The OCtech Library Blog

Interesting and Cool Hobbies

Here are some interesting hobbies to take a look at

Paramotoring

• -Paramotoring is taking to the air in a motorized paraglider. While paramotoring, you’re strapped to a small engine that propels you into the air after a running start. To get started with this hobby, it is HIGHLY recommended that you take paramotoring lessons.
• -What is Paramotoring and is it Safe?
• -How to Fly a Paramotor!

Mountain biking

• -Mountain biking is exactly what it sounds like, biking on mountains. This hobby can range from extremely difficult to relatively easy, with some training. Some athletes take it the extreme though!
• -10 MTB Tips For Beginners | Setup And Riding
• -The art of mountain biking : Single-track skills for all riders
• -"Beyond Expert" - The Trail Sign Says It All

Base jumping

• -Base jumping is the extreme sport of jumping from fixed high objects, using a parachute to land. The acronym “BASE” refers to the four categories of fixed objects to jump from. Buildings, antennae, spans, and earth. Most base jump courses require that the jumper be an experienced skydiver, with between 200-500 jumps already completed.
• -What is BASE Jumping?.
• -BASE Jumping with No Experience!
  • --This person has done many skydiving jumps, which is a requirement for BASE jumping.

Extreme ironing

• -Extreme ironing is going to remote locations with an ironing board and iron to iron a shirt.
• -Extreme Ironing: A Dangerous, Daring And Daft Pursuit.

Knitting

• -By knitting, you can make various clothing and blankets yourself. There are many resources online to help you learn to knit. There are also classes all over the place! You just need some yarn and a pair of knitting needles.
• -How to Knit: Easy for Beginners!

Gardening

• -Gardening is simply planting your own plants and helping them grow. Anyone can garden!
• -Urban Gardening for Dummies
• -Gardening complete : how to best grow vegetables, flowers, and other outdoor plants.

Woodworking

• -Woodworking is taking wood and making it into decorative and/or useful things. Anyone can woodwork, and there are classes everywhere to help you start. There are also resources online to help get you started.
• -WHAT IS WOODWORKING? A TOTAL BEGINNER’S GUIDE.
• -The Why & How of Woodworking
• -Woodworking: Traditional craft for modern living
• -Cool woodworking projects: Fun & creative workshop activities

Reading

• -Well… Reading! If you need any book recommendations, feel free to stop by the library and ask for one of your librarians. We also have staff picks in the library on display!

Camping/glamping

• -Whether you’d like to rough it out in a primitive campsite or glamp it out, camping is something anyone can do! Glamping is a portmanteau of “glamorous camping”. Either way, you’re getting outdoors, so that’s a win!
• -The Difference Between Camping vs Glamping | What Is Glamping?
• -The Carolinas : your car-camping guide to scenic beauty, the sounds of nature, and an escape from civilization
• -How to Camp Like a Pro

Running

• -Running is something that almost everyone can do, and it’s free! There are lots of resources online to help a beginner get started. Running communities are also great ways to get involved with running and many of them are inexpensive to join! (The Columbia Running Club is only $20/year to join and welcomes all paces, walking and running!).
• -How to Start Running Today: A Beginner's Guide
• -Running: Getting Started
• -Women's Complete Guide to Running
• -Running Injuries: Treatment and Prevention

Cosplaying

• -Cosplaying is the act of dressing up like a character from a television show, anime, movie, video game, etc. Cosplaying can go from basic costumes, to elaborate mechanisms. Most cosplayers build their own costumes from the ground up and some put some serious money into it.
• -A Step-by-Step Guide to Start Cosplaying for Beginners

Geocaching

• -Geocaching is basically just using the Geocaching app to find hidden gems. You take something, and you replace it with something else. This can be done by anyone! Alone or with someone else.
• -What is Geocaching?

Cliff jumping/cliff diving

• -Cliff jumping is simply jumping off of cliffs into water. There is also the professional sport of cliff diving.
• -Top 11 Most Breathtaking Cliff Diving Spots In The World | Red Bull Cliff Diving

Quilting

• -Quilting is the process of layering fabric together by sewing them, typically three layers.
• -A complete guide to quilting for beginners

Modern Calligraphy

• -Calligraphy is the modern art of writing.
• -How To Do Modern Calligraphy (+FREE Worksheets)
• -The art of watercolor lettering: a beginner's step-by-step guide to painting modern calligraphy and lettered art

Yoga

• -“Yoga is an ancient practice that may have originated in India. It involves movement, meditation, and breathing techniques to promote mental and physical well-being.” - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286745
• -There are many types of yoga, from power yoga to hot yoga.
• -10-Minute Yoga For Beginners | Start Yoga Here...
• -Yoga for Everyone
• -Yoga

Bird watching

• -Bird watching, or birding, is simply watching for birds. You can do it anywhere, and you don’t really have to spend any money to do it.
• -Bird Watching 101: A Guide for Beginners
• -The North Carolina birding trail: coastal plain trail guide

3D Printing

• -3D printing is creating objects from a 3D computer model by laying thin layers of materials one at a time.
• -The Free Beginner’s Guide
• -Baby Groot - 3D Printing Time Lapse