Conquer Your Height Fear with Hot Air Ballooning in California

Easing your way into your fear of heights is a good way to conquer it. You don't have to do anything drastic like jump off a plane and go sky diving or bungee jumping. Something more subtle like hot air ballooning can do the trick, and it is a gentler way to overcome your fear.

A typical hot air balloon can hold as many as six people or more, depending on the balloon size and the size of its basket. Don't worry about the wicker basket breaking mid-flight, because even when it is crafted from a simple basket material, wicker is extremely flexible and hot air balloon baskets are carefully tested by experts to ensure safety. Its base is even designed to resist impact upon landing, so riders won't feel a jolt. The balloon, which is made from nylon, is fireproof and can't be easily damaged.

The great thing about hot air ballooning is that you don't have to do it alone. Expert pilots will be there with you; they are extensively trained and have earned proper certifications before allowed to take passengers up on a ride. Their crew also checks all aspects of the equipment and weather conditions are analyzed, considering all details and possible changes to make sure the ride will be completely safe. A ground crew also follows the balloon and meets you on the ground as you land. Ballooning is not always a precise activity, in that you may land on unexpected locations, but all this is part of the fun, and your pilot and crew always know how to handle things.

Riding a balloon with some people that you trust can truly help you overcome your fear of heights without having to push yourself to the limits. In California alone, there are many great ballooning sites to try out, like Lake Tahoe and the scenic Mammoth Lakes, with its mountainous terrain. More beautiful ballooning spots can be discovered throughout the country and the rest of the world through online guides that offer great tips on the most exciting extreme sports and spots in the planet.

Find the Best Region for Surfing in South Carolina

South Carolina has some top notch surfing locations, ideal for those who want to ride the waves without having to travel cross country or to remote, exotic places just to get their wave, sun, and sand fix. If you want the low down on some of the most attractive surf spots around the world, as well as the greatest locations to enjoy extreme recreational sports and activities, check out well-maintained online adventurous sports websites that offer all the latest updates on the best adventures across the globe. If surfing is your thrill source of choice, here are some of the most attractive beaches to visit in South Carolina:

1. Edisto Beach – This South Carolina beach offers surf-worthy breaks throughout the year. Offshore winds come from the northwest, and local windswells come from all directions, the best of which from the southeast. Frequented by surf heads, Edisto beach offers good surf at all stages of the tide.
2. Folly Beach – Located in Charleston County, Folly Beach is one of the most famous surf spots not only in South Carolina, but in all of the East Coast. It offers the best conditions for surfing and all forms of beach relaxation and entertainment complete with lively beach bars, restaurants, and cafés, and all other things you can ask for in a major surf spot. It attracts surfers from all over the world, with waves rising up to 5 feet.
3. Myrtle Beach – Also one of the most popular surf destinations in South Carolina, this Horry County beach is also frequented by all sorts of beach goers, owing to its warm, subtropical climate. With more than 14 million visitors year-round, this beach is the perfect spot to practice your surfing style, providing the best surf conditions even for amateur and experienced surfers.