VIDEO: HSA CHALLENGE 2014

HSA Challenge 2014...

It's time for the HSA Challenge 2014!

We introduced this concept in 2013 here on our blog with less success than we'd anticipated. But like all adventurers, we don't give up so easily

It's a new year and time to renew the challenge.

What is the HSA Challenge you ask? Well, simply put, we challenge you, our readers and fans, to add some adventure to your lives and document it for the world to see. Here is the concept...

Pick at least one day each week to do something adventurous

Document the adventure with photos or video

Share the adventure with us on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Humanspiritofadventure)

And (most important of all)... HAVE FUN

That all there is to it...

Pics do not have to be professional quality... they can be shot with a cell phone in the crappiest conditions. Vids don't have to be professionally shot or edited... this is NOT an editing contest.

This is about human beings breaking away from self-imposed bondage and servitude by injecting fun and adventure into their lives. It's about rekindling that spark down deep within all of us. It's about showing the world that the human spirit is still alive.

CONCEPT: TRITON REBREATHER OXYGEN MASK

Triton Oxygen Rebreather: Will It Work?

For SCUBA divers, this could be a dream come true (if it ever actually comes true). 

Straight out of a science fiction film, or perhaps a James Bond film, a South Korean designer claims to have invented an oxygen mask which can draw air from water as you swim, eliminating the need for air tanks and bulky SCUBA equipment.

The Triton acts like a fish gill to extract oxygen from water so that the user can keep breathing while under the sea. Designer Jeabyun Yeon, who came up with the concept, believes it will change the way people approach water. This concept relies on some future technologies that have not yet been invented, such as a micro-battery and a few other things.

The regulator comprises a plastic mouthpiece that requires you to simply bite down. There are two arms that branch out to the sides of the scuba mask that have been developed to function like the efficient gills of a marine creature. The scaly texture conceals small holes in the material where water is sucked into Jeabyun Yeon's Triton. Chambers inside separate the oxygen and release the liquid so that you can breath comfortably in the ocean.

The design has its nay-sayers though. Dr. Alistair Dove, Director of Research and Conservation at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, wrote a piece for Deepseanews.com where he breaks down the physics of breathing.

The Triton is a very cool concept that has been on the minds of divers for generations. Considering I have extremely limited knowledge of SCUBA diving, I have no experience in which to form an opinion. However, all scientific discoveries and inventions were once thought to be impossible.

Will it work? Leave us a comment to tell us what you think.

 

VIDEO: PORTUGALS 100 SECOND RIDE

Is This The Longest Wave Ever Ridden In Lagos, Algarve?

As Winter Storm Hercules ripped through the Northern Hemisphere, surfers from all over the world tried their chops on the beastly waves... most unsuccessfully. But in Portugal, one man was able to get a great ride that lasted for 100 seconds.

Alex Botelho paddled out at Batata Beach and paddled into a wave. He then stayed on it for an incredible 100 seconds

In an interview Botelho told Surf Portugal Magazine. “I didn’t expect to surf that wave, I passed by a friend that was surfing in the river, passed the pier, and suddenly I was in Meia Praia.”

Non surfers do not realize that most waves last on 6 to 10 seconds. A 100 second wave is quite rare. Less than a handful of places can a ride be found that long. Texas Tanker Surfing has boasted waves that can go for 20 minutes, but the circumstances are unique.

Check out the video of Alex Botelho and his 100 second ride

Photo Courtesy: beforeitsnews.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR ADVENTURERS... HERE'S TO ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!

Another Year of Adventure...

My fellow Adventurers,

As we bring to close another year in the history of our lives, let us not look back and wonder what could have been... but look forward to what will be. We will have plenty of time for looking back when we are old, gray, and reminiscing with grandchildren.

The Human Spirit of Adventure has always been about moving forward and meeting challenges... from the early days when Columbus sailed the Atlantic in search of a new world, to the first moon landing, to Felix Baumgartner's super-sonic Base-jump from the edge of space, adventurers have always followed the road less traveled.

A wise man once said, "Tomorrow is the first blank page in a 365 page book... Write a good one."

We here at Human Spirit of Adventure plan to write a great one, and we hope that each and every one of you do as well. May all of your dreams come true in 2014, and may all of your adventures be exciting!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

VIDEO: IGW 2014 PROMO

IGW 2014 Is Coming...

Time is coming soon for the 3rd annual International GoPro Weekend. Our friends at The Goworld Project are already setting the stage for what is quickly becoming one of the biggest yearly events in adventure sports.

Read this blurb from their website...

What is International GoPro Weekend? IGW is an annual 3-day event in which we ask GoPro fanatics from around the world to film something using their GoPros. We then compile the footage they contribute to make a movie that shares our concurrent experiences from this 72 hour window… International GoPro Weekend! For IGW2012 we had 37 people from 14 countries submit content! For IGW2013 we had 127 people from over 40 countries. IGW2014 promises to be even bigger!

When is International GoPro Weekend? The 3rd annual IGW (aka IGW2014) will be held March 14, 15, and 16. Holding the event over a period of three days gives everyone the flexibility to pick a day to film that’s most convenient for them. However, it is NOT a requirement that your clip be filmed during this period; we just strongly encourage you to film on these three days, so that we can share our concurrent experiences.

How do I participate? To officially sign up, please send an email request to: IGW2014@GoWorldProject.com. We will respond with more details about the event, specifics about the content desired (resolution, fps, subject nature), general guidelines and how to go about submitting your clip(s) once IGW2014 has taken place. DON'T FORGET... we give out a ton of prizes at random for participation. In years past, we've given out: SD cards, GoPro accessories, stickers, posters, a HERO3 Silver and Black Edition!!! (Shouts out to GoPro for hooking up the cameras and gear!)

Check out the Promo Video Below!!!

EXPEDITION: LAGUNA MADRE - UPDATE

Expedition: Laguna Madre - Update

In our previous post we gave a few more details about the upcoming kayaking expedition in which HSA could be involved. We now have a few more (See flyer below).

This event is in dire need of a "Title Sponsor" as well as other sponsors if it is to get off the ground. As previously mentioned, it is a paddle for charity. 

That charity is the Volunteer Services Council for the Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center. This charity is in support of people with intellectual disabilities such as autism, Downs Syndrome, and other mental health issues. For over 40 years, the VSC has been improving the lives of those who reside at the Living Center (formerly known as Corpus Christi State School). 

The monies from this charity go to various things for those with the disabilities like purchasing Christmas presents, trips to the local fishing pier, and trips to the movies... as well as countless other things.

For more details or to sponsor/donate contact:

Judy LaPointe - Community Relations Director

361-443-5184

Jalapointe76@gmail.co

Check out the flyer below, and please pass it along to anyone who may be interested in donating or sponsoring... it is for a great cause.

 

EXPEDITION: LAGUNA MADRE

Image courtesy of Leftray.com

Expedition - Laguna Madre

In our last post, "Expedition: Preliminary Talks", we hinted at an upcoming kayaking expedition in which HSA could be involved. The time has come for a few more details.

The concept of this yet-to-be-named expedition is a 120 mile kayak trip through the Laguna Madre in South Texas (see map below). HSA Founder, Joe Vulgamore, will paddle the three-day trip on a SOT touring kayak, camping at certain points along the way.

Still in the very early preliminary talk/planning stages this expedition is a paddle for charity event. The early concept is to raise funds for persons with intellectual disabilities. Until certain legal aspects are taken care of, we are not allowed to use the name of the charity in this post.

Basically though, the idea is for people to donate money for each mile paddled. The charity's Community Relation Director is working out the details on that, as well as trying to line up sponsors for equipment and gear, as well as a Title Sponsor for the adventure.

Plans are also in the works to obtain media partners. Everything from planning meetings and pre-expedition training to resupply points and POV video, will be video documented along the way and eventually put together as a full-length documentary.

The preliminary date for this expedition is early April 2014.

At this point, we can't say any more about the trip other than we, as well as our founder, are stoked and honored to be asked to be a participant in this event!

 Below is a map of the Laguna Madre with the tentative start and stop points, as well as the route through the Lower Laguna, the Intercoastal Waterway land cut (Saltillo Flats), and into the Upper Laguna.

Stay tuned for more info my friends!!!

EXPEDITION: PRELIMINARY TALKS

Expedition - Preliminary Talks Underway

Human Spirit of Adventure was lucky enough today for our founder to be involved in preliminary talks of a major expedition...

We cant release any details at the moment, but it is safe to say that with the proper funding and sponsorship, this will be an off the chain journey.

At this point in time, all we can say is that the expedition involves one of these***. 

More Details to come as time goes by... Stoked!

Image courtesy of Malibu Kayaks

*** Brand of kayak to be decided

TIME WARP TUESDAY - ANOTHER FREAKIN VIDEO

Video from the Vault - Another Freakin Video

Good Morning!

Time for another Time Warp Tuesday...

Once again we feature another Texas surf video. This one is appropriately titled "Another Freakin Video"

Enjoy!!!

Another Freakin Video from Sirfur Productions on Vimeo.

TIME WARP TUESDAY - TEXAS SURF 9-3-10

Video From The Vault - Bob Hall Pier 9-3-10

Welcome to another Time Warp Tuesday!

Today's video was shot EXACTLY three years ago today in Texas at the infamous Bob Hall Pier in Corpus Christi.

Enjoy!!!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND - END OF A SEASON

Photo - HSA

The End of Summer is Here

Labor Day Weekend is upon us; the traditional North American weekend that, for all intents and purposes, signifies the end of summer.

While the calendar may say otherwise, for most school children, parents, and vacationers the season is done.

The long weekend is the last opportunity for many to enjoy one last day at the beach, one last weekend camping, or some other adventure before the fall season will be upon us.

While Fall and Winter have their own grandiose adventure opportunities such as skiing, snowboarding, winter hikes and such, it is Summer that has always allowed many of us the most joy.

So as we say goodbye to a spectacular season, HSA asks everyone to do something fun this weekend... do something challenging... give yourself a reason to say that you enjoyed the summer...

In fact, it could be a perfect opportunity to take us up on the HSA Challenge... either way, leave a reply to this post, or hit us up on our Facebook page and tell us what you did with your Labor Day Weekend.

As we here at Human Spirit of Adventure are quite fond of saying, "What Will You Do???"

 

WARRIOR WOUNDS...

Photo: HSA

Warrior Wounds - Post your Pics

Warrior wounds... we all get them. To an adventurer, its just part of the lifestyle. Cuts, bruises, blisters, and broken bones, while painful at the time, eventually remind us of the things we've done and the places we've been. Scars serve as a trophy for pushing ourselves to go farther and higher.

I got this one while sending a little boulder in one of the city parks on Padre Island. It seems someone had fun breaking beer bottles at the top of the boulder...

HSA would love to see pics of your warrior wounds!

Post pics of your wounds on our Facebook Page and tell us how you got them... It's not adventure without a little blood!

www.facebook.com/Humanspiritofadventure

What Will You Do???

TIME WARP TUESDAY - HURRICANE IKE

Video From The Vault: Aftermath (Hurricane Ike 2008)

Today's Time warp Tuesday takes us back to 2008 and Hurricane Ike.

This video from HSA predecessor Texas Surf TV, shows some Texas waves and the destruction left along the coast by that massive storm.

Watch and Enjoy!!!

Aftermath from Sirfur Productions on Vimeo.

ROAD TRIP: SOUTH PADRE WRAP UP

Photo: HSA

Road Trip Wrap Up: South Padre Island

As mentioned in our earlier post, we found ourselves on a road trip to South Padre Island for a little fun and adventure. It was a nice getaway.

We set out on Friday around noon on the 3 hour drive to our destination. When we arrived we were greeted by the beautiful blue water of SPI's end of the Laguna Madre. Traffic wasn't too bad as we crossed the Queen Isabella Causeway and ventured into town to check in at the hotel.

The room was not quite ready when we arrived so we stopped in at a local B&G for a cocktail and chips with salsa while we waited. The weather was hot and breezy with the taste of excitement in the air.

After checking in, we cruised around town seeing the sights and eventually made our way to Isla Blanca Park for a little beach time and a healthy swim. Afterward we returned to the hotel for showers and proceeded to dinner at Louie's Backyard. We were seated at a perfect table to view the regular Friday night fireworks display, which was fairly impressive. We enjoyed the outdoor dining atmosphere and ate our fill on the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.
I highly recommend Louie's if you are ever in South Padre.

After dinner and a few more drinks, we went back to the hotel to rest up for the next day.

On Saturday we awoke ready for breakfast. We ate a nice little breakfast at a quaint little outdoor spot with a beach view and a total island vibe.
Afterward we made our way back to Isla Blanca for a day at the beach. The original plan had called for surfing, but the tropical disturbance that had been brewing in the Yucatan had fizzled by Saturday morning and the waves were not to be had. So we made up for it with a day of relaxing on the beach, drinking Sangria, and enjoying the beautiful blue waters of the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Sunday morning called for us to pack our bags for it was the last day there. But not all adventure was lost. After breakfast we boarded a catamaran and set off into Laguna Bay for a snorkeling adventure.
The bay had amazing clarity and we were able to enjoy the abundance of sea life. See a couple of screen grabs below...


It was a great trip for a weekend getaway. I lead an island lifestyle regularly, but it was great to get away from my regular beaches for a bit. Adventure is around every corner... all you have to do is look!

Photo: HSA

ROAD TRIP: SOUTH PADRE ISLAND

Courtesy - Mexicotime.net

Time to Hit the Road...

I love a good road trip! Hitting the road to a destination that will bring fun and adventure is a part of the human spirit. 

The road calls us. It beckons us. Indeed it is etched in our spirit just as it is etched into the landscape.

This weekend a road trip will lead me to South Padre Island for a weekend of fun and adventure on the white sandy beaches of South Texas. Adventure awaits with a decent surf forecast, blue waters for snorkeling, and maybe even parasailing if the opportunity presents itself.

Will update later with pics and a wrap up of the trip...

Mahalo!

TIME WARP TUESDAY: VIDEO FROM THE VAULT - Liners 2010

Video From The Vault: Liners - 2010

It is time for Time Warp Tuesday... this is where we at HSA do a throwback kind of thing and post up something from past adventures.

Never heard of it?

That's because this is our first time...

Today we are posting a video from HSA's forerunner, Texas Surf TV. This video is appropriately titled "Liners".  It features a fun little bit of surf... Texas style! Filmed at Packery Channel in Corpus Christi TX during the Spring of 2010.

ENJOY!

Liners from Sirfur Productions on Vimeo.

TAKE THE HSA CHALLENGE: What Will You Do???

Take the HSA Challenge!!!

What is the HSA Challenge you ask? Well, simply put, We here at Human Spirit of Adventure challenge our blog readers, our Facebook followers, and indeed the world, to put a little adventure into your lives. All too often people are bound to their desks, chained to their cell phones, or glued to the TV. Many of those people say to themselves, "If I only had the time I would do ______." Yet, for some reason, they never do.

In comes the HSA Challenge...

We challenge you, our readers and fans, to add some adventure to your lives and document it for the world to see. Here is the concept...

• Pick at least one day each week to do something adventurous
• Document the adventure with photos or video
• Share the adventure with us on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Humanspiritofadventure)
• And (most important of all)... HAVE FUN

That all there is to it...

Pics do not have to be professional quality... they can be shot with a cell phone in the crappiest conditions. Vids don't have to be professionally shot or edited... this is NOT an editing contest.

This is about human beings breaking away from self-imposed bondage and servitude by injecting fun and adventure into their lives. It's about rekindling that spark down deep within all of us. It's about showing the world that the human spirit is still alive.

I hope that you will all join us in this endeavor...

VIDEO: "LIFE RECLAIMED" Trailer 1

Here it is! The first trailer from the HSA Documentary "Life Reclaimed". "Life Reclaimed" is an inspirational adventure documentary based on the premise that "Nature is Greater than Therapy". It covers the story of a man who lost everything he worked a lifetime to aquire and his fight to reclaim his life from depression, devestation, and lonliness by getting back to his roots in adventure sports.






 
HSA Trailer1B from Sirfur Productions on Vimeo.

GET EARLY PREVIEW OF "LIFE RECLAIMED" TRAILER

GET EARLY PREVIEW OF "LIFE RECLAIMED" TRAILER

The first trailer for the HSA adventure documentary "Life Reclaimed" drops on August 1, 2013.

HSA is offering an early preview of the trailer and it's easy to get.

All you have to do is go to our Facebook Page, "Like" us, and send a message requesting to see it... we will send you a link to view it. 

That's all there is to it folks. So hit us up and we'll hook you up!

Mahalo!

HSA DOCUMENTARY TRAILER TO BE RELEASED...

HSA Documentary Trailer to be released August 1...

HSA is happy to announce that we will be releasing the first trailer of our adventure documentary on August 1, 2013.

Although filming is still ongoing, we thought we would release a little teaser for you soon.

No plot spoilers though...

Stay tuned to our blog and Facebook page for chances to get an early viewing.