By Simon

I’ve often talked about The Conch’s mission to bring together every adventure sport and activity under one roof.  Now, we’ve made that a little easier by creating groups for a massive range of sports. 

From hiking and hang gliding to paintball and parkour, find the sport that suits you and introduce yourself.

We’re not about segregation though, so why not join a few other groups and introduce yourself there.  You never know, you may discover a whole new world of adventure!

Browse our groups

TAA DAAAAAA! We have launched our very own YouTube Channel (theconchTV) this week which means I have spent far too much time surfing for cool new videos to include. It is quite amazing how I would genuinely start out by searching for the likes of kitesurfing, but through some kind of higher power I will wind up watching a clip of a cat saying ‘Hello’ in a voice that sounds disturbingly like a baby. The process by which YouTube manages to take even the most focused ‘surfer’ on a magical journey through what (at times) seems like a digital scrap yard of video lunacy, using nothing more than the art of suggestion is brilliant. Taking you far, far away from what you initially logged on to view and being spurred on to suggestion after suggestion by nothing but sheer curiosity until you reach the kinds of videos that all too commonly spark the question from your friends “how the hell did you find this??” A question that I frequently ask myself and leads me to think “…good point…how DID I find this?” The social power of YouTube is an incredible thing, creating heroes out of the most unlikely candidates. So although our new channel is created with you in the forefront of our minds (of course) boasting a range of adventure videos from across the globe, I would still recommend taking time out and getting lost in the world of YouTube… you would be amazed at what you find.

Features

· Every video now featured on our homepage will be available through a playlist on our channel so no need to remember the name of a video you liked last week, just check out theconchTV

· We are subscribing to loads of channels that have tons of relevant content on specific adventure sports, with subscriptions coming our way too. This will make it quicker for our members to find channels dedicated to the sport or activity of their choice.

· See action from our 50:50 Challenge for Cancer Research UK, broken down into individual clips for each of the 50 activities.

We have also revamped our presence on other social media networks to make it easier to keep your finger on the pulse of adventure. Get connected now!

FACEBOOK

· Become a ‘Fan’ of The Conch with our Facebook page

· Discover adventure sport events across the UK and the world.

· Get the Adventure Rating Application through your Facebook profile so you can keep better tabs on your adventure standings

TWITTER

· Follow us on Twitter

· Connect with The Conch (@Shellshocked) and find out what’s happening with your favourite adventure community in real time.

*Written by Adam from The Conch Team*

Back in June, I was discussing the idea of a charity event to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause I owe a lot to.  That conversation led to a dare that would take me chasing across Northern England in a mad a daze, attempting dozens of adventure sports and activities, many of them for the first time.

The 50:50 Challenge always felt like I’d bitten off more than I could chew.  It wasn’t hard to find the activities.  North West England is brimming over with ways to enjoy adventure and the outdoors.  Negotiating access to 50 sports, then fitting them all into just over 2 days was nothing short of a logistical nightmare. 

Oh, and with just 2 days to go the van broke down and the camera stopped working. 

Over the next few days we’ll be publishing photos and stories of how the challenge went, as well as screening a film at the 50:50 Afterparty on Thursday 1st October in Manchester.  You’ll have to wait until Friday to see it online.

Right now, the main feeling I have is one of such gratitude, that I made it through (relatively) unhurt and that I got to meet so many fantastic people. 

Just imagine, if 2 of us, connected to such incredible individuals, businesses and sports groups, could make the 50:50 Challenge happen, what kind of great things could we achieve by bringing everyone into a single close-knit network? 

That’s a real community.  And that’s what The Conch is all about.

Dear friends

As you may know, there are 7 days left until my 50:50 Challenge in aid of Cancer Research. If you’ve not heard about it, I’m attempting 50 adventure sports and activities in 50 hours between the 24th and 26th September.

If you’ve supported me by donating or volunteering your time, thank you a thousand times over. If you have chosen not to or cannot donate for whatever reason, thanks anyway and no worries. Perhaps you could at least forward this message to friends you think might be able to help.

If you are able to support me by donating even a small amount I would be so grateful. It takes just a few moments but can make such a difference to so many people.

Please visit our Just Giving page now for more information and/or to donate.  http://www.justgiving.com/theconch/

By linking to this post on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and any other social networks and forwarding it to friends who might have been affected by cancer, we’ll get some way to achieving our ambitious fundraising target.

Thanks again for your help.
Simon

There’s something very refreshing about the idea of swinging about in the treetops.  I remember many a time as a kid when I was happy to haul myself up a tree, seeing the world from a different perspective.  Soon after however, I turned into quite the tubby teenager, so tree climbing kind of slipped off the radar, until now.

A couple of weeks ago Adam and I took 10 competition winners to Go Ape in Delamere Forest, Cheshire.   Go Ape is a ‘high-wire forest adventure’ with 23 courses around the country.  Delamere forest is a great location, with mountain bike trails, cafes and its own train stop with a direct link from Manchester.

After our safety briefing, we divided into two groups of 6 and began our adventure.  The course is divided into 5 sections, each higher and more challenging than the last.

The first few sections were relatively easy going.  I was sure to test the cable and harness on the first one by deliberately jumping off the platform and then we were off.

You have the option of making it as easy or as challenging as you like by choosing not to use your hands where possible and by taking the full strain of your body weight on your arms instead of the safety line (it’s still attached so you’re perfectly safe).

The best bit about each section has to be the zip wires.  Towards the end of the course, when the platforms are at their highest, I almost had to employ some of my bungee jump techniques.  It turns out that, although I’m not afraid of heights, I’m not always comfortable standing on the edge, waiting to jump.  So, I stare at the horizon, make sure I’m not holding on to anything…and I go. 

I’ve been feeling a bit down this week.  I couldn’t explain why.  Lots of good things are happening at the moment but for some reason, when I sit down I feel a bit grumpy.

I think it might be that Autumn seems to be closing in…far too early.  Looking out the window right now it looks like October, in August!

So I’ve decided to change my perspective.  I love Autumn.  There’s some great fun in store, from fireworks and pumpkins to tinsel and turkey.

Autumn gives me the chance to go out and get seriously muddy.  I just can’t wait.

So instead of the early sunsets crashing my summer party, I prefer to see it as an extended mudfest. 

Get outside and get mucky.  Enjoy!

If you’ve arrived at The Conch with directions from our friends at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative - Welcome! 

Why not be the first to set up a group for mountain biking, road touring or BMX?

Make sure you try out our Adventure Rating application and, as ever, if you get stuck feel free to speak to Adam or speak to me for help onsite.  Or you can use our contact us page.

Ok, so it’s his second week at work but since we’ve been running around so much organising our 50:50 Challenge in aid of Cancer Research as well as the (week)afterparty in a Northern Quarter bar (details soon…promise), I’ve barely had the time to introduce Adam.

He’s the one on the right.

I’m Adam.  I’m 22 and I’ve just graduated from MMU this summer (sounds a bit like a dating show).  It’s my role to carry on the great work Anthony has been doing.

My adventure rating is painfully average at the minute, but  I reckon a few weeks in Simon’s company will soon have me laughing in the face of danger…well at least a snigger behind its back. 

As the newest member of the team, there are loads of interesting projects to get my teeth into, not to mention the ‘5K Giveaway’ for one of you lucky people. There is also the 50:50 challenge which separates the men from the clinically insane!! It should be an exciting few months.  I cant wait.

Consider yourself introduced.

Cleveland Brady, a good friend of ours and an awesome adventure photographer, is looking for models for a photo shoot he’s doing in the next couple of weeks.

Here are the details from the man himself:

I’m looking for one male and female to be photo subjects in an outdoor lifestyle test photo shoot I’m planning for one day. 

I plan to shoot between 24th and 28th August.  The theme is going to be based around running and trekking so I would be keen to hear from anybody interested and who also have their own running and trekking clothing.

I had a professional photographer take photos of me for an online interview a few years back.  It does wonders for your ego!

If this sounds like it’s for you, contact Cleveland through his website or contact me through The Conch and I’ll pass it on.

Thanks to Naixn for the photo

Today’s featured video is a fine example of why I love Ultimate (Ultimate Frisbee but without the brand name).

I’m the treasurer for a Manchester based Ultimate club called DUFFA (Didsbury Ultimate Frisbee For Amateurs) where we try to make the sport as accessible as possible, particularly to people who may not be into other sports.  It’s a great way of keeping fit, making friends and building confidence.

This weekend in South Manchester, DUFFA held its second ever Hat Tournament for just under 200 people.  During that 48 hours we saw some amazing sport, and even more amazing sportsmanship.  Ultimate’s focus on ‘Spirit’ and teamwork goes far beyond any other sport I’ve seen. 

What’s more, it’s a great fun to watch.

Check out The Conch over the coming week for photos of the event.  You won’t want to miss them!

Simon