Tennis has always looked to awe us. Ever since the beginning of open era, players like Rod Laver, Bjorg, Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Sampras and presently Federer and Nadal have impressed us with their brilliance. We have literally passed out over their magic. The way they play those unbelievable shots from death, the muscular streak in few of them, the poise in others, the fluid backhand grace and drop shots that have marked few and the brute power that has defined others. Overall, tennis has been a very tempting sport.This has often kept the instruments of the game at the backdrop. Even they have been very important in letting the game prosper as it has. Imagine what the stars would do without tennis racquets or balls or even tennis bags. You would never imagine if not being told, that a tennis racket holds a world in itself there are so many points to ponder. Professional racquets come with a thin beam width. This offers greater range and flexibility to a player even as it adds to the quality of drop shots. These give greater control over shots. These racquets are also ergonomic in nature.In terms of balance, a racquet can be head heavy or head light. It can also be evenly balanced. The racquet length is divided over 5 main specifications. They vary between 27 and 28 inches keeping a distance of .25 inches. Today, the sports is being strongly followed frown a young age. This is why there are many junior racquets as well. They come with lighter grips and area little smaller in sizes. Used racquets can be bought over many online stores at attractive prices.The strings of racquet are made of intestine of animals. The wooden frame is laminated. In fact, today the laminated wooden frame is being replaced by fiberglass or ceramic or even titanium for more sternness. Even gut is replaced by nylon today. The head of the racquet is slightly inclined to give it greater potency of hitting low shots or corner shots out of the court width.A tennis ball is another important accessory which is usually 6.7 centimeters in diameter and its color is yellow. Today, the tennis balls used in professional international tennis has many chemicals mixed with rubber to attain the desired consistency. Naturally, Southeast Asia is the top exporter of these balls as rubber plantations are most abundant here. The felt of the ball is its most costly part. The felt is being steamed to provide it greater power to combat wind and also offers it a lot of reduction in bounce.Tennis bags come in backpacks as well as 12 size bags. Top global companies like Nike, Adidas, Dunlop, Wilson, Head and others are producing high quality bags to let a player feel comfortable with his package. In terms of size, there are 3 racquets, 6 racquets, 8-12 racquets, duffle gears and wheeled tour accessory bags. They are available online over many reputed outlets today.
Use Crowdfunding If You Need Capital For Your Small Business
Crowdfunding campaigns may offer a lot of benefits to small businesses. They can help startups get access to a pool of prospective investors and several fundraising options. Although raising funds is always the primary purpose of these campaigns, you may also use these campaigns to gain visibility, customers, and success. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at some of the primary benefits of crowdfunding for small businesses. Read on to find out more.
1. Efficiency
If you are struggling to build your business and raise capital, you may not afford to pursue conventional financing requirements. In this case, it’s better to set up a crowdfunding campaign on a good platform. These platforms can help you get your message across to a lot of people.
These platforms can help you tell your story and benefit from a focal location that may get you a lot of potential investors.
2. High visibility
Good crowdfunding platforms enjoy high exposure. So, if you run your fundraising campaign on this type of platform, you can have social proof and validation for your prospective investors. And this will build a chain of investors for your startup. And this is what you want to grow your business.
3. Crowdsourced brainstorming
Crowdfunding offers an opportunity for you to brainstorm in order to refine your ideas. The basis of a new business is to look for something that your prospective customers may need. And you can brainstorm ideas to meet that need.
So, what you need to do is grab that opportunity and get customer feedback while putting together a plan for your startup. Crowdfunding can help you get closer to your prospective customers. This way you can engage your customers and field ideas, feedback, complaints, and questions.
4. Loyal advocates and early adopters
Crowdfunding can help you get in touch with early adopters and brand advocates. And these people believe in your product, service, or story. Therefore, they are willing to put their money into the longevity and success of your startup.
They will play an important role in making your crowdfunding campaign a success. Plus, they will get the word out about your success with their friends, family, and members of social networks.
5. Media exposure
Press coverage can attract a lot of potential investors to your campaign. Plus, it can help you raise awareness about your brand. You can achieve these goals through a print publication, blog, or a popular news station.
For instance, a feature story on a social network, such as Twitter can create a snowball effect and bring a lot of investors to you.
In short, crowdfunding has become an ideal way of validating businesses and looking for early adopters and investors. So, if you are looking to reap all these benefits, we suggest that you use a good crowdfunding platform.
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!
He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.
But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.
Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!
Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.
We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.
Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.
Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!
But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.
Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.
Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.
And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.
All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.
He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.