhino and the elusive cheetah. The park has a variety of lodging options as well, including everything from staying in a tent to a fancy, upscale lodge.

Go Surfing
South Africa sits on the far southern tip of the African continent, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans come together at Cape Agulhas and the Cape of Good Hope. This unique confluence of two oceans generates gigantic waves, and world class surfers from around the globe converge on Cape Town, and other South African cities, to ride the supertubes the region is famous for. Whether you’re an expert or beginner surfer, you’ll find plenty of great surf along South Africa’s spectacular beaches.

Go Scuba Diving
Scuba divers will find plenty to love in South Africa as well. The country’s ample coastlines offer some very diverse dive options for those who prefer to play beneath the ocean. For example, in Sodwana Bay you’ll find a beautiful array of coral reefs and bright tropical fish, but if you head further south to Protea Banks, you’ll get a dive of a completely different kind, complete with sharks and ship wrecks that are sure to get the adrenaline going.Go for a Hike
South Africa has amazingly diverse wilderness areas to explore some of which are best seen on foot. If you get the urge to take a walk, the Drakensberg Mountains offer up spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and trails even pass by primitive cave art that has been around for thousands of years. For an equally challenging hike closer to civilization, stay in Cape Town and make the trek to the top of Table Mountain, the 3550 foot tall, flat-topped mountain offers some great views of the city below and the ocean beyond

Go to the Winelands
When you’re done exploring the adventure travel aspects of South Africa, it’s time to relax and savor some of the other things that country is famous for. SA has become famous for its fine wines, which are exported around the globe, as much as its fantastic natural resources. There are multiple routes through the South African wine country, which is located east of Cape Town, and the region is famous for its breathtaking views and fine dining, as well as the amazing wine that is produced there. Whether you go for a day or for a week, you’ll be enchanted with region, that is a bit of a hidden gem in a country that is known for adventure.

Of course, at the moment South Africa is engulfed in a football frenzy, with travelers arriving from around the globe to watch the World Cup matches. But when those visitors are looking for a little escape from the craziness, they’ll certainly have plenty of options to choose from.

Surf’s up in … Chicago?

by Melanie Nayer on

It’s not the beaches of Hawaii, but Chicago does have its own summertime fun. Now, thanks to the Chicago Kimpton Hotels, you can surf Lake Michigan and hang 10 with your buddies on the beach (or something like that).

Apparently, surfing is legal in Chicago at Montrose Beach and 57th Street Beach, so Kimpton got creative and threw together a package worthy of riding a few waves. Grab an overnight stay, free “parking” for surfboards at the hotel, $50 certificate at Chicago surf shop Windward Sports, transportation to a surfing beach and two “Surf’s Up” drinks in the hotel bar starting at $220 for two people. You can use the rate code surf1 when booking on Kimpton’s website.

We can’t promise you’ll walk away a professional surfer, but hey – you can certainly say you tried something new while you were in Chicago.

Swimsuit Tips: How to care for your swimwear

by Amy Chen on

Finding the perfect swimsuit for the summer is just the beginning. Once you’ve settled on a design, you can keep buying a new swimsuit every year, or you can invest in some quality pieces to get you from season to season. Whatever your style or budget, here are some easy ways to make your swimsuit last longer.

I consulted Jennifer Hinton, co-founder and Creative Director of Carve Designs, for her top swimwear tips. Hinton started the Mill Valley, Calif.-based company with her friend Thayer Sylvester not long after returning from a surf trip to Mexico. So much for beach bumming.

What inspired you to launch a swimwear company?
We were in Sayulita, Mexico, in 2003 when it wasn’t built-up or Americanized at all. No one was at the beach when we went, and we were just waiting for the waves to come up. We started talking about doing a line of surf shorts and swimwear that was cute, sexy, and fit women. We were tired of Billabong, Roxy, and O’Neill branded all over our butts. So here we are seven years later with 105 items in the line when we started with eight.

What are the common mistakes that people make when washing their swimsuits?
People think that bikinis are made of steel, which for such a small suit is a lot to ask. That said, if you care for your bikini, it can last for quite a long time if it’s made with good material.

Obviously hand washing and hang drying your suit is optimal, but we know that people don’t do that. If you can, wash it in cold water in the washing machine and hang dry. The color will hold as will the fabric. Putting your bikini in the dryer is a total no-no.

Ocean water is better for suits than pools. Chlorine breaks down the integrity of the suit, but we know that not everyone swims in the ocean. Our suits can last up to four years if you treat it right.

How much time does it take for a suit to properly air-dry so you don’t have to resort to popping it in the dryer?
It depends on where you are. If you are in a dry spot, it can dry in 10 minutes, but if you are in a hot, humid spot, it can take a while — about an hour.

Are there any materials that dry faster than others?
Microfiber, which our board shorts are made of, dries a lot faster than most other fabrics. That’s why we use it for the shorts.

Any packing tips?
Reversible suits are best because they are two swimsuits (one sexy and one sporty) in one. When you bring a total of two suits, you can mix and match. That’s how we design the swim line, too. Everything kind of goes with each other. Our Bondi reversible top ($46) and bottom ($42) are among the best-sellers in the line.

What do you wear on the plane so you won’t freeze but can hit the beach as soon as you get off the plane?
I just got back from Bermuda, and on the plane I had a long T-shirt over leggings. I just slipped the leggings off when we got to the hot temperatures. I also like to travel with a nice cashmere wrap as you might need it at night time wherever you are.

Any other clever shortcuts so you can easily go from the plane to the beach?
We wear our swimsuits as bras. The Cardiff ($40) is as supportive as a bra, so we wear it on the plane. The fabric is comfy, and if you need to hit the beach fast, you’re already halfway there.

[Image Credit: Carve Designs]