Girls Swimming Aid Can you give people diseases in the pool?
I have heard creepy stuff like guys cumming. Can a girl get pregnant?
I have heard that a girls blood can wash in to the pool if she s not wearing a tampon. I recently asked a question about using a tampon so that I may go swimming. Everyone says that the tampon thing is common. Does this mean that someone with aids or some other STD can get in the pool and contaminate people with open cuts or something?
This is not a joke. I want serious answers.
Oh yeah, I'm not the one with the diseases.
People do all kinds of crazy stuff in pools but NO, you can't get pregnant if somebody leaves some DNA in the water. Now, about getting HIV/STD's from somebody's cut or period that's also improbable because you need a critical amount of the virus or micro-organism in order to innoculate a person with a disease. Other bugs hanging out at the pool are more likely to cause problems--fungal infections can be caught while you walk around barefoot or sit in a contaminated wet surface.
"Covers the history, rules, fundamentals, and significant personalities of the sport of women's swimming and diving. Topics include: techniques, strategies, competitive events, and equipment. Glossary, Additional Resources, and Index included"--Provided b
Amazing short film about the lady lifeguards auxiliary core trained at Manhattan Beach in New York in the 1930's and 1940's. Table Of Contents: (1) Lady Lifeguards (1940s) - A very fun and entertaining gender piece about the training and test female lifeguards must pass to enter the lifeguard core - 9 Minutes
INFLATABLE ARM FLOATS ARE PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS OR INTERMEDIATE SWIMMERSInflatable water wings provide added buoyancy while children (and adults) learn to swim.
Tank top design with strong rubber inner tube built in. Soft & adjustable for all-around comfort & fit. Provides child with upright & swimming position support & buoyancy. An excellent Learn-To-Swim device to instill confidence in child & parent...
Make pool time easier-and potty breaks less stressful—with our 2-in-1 floatation suit (a float vest and swim suit in one)! The top and bottom snap together, anchoring the vest, yet detach in a flash when kids "gotta go...
This illustrated volume was published in 1889 and has fifty-five chapters." He that saveth a human life is greater than one who taketh a city." -Confucius. From the book's Preface:Swimming may be considered both as an enjoyable pastime and an invigorating bodily exercise ; but as a means of preserving life, it has the greatest claim upon the attention of the public...
Speedo's Begin to Swim was developed to aid in the instruction and progression of a child's swimming skills through the use of various tools and equipment.
Plus, with sun protection becoming increasingly more important this comfortable vest provides sun protection as well.
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Girls swimming to daddy
Relaxation and advice
Try these powerful aids to relaxation
You'll find it easier to dream, easier to define goals, if you're relaxed. Follow these tips.
Take a stand If you know you're uptight choose, right now, to invest the time and energy in yourself to ensure you get enough relaxation. Look into ways of actively building relaxation time into your life with regular exercise such as walking, yoga or swimming. Think about having a weekly massage or trying out hypnotherapy. Start a new project today called "Relaxing Me".
Eat well Cut down on caffeine, sugar, nicotine and alcohol. Instead choose foods rich inmagnesium (thought to be calming), such as broccoli, halibut, pumpkin and squash seeds, soy milk, cooked spinach, whole grain cereals and wholewheat bread. Add just two of these foods to your regular diet, starting today.
Easy tiger! Think back to the last time you felt completely relaxed. Conjure up the lovely easy feeling you had – your limbs felt pleasantly heavy, your breathing was regular and deep, your muscles were soft and flexible, you felt light and carefree. Hold on to thatfeeling and whenever you feel tension building, just say "easy tiger" to yourself and allow that marvellous relaxed feeling to flood your body. Practise the easy tigertechnique whenever you start to feel tense.
Break the duck Can't define a goal? Oh yes you can: write down the four most important aspects ofyour life: they might be family, friends, health and finances, or love, respect, enthusiasm and kindness – it's entirely up to you. Next to each of the four, write down one thing you can do to improve it. Decide when you're going to do this one thing and write the date down. You've just written your first goal – congratulations! Now, as the sports manufacturers so frequently tell us, just do it.
Do something different Today's the day you're going to change your life for the better, for good. So start by doing onedifferent thing today. Be brave and wear the red dress you usually don't have the confidence for; plan an amazing meal; say hello to the checkout girl; give your other half a passionate kiss instead of the usual "hi"; the possibilities are endless…enjoy!
About the Author
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Nike's Women's Water Fury Cut Out Tank Swimsuit is perfect for swim training, racing, water aerobics or swimming to stay fit, this swimsuit offers the great fit and sleek styling you're looking for.
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Chea Keo - Cheaky Swimwear bikini photo shoot.
One piece swimsuits show your elegance and fashion sense
One piece bathing suits are used by women everywhere each summer season on the water, by the pool or when they would like to get a tan. Unlike two piece swimsuits or bikinis, one piece swimsuits cover up the upper area as well as the lower portion of the body, the tummy. A few women use it because they really don't want to display a lot of their bodies. Before introducing the bikinis or the two piece swimwear, every woman wore the one piece bathing suit. Earlier, men also dressed in one piece bathing suits that covered their torsos.
One piece swimsuits were the trend back in the ‘20s and remained like that prior to the middle ‘50s, when the first 2 piece bathing suit was unveiled. Just about the most used one piece swimsuit is the tank bathing suit and also the maillot which consist in the tank style swimsuit in the upper part and in high-cut hip and legs in the lower part. There are many different styles of one piece swimsuits, such as the halter neck ( which include a strap round the neck which supports the swimsuit in the upper part of the body), the wrap-rounds and also the bandeau types (that are more stretchy and do not need any strings attached in the upper area).
One more type of one piece bathing suit is a pretzel suit which has the string crossed round the neck, but this one piece swimsuit isn't that common. A recent kind of one piece bathing suit would be the bodyskin, which mixes the unitard and the wetsuit. These one piece swimsuits will be more elastic plus they can cover more areas of one's body including arms and legs, distinct from the normal one piece swimsuits that won't cover the entire body. Most of these one piece swimsuits were created particularly for pro swimmers because they are not that comfortable being manufactured from a unique fabric that can cut through water like the skin of a fish. One piece bathing suits come in various shapes and sizes. Once you have picked the shape, you will have to choose the coloring and the pattern. If you want to buy anything retro, you could pick those that have small dots imprinted on them. It is certain when you select anything vintage, you'll get the group's attention.
Still, if you want a one piece swimsuit much more in today's styles, you could buy a one piece bathing suit that includes a floral design. You can get all sorts of designs nowadays on-line or at the neighborhood swim wear shop. You simply need to pick one.
Sports Bag Set what should i buy from sports authority?
ok i have 50 dollars and i want to buy either boxing equipment or workout clothes, i already have a punching bag, two sets of gloves and some punching mitts. but i do kinda need new wortk out clothes what should i get?
The Franklin Sports Chux Bean Bag Toss Set features a fun activity the whole family will enjoy! The all-weather target is built to withstand outdoor environments. Try to land your bean bag tosses into the 5 scoring pockets to win big! A handy carrying bag is included for convenient travel and storage!
The Sports Cuddle Enter a whole new world of sports comfort With our Sports for All Crib Bedding baby will cuddle and snuggle up for a comfy sleep while surrounded by a spunky sports scene This crib bedding uniquely combines style and comfort to create a five piece bedding set that provides the best of both worlds A comforter bumper tie backs sheet and dust ruffle are included Dream on
Teach and reinforce the alphabet with the Alphabet Bean Bag Set from Champion Sports. This set includes 26 multi-colored bean bags. Each individual bean bag features the upper and lower case versions of one letter. The soft vinyl covering makes these bean bags safe for little hands and can be tossed, thrown, or popped in a parachute. You can also use them for classroom organization or marking activity stations.
Teach counting and basic math skills with the Champion Sports Numbered Bean Bag Set. Each bean bag has a soft vinyl cover and features a numeral, a spelled out version of that numeral, and the correct amount of dots to visually represent it. You can use them for classroom organization, as a teaching tool, as station markers, or for any game or activity you dream up. You'll receive ten multi-colored bean bags numbered 1-10.
The Champion Sports 4'' Bean Bag Set is a great classroom toy that can be used to create fun and exciting educational games. These soft bags can be squished, squeezed, tossed, and thrown and feature reinforced vinyl shells with rounded corners. You can use them for classroom organization, as a teaching tool, as station markers, or for any game or activity you dream up! Each bean bag is filled with non-toxic plastic pellets. The set includes 12 bags total with 2 bean bags in each of the following colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Teach and reinforce basic shapes in a fun and interesting way with the Champion Sports Geometric Bean Bag Set. Each set includes 12 bean bags shaped like a triangle, square, rectangle, and circle. You can use them for classroom organization, as a teaching tool, as station markers, or for any game or activity you dream up. Each shaped bean bag is printed with the name of the shape it represents. Their vinyl cover makes them soft enough to be gently tossed or thrown. You'll receive 3 bags per shape: triangle, square, rectangle, and circle.
The Champion Sports 5'' Bean Bag Set is a great classroom toy that can be used to create fun and exciting educational games. These soft bags can be squished, squeezed, tossed, and thrown and feature reinforced vinyl shells with rounded corners. You can use them for classroom organization, as a teaching tool, as station markers, or for any game or activity you dream up! Each bean bag is filled with non-toxic plastic pellets. The set includes 12 bags total with 2 bean bags in each of the following colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Create fun and educational games with the Champion Sports 5'' Colored Bean Bag Set. These bean bags are different colors and are printed with each individual color name. You can use them for classroom organization, as a teaching tool, as station markers, or for any game or activity you dream up. The soft vinyl cover makes them soft enough to be gently tossed. Includes one each of the following colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and brown.
California Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
Maryland Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
BYU Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
Kentucky Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
Stanford Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
Pittsburgh Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
Hawaii Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
Oklahoma Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
Michigan Picnic Set Tote Bag Insulated pack with picnic service for 2 made of 600D polyester canvas. The elegant and unique Malibu shoulder pack is perfect for picnics, concerts, or travel. This tote has an integrated wine storage section and a spacious food storage section with removable liner. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. A wonderful gift idea!
FoodSaver Deli Container 2pk - Manufacture ID: FSFRAN0224-P00FoodSaver Deli Containers are great for keeping deli meat cheeses and other refrigerated foods fresh longer. Vacuum sealing locks air out and seals freshness in preserving the taste and nutritional value of stored foods...
Each Rum Runner Cruise Special Kit contains three of our 32oz Travelers and three 8oz easy filling, heavy duty, collapsible flasks and one funnel. Our 32oz Travelers are perfect for taking your favorite beverage in your checked luggage and they make having that cocktail while relaxing before dinner effortless...
This 12 Pack Kids Party Favor Super Songs CD will be a big hit at your next birthday party. This party favor set includes 12 individual activity kits. Each kit has: 1 CD with 50 Super Songs for kids (see track listing for entire list of songs), Stickers, Crayons and a Coloring Book all packaged in a convenient carrying case...
The product of collaboration between Gerber and survival expert Bear Grylls, the Parang Machete is a modern version of the traditional tribesman machete. Its angled blade is ideal for clearing brush, branches, or tree limbs, and full tang construction boosts durability...
The product of collaboration between Gerber and survival expert Bear Grylls, the Ultimate Kit is a 15-piece survival kit built for hostile environments. It fits in your pack and has everything you need--including Gerber's miniature multi-tool, a fire starter, a survival blanket, and a wire cutter--to survive even in the toughest spots...
Victorinox's Champion Plus Knife packs everything you need for surviving in the wilderness or just some epic whittling while in camp. The 3.5-inch blade cuts the backcountry mustard while the magnifying glass offers solar-hit capabilities when you leave the flint in the car...
New owners of Canon Speedlites are often bewildered about how to use the flash unit effectively to produce the type of shots they want. Although the supplied manual does provide some technical assistance, Speedlites have been, and remain a mystery for many owners...
The Panasonic EW3109W Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor is the first portable arm unit in the industry. The easy-fit cuff, designed for comfort and to assure correct and accurate use, rolls around the slim baton-style monitor for portability...
Hygienic wipes are proven safe and effective for cleaning breastpumps, kits and more. Unique wipes allow easy & convenient cleaning without soap & water. Use anywhere - ideal for in the car, at work, travel and more...
The 1400 Case with Foam (Black) is an unbreakable, watertight, airtight, dustproof, chemical-resistant and corrosion-proof hard case used to carry any kind of equipment that needs to be protected from the elements...
Celebrate the man that can DO EVERYTHING! We fill this paperboard tool box gift tote to overflowing with gourmet goodies and treats to satisfy all his crunchy cravings. Featuring Savory Beef Salami, Brie Cheese Spread, Chocolate Raspberry Cake, Too Good Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies, Roasted Peanuts, Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits, Premium Coffee, Butter Toffee Caramel Corn, Black Peppercorn Crackers, Butterscotch Candy, and Chocolate Dipped Cookie...
Move way up in the standings with this clever gift made for your special golfers. Our very cool golf bag is actually a re-useable, insulated drink cooler, great for keeping drinks cold while spending an afternoon on the links! This gift features a selection of delicious golf-themed goodies any duffer will applaud including premium coffee, energy bars, even cookies decorated with golf balls...
New Nikon Lenspen Pro 7072 Cleaning System Lens Pen.Will not scratch or damage lens.Outperforms all other lens cleaning devices.Unique LensPen tip is self-replenishing.Cleaning compound will not spill or dry up.
Custom Made Chicago Bears Bean Bag Set Cornhole Toss
Which Golf Club set should I buy?
I am going to be new to golf and I want to pick up this sport because I just seems so much fun and rewarding...I have been to the driving ranges with my friends clubs and my dad said he would by my first set but I have no clue which to choose. It would be either the Top-Flite XL 15-Piece Golf Set or the ZEVO XSD 23 Piece Set with Stand Bag. They both claim to be good for beginners but what do you think?
I highly recommend Top Flite XL Box Full Set
I bought this club set last month and tried it a couple of times in driving range. For beginner, this club is good enough to practice my golf swing and it is worth every penny that you invested. I like the design of stand bag with the rain hood. Irons shots are accurate enough. The only pity is no SW with this set.
Swimming Custom Team Synchronized Swimming Swimwear?
I'm a synchronized swimming coach in Vancouver, BC. I have two teams (Inception & Ninja) and I'm looking to buy suits to match the themes. Other than Team Aquatics, and Splish.com, where can I find good suits?? Even custom made suits would be good!
Please help!
Swim Outlet ( a major Splish dealer) has dozens of brands and hundreds of suits in a vast range of patterns. Been buying most of my suits and water gear from them for a couple of years.
Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton Standard fit Swimming Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit.
Design your own customized glove in easy steps and have it shipped to you in business days! Classic Team Series Insignias premium classic glove. Made with durable American Steerhide tanned to a natural color to accentuate your lace and embroidery color choices. Enhanced with a comfort perforated palm liner. Choose your team colors or personal style by selecting the lace and embroidery colors. Break-in time Medium. Click Here to build your own premium classic glove. Available in / Woven Weave Modified Trap / H-Web Insignia Custom Baseball Gloves Ships in just business days. Guaranteed Holiday delivery (Dec. ) if ordered before //. day guarantee does not apply. Custom gloves are not eligible for return. Cancellations or changes by phone must be made the same day as order of custom glove. Changes to custom baseball gloves online must be made before submitting an order by removing from cart and adding a new model with new custom changes. Baseball Custom Gloves - Baseball Custom Gloves
Design your own customized glove in easy steps and have it shipped to you in business days! Edge Team Series Insignias All-Star glove. Made with American steerhide. Enhanced with a comfort perforated palm liner. Laced with natural, alum-tanned (non-stretch), laces. Choose your team colors or personal style by selecting the embroidery colors. Break-in time Medium. Click Here to build your own All-Star glove. Available in / Woven Weave Modified Trap / H-Web Insignia Custom Baseball Gloves Ships in just business days. Guaranteed Holiday delivery (Dec. ) if ordered before //. day guarantee does not apply. Custom gloves are not eligible for return. Cancellations or changes by phone must be made the same day as order of custom glove. Changes to custom baseball gloves online must be made before submitting an order by removing from cart and adding a new model with new custom changes. Baseball Custom Gloves - Baseball Custom Gloves
Design your own customized glove in easy steps and have it shipped to you in business days! Valiant Team Series Insignias premier glove. Made for the serious ballplayer. Made with a heavy weight, oiled, American steerhide. tanned to Insignias specifications this leather is strong and durable while malleable. enhanced with a comfort perforated palm liner. Choose your team colors or personal style by selecting lace and embroidery colors. Break-in time Medium. Click Here to build your own premier glove. Available in / Woven Weave Modified Trap / H-Web. Insignia Custom Baseball Gloves Ships in just business days. Guaranteed Holiday delivery (Dec. ) if ordered before //. day guarantee does not apply. Custom gloves are not eligible for return. Cancellations or changes by phone must be made the same day as order of custom glove. Changes to custom baseball gloves online must be made before submitting an order by removing from cart and adding a new model with new custom changes. Baseball Custom Gloves - Baseball Custom Gloves
Design your own customized glove in easy steps and have it shipped to you in business days! Champion Team Series Insignias elite glove. Made for the most dedicated ballplayer. Made with a firm, American steerhide that is tanned to Insignias specification to reduce stretching and provide long-term glove structure. Enhanced with heavyweight stitching and a comfort perforated palm liner. Choose your team colors or personal style by selecting lace and embroidery colors. Break-in time Longer - but worth the effort. Click Here to build your own elite glove. Available in / Modified Trap Woven Weave / Modified Trap Insignia Custom Baseball Gloves Ships in just business days. Guaranteed Holiday delivery (Dec. ) if ordered before //. day guarantee does not apply. Custom gloves are not eligible for return. Cancellations or changes by phone must be made the same day as order of custom glove. Changes to custom baseball gloves online must be made before submitting an order by removing from cart and adding a new model with new custom changes. Baseball Custom Gloves - Baseball Custom Gloves
When you design your own glove, youll get the very same VIP treatment as the pro members of Team Rawlings. You can customize just about everything from the leather to the webbing, liner, padding, colors and more! Click here to build your own pro-style glove. Click Here for a Custom Glove options worksheet. You can also call to order and speak with a custom glove sales representative at --WE-PITCH. Rawlings Custom Baseball Gloves Please allow - weeks for delivery. Guaranteed Holiday delivery (Dec. ) if ordered before //. day guarantee does not apply. Custom gloves are not eligible for return. Cancellations or changes by phone must be made the same day as order of custom glove. Changes to custom baseball gloves online must be made before submitting an order by removing from cart and adding a new model with new custom changes. Normal delivery time does not apply during Holiday Season.Baseball Custom Gloves - Baseball Custom Gloves
When you design your own glove, youll get the very same VIP treatment as the pro members of Team Rawlings. You can customize just about everything from the leather to the webbing, liner, padding, colors and more! Click here to build your own pro-style glove. Click Here for a Custom Glove options worksheet. You can also call to order and speak with a custom glove sales representative at --WE-PITCH. Rawlings Custom Baseball Gloves Please allow - weeks for delivery. Guaranteed Holiday delivery (Dec. ) if ordered before //. day guarantee does not apply. Custom gloves are not eligible for return. Cancellations or changes by phone must be made the same day as order of custom glove. Changes to custom baseball gloves online must be made before submitting an order by removing from cart and adding a new model with new custom changes. Normal delivery time does not apply during Holiday Season.Baseball Custom Gloves - Baseball Custom Gloves
This custom football jersey features a full athletic cut body. Double ply dazzle shoulders. Pro-Brite mesh body. rib knit mitered V-neck. Rib knit with elastic sleeve ends. Deep mitered V-neck collar. Call for Team Pricing. Sizes Adult S-XL. Click Here To view the Custom Uniform Builder This is a custom product and is not available to order online. To order please contact a Team Sales representative toll free at -... Minimum order quantity of pieces. Please allow - weeks for delivery. Jerseys - Jerseys
This custom football jersey is made with a Pro-Brite mesh body with double-ply dazzle shoulders and a tapered fit for a sleek look. Heavyweight spandex underarm insert. Piping optional. nylon/ Lycra. Made in USA. Call for Team Pricing. Sizes S - XL. Click Here To view the Custom Uniform Builder This is a custom product and is not available to order online. To order please contact a Team Sales representative toll free at -... Minimum order quantity of pieces. Please allow - weeks for delivery. Jerseys - Jerseys
This custom football jersey is made with a Pro-Brite mesh body with double-ply dazzle shoulders and a tapered fit for a sleek look. Heavyweight spandex underarm insert. Piping optional. nylon/ Lycra. Made in USA. Call for Team Pricing. Sizes XS-XL. Click Here To view the Custom Uniform Builder This is a custom product and is not available to order online. To order please contact a Team Sales representative toll free at -... Minimum order quantity of pieces. Please allow - weeks for delivery. Jerseys - Jerseys
This Football America custom football jersey features a full length athletic cut body. Spandex front insert. Spandex back insert. Pro-Brite mesh body. Heavyweight double dazzle shoulders. Spandex sleeve cuffs. Call for Team Pricing. Sizes Adult S-XL. Click Here To view the Custom Uniform Builder This is a custom product and is not available to order online. To order please contact a Team Sales representative toll free at -... Minimum order quantity of pieces. Please allow - weeks for delivery. Jerseys - Jerseys
This Football America custom jersey has a full length Pro britet tricot mesh body. Constructed of nylon, and lycra with a lycra side insert. Made in USA. Call for Team Pricing. Adult sizes S - XL. Click Here To view the Custom Uniform Builder This is a custom product and is not available to order online. To order please contact a Team Sales representative toll free at -... Minimum order quantity of pieces. Please allow - weeks for delivery. Jerseys - Jerseys
This Football America custom jersey has a full length Pro brite tricot mesh body. Constructed of nylon, and lycra with a lycra side insert. Made in USA. Call for Team Pricing. Youth sizes S - XL. Click Here To view the Custom Uniform Builder This is a custom product and is not available to order online. To order please contact a Team Sales representative toll free at -... Minimum order quantity of pieces. Please allow - weeks for delivery. Jerseys - Jerseys
This custom football jersey is made with a Pro-Brite mesh body with double-ply dazzle shoulders. Heavyweight spandex side inserts for a sleek tapered look. Made in USA. nylon/ Lycra. Call for Team Pricing. Sizes XS-XL. Click Here To view the Custom Uniform Builder This is a custom product and is not available to order online. To order please contact a Team Sales representative toll free at -... Minimum order quantity of pieces. Please allow - weeks for delivery. Jerseys - Jerseys
Custom embroidered swimming design & 1 line of text on 6.1 oz. preshrunk 100% cotton ladies t-shirt (Ash is 99% cotton, Sp Grey is 90/10 cotton/poly, Dk Heather is 50/50 cotton/poly), smaller seamless ribbed collar for a feminine look, proportioned with smaller sleeves & body, relaxed fit.
Custom embroidered swimming design & 1 line of text on Sport-Tek windshirt, 100% nylon shell, lightweight flannel body lining, nylon lining in sleeves for easy on/off, 1 x 1 poly/Lycra-riSwimed cuffs/collar/waistband, locker loop, side-seam pockets...
Deca Sports, the hit sports compilation game is back with exciting multi-sport competition across 10 new sporting events in Deca Sports 2. With its easy-to pick up and play controls, Deca Sports 2 will make everyone in your family experts in a wide range of new sports...
GibSan's: Swimming Pool Design Experts
Summer Customs in Japan
Japanese summers are usually introduced by a warm, sunny spring season, but this year, the temperatures and conditions have been wildly erratic. However, ‘Tsuyu' (the rainy season) has arrived on schedule as usual, bringing with it the typical heat and humidity that can be expected at this time of the year, and the realization that summer has arrived.
Summer is an exciting time, with summer festivals, fireworks, traditional customs, special sporting events and summer holidays. In Japan, the main traditional customs include ‘Chugen' (the giving of a mid-year gift to relatives, or to a company boss or colleague), ‘Obon' (a Buddhist event, and a time to remember one's ancestors and honor their spirits), and ‘Suikawari', a traditional game for children in which one child is blindfolded, and tries to cut or break a watermelon with a stick or pole. Many Japanese people will travel at this time to be with their families, and the highways can be clogged with traffic before and after ‘Obon', which generally occurs around the middle of August.
It is a very active season, and all across Japan, those who have holidays will travel and participate in various activities to make their vacation enjoyable or memorable. Some will attempt to climb Fuji-san, a yearly pilgrimage for many Japanese people. Others will go to Koushien stadium in Osaka and watch the annual high school baseball championship. Many participate in or line up to see the famous festivals that occur during this time, with almost every town and city having their own local event. Typically, at then end of each of these events is a great fireworks show.
Some of the more famous summer ‘Matsuri' or festivals include the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori, near the top of Honshu, the Akita-Kanto Matsuri, the Narita Gion Matsuri, the Sanno Matsuri in Tokyo, the Gujo Bon Odori festival in Gifu, the spectacular Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka, the Awa Odori festival in Tokushima, and the Hakata Gion Matsuri in Fukuoka on Kyushu, but these are just to name a few of the more well known festivals.
In most local neighborhoods, one can smell the wonderful scent of burning wood as families fire up their barbecues. It is a time for eating one's favorite foods, relaxing, and swimming. The local beaches, rivers and swimming pools are full of people looking for a cool respite from the summer heat. Nagashima Spaland in Mie Prefecture is a popular water-amusement-park in summer, as is Tokyo's Summerland, and Hokkaido's Super Jumbo Pool. Japan even had the world's largest indoor beach until it closed in 2007.
Humidity levels are extremely high during summer, and many people opt to stay inside and fan themselves to stay cool. In fact, on the old Japanese calendar, July was known as ‘Fumizuki' (literally ‘book month'), as it was a good time to stay indoors and read. Other indoor activities include calligraphy, ‘haiku', tea ceremony, and ‘Ikebana', the Japanese art of flower arranging. Natural clothes' dyeing with flowers is also a popular pastime.
Last summer, my wife Mandy and I had the rare chance to learn and participate in both natural clothes' dyeing and ‘Ikebana'! Flower-dyeing and flower arrangement is not really my thing, but I'm also not one to turn down an opportunity, so I decided to try it.
Over the years here we have eaten Japanese food, studied the language, read the history and literature, listened to (and sung) Japanese music, and even learned karate in a Japanese dojo. We have climbed Fuji-san, been to baseball games, and we even went to a live Sumo match and watched the "rikishi" (wrestlers), still wearing their hair in the samurai top knot, fight it out in the ring! We have participated in a tea ceremony, danced in the Bon Odori, and enjoyed countless summer festivals, but we still hadn't experienced "Japanese Flower Arrangement", and hence we were both really looking forward to it.
So Mandy and I took a train to Kuwana, in Mie, to meet our Japanese friend, Yuko, and together we had a traditional Japanese "brunch" - rice, miso soup, sushi and Japanese tea!
Then she drove us up into the mountains, where for 3 days a season, people can try their hand at natural clothes dyeing. We were the only ones there, and had the full attention of the instructing ladies! Now for me, this felt like a feminine pursuit (I'm not being sexist, but how many men do you know of, who pick flowers and do natural clothes dyeing?). However, for the sake of being able to make and take home something nice for my mother at Christmas, I decided to not just watch my wife, but to get in and get my hands dirty, so to speak. I was dyeing in there! I wanted to dye!
So we chose flowers (marigold, for the yellow dye), and some leaves of purple-looking plants (for Indigo dye), to make the dye. They were simply put in a pot and boiled, until the color came out, and then the flowers were removed. As we waited for the water to cool, we chose our cloth. Mandy and I both chose silk handkerchiefs for our mothers.
We folded them and tied them in a certain way, so as to create a pattern on the cloth when the dye soaks in. Then we put on gloves, and soaked our chosen cloth. After five minutes of squeezing and soaking the cloth, we pulled it out and rinsed it in water, before dunking it into a solution which makes the dye set permanently. Five minutes later, they were rinsed, and put into a mini-washing machine. When the spin-dry function was completed, we ironed them, and put them into a bag to take home. Luckily, the patterns we chose worked out perfectly! So did Yuko's, who had done this before, of course.
Anyway, we now had traditional, Japanese hand-made cloths to present to our mothers at Christmas that year! Mandy's cloth was marigold, and mine was Indigo/blue. The pattern on both our cloths was like rays of the sun emanating from one corner of the silk handkerchief! We thought that this was rather appropriate considering that they were made in the land of the rising sun.
Well, all this driving in the mountains and dyeing cloth had made us hungry, and Yuko next drove us to a little pine cottage restaurant. It was so quaint, and we sat there amidst the scent of sandalwood and pine, drinking our delicious coffee, while eating Japanese style pancakes and fresh cream! We had hand-made vanilla ice cream for dessert. I joked that I had dyed and gone to heaven! (Yuko and my wife groaned in unison).
Before long, it was time to head back to the town of Kuwana and arrange some flowers! Being a regular guy from Australia, I never thought I would try arranging flowers, but in Japan, it's not so much about arranging flowers, as it is about learning to relax and to express oneself, much in the same way as writing poetry, or painting. In fact, Yuko kindly explained, it was the samurai who sometimes did this activity to relax after a battle, and knowing that helped me deal with any doubts I had about my masculinity!
We drove back into the city of Kuwana, in Mie, where Yuko's Ikebana Sensei lived, and on the way, Yuko told us briefly about the history of Japanese flower arrangement.
Apparently, flower arrangement really took off in the 15th and 16th centuries, with rigid rules applying to the original form of "Tatebana" (Standing Flower). This custom took place mainly in the temples, and the houses of the nobles and powerful warlords.
Impressive to look at, it was intended not only to please one's senses or display the skill of the arranger but also to make a spiritual impact on the beholder by recreating a scene that was true to nature. Fewer flowers were used than might be expected, and balance was essential, but unnatural symmetry was to be avoided, (such as in bonsai trees).
For many hundreds of years, until the 19th century, flower arranging was a masculine art - practiced by Shinto priests, Buddhist monks, nobles and warriors. Now, of course, with modern society placing its particular demands on people, it has become a mainly a female pastime. A typical flower arrangement today will sit in the "tokonoma" (a special, central, highly visible alcove in a house, where an object is placed as a tribute to somebody or something). It also helps to create a favorable atmosphere for a tea ceremony, and is also sometimes used as decoration in a hotel lobby or foyer.
Yuko's ‘Ikebana' sensei was very relieved and pleased that we could speak Japanese. She was a very traditional kind of Japanese lady, who spoke no English. We quickly got underway. She explained to us about how the human element, the theme or human expression, is more important than the technique or rules of Flower Arrangement; technique comes later, she told us, when it comes time to modify and perfect one's creations further. She, however, took care of this for us.
My particular arrangement consisted of having two foreign flowers (common Australian lillies), in between two Japanese flowers, with pampas grass reeds on either side, around which were spread Japanese Autumn flowers. My theme was ‘Mandy and I' (the two Australian lilies) in the middle of Japan (the Japanese flowers), looking back on all the experiences (the Autumn Flowers) we've had here. Sensei seemed to appreciate that very much, and saw the pampas grass as a nice ‘frame'. Mandy's didn't have a theme so much as an image. Hers was a more European style of a clustered arrangement, which then Sensei picked apart, rearranged and perfected, destroying poor Mandy's original idea in the process! Mandy could see Sensei's point though, and in all fairness, it did look better.
However, Sensei was really interested in seeing what ideas and styles two foreign visitors could come up with, after seeing only Japanese students for so many years. I think she enjoyed it as much as we did, and she was very kind with her time and assistance. Yuko's was a more typical, Japanese style arrangement, leaning over to one side and looking very Asian/Oriental in style. Mandy and I had a very good time, took many photos, and were pleased to have finally experienced the ancient art of Japan's ‘Ikebana'.
A year has passed since then, and now it's summer again. My wife and I live in the mountains, next to a river, so we will do the usual things, such as swimming, fishing, enjoying barbecues with friends and so on. We have already started to observe some of the usual seasonal customs. Last night we walked outside and admired all the fireflies floating effortlessly in the hot, humid air, and chatted about them with some neighbors.
Other customs are also coming to light now that summer is here, such as baseball. In August, my wife and I plan to go to Tokyo Dome with some good Japanese friends and watch the Tokyo Giants (my favorite team) battle it out against Osaka's Hanshin Tigers (my wife's favorite team). It will be the highlight of our summer vacation this year.
We had to laugh when we arrived home today. There was a message in our letterbox from the local council, asking people to dispose of their "summer religious ceremony" garbage in the right way. Apparently, people here put four sticks into an eggplant, so that it resembles a cow, (Matsusaka is one of those places in Japan famous for its cows and beef), and then they place this in their home's Buddhist altar, after which they throw it away, but it has to be put in the correct recycled garbage bags. Sadly, people sometimes just throw it in the nearby river so they don't have to go to the hassle of disposing it properly. Maybe the local council should say to those people, "Don't have a cow, man!"
Yes sir, life is certainly different in this part of the world, but it's never boring! Even the television programs are more interesting, with all the summer sports and extra movies. The commercials recently are featuring more beer ads, now that it's so hot again. But when they advertise beer here, they magnify the sound of the "gulps", and the man drinks it down as if it were cool water and he had just crawled in from the desert dying of thirst! It's got to be down in 5 seconds or else! You wonder if he actually got to taste it.
Summer in Japan is always lively and entertaining, and all its associated customs are fascinating. Each and every year, my wife and I find something new and interesting to experience and enjoy, and I'm sure this summer will be no different.
About the Author
Chris Ryall is an Australian school teacher, who has lived in Japan for 14 years with his wife, Mandy. He is a novelist, poet and enjoys writing articles about Japan. His profile can be found on Facebook. E-mail: chrisandamanda2@yahoo.com.au
