Are you ready to shake your hips to exotic latin infused rhythms? Zumba has changed the world of fitness and everyone is going crazy over the latest DVD, Exhilarate. These action packed routines will get your body moving like never before. Burn all those extra calories and sculpt your body ready for summer.

Exhilarate is a seven disc DVD set with never seen before content. It includes international dance styles, details on how to experience a live Zumba class and Zumbas first even chair routine. This is the forth consumer DVD collection since they were released in 2001. Each workout in the new DVD collection allows users to either Learn it (listen to the verbal cues) or Feel It (just listen to the music).

It is the perfect workout if you are shy or don’t have the time to travel to your local Zumba class. It can also help you learn the routine so that you feel more comfortable if you do decide to go to a class. With exotic rhythms of salsa, cumbia, samba, reggaeton, meringue and more, this invigorating dance will have you shaking that weight off in no time.

Exhilarate is the perfect DVD investment for years to come. Get yours today to be in shape to show all your relatives your hot new body this festive season. After your zumba routine you will be left feeling amped, empowered and fitter!

Summer is fast approaching and if you are a thrill seeker, then consider taking up wakeboarding. Wakeboarding is a fun water sport. If you have never owned a wakeboard before, it can be slightly daunting with the variety of wakeboards on the market. Whether you are a beginner or are an advanced wake boarder but have never owned a board, this guide will help you decide on what board will suit your technique and ability.

Length: The wakeboard length averages between 120-150 centimetres and it is very important to get the right sized board. The heavier the rider, the longer the board should be. If you find yourself having trouble controlling the board then it means that it is too big for you. At the opposite end of the scale, if the board is too small for you then you will sink into the water more. If you are buying a board for lots of people to use then it is better to get a longer one.

Width: The width is usually between 38-44 centimetres and it determines how quickly the board will turn. Narrows boards turn quicker in water and wide boards will give you more pop off the wake.

Rocker: The rocker is the shape of the bottom of the board. A higher rocker has a rounded bottom and is easier to land with jumps. The lower rocker has a flatter bottom and the rider can accelerate faster and gain easier control over the board. There are two types of rockers, the 3-stage rocker and the continuous rocker. A three stage rocker is angular and a continuous rocker is when the bend in the board does not change from the nose to the tail. The three stage is when the centre is flat but there is a change between the nose and tail. Continuous rockers tend to ride faster and the three stage rockers pop off the top of the wake harder and land softer. The rocker will depend on the person’s personal preference and experience.

Fins: Another major part of the wakeboard is the fins. The number and size of the fins will effect how hard it edges and how it acts in the water. Most modern board will have moulded in fins but there are also fins that can be screwed in. The centre fin is usually removable and as the riders ability increases then they can remove this fin. If the fins are small then your board will be looser in the water and will allow you to spin more on top of the water. Large fins are preferred by beginners as it will provide more stability but once again it all depends on your preference.

Riding style: A lot of your choice comes down to your riding style. Even professional wakeboarders will have different boards with different features to suit their specific style of riding. Make sure you think about your skill level and the type of boarding that you want to do. Beginners prefer a board with squared edges. This allows more control and stability for someone who is not ready for big air tricks. More advanced riders prefer a board with rounded edges because air tricks are easier to land. Rounded edges allow less of a chance of catching an edge when landing. They also help the board gain faster speed (allowing for nice lift off the wakes when jumping).

Price: Unfortunately, good wakeboards don’t come cheap. However if you do choose the right board then it will last you for many years to come. If you are on a budget and running low on cash, then you might want to look at a second hand wakeboard. Second hand wakeboards are also good to get a feel of what wakeboarding is like.

Conclusion: Wakeboarding is an extremely fun water sport that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. If you are planning on getting a wakeboard then these tips should help you choose the right one. If you have a local wakeboard shop in your area then go in store and get a feel of what you want and then start looking.

If you are looking for a wakeboard check out – Hyper Ride

Fish and chips wrapped in the newspaper and a big dollop of Watties tomato sauce – that’s as Kiwi as you can get. Think about those times when you have sat on your bonnet watching the sun set or maybe sitting on the beach with those annoying seagulls trying to steal the food. Whatever your memory is, every New Zealander has a fish n chip moment.

There is no record of when the first fish and chip shop opened in New Zealand but there is an assumption that it was long before the First World War. It is now a kiwi tradition with approximately 7 million servings of chips consumed by New Zealanders a week. That is a lot of chips! When I was a kid I remember getting a donut, a piece of fish, a hamburger and chips. I always tried to get my fair share of chips before my brothers did because this is the one thing we had to share. I remember my Dad chucking the chips in between two thick slices of white buttered bread.

Below is a list of some of the best fish n chip shops in New Zealand. What you want to look for when you are looking for the best fish n chips is that the fish should be fresh and fleshy, not the dry and the chips need to be crispy with soft insides. The worst fish n chips are the ones when you open up your newspaper to find it all wet and soggy.

Northland
Adriatic Fisheries, Whangarei

Auckland
Mt Eden Village Fish Shop
The Fish Pot Cafe
Oceanz in Silverdale

Waikato to Hawkes Bay
Oppies Takeaway, Rotorua
Halfway House Takeaways, Clive, Hawkes Bay

Manawatu to Wellington
Fish Spot The Plaza, Palmerston North
So Fine Seafoods , Lower Hutt

Nelson to Christchurch
Seabreeze City Takeaways, Nelson
The Sands Fish & Chips, Nelson

Timaru to Southland
Ric’s Galley/Portobello, Dunedin
Hassall Street Takeaways, Timaru

No matter what town you visit in New Zealand you are bound to come across a fish n chip shop just around the corner. Grab that change you found under your couch or in your car and head down to your local fish and chip shop for a treat.

It’s nearly Christmas time again!

With only a month to get sorted, we have put together a list of popular childrens products to wrap up and put under the Christmas tree.

1) MGP TEAM EDITION SCOOTER RED/BLACK $259.00

2)  Hot Wheels Digital Camcorder $59.95

3) Barbie Digital Camera $49.95

4) Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB Console With Kinect Sensor And Adventures Game

 
 5) HYPERLITE 2010 AIR NAUTIC KIDS WAKEBOARD 130 - $249.00

 6) New Zealand Author Children’s Books From $19.99

7) Style Me Up! From $7.99

8) Hot Wheels 4 for $10

  9) 225 Piece Deluxe Art Set In Wooden Case With Easel $69.99

 10) ENDEAVOR 2009 GUERILLA KIDS BOARD SHORTY WHITE BINDINGS $454.35

 So what are getting your children this Christmas?

The Fujifilm FinePix XP20 is a shockproof, waterproof and freeze proof rugged camera. It will be able to accompany you almost anywhere you may want to take it – a drop from 5 feet, swimming 16.5 feet underwater or even used in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius. Released in January 2011, it is a solid camera that is designed for all of you that are adventurous at heart.

Design: It has an unusual design as it is not the typical rectangular shape like many other cameras. It is available in black, blue, green and orange. The buttons are easy to press except for the on/off button which you may need to give a firm press to ensure that it works. The menu system is easy to navigate and beginners to photography will have no problems in using this camera. The camera is fairly compact and promises nearly all types of protection from water, shock, freeze and dust.

Performance: The images are well exposed with excellent colours. The detail is lacking when you shoot wide or when the lens is at its longest however for the price it is a good little camera. The average shot time is 2.2 seconds without the flash and 3 seconds with the flash. The quickest way to take a photo is with the burst setting which allows you to take three photos in 1.3 seconds.

Features: It has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens. The motion panorama mode makes it easy to shoot panoramic images. You just press the shutter, move the camera in the correct direction and then the camera merges them together to create one photo. It has different settings such as Underwater, Party, Flower and Text and Portrait Enhancer. Another fantastic feature is the face detection which identifies a face and adjusts the focus and exposure to ensure that you get clear and bright photos. Videos can be recorded at 720p HD for all those crazy adventures you find yourself on when you want to capture the moment.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP20 is a strong and easy to use point and shoot camera. If you are expecting to givethe camera some abuse and accompany you on your most memorable adventures then this is the perfect camera. The colours aren’t quite accurate but the photo quality is decent. Go capture and record images of your adventures to share with family and friends.

Love getting fit in summer and having fun with friends? Touch rugby is an energetic fun sport that can be played causally or competitively. Traditionally played in Australia and New Zealand, it is now expanding internationally. It originated from rugby league in the 1960s with the tackle being replaced by a touch. Get out of your comfortable couch, get out in the sun and have some fun playing touch rugby.

The main aim of touch is to score as many tries as possible and not allow the opposition to score any. Teams are generally split into three positions which are wings (the players are on either side of the field), links (players are on the insides of the wings) and middles (players are on the inside of the links). When your team is in attack the middles should set up the play to their team the best opportunity to score a try. The links and wings generally follow the directions of the middles. In deference the team has to defend which involves all the players to stop the other team from scoring a try.

It is easy to learn and can be played by both sexes. The mixed version is particularly popular with social players and is widely played in schools. It is generally played on a field but can also be seen played on the beach over summer. The balls are oval and slightly smaller than rugby league balls. There are 6 players from each team on a field and substitutions can be made at any time. The standard duration of a game is 40 minutes.

Now don’t worry if you’re not up with the touch lingo, below are some common terms that will make you sound like a professional.

Touch: It is performed by the defence team or any part of the body of the current ball carrier. The defensive player can shout ‘Touch’ which alerts everyone that the player has been touched. It forces the attacking team to stop and restart play.

Dummy Half: the dummy half is the player who receives the ball following the rollball.

Rollball: A rollball must be performed once a player in possession is touched by the opposition or after a turnover. It is performed by placing the ball on the mark on the ground and then rolling the ball backwards or stepping over it.

Dump: A dump is a quick rollball to further attacking opportunities.

General Touch Rules:

One of the best things about learning to play Touch Rugby is that there are not many rules. As long as you can carry and pass a ball you will be able to pick up the rules along the way.

Possession
The possession transfers to the other team:
-After the sixth touch or a try
-If acting half gets touched
-From an intercept or dropped ball
-If the referee indicates a turnover.

Defending
-Defending team must be at least 10 metres from the other team when the ball is tapped to start play
-If the defending team make a touch they must go back 5 metres from the mark on the ground where it occurred and stay there until the dummy half plays the ball. If they don’t they will be penalised
-If there is a penalty the defending team must go back at least 10 metres from the mark of penalty.

Penalties
Granted to the non-defending team if
-The ball travels more than one metre after the rollball is performed
-Forward pass or obstruction
-The ball is passed after a touch has been made or if the player is offside
-A player does not perform a rollball on the mark
- An aggressive tackle

Touch is a fun sport to play anywhere and anytime. The rules are easy and the best way to learn is to start playing and pick up along the way. Get your friends together and get the ball over the opposition’s line as many times as you can to lead your team to victory.

Twi-hards, twilight fans or whatever you may be… the time has come for one of the most anticipated movies of the year - The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. If you are one of the few who haven’t heard about Twilight it is a modern day vampire love story that has captured the hearts of young and old alike around the world. With more romance, passion and action the countdown is on…. so what’s in store?

The epic love story continues with the wedding of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Jacob Black runs off into the woods but finally turns up to wish the couple well before they go on their honeymoon in Rio. She gets pregnant on their Brazilian honeymoon with a half-vampire baby but it doesn’t all go as perfect as what you may want it to be. The highs, the lows and the dramas will keep you on the edge of the seat as you get absorbed into their world.

The first three films grossed US$1.8 billion worldwide in cinemas. It transformed Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan), Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen) and Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black) into three of the highest-profile and highest-paid actors in the world. Twi-hards can’t enough of them and they will certainly live up to expectations in this film.

Breaking Dawn Part 1 is due to be released in New Zealand cinemas on November 17. Cinemas around Auckland will be screening Breaking Dawn on multiple screens at midnight for the most dedicated fans. The Event Cinemas on Queen St alone have booked five screens for the late-night viewing but they are bound to sell out so get in quick if you are want to be one of the first to view the most anticipated movie of the year. For those of you who can’t stay awake until midnight there will be many sessions screening on Thursday.

The suspenseful and deeply romantic Breaking Dawn is bound to be a hit with fans. It’s gratifying to see that in Breaking Dawn - Part 1, they are dealing with more mature and more complex ramifications that arise in their human-vampire marriage. Part 2 is set to follow November 16, 2012 so the fans will have to wait for another year to see how it all pans out. Be ready to see the most anitpicated movie of the year and get amongst the Twilight excitement.

With the recent launch of iPhone 4S, I decided that it was finally time to upgrade from one of the oldest Nokias on this earth and head out of my comfort zone and dive into the iPhone hype. While the outside of the iPhone 4S looks the same as the iPhone 4, it has the new Apple A5 processor for double the speed and a new 8MP, F2.4 camera for great pictures. However the biggest draw card was the Siri which is Apple’s artificial intelligence voice control system that can do nearly everything that you tell it to do.

For the past few years I haven’t been into the iPhone hype, I was always happy enough with my Nokia that I got when mobiles first came out. But after the release of the iPhone 4s, and the constant reminder of people telling me that they think it’s time to upgrade my phone, I headed into the Vodafone store in the weekend and purchased my first Smartphone. The iPhone 4s is certainly a huge change from my old Nokia.

External design: The iPhone 4s looks and feels just like an iPhone 4. They’re both 0.37 inches thin, 4.5 inches high and 2.31 inches wide but iPhone 4S is slightly heavier at 140 grams. Therefore it is 3 grams heavier than the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS but not much of a change at all.

Siri: The draw card this time around isn’t the hardware, it’s the integrated virtual assistant, Siri. This is designed to make the users life easier and I was certainly impressive in how often it works as intended. It can send text messages, set reminders and alarms and take notes. It has a personality that might be artificial but it is also charming and engaging. If you are ready to have your life organised then this is what you need. It is the beginning of something that will fundamentally change the way we live over the coming years.

Camera: The new camera can also record 1080p high-definition video, which is a huge improvement from the iPhone 4’s 720p HD video. Apple have also included image stabilisation and noise reduction capabilities. If you love taking photos and making movies then this will be a huge incentive to upgrade to the 4S.

Overall, the new iPhone 4S is a great device and it certainly amazes me how far we have come since the first mobile phones were invented. Apple has decided to take the conservative update path on this new phone, but even if you have an iPhone 3 or 4 it is still worth the upgrade. Get ready to let the iPhone 4S take your stresses away and organise your life.

Did you know Warehouse Stationery not only have the top range of stationery but also have computers, phones and everything that you need for your office, study or hobby room? Now is the best time to head in store with prices slashed on almost everything to celebrate their 20th birthday.

Warehouse Stationery revolutionised stationery retailing in New Zealand and have come a long way from when they began. They opened their first store in Glenfield in October 1991. When they first started they were branded as ‘The Warehouse Stationery’ in ‘The Warehouse red’. In 1996 the name changed to Warehouse Stationery with the blue logo.

Now Warehouse Stationery conveniently has everything under one roof ranging from stationery and office products to technology and furniture, plus a huge art and craft range. Now they have over 50 stores nationwide as well as a website to buy everything you need online. With focus on providing the one stop solutions to their customers, they have continued to grow and are now New Zealand’s leading stationery and office products retailer.

Not only a great company to shop with, they also support the First Foundation project. School leavers who may not have had the opportunity to study and graduate are given the support to excel. Two of the students are invited into the business each year while they complete their qualifications. Warehouse Stationery also sponsored some of their study and have given part time work for personal income.

Warehouse Stationery has a huge competition on right now – Party likes it’s 1991. Can you remember back when MJ was the king of pop and when fluro and big hair was the latest trend? This is also when Warehouse Stationery first opened. To celebrate, if you send in your best or worst photos from 1991, you can be in to win some great prizes. With a brand new Compaq Presario 14” Notebook, an IDEOS X5 mobile phone, a Canon IXUS 105 digital camera and five $50 Warehouse Stationery gift cards up for grabs be sure to dig out those old photos and post them here

There is no better time to head into Warehouse Stationery than now with their massive Birthday Sale. The prices are cut on almost everything and if you want to shop online instead they also have free shipping for a limited time. Get ready to update all your dusty old office gear with the latest and greatest that the market has to offer.

The excitement of the Rugby World Cup is over, but we can still celebrate one of the happiest moments in New Zealand sporting history by buying the ‘World in Union’ album. It is the perfect sing-along CD to celebrate rugby’s biggest event and the All Blacks win. Wherever you are in the world, this album will provide the perfect soundtrack to relax on those warm summer evenings.

The ‘World In Union’ features 22 tracks recorded by some of the worlds top opera singers in celebration of the Rugby World Cup. It opens and closes with the title track ‘World In Union’ which is the global anthem for all Rugby World Cups. The 2011 album features Hayley Westenra who is one of New Zealand’s top singers. She follows in the footsteps of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa whose song was in the Rugby World Cup 1991version. Westenra has not only recorded the song in English and Maori, but also in Italian, French and Japanese. She is one talented young woman.

The CD also features songs from successful singers such as Brian Kennedy, Russell Watson and Laura Wright who recorded songs representing the participating nations. Hayley Westenras performance of our national anthem, God Defend New Zealand, is bound to give you goose bumps and make you feel proud to be a kiwi.

The ‘World In Union’ album is the perfect gift for any loved one. You can also download the album via iTunes. Whether you love rugby or not, this is a CD for your collection. Turn the volume up, close your eyes and go back to the memories of the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup in Eden Park.