All posts in Sports

The "Shoe Goo" from Nike SB

by eclectic on October 24, 2008 in Skating, Sports with No comments

The new Nike SB shoe, nicknamed the “Shoe Goo,” dropped in September and apparently has sold out at most locations. I didn’t get the connection to our Shoe Goo at first.

Sort of a retro high top and with a duct-tape-like design on the side. Pretty cool shoe… but why the “shoe goo”?

Here’s the photo:

Then I saw this photo:

I get it! That looks familiar, huh?

Thanks for the shout-out, Nike SB. We’re glad skaters love us and we’re part of skate culture. Need Shoe Goo? Check your local skateshop or go online.

Maintaining Your Skate Gear

by eclectic on July 24, 2008 in Sports with No comments

Learning to skateboard definitely takes time, patience and the ability to fall down over and over and over and still get up and do it again. And during the time it takes to learn, you can go through a lot of equipment. The primary parts of a skateboard are the deck, the trucks, the wheels and bearings, the hardware and the grip tape, not to mention shoes and jeans. It can get spendy, but there are a few ways to maximize the life of your equipment…

The Deck: The main part of the board is the deck and the best ones are made of wood (usually maple). Boards are plywood – several thin layers of wood laminated together. That gives the board flex. But, if you ride in the rain, or through water or even leave your board in the sun, it can “de-laminate” and cause it to come apart. So, keep your board dry and out of the sun when you’re not skating.

Trucks: The mounting hardware takes a beating and can loosen up with the vibration and banging around the skateboards go through. Check to make sure all the hardware is tight before you ride. The bushings can also get smashed or misshapen and when that happens you have to replace them. Take a look at this video to get some tips on replacing the kingpins and bushings.

Wheels and Bearings: Wheels are generally made of polyurethane. Check to make sure there’s no major damage before you head out for a ride. When you’re street skating, it’s tough to avoid junk on the road that can chew up your wheels, but it’s worth being aware.

If your wheels are catching or dragging, it’s probably not the wheel itself, but the ball bearings. I found a great article that takes it apart step by step on how to service your bearings. One thing to keep in mind is to not use WD-40. There are products specific to ball bearings, so use the right stuff.

Shoes: Skate shoes can really take a beating. Pushing off and dragging your feet can result in wear and tear that, without maintenance, could mean replacing your shoes every few weeks. Yikes. This guy’s shoe shows the typical wear patterns.

Shoe Goo is loved by skateboarders for just this reason. You can build up the shoe in the worn spots so they last you longer. Get more tips for using Shoe Goo.

You can get some advice at Expert Village if you’re just starting out. And take time to get to know the people at your local skate shop. They can be a huge help.

photo by expense via flickr

Get Your Boat Ready for Dog Days of Summer

by eclectic on July 10, 2008 in Marine, Sports with No comments

As the temperatures begin to rise, many water enthusiasts will feel the call to their favorite warm-weather water activities. Whether your boat was properly winterized or simply sitting in storage during the off-season, there are several things you can do to make sure the boat is fully prepared for fun.

Preparation should include mechanical check-ups completed by a marine dealership or service center as well as small repairs that you can easily do yourself.

MECHANICAL CHECK-UPS
Regular maintenance saves money in the long run and greatly extends the life of your boat. Make sure that everything is working properly by taking it in for a comprehensive tune-up before launching into the boating season.

Most manufacturers recommend that, at a minimum, you should have the fuel filter or fuel-water separator replaced, the engine oil and oil filter changed, and the lubricant in the outdrive or transmission replaced. In addition, having the cooling system checked and the battery charged will ensure no interruption of fun this first time out.

QUICK REPAIRS
The cost of a pre-season checkup can head off sudden and expensive repairs. Save money by keeping up on the small repairs yourself — the kinds that require only a tube of adhesive.

An amazing number of things can be repaired with an adhesive, such as tears, loose boards, peeling laminate surfaces, frayed ropes, leaks, cracks, or hardware that comes loose or breaks off.

Omar Tiba, Ph.D., product and development leader for adhesive manufacturer Eclectic Products,

Inc., suggests that using a single-part adhesive that can withstand UV damage and exposure to water is key. Amazing GOOP Marine, for example, has both of these qualities. It also can be painted for maximum UV protection and to blend in with the rest of your boat.

Adhesives such as Amazing GOOP Marine work well on repairs such as tears in the canvas cover, vinyl seats, or life jackets because it remains rubbery and flexible after drying and won’t crack under the stress of use. Hardware like loose lanyards and mirrors are bonded practically forever when reattached with such an adhesive.

Its ability to seal unlike objects, including glass, plastic, metal, leather, vinyl, wood and aluminum with maximum strength and longevity, and withstand water exposure and UV rays, makes it indispensable for people using rafts and diving equipment. Once you’re done with the adhesive, the small tube can be stored

just about anywhere and never get in the way.

Here are a few tips for keeping your boat in top shape throughout the season:

  • Whenever you take your boat into saltwater, make sure to flush the engine after the trip to prevent salt build-up.
  • Fill up your gas tank after each trip so it will resist water build-up from condensation.
  • Washing your entire boat and trailer with soap and water is an important step to boat maintenance. A car wash soap that will not strip wax, like Zip Wax, should be used rather than bleach or an abrasive cleaner.
  • Also make sure to scrub the deck with a non-skid cleaner.
  • After you’ve finished washing, dry all metal, glass and flat surfaces to avoid the mineral deposits that develop in standing water.
  • Never let your boat sit outside without a cover between uses.

Preparing your boat for warm-weather use with professional tune-ups and do-it-yourself fix-its, and maintaining it throughout the season are the best ways to keep it in top shape for years to come.

Most home improvement, hardware stores and mass merchants carry a variety of adhesives, including Amazing GOOP Marine. Make inexpensive repairs to your boat with a versatile adhesive before you set sail.

Photo by Costi

Amateur Tennis Players Unite!

by eclectic on June 5, 2008 in Sports with 1 Comment

Inspired by the amazing play at the French Open this year (visit the official site here), I thought I’d take a look and see what online opportunities there are for amateur tennis players to get support, improve your stroke or just connect with others online. There were two that appeared to be pretty popular and have a variety of features for users.

  • Racquet Speed: A social network for players and instructors. From the Web site: Raquetspeed.com lets you locate tennis courts , tennis partners , and instructors near you . You can schedule a lesson in New York , setup a match in Miami, or locate tennis courts around your home . Racquetspeed.com is a great way make new friends on the court , and stay connected to old ones. Create a custom profile, upload photos, add events and even add your favorite courts.
  • Tennisopolis: From the site: Social network where tennis fans and players share all there is to love about this amazing sport. Whether you are a fan of the pros or just love to play, Tennisopolis is for you!

Looking for a partner? Sign up for either of these networks and get connected! And to keep tennis shoes in good repair, try Shoe GOO.

Photo by small_ape via Flickr

Why Good Shoes Matter

by eclectic on May 12, 2008 in General Information, Sports with No comments

Wall of Sports Shoes If you’re active in a sport like tennis, basketball, running or skateboarding, you know that your shoes can take a beating.

In fact, A 150-pound person walking just one mile exerts a force of 63.5 tons on a single foot, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Selecting the right shoe is paramount, especially in preventing foot-related injuries.

Each sport will have specific shoe features that are important, but there are also a few general rules of thumb to keep in mind when choosing shoes.

We all have different types of feet, but there are two ways to consider foot type. One is your “strike,” or how your foot hits the ground and the other is arch.

Strike is generally categorized in three basic types: supinated, pronated and ideal. To figure out which one you are, you can look at the wear of your current shoe.

SUPINATED – if your shoes wear is on the outside of the shoe first. The heel will be worn, but so will the shoe outside edge or little toe area.

PRONATED – with a pronated foot, the wear is on the inside heel and around the ball of the foot.

IDEAL or NEUTRAL – this foot will show little wear in any particular place.

You can also do the “wet foot” test gauge your arch.

Based on the pictures, decide which type is similar to your foot. Shoe manufacturers have taken foot types into account and created three functional categories for walking and running shoes:

Motion Control
Design: A straight shape shoe that is the most rigid and resistant to twisting and bending of all three styles
Best Fit: Individuals with a low arch, flat and generally straight feet

Stability
Design: A shoe with a slight curve to the shape
Best Fit: Individuals with medium-arched feet, typically deemed “normal”

Neutral
Design: A curved shoe that is the least rigid and resistant to twisting and bending of all three shoe categories
Best Fit: Individuals with high-arched feet
Knowing your foot type will help you choose the right shoe, but again, a few basics apply for all feet when choosing a shoe.

  • A removable insole: allows you to replace it with your own if necessary.
  • A snug heel: better for control of the back of the foot. Women purchasing men’s shoes should be aware of this.
  • A roomy toe box: you should be able to wiggle your toes comfortably and wide is better. Your toes should not touch the front of the shoe.
  • Try shoes on late in the day when you feet have expanded. You should be able to fit a finger between your heel and the back of the shoe when sitting.
  • To maintain your shoes, try Eclectic Products Shoe GOO.

For more tips visit our sources for this blog post:

Save Your Shoes! Shoe GOO Tips for Skaters

by eclectic on April 27, 2008 in DIY, Sports with No comments

If you’re a skater (or the parent of a skater), you know that skate shoes are not cheap! And the wear and tear of skateboarding on the shoe sole is brutal.

Skaters have long known that Shoe GOO can salvage their shoes and make them last just a little bit longer.

Here are some tips from Shoe GOO fans:

  • Dam holes from the inside with duct tape before applying Shoe GOO to the outside.
  • Seal frayed or open seams with a bead of Shoe GOO.
  • Drop globs of Shoe GOO all around the area to be covered and then spread it into a sheet for seamless rubbery “shield” of adhesive from top to sole.
  • Finally, the secret to a great shield: ICE CUBES! Spreading the adhesive is the biggest challenge with these kinds of adhesives. Being “glue”, they are sticky and stick to everything, including whatever you are trying to spread them with. Here’s the trick: use an ice cube to spread it around. The glue won’t stick to ice and the adhesive will flow where you want it. The temperature of the ice also helps set the adhesive a little.

More tips here from About.com.

Watch a video review from ExpoTv.com here.

photo courtesy of ktpupp via flickr