Don't you just hate it when you're catching a wave, reach inside your wetsuit for your digital camera and get tossed on your ass before you even get the shot framed?

The problem: Technology and nature aren't exactly best friends. In fact, expensive electronics and outdoor water sports are a very lethal combination, often ending in disaster.

The solution: GoPro, a little company with a big idea, has rendered these Kodak moments attainable with its tiny, technological titan called the Digital Hero 3. Encased in an airtight plastic housing, this matchbook-sized (and I mean that) camera straps to your wrist (or handlebars or kayak paddle) to capture thrills and spills as they happen.

Make no mistake, this little digital camera is not for professionals. On the other hand, for amateurs looking to take some fun shots while in the field, in the water, or even on the slopes; The Digital Hero 3 Camera is cool.

Heli-hiking, if you hadn’t heard, is hiking by helicopter.

No, adventure helicopters don't just run in the winter. Of course, there's nothing like the gorgeous untracked fields of fresh powder, but take away skiing and tack on any manner of outdoorsy activity when the snows melt: heli-hiking, heli-fishing, heli-paddling. It's the hottest way to flee the fanny-pack-wearing crowd and find wilderness all to yourself without the pesky effort of trekking in a week's worth of food and shelter. Rise early, eat, fly your way to seclusion, hike, eat, hike some more, fly back to your lodge in time for a massage, an outdoor hot tub soak or a sauna, a chapter or two with a good book, a well-earned, beautifully prepared dinner, and some story-swapping by the fireplace ... oh, and cocktails on the terrace!

My thought: Any sport proceeded by a helicopter ride seems to be yet another offshoot of the whole glamping world, where you pay large sums of money to have a manufactured and controlled outdoor experience. Basically ... it sounds perfect! I've done the whole camping in a soggy tent, sleeping on the floor, wearing black fly headnets, eating beans and hotdogs thing. I'm over it (well, not entirely.)

The downside: Unlike Heli-skiing, which requires athleticism, some serious skiing skills, a touch of fearlessness and deep pockets, Heli-hiking requires only the deep pockets. You or your five year old (yes, families do this) don't have to even break a sweat - which means - that this sport probably attracts a few people you don't want to be in a helicopter with, let alone out in the woods with.

Around here, a quick getaway is no easy feat.

A couple of hours in the car will only land you at an outlet mall, a water park, or smack-dab in the middle of a cornfield — no matter which way you go.

Unless, that is, you go up.

Next time you’re hankering for an escape, book a flight in a hot-air balloon with Krug. In collaboration with masters of bespoke luxury, Bruno Domeau & Philippe Pérès welcome you to a new flight of fancy… introducing Krug Is In The Air.

Here’s how it works: Conceived as an extension of Krug private dining rooms found in places like New York’s Core Club and London’s Dorchester Hotel, the Krug Balloon is a breathtaking ride. For two hours and a mere $50,000 you can enjoy it with seven of your favorite friends, a flight commander, and a waiter serving a light-as-air, three-course lunch with lots of… Krug Grande Cuvée.

Via: [RareDaily.com]

How did many of the world's top Nascar drivers hone their checkered-flag skills? Fishtailing around go-kart tracks, of course.

And, the recently opened 100,000-square-foot Velocity 17 in New Jersey is righteous proving ground of your pole-position prowess too. It's 2000 foot Grand Prix kart racing track is stocked with hairpin turns, banked corners, chicanes, and lengthy straightways to top out the gas-powered karts at 30 mph -- but when you're swerving inside to block a would-be passer, you'd swear you were hitting triple digits.

Keep in mind: These aren't your grandfather's go-karts (you need a real drivers license to drive the fast ones) and lucky for you, parks just like this one, are opening up throughout the U.S. So, even if you have no ambition to make the pro circuit, let alone the freeway's fast lane, you can finally end the eternal dispute between fathers and son (mothers and daughters): Who is the best driver?

Freestyle skier Shane McConkey kicked off BoboFest in Reno, Nevada, last November 17 by nailing the world's first urban skiBASE jump. From a ramp of 6,700 pounds of shaved ice atop the tallest casino in the Biggest Little City on Earth, McConkey skied off the building's 38-story roof, threw in a front flip, and landed in a parking lot.

Photo & Source: [Wolfy @ The Bacon Strip]

The next time someone stops you to ask for the time, don’t give it to them.

Because in all likelihood that’s not actually what they want to know.

What they really want to know is this: "Man, where the hell are we?"

Their cell can now tell them the time, but the RLX Suunto Vector ($239) will tell them everything they need to know about their surroundings.

So give them what they want. Brag ever so coolly that your watch combines an altimeter, barometer, and electronic compass with a large backlit display and easy-to-use buttons. Water-resistant to 100 feet, this tough but hip-looking timepiece will keep you in the know.

And then just gloat silently as they say, Oooooh. I want one.