tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57995928582491098142024-02-21T13:31:47.629+00:00Sandboarding NationSandboarding Nation
2014 - 2023Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-8213993241108476942023-09-20T15:29:00.000+01:002023-09-20T15:29:41.535+01:00Sandboarding Nation 2014-2023<p><span style="font-size: medium;">That's it for the Sandboarding Nation, thank you for all of your support for the last 9 years; I have now moved over my blogging operation to my personal website where you will find my latest updates at the link below (you will automatically be redirected in 10 seconds).</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.jack-soley.co.uk" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">www.jack-soley.co.uk</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you want a record of the entire blog, you can buy "The Sandboarding Book" on Amazon, or alternatively you can download an XML file of this website from 2014-2023.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V_6I8kto3uSJatQErAvhyUWr3g10L6Ma/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V_6I8kto3uSJatQErAvhyUWr3g10L6Ma/view?usp=sharing</a> </span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-74612452064274542482023-07-24T00:19:00.002+01:002023-09-20T15:26:51.818+01:00End of an Era<p>It was a lonely evening on 12th October 2014 when I decided to start writing a blog about a sport I felt passionate about and wanted to document what I knew about the subject.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have owned the domain for Sandboarding Nation since 2014 and have gone through multiple stages of marketing, selling merch, and doing my best to keep the Sandboarding community and those curious informed and in the know.</p><p><br /></p><p>The website will be online until the 9th anniversary in October 2023, I will eventually post a link to my new personal website that will include my latest books and other projects.</p><p><br /></p><p>I want to give my personal thanks to a great friend Gonçalo Pires for constantly reminding me that the blog was active, and José Lourenço, whom I met in India, for giving me good pointers for content; I also want to thank my mum, Tracey Booth for letting me use her social media profiles so I can keep the Sandboarding Nation social media pages alive if in the event mine was accidentally deleted or locked out. Most of all, I want to thank all the readers who viewed this blog throughout the years; it took me 2 books and an incomplete (yet still pending) film project to get where I am now, and, this blog will always be a permanent stay and will always be something that I dedicated 9 years of my life, my objective was to provide practical, easy to understand, and informative content on sandboarding and extreme sports, my only hope is that you think that I succeeded.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">SANDBOARDING NATION</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2014 - 2023</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-8742342952376052472023-01-13T11:17:00.003+00:002023-09-20T15:27:19.975+01:00Top 10 Sandboarding Countries of 2022<p>Well, after another unpredictable year for not just travel but for Sandboarding as a whole. This years' list will be just as condensed as the last I'm afraid. It goes without saying that travel has resumed compared to this time last year, but that doesn't mean that a lot of events and trips has been cancelled. As the same as last year I will be comparing countries in terms of the follow<span style="font-family: inherit;">ing: <span style="background-color: white;">Crime rate, Cost of Living, Internet Speed, Quality of Life, Pollution Index, and Healthcare Index. Here are the Top 10 countries for Sandboarding, for this year...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Except, there is a twist; the celebrate a good run in operating the blog, the list this year was chosen by you, the readers; for the very first time! The votes were tallied and compiled into a list for the best Sandboarding countries, we have a good few new entries and a mixed bag of results!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Before I begin the list, the winner of the Signed "The World's Greatest Sandboarding Destinations" book giveaway was Paul Matuszewskyj from Lincolnshire, England. A book is on its way to you!</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#10 </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Mongolia</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(new entry)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#9 Senegal</b> (new entry)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#8 Chile</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(appeared 4 times, highest position: 1st, 2018 & 2021)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#7 Brazil</b> (new entry)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#6 Turkiye</b> (new entry)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#5 Greece</b> (new entry)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#4 Germany</b> (appeared 4 times, highest position: 4th, 2015)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#3 Mauritania</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(new entry)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#2 Australia</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(appeared 4 times, highest position: 1st, 2014)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#1 Peru</b> (appeared in 2017; highest position: 6th, 2017)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2014: Australia🇦🇺</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2015: New Zealand🇳🇿</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2016: New Zealand🇳🇿</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2017: United States of America🇺🇸</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2018: Chile🇨🇱</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2019: Spain🇪🇸</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2020: Denmark🇩🇰</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2021: Chile🇨🇱</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>2022: Peru🇵🇪</b></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-20897889705694464612022-11-29T12:30:00.001+00:002023-09-20T15:27:20.746+01:00Voting Has Now Started for the Top 10 Countries List of 2022 + Win A Signed Book<p>Every year, I compose an annual list of all the countries that are the Top 10 Sandboarding Destinations annually. Now after 8 years of operating this website, I want to pass on the voting to you, the readers!</p><div>The vote is now on the "Giveaway" page, every vote with their postal address will have an entry to win a Signed Copy of "The World's Greatest Sandboarding Destinations". You will need to select at least 3 countries for every continental area and 1 for Oceania, the most results will be crowned the winner and will make its way onto the official list for this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The giveaway & poll closes on the 18th December at 7pm (GMT).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-64855465790757400352022-11-28T22:10:00.006+00:002023-09-20T15:27:23.257+01:00The World's Greatest Sandboarding Destinations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqjAP4hAHZN2nRHb_q2pdw-4b3oxFlQVD7Jb3AF1MpqT_W-6_8nP8qouj5QvYXS8VmMyUa4TllAOo4vmurv5fDRlU08Qvty5s-b6qkCq30AgllCf4covROGuVsQW7h7cBuhdAefMSBvK8lk94qqFf7YqKcE4nSUFJxiCBJxaC1kp0Rsp2Jc6P_TjYTQ/s4624/IMG20221201220835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqjAP4hAHZN2nRHb_q2pdw-4b3oxFlQVD7Jb3AF1MpqT_W-6_8nP8qouj5QvYXS8VmMyUa4TllAOo4vmurv5fDRlU08Qvty5s-b6qkCq30AgllCf4covROGuVsQW7h7cBuhdAefMSBvK8lk94qqFf7YqKcE4nSUFJxiCBJxaC1kp0Rsp2Jc6P_TjYTQ/w282-h376/IMG20221201220835.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><p>This book is a top 100 list of the best Sandboarding destinations compiled by the founder of the Sandboarding Nation blog, including surprising destinations and essential travel information for safety, budget, and planning.</p><p><br /></p><p>Interest in the burgeoning sport of Sandboarding has increased within the last few years, thanks in no small part to passionate sportsman like Sandboarding Nation founder Jack Soley.</p><p><br /></p><p>Soley encourages Sandboarders from all around the globe to seek new sands with The World’s Greatest Sandboarding Destinations. Covering 100 of the world’s best sands, rookies and veteran sand junkies can explore the world while indulging in this fast-paced sport. This broad list of top locations doesn’t just stick to the expected—countries not often considered or known for the sport are also included, serving a surprise on almost every continent.</p><p><br /></p><p>Soley’s unique travel guide doesn’t just focus on the sands. Vital information such as crime rates and healthcare for each country are covered, as well as the cost of living and quality of life indexes. Citizens of the UK, US, and Israel can also find visa information to be sure you can visit—and how—before making plans. Soley also cites sources for those looking to research their most desired destinations further!</p><p><br /></p><p>World’s Greatest Sandboarding Destinations is also the perfect partner for Soley’s essential guide to the sport, The Sandboarding Book. With this pair in your gear, sandboarders of all skill levels can safely and knowledgeably indulge in this intriguing sport.</p><p><br /></p><div>Title: The World's Greatest Sandboarding Destinations<br />Author: Jack Soley</div><div>ISBN: <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9798360473794</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Release Date: 26th November 2022</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-16908099566279217592022-11-27T16:00:00.001+00:002023-09-20T15:27:20.356+01:00"The World's Greatest Sandboarding Destinations" - Available Now<p>Personally, I'm pleased that I managed to release a book... How about releasing 2 books in less than a year! Due to the popularity and good word from The Sandboarding Book, I have released the sequel: "The World's Greatest Sandboarding Destinations" where I compile my 100 favourite destinations for Sandboarding around the globe including countries that you wouldn't think!</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IaQDdkMFyESi3KkEsUhec6BzKHhVN64rjj9PZiTRUL_wMYG0N3difWgWoGWhUpScmGUHCjj1nRkRGD_0Ge_Xa2KCyOgqOqcxUV0GwXcqwNwnSRjHoKJ95-sHv7Bcbx35pTj9e75gFVL8YZKQAg53DQstplHmf7pYpEbC4CQP8fuT2Bd0Ye8o42EUBA/s2700/ebook-84.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IaQDdkMFyESi3KkEsUhec6BzKHhVN64rjj9PZiTRUL_wMYG0N3difWgWoGWhUpScmGUHCjj1nRkRGD_0Ge_Xa2KCyOgqOqcxUV0GwXcqwNwnSRjHoKJ95-sHv7Bcbx35pTj9e75gFVL8YZKQAg53DQstplHmf7pYpEbC4CQP8fuT2Bd0Ye8o42EUBA/s320/ebook-84.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Click the links below, for both an Amazon link to the book and for your chance to win a copy of The World's Greatest Sandboarding Destinations in a giveaway competition!</span></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BMSP3K18/">https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BMSP3K18/</a> (Amazon Link)</p><p><a href="https://www.sandboarding-nation.com/p/giveaway.html">https://www.sandboarding-nation.com/p/giveaway.html</a> (Book Giveaway)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-58653488633079344732022-08-03T00:04:00.003+01:002023-09-20T15:27:22.873+01:00Profits To Be Donated To Creative Commons<p>From now until the 31st August 2022, all profits from the sales of "The Sandboarding Book" and revenues generated from this blog will be donated to the Creative Commons Foundation; this is because of the freedom that the Creative Commons organisation brings to authors and creators to use royalty free photos and intellectual property that's created by the creators and made for everyone for the public interest.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-3919042594660248522022-05-01T23:19:00.001+01:002023-09-20T15:27:18.951+01:00Sandboarding Movie Project Begins<p>After my relative known success of the Sandboarding Book, and considering I have also released music; I would like to enter another frontier of creativity, and this will I hope to boost the presence of Sandboarding in the global sports scene.</p><p><br /></p><p>I am currently starting an untitled project for a Sandboarding Movie or Film on Sandboarding. I have no idea when it shall be released but my personal target is for a release no later than January 2024; exactly two years after the first release of the Sandboarding Book. I'll keep you posted.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-70782489771643533572022-01-12T18:00:00.002+00:002023-09-20T15:26:50.854+01:00"The Sandboarding Book" - Available Now<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The book that I've been working on for the past year or so, after finishing touches, distribution, and making sure everything is up to scratch; I am pleased to announce that my début book, "The Sandboarding Book" is ready to purchase!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhREEdLsPLNT1p1aRr4dHO_BXqdkCc-sWG73cFwMocbBmCDDDnrAYJF96c7TbR5NYUu3Fevrsb_oLMMGb5b5nlgv7btMceSYO56AD5-D-McDzrzB0BhSM-Ly2IACQgSss10KMHiFGQI9einU16MPkQkocNevOjMAayB0E-yBCagebLSQ4LAMlGTtb9kpQ=s3296" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3296" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhREEdLsPLNT1p1aRr4dHO_BXqdkCc-sWG73cFwMocbBmCDDDnrAYJF96c7TbR5NYUu3Fevrsb_oLMMGb5b5nlgv7btMceSYO56AD5-D-McDzrzB0BhSM-Ly2IACQgSss10KMHiFGQI9einU16MPkQkocNevOjMAayB0E-yBCagebLSQ4LAMlGTtb9kpQ=w187-h400" width="187" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Click the links below, for both an Amazon link to the book and for your chance to win a copy of The Sandboarding Book in a giveaway competition!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sandboarding-Book-Jack-Soley/dp/B09Q2BVJR4/">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sandboarding-Book-Jack-Soley/dp/B09Q2BVJR4/</a> (Amazon Link)</p><p><a href="http://www.sandboarding-nation.com/p/the-sandboarding-book.html">http://www.sandboarding-nation.com/p/the-sandboarding-book.html</a> (Book Giveaway)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-67871556094492119872022-01-09T14:46:00.004+00:002023-09-20T15:27:23.451+01:00The Sandboarding Book<p>Coming soon will be something that I have had the vision to complete since I started this blog. I will have published and released a book; it will be a comprehensive guide, a reference book, a how-to book, or even a bible on Sandboarding. I will be first offering opportunities on the purchase and/or possible giveaways of this book right here; the book shall be released no later than the end of January, well in time for the start of the Sandboarding season.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ91vP7ygdliLEq_ZKEGdmHbtjI9qzqwQmPSK2eStM1lxEI3C5kS7mYkl6Ak1ReHt9l5EaeOrmQ_4W71_ttsJId-s7hoa9Xq7nntLHYmKTdCoagiBkY5_fYTu6tzlNHThFljDIX411vy5s_D3skWC4gN4IvQZll2ACgDBqUFxl7gVrQ1bFBioYDNFVcg=s3228" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cover image may not reflect the final product. All Rights Reserved." border="0" data-original-height="2184" data-original-width="3228" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ91vP7ygdliLEq_ZKEGdmHbtjI9qzqwQmPSK2eStM1lxEI3C5kS7mYkl6Ak1ReHt9l5EaeOrmQ_4W71_ttsJId-s7hoa9Xq7nntLHYmKTdCoagiBkY5_fYTu6tzlNHThFljDIX411vy5s_D3skWC4gN4IvQZll2ACgDBqUFxl7gVrQ1bFBioYDNFVcg=w447-h303" width="447" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover photography may not match the final product. All Rights Reserved.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>In the first-ever book solely focused on Sandboarding, think of "<b>The Sandboarding Book</b>" as both a reference guide and a how-to book that helps novice and elite athletes get involved in this recently discovered sport.<br /><br />Often described as “snowboarding on sand,” sandboarding is an exciting sport that many are just discovering.<br /><br />Jack Soley, the founder of the Sandboarding Nation blog, discovered sandboarding himself in 2008. He found a passion for the sport, and when he began his blog in 2014, he hoped to reach out to the community already hitting the dunes and those that were just getting started. Now, after nearly a decade and over 100,000 views, Soley has placed all his research and expertise into one comprehensive and easy-to-read guide!<br /><br />This guide has a wealth of advice, whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your sandboarding experience, from essential equipment to tips on tricks and control. Even veteran boarders can find helpful advice in exclusive interviews with sandboarding experts, including instructor Alex Bird, two-time World Sandboarding champ Gabriel Cruz, and sandboarding pioneer Lon Beale.<br /><br />Grab your copy of this fundamental guide today, then get ready to hit the dunes and join the Sandboarding Nation!</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">Title: The Sandboarding Book<br />Author: Jack Soley</div><div style="text-align: left;">ISBN: <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9798498830896</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Release Date: 9th January 2022</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-78773537782911404342021-12-24T14:30:00.001+00:002023-09-20T15:26:53.176+01:00Sandboarding Bites #25<p><span style="text-indent: -21pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This one shouldn’t apply to a lot of us but if you’re going Sandboarding, don’t leave your litter behind; either put it in the bins nearby or take it with you to dispose later. Littering makes the surrounding area worse for the locals, wildlife, and people who want to visit in the future.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: -21.0000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Minion Pro'; font-size: 16.0000pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-68493009114144408912021-12-20T21:43:00.000+00:002023-09-20T15:27:23.640+01:00Top 10 Sandboarding Countries of 2021<p>Well, after another unpredictable year for not just travel but for Sandboarding as a whole. This years' list will be just as condensed as the last I'm afraid. It goes without saying that travel has resumed compared to this time last year, but that doesn't mean that a lot of events and trips has been cancelled. As the same as last year I will be comparing countries in terms of the follow<span style="font-family: inherit;">ing: <span style="background-color: white;">Crime rate, Cost of Living, Internet Speed, Quality of Life, Pollution Index, and Healthcare Index. Here are the Top 10 countries for Sandboarding, for this year:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#10 </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b>United Arab Emirates</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(appeared in 2014, 2018; highest position: 5th, 2014)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#9 India</b> (new entry)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#8 Spain</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(appeared every year; highest position: 1st, 2019)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#7 Algeria</b> (appeared in 2014; highest position: 7th, 2021)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#6 South Africa</b> (appeared in 2017; highest position: 10th, 2017)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#5 Qatar</b> (appeared in 2015, 2016, 2018; highest position: 4th, 2018)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#4 Denmark</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(appeared in 2020, highest position: 1st, 2020)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#3 United States of America</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(appeared in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020; highest position: 1st, 2017)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>#2 Japan</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(appeared in 2020, highest position: 2nd, 2020)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>#1 Chile</b> (appeared in 2014, 2017, 2018; highest position: 1st, 2018)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>2014: Australia</b>🇦🇺</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>2015: New Zealand</b>🇳🇿</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>2016: New Zealand</b>🇳🇿</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>2017: United States of America</b>🇺🇸</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>2018: Chile</b>🇨🇱</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>2019: </b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Spain</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">🇪🇸</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>2020: Denmark</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">🇩🇰</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">2021: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>Chile</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">🇨🇱</span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-7919228103526487122021-12-16T12:30:00.001+00:002023-09-20T15:27:19.782+01:00Sandboarding Bites #24<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -21pt;">There’s a common stereotype that the British prefer to talk slow and shout in English rather than make an effort in the local language, but if you want to make friends, do your best to converse in the local language.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: -21.0000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Minion Pro'; font-size: 16.0000pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-43368198088963083462021-12-13T10:30:00.001+00:002023-09-20T15:27:21.732+01:00Sandboarding Bites #23<p><span style="text-indent: -21pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t be impatient; if someone’s already going down on the dune solo, wait for them to finish first.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.0000pt; mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-left: 0.0000gd; text-indent: -21.0000pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Minion Pro'; font-size: 16.0000pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-90963952504075029702021-12-09T23:38:00.003+00:002023-09-20T15:26:57.389+01:00#Sandboarding Bites 22<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you going somewhere where you’ve never been before? If the terrain or conditions aren’t what you’re used to; it may be worthwhile booking a session with a local instructor or sandboarding school, if you’re fairly experienced on the dunes you won’t need to pay for as many lessons as a beginner.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-89832810739036617572021-09-23T15:09:00.001+01:002023-09-20T15:26:56.932+01:00Sandboarding Bites #21<p>Are you travelling on an aircraft with your Sandboard? Airlines have different policies on their luggage, almost all airlines agree that your Sandboard will have be declared as hold luggage. Don't assume that you can just use your board as part of your luggage allowance however, due to the nature of the awkward shape and dimensions of these boards, it's most likely that Sandboards will have to be 'Sports Equipment' which will cost you extra but it's good to check with airlines before you fly.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-38093246431506295842021-06-10T17:04:00.004+01:002023-09-20T15:27:21.538+01:00Are Helmets Worth It?It's been a long time that I've had a poll regarding Sandboarding helmets on the right hand side of the page so I thought I'd take another look at the topic and look at the results while I'm here. As of 8th February 2020, the question was: "<span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Sandboarders, do you own a helmet that you use regularly?</i>" and with 9 votes in total, 7 respondents (78%) said "<i>No</i>" whereas 2 respondents (22%) said "<i>Yes</i>" and that doesn't surprise me because I'm forever seeing posts on Instagram of someone doing a run in Chile or wherever <b>without</b> any headgear; to which part of me thinks that it preserves the image and having a helmet would add accessories where space may be limited but at the same time, I also develop a degree of concern for these people who are involved for their safety.</span></span><div><br /></div><div>So today I'll ask if helmets are worth the hassle for Sandboarding; the first topic we'll go to is regarding legality.</div><div><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">To quote an older blog post: "<i>In November 2016, the wearing of helmets was made mandatory in all InterSands Sandboarding events.</i>" It's true that helmets are compulsory in some if not the majority of sports; but if we're talking about Sandboarding specifically then you might think that helmets are an extra designed for safety because all the stock photos you see of people on dunes, then the reality is different.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I couldn't find a single law regarding the mandatory wearing of a Sandboarding helmet; however, laws are different from policies and they are inconsistent amongst countries, and resorts. Intersands events require helmets whereas Sand Master Park do not and they are "<i>rarely worn</i>". But if we turn to Snowboarding & Skiing, a helmet mandate almost became a law in California in 2010 with the passage of Senate Bill </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">880. [1].</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are more likely to be rules that are there for the safety of mino<span style="font-family: inherit;">rs; "<i>f</i></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>or instance, in Italy children under the age of 14 must wear a ski helmet. If you’re caught without a helmet you will be fined.</i>" [2].</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But for our winter equivalent, there exists only one place where helmets must be worn, Nova Scotia in Canada is the only jurisdiction in the world that requires that helmets be worn while skiing, failure to comply will result in a hefty fine. [2].</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Nova_Scotia_in_Canada_2.svg/2422px-Nova_Scotia_in_Canada_2.svg.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="800" height="271" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Nova_Scotia_in_Canada_2.svg/2422px-Nova_Scotia_in_Canada_2.svg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nova_Scotia_in_Canada_2.svg" target="_blank">Nova Scotia in Canada 2.svg</a>" by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:MapGrid" target="_blank">MapGrid</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">So considering that we won't necessarily be in a nanny state, it brings us to our next topic: safety. This one is self-explanatory:</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">So if snowboarding and skiing usually require helmets either by a law or a resort policy, why not Sandboarding? Well according to Doctor Dune himself on a Fox News article back in 2015: "</span><span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>The sand is very soft, so helmets aren’t necessary"</i> [3]. It's true that sand is very loose and if you fell head first onto a sand dune, you'll be much better off than if it was a snow capped mountain; but if we wanted to compare the number of deaths, it's not hard to see that there are more Snowboarding & Skiing deaths in 1 year than there are Sandboarding deaths in 10 years.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>In 2018, findings by Nicolas Bailly, PhD concluded in his publication on the: "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Effect of Helmet Use on Traumatic Brain Injuries and Other Head Injuries in Alpine Sport" the following: "</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>This study confirms the effectiveness of helmets in protecting users from head injuries but questions their effects on TBI, especially concussion." </i>[4].</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">TBI in case you're unaware, means Traumatic Brain Injury; in this research, the author highlights that helmets significantly reduce the chance of sustaining a head injury but has questionable effects when the injury involved a concussion or traumatic brain injury.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Temporal_Bone_Skull_Fracture.jpg/564px-Temporal_Bone_Skull_Fracture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Temporal_Bone_Skull_Fracture.jpg/564px-Temporal_Bone_Skull_Fracture.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temporal_Bone_Skull_Fracture.jpg" target="_blank">Temporal Bone Skull Fracture</a>" by James Heilman, MD is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And finally, there's the topic of fashion: It's a stereotypical sight to see people snowboarding and skiing with helmets on; however, for sandboarding it looks as if the higher a dune you're on, the more likely you are to wear a helmet due to the unfamiliarity of the dune. For example, back in 2019 I trained at the Dune of Pilat in France; the first few times I would have worn my helmet just in case I hit a bump I didn't see or I gained more speed than predicted; but a few runs in (and because it was still 30 degrees centigrade in the evening), I was comfortable taking the helmet off.<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Speaking of weather, Sandboarding in some situations would take place in a desert, therefore a lot of sandboarders just ditch the helmet because of the intense heat.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/GeoFS_-_EC135_Helicopter_over_Sahara_Desert.jpg/800px-GeoFS_-_EC135_Helicopter_over_Sahara_Desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="800" height="173" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/GeoFS_-_EC135_Helicopter_over_Sahara_Desert.jpg/800px-GeoFS_-_EC135_Helicopter_over_Sahara_Desert.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GeoFS_-_EC135_Helicopter_over_Sahara_Desert.jpg" target="_blank">GeoFS - EC135 Helicopter over Sahara Desert</a>" by <a href="https://www.geo-fs.com/" target="_blank">GeoFS</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>My Conclusion:</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">Ultimately, if your concern is safety or because you're a law (or in most cases, policy) abiding citizen; I'd put the helmet on. If you're in a particularly hot environment or if you consider yourself to be a professional and you know what you're doing, I'd ditch the helmet.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">If it's my first time on a dune, even though I'm more likely to have an injury on snow than sand, I'd try the helmet for the first few runs just in case and if it's a hot day, I'd leave the helmet at home altogether.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>References:</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">[1]: </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Reynolds, C. (2010) </span><i style="background-color: white;">Poll: Want a helmet with those skis or snowboard? These days, most do [Updated], </i><span style="background-color: white;">Available at: </span><i style="background-color: white;"><u><a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-dec-16-la-trb-ski-helmets-2010-12-08-story.html#:~:text=California%20and%20New%20Jersey%20have,agencies%2C%20not%20to%20resort%20operators">https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-dec-16-la-trb-ski-helmets-2010-12-08-story.html#:~:text=California%20and%20New%20Jersey%20have,agencies%2C%20not%20to%20resort%20operators</a>.</u></i><span style="background-color: white;"> (Accessed: 28th May 2021).</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">[2]: </span><span style="background-color: white;">MountainHeaven (2016) </span><i style="background-color: white;">Are ski helmets compulsory in France?, </i><span style="background-color: white;">Available at: </span><i style="background-color: white;"><u><a href="https://www.mountainheaven.co.uk/blog/are-ski-helmets-compulsory-in-france/">https://www.mountainheaven.co.uk/blog/are-ski-helmets-compulsory-in-france/</a></u></i><span style="background-color: white;"> (Accessed: 28th May 2021).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">[3]: Everson, Z. (2015) <i>How not to break your neck sandboarding in Doha</i>, Available at: </span></span><i><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/how-not-to-break-your-neck-sandboarding-in-doha">https://www.foxnews.com/travel/how-not-to-break-your-neck-sandboarding-in-doha</a> </i>(Accessed: 10th June 2021).</div><div><br /></div><div>[4]: Bailly, N. (2018) Effect of Helmet Use on Traumatic Brain Injuries and Other Head Injuries in Alpine Sport, Available at: <a href="https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(17)30320-4/abstract">https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(17)30320-4/abstract</a> (Accessed: 10th June 2021).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-5277228121503874742020-12-29T16:22:00.000+00:002023-09-20T15:27:19.401+01:00Top 10 Sandboarding Countries of 2020<p>It's that time again! I do this every year and I have a look at the best places to go Sandboarding around the world; In case you haven't heard, there's been a pandemic; so this year has been largely bad for the Sandboarding scene because there's been travel bans in place across the world; Some of you may be aware that I was meant to visit Denmark days before the lockdown went into full swing in my native UK; however I did manage to visit Italy for a weekend in September just for casual tourism. On the whole, Sandboarding has been subject to event cancellations, social distancing, sanitation rules, different locations, digital forms, quarantining, and wearing masks just to name a few rules (subject to location).</p><p><br /></p><p>Because of the very brief but valuable window for travel, I'm still making a list but it should be known that it's mostly irrelevant because for most of the year; no-one has been able to go anywhere but this has been an annual list and countries change; therefore, I'll be constructing a Top 10 Sandboarding countries list of 2020 but hopefully when international travel opens up, this list would hopefully influence your choices. I won't be including the World Happiness Report in my list anymore as it specifically ranks the capital cities of the countries and not the country as a whole. I will be measuring up the Crime rate, Cost of Living, Internet Speed, Quality of Life, Pollution Index, and Healthcare Index. This year was mainly a shambles and to be honest, where there has been so little in terms of travel and sport, this years' list will still go on but it will be condensed with no information. If I had a chance to not do this years' list, I would have not compiled a list because this year has been a shambles I will compile a basic list.</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">#10 Croatia </b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(appeared in 2018; highest position: 3rd, 2018)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><b>#9 France </b></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(appeared in 2015 & 2019; highest position: 5th, 2015)</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>#8 United States of America </b>(appeared in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019; highest position: 1st, 2017)</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#7 Canada </b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(appeared in 2019, highest position: 3rd, 2019)</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>#6 Germany </b>(appeared in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019; highest position: 4th, 2015)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>#5 Australia </b>(appeared in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019; highest position: 1st, 2014)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#4 Spain </b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(appeared every year; highest position: 1st, 2019)</span><br /><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#3 New Zealand </b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(appeared 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; highest position: 1st, 2015 & 2016)</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#2 Japan </b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(new entry)</span><br /><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">#1 Denmark </b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(new entry)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-56722435193432222302020-12-29T16:05:00.000+00:002023-09-20T15:27:22.684+01:00Sandboarding Nation Store will be closing<p>As of the 1st June 2021, the Sandboarding Nation Store that is being operated via Redbubble will be permanently taken down and Sandboarding Nation products will no longer be sold. This is due to the lack of demand for our goods with our logo. The decision was made after Sandboarding Nation goods have been sold at a loss since 2016 and as an independent one man project, I cannot afford to maintain and oversee the upkeep of these products.</p><p><br /></p><p>The store will remain open until that date but all products must be purchased before the closing date of the store, otherwise the Sandboarding Nation products will not be available for purchase anymore! I'd like to thank the people who have taken the time to look at the store and have taken interest in using Sandboarding Nation goods throughout the years since I have had this blog.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-85410967675165355002020-12-14T08:30:00.001+00:002023-09-20T15:26:54.718+01:00Sandboarding Bites #20<p>Some places are dangerous for travel, not because of war but disease; Some countries will require a certificate proving you've been vaccinated against certain illnesses, check with a medical professional and/or your country's foreign office before you travel.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-54575350709667740392020-11-29T03:19:00.001+00:002023-09-20T15:27:22.492+01:00Sandboarding Bites #19<p>A lot of parks and dune regions will have parking spots, always check you're parked legally and if you need to, make sure you have enough money to pay the parking fee. It'll save you the embarrassment of getting a ticket on your car, and a lot of money from paying a fine!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-38082346304333973692020-10-20T17:53:00.001+01:002023-09-20T15:27:21.333+01:00The Secret Sandboarding Life of DenmarkIn March, I was excited to be off to Denmark as I booked a holiday to visit Copenhagen, take a train over to Oresund Bridge to Malmo and overall have a whale of a weekend as it was also my birthday. Sadly, due to an unforseen pandemic that was out of my control, I couldn't go and I spent my birthday riding home a new moped I bought instead... That moped ended up being a lemon and I broke down half way home on my birthday but that's not relevant here.<br />
<br />
When Denmark comes to mind, I think of the Danish conquest of England, Vikings, King Harald Bluetooth, the birthplace of Lego, and Elia (a very confusing art form that's in rural Jutland). Unfortunately, there's not a lot I know about Denmark (sorry Danes).<div><br /><div>
But one thing I definitely didn't know about Denmark is that they are a sandboarding nation, not with many sand dunes but enough that I felt that the Danish people deserve an article.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first is Rubjerg Knude, which is in the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">Hjørring </span>m</span>unicipality looks out into the North Sea, more specifically; the Skagerrak which is the strait that is the north of Denmark, the South of Norway, and the South West of Sweden. The dunes here are interesting because in 1900, a lighthouse was first activated but due to the shifting sands in the area, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The </i><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Rubjerg Knude lighthouse has been perched on a sand dune on the northern Danish coast, but coastal erosion from North Sea winds threatened to topple it into the sea.</i>" (BBC, 2019).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Rubjerg_Knude_Fyr_2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="404" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Rubjerg_Knude_Fyr_2015.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rubjerg_Knude_Fyr_2015.jpg">Lighthouse Rubjerg Knude</a>" by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Milseburg" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3px; outline-color: rgb(51, 102, 204); text-align: start;" title="User:Milseburg">Jörg Braukmann</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The sand dunes surrounding the small church remind me a little of Kolmanskop in Namibia. They look quite high from photos but if anyone's interested, the tower height is only 23 metres but fantastic scenery of the Jutland peninsula and the Skagerrak nonetheless.</span></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next up is R<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;">å</span>bjerg Mile, which is just over an hour's drive from Rubjerg Knude, and Visit NordJylland puts it best: "</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Dune of Råbjerg Mile is the largest migrating dune in Denmark. The west-coast has for many centuries struggled with migrating dunes due to the harsh wind and sand-covered areas - and being close to Skagen, the weather at Råbjerg Mile is far from mild." </i>(VisitNordjylland, n.d.).</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/R%C3%A5bjerg_Mile_(37).jpg/800px-R%C3%A5bjerg_Mile_(37).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/R%C3%A5bjerg_Mile_(37).jpg/800px-R%C3%A5bjerg_Mile_(37).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:R%C3%A5bjerg_Mile_(37).jpg">Råbjerg Mile (37)</a>" by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ragnar1904"><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #0b0080;"><span style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); font-size: 13.3px; outline-color: rgb(51, 102, 204); text-align: start;">R</span></span>agnar1904</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The dune isn't too far from Skagen (the northernmost town in mainland Denmark), only a 20 minute drive. If there's a review from Tripadvisor that summarises the dunes, it has to be this from <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Profile/laylalae" target="_blank">Laylalae</a>: "</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We came to Raabjerg Mile from a nearby camping by bikes and loved it from the first moment. An extraordinary contrast when the forest suddenly changes into "a desert" is beautiful. We had a nice clear day and no one on the horizon so we could have all this space for ourselves. And boy, it is quite large, I honestly expected Raabjerg Mile to be a bit smaller.</span>". (Tripadvisor, 2020.)</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Up next, we have </span></span>R<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø</span>m<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø</span> Island; an island connected to the West of mainland Denmark by a causeway created by a dyke in 1948. Aside from the dunes on R<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø</span>m<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø, you also have the option to explore bunkers, plantations, and beaches whether you want to take a cycle, hike, or just simply drive; you can do it all on </span>R<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø</span>m<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Dunes_of_Lakolk.jpg/800px-Dunes_of_Lakolk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Dunes_of_Lakolk.jpg/800px-Dunes_of_Lakolk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dunes_of_Lakolk.jpg" target="_blank">Dunes of Lakolk</a>" by <span style="color: #0b0080;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Thefreshprince18&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">Thefreshprince18</a></span></span> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>"The new row of sand dunes on the beach is an interesting example of Rømø’s ceaseless growth towards the west. In future, the beach will spread wider and wider, and the area behind the sand dunes will change into a coastal meadow.</i>" (The Danish Nature Agency, n.d.) Unfortunately, free camping facilities and shelters don't exist on the island; so the true sensation of being one with nature can't happen here. The island does have hotels, so you do have options if you wish to stay; the largest settlement, Havneby only has a population of just over 300.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, there's Skallingen which is on the island, north of R<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø</span>m<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø. Situated on a small peninsula near the settlement of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Blåvand (Blaavand); these dunes are of a lower height in comparison to some of the others I've wrote on this post. The area around </span><span style="background-color: white;">Blåvand including </span>R<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø</span>m<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;">ø, better known as the Danish area of the Wadden Sea, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Skallingen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="600" height="280" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Skallingen.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skallingen.jpeg" target="_blank">S</a></span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skallingen.jpeg" target="_blank">kallingen</a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">" by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sfdan~commonswiki" target="_blank">Sfdan~commonswiki</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">is a public domain work.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>The Wadden Sea National Park is with its world class nature now the biggest national park in Denmark. Here is spectacular wildlife and the importance of the area extents far beyond the borders of Denmark. A remarkable place to experience the world heritage is either at the bay named Ho Bugt or at the nation’s newest dry territory - Skallingen - an undisturbed and ever changing coastal landscape. The area also holds international significance as a rest stop for millions of migratory birds.</i>" (Varde Kommune, n.d.) The peninsula also hosts a golf club and a small zoo.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">To conclude, Denmark isn't just a frozen wasteland... In fact, it's not even a wasteland; it's beautiful, it's perfect for anyone who's a fan of nature; along with nice sand dunes at its disposal, the danish nation could very well be a nation with sandboarding cohort! I have managed to re-book tickets for a trip to Denmark and Sweden in July 2021, hopefully this place is as good as it looks!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Reference List:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">BBC News. 2019. Danish Rubjerg lighthouse moved inland on skates - BBC News. [ONLINE] Available at: </span><a href="http://bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50139900" style="background-color: #fdff9a; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1779ba; cursor: pointer; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">http://bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50139900</a><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">. [Accessed 12 August 2020].</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;"><span><span>VisitNordjylland. n.d. R</span></span><span style="text-align: center;">å</span><span><span>bjerg Mile. [ONLINE] Available at: </span></span><a href="https://www.visitnordjylland.com/north-jutland/things-do/rabjerg-mile">https://www.visitnordjylland.com/north-jutland/things-do/rabjerg-mile</a>. [Accessed 3 September 2020].</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #fdff9a;">Tripadvisor. 2020. Rabjerg Mile (Skagen). [ONLINE] Available at: </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g285705-d10118933-Reviews-Rabjerg_Mile-Skagen_North_Jutland_Jutland.html">https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g285705-d10118933-Reviews-Rabjerg_Mile-Skagen_North_Jutland_Jutland.html</a>. [Accessed 20 October 2020].</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #fdff9a;">The Danish Nature Agency. n.d. Attractions. [ONLINE] Available at: </span></span><a href="https://eng.naturstyrelsen.dk/experience-nature/in-the-countryside/roemoe/attractions/" style="background-color: #fdff9a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">https://eng.naturstyrelsen.dk/experience-nature/in-the-countryside/roemoe/attractions/</span></a><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;">. [Accessed 20 October 2020].</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fdff9a; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #8a8a8a;"><span style="background-color: #fdff9a;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Varde Kommune. n.d. UNESCO World Heritage: The Wadden Sea National Park. [ONLINE] Available at: </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdff9a;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.vardekommune.dk/unesco-world-heritage-wadden-sea-national-park">https://www.vardekommune.dk/unesco-world-heritage-wadden-sea-national-park</a><span style="color: #8a8a8a;">. [Accessed 20 October 2020].</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-82861808147714226652020-07-31T03:16:00.001+01:002023-09-20T15:26:53.947+01:00Sandboarding Bites #18Can you ride here? It's a good call to ask a local ranger, land owner, or a police officer before you can ride a dune.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-82547972385608887932020-07-03T02:05:00.002+01:002023-09-20T15:26:53.757+01:00Sandboarding Bites #17Looking for the ideal vehicle for the dunes? It's best to look for 4-wheel-drive and the highest amount of torque to tackle those steep dunes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799592858249109814.post-15437126897447650782020-04-30T23:43:00.000+01:002023-09-20T15:27:20.166+01:00Sandboarding Bites #16Always check expiry dates on sandboarding waxes and sunscreens, they will become less effective overtime.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0