Fire-By-Friction: The Bow Drill

One of our newest and most popular programs as of late here at Adventure Out is our Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic. In this class, we teach the Sacred Order of Survival - Shelter, Water, Fire, & Food. Of these four skills, the one that seems to always draw the largest crowd is Fire. There is something so innately human about Fire and the ability to control and manipulate it that seems to draw us all to it. In fact it was the method of Fire-By-Friction called Bow Drill that spawned my interest in Survival Skills many years ago.

Osage Bow Drill Kit

Why is fire so enthralling? What is it about walking out onto the landscape and creating fire from seemingly nothing that fascinates us so? In my opinion, it is simply a part of us. Fire is what distinguishes us as humans. Think of the Sacred Order needed to survive - Shelter, Water, Fire, and Food. Countless other animals create shelters for themselves, and all animals need food and water. But fire - it's use, and ability to control fire is something that only we as human beings can claim. Fire allowed us to rise up, travel, create tools, cook food, live in inclimate environments, and ultimately, lead to the production of civilization.

Bow-Drill In Action

To me, being able to share this sacred skill with others is a gift itself. To think that something that was once so ingrained in the consciousness of the human experience is disappearing is a tragedy. How many people are left on the earth that know how to create fire by friction? 1% of the population? Not likely. 0.001 percent of the world's people? Maybe at best. Who knows for sure. But I do know that it is the duty of all of us who carry this knowledge to pass it on.

So for those of you who are interested in learning these skills and more, come check out our Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic.

-Cliff Hodges, Owner - Adventure Out LLC

Mother's Day Surf Clinic in Santa Cruz

Special 1-Day Mother/Daughter Learn to Surf Clinic
This Sunday - 5/13/2006 in Santa Cruz!

Come join us this Sunday in Santa Cruz for this special mother's day surf class! We are offering discount rate's for mother daughter pairs - $160 gets you surf lessons for 2 people, wetsuits, and surfboards for all!

The Class will run from 9am - Noon, and will be led by our senior instructor in Santa Cruz, Sonrisa (and her loyal staff)! To sign-up, go to the Adventure Out Homepage.

Billabong Surf Camps in San Francisco with Adventure Out

Adventure Out, California’s leader in outdoor adventure will begin offering Billabong Surf Camps and Clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area at Pacifica State Beach.



Experience surfing the Billabong way in the San Francisco Bay Area: quality instruction, dynamic curriculum, a safety first attitude and all the Billabong gear and give-aways you’d expect from the leader in board sports. Adventure Out’s Billabong Surf Camps present surfing as a lifestyle, covering water safety, ocean science, environmental awareness, surf etiquette, and cultural heritage.

Surf Camps and clinics range from 2-5 days and are available for children ages 8-12, teens, and adults – girls-only surf camps are also available. From the complete novice surfer, to the intermediate rider that just wants to improve their skills, Adventure Out has the coaching that will enable anyone to reach their goals. “What we’re looking to do is provide the best surf instruction possible, while giving new surfers an unforgettable experience” says Adventure Out owner Cliff Hodges.

Billabong and Adventure Out instructors are all expert surfers, C.P.R. and First-Aid certified and ready to teach surfing in a safe, secure, non-competitive environment to help build confidence while having a great time in the water.

To read more about this program and obtain information on dates, times, and costs, visit Adventure Out Surf School on the web.

Wilderness Survival Skills Program in Northern California with Adventure Out

Santa Cruz, CA - May 1, 2006 - Adventure Out, California's leader in outdoor adventure will begin offering classes in wilderness survival and primitive skills beginning in the Spring of 2006.

Learn Fire-By Friction and Many Other Native Skills!

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live amongst the Native Californians? Come learn how in this exciting new program! Adventure Out has developed a wholly unique program to give participants an introduction to the world of primitive skills and survival.

Starting with the new "Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic", this one day course will teach the basics of indigenous survival. Without the use of any modern technology, students will learn the basics of Shelter, Water, Fire, & Food from a perspective that promotes harmonious and sustainable use of our natural resources.

Hand-Made Stone Points!

To read more about this program and obtain information of dates, times, and costs, visit Adventure Out on the web at: http://www.adventureout.com/survival.html.