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The record for the world’s biggest group water ski was broken at 7.20am in Macquarie Harbour, Strahan. The largest number of single skiers behind a boat turned out to break their own record from March 2010.

154 skiers startws out, with 145 officially making the record books. The mighty Tasmania Eagle ferry (owned by World Heritage Cruises) providing the much-needed horsepower.

The group effort enjoyed clear blue skies, morning sunlight and calm waters. Over 100 volunteers coordinated with military precision to convert the river cruiser into a massive 3000hp ski boat. Over $100,000 was spent on all 3 attempts – an expensive exercise if something were to go wrong.

The logistics were impressive. A 200 tonne crane attached the 90m boom that connected the 154 ski ropes using “Dynex”- a new material that’s stronger than stainless steel.

To qualify for the world record, all skiers must commence from a stationery start. They must be connected individually to a ski rope, ie you cannot have three skiers attached to one ski rope and pulled out of the water together. Skiers also must complete one nautical mile.

The great thing about the record attempt was the commitment of the 154 skiers to work as a single group.

While waiting at the airport I noticed a lot of people weighing their luggage before checking in to ensure that they didn’t go over the allocated 25kg.

So I though it was a good opportunity to use the luggage measuring device for  some bicep curls while we were waiting. If you’re nearing the allocated weight allowance using this device actually requires quite a bit of strength .

Provided that you have the core strength to correctly brace and protect your lower back, these bicep curls can be a great way to utilise time spent waiting in the queue.

The weighing device adds an additional dimension to the degree of difficulty. The device’s handle  moves around like a seesaw, which requires you use your core muscles to stabilise, and especially to brace with your transverse abdominus. By merely trying to suspend the suitcase off the ground, you can activate those core muscles.

At all times ensure you have the correct posture, ie. a straight back, chest out and shoulders back. If you don’t sufficiently brace from below the belly button you’ll transfer the load to your lower back, using  external lower back muscles such as the Erector Spinae and  internal lower back support muscles such as the multifidis.

You can hold the suitcase or weighing device with a clenched fist with your fingertips and palm facing the ceiling to perform a traditional bicep curl. Or hold the handle or weighing device with your fingertips and palm facing down to perform a reverse bicep curl.

The bicep curl predominately uses the large bicep muscle (bicep brachii), while the reverse bicep curl uses the bicep muscle (briachiradialis) as well as the muscles just below your elbow (all the wrist flexing muscles – Extensor digitorum, Extensor carpi radialis brevis).

My suitcase actually weighed 21.5kg, so maybe start by trying this with your cabin luggage first )

While traveling in Asia I came across a group of people performing the ancient Chinese art of Qi Gong – designed to improve your health, longevity and vitality.

Originating 4000 – 5000 years ago, Qi Gong involves similar techniques to Tai Chi, which focuses on slow breathing and co-ordinated movements.

In Qi Gong, the main focus is on a breathing technique that helps stimulate the organs through improved oxygen flow, which in turn aids the kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen and the heart.

Benefits include better management of stress-related disorders, chronic fatigue, headaches, intestinal problems, chronic pain, high blood pressure and even the treatment of cancer.

By focusing on the body’s alignment and movements, it is claimed Qi Gong formed the basis of many martial arts techniques, although it has no self-defense element itself.

By improving the body’s self awareness and proprioception (the co-ordination of all 5 senses in concert), Qi Gong can also improve your balance.  This has ongoing benefits for the elderly who are often more prone to falls that lead to broken bones.

When incorporated into a healthy lifestyle – a balanced diet, regular exercise and a positive attitude – Qi Gong practitioners experience an overall improvement in their wellbeing.

One very unusual version of Golf is played in the desert.  Australia’s Nullarbor Links holds the record for the world’s longest golf course.

Spanning 1365kms along Australia’s most isolated and desolate highway, the Nullarbor is a 18 hole, par 72 golf course. Tee off is from the mining town of Kalgoorie in Western Australia’s mid-south eastern corner along the Eyre Highway, finishing at the coastal town of Ceduna at the most western point of the South Australian border.

As part of a tourism push, participating towns and roadhouses have worked together to make the project a reality, spanning the municipalities of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Coolgardie, Dundas, and Ceduna.

So, if you’re planning on making the epic road trip across the Nullarbor this Christmas holidays, pack your golf clubs and enjoy one of 18 holes against the backdrop of the Great Australian Landscape!

Written by Andrew Talati

Inspired Cadel’s second place rides in 2007 and 2008, and his 2011 Tour De France win, there’s been an increase in people getting on bicycles.

This is more evident with the creation of a new acronym – MAMIL, or Middle Aged Men In Lycra. While not the world’s most flattering term, it does highlight a growing trend.

While there have been many references to cycling being the new golf, you can’t ignore the blistering facts.  Cycling is currently undergoing a revolution in Australia.

The local distributor of BMC, maker of Cadel’s winning bike, has sold out of all the BMC paraphernalia like cycling jerseys and caps.

Gaelene Snelling, Vice President of St Kilda Cycling Club (SKCC), said, “There has been an explosion in the last two years.” The club has swelled from 350 in August 2009 to 650 in August this year.

Cycling Victoria – the governing body for both recreational and competitive cycling – has also seen a dramatic 300% increase in club memberships since 2007.  They now boast a staggering 8000 members.

It was amazing to see the huge crowd that turned out to honour Cadel when he made a brief detour to Australia before heading to the US for further racing. Usually such large crowds are reserved for footie parades or Olympians.  We’ve never seen them turn out for a single individual from a foreign cycling race.

With obesity and overweight numbers increasing, cycling offers an awesome way to keep fit, socialise with your friends and get outside the house or office.

At the turn-of-the-century cycling participation rates were extremely high as bicycles represented the primary means of transportation around Melbourne. With the advent of the motor vehicle and improved public transportation, the poor old bike was relegated to being a children’s activity.

We can look forward to continued growth with increasing participation in those riding bicycles and hopefully a corresponding decrease in those diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle )

Written by Andrew Talati