A New York City restaurant is officially serving the world’s most expensive fries. That’s according to Guinness World Records, who certified the achievement on the 13th of July.The fries come from restaurant Serendipity 3, which also sells the world’s most expensive burger (AU $400) and ice cream Sunday (AU $1, 357).Their record-breaking fries will cost AU $271.

Watch how they are made in the video below

The news left many in shock. CNN, for instance, tongue (ravenously) in cheek, called upon the Reserve Federal chair to double-check the rate of inflation.CNN also broke down how the fries are made.“The Crème de la Crème Pommes Frites start out as Chipperbec potatoes. They are blanched in vinegar and champagne. Then they fry in pure goose fat, not oil, and not once but twice.”So far so lavish? It gets better.“Sprinkled with edible gold and seasoned with truffle salt and truffle oil, they are served on a crystal plate with an orchid, thin-sliced truffles, and a Mornay cheese dip,” (CNN).

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Corporate executive chef Frederick Schoen-Kiewert told CNN that Serendipity was shut during the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the frivolous frites are a tasty way to celebrate its return.There is reportedly “an eight- to 10-week waitlist for the fries.”One Instagram user wrote: “That would be the most expensive heart attack I ever had but worth it.”Not everyone was impressed, however. Many on Twitter called it obscene.“I just don’t understand these kinds of useless indulgences,” one Twitter user wrote. “You sprinkle gold on anything and it will be more expensive nevermind spending that money on something better.”

Some people wonder how they’re going to pay the rent. Some wonder how to spend all their money. The trick to getting in the second category is catering to people already there.

— Lieutenant Kernel of Truth (@kernel_of_truth) July 31, 2021

As for us? We’re still recovering from drinking Sydney’s most expensive coffee, but would love to check out these fries one day in the future, wallet permitting…

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The post World’s Most Expensive Fries Unveiled In New York City appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Right now in 2021, there’s never been a better time to sell one’s car. The market’s hotter than a vinyl singlet and people are desperate to get themselves some wheels.

But sometimes, selling a car is hard – and not just because you usually have to deal with a cavalcade of tyre kickers and sleazy salesmen. No, selling a car can be a rather emotional process. And no one really talks about it.

It’s something I discovered for myself earlier this year when I came to sell the first car I ever bought: my 1996 Ford Probe GT. To be honest, I was quite glad to see the brute go. ‘El Probo’ had become far too idiosyncratic for me and its eccentricities (read: myriad faults) had gone from being charming to being frustrating.

But once I saw it ride off into the night – exhaust blaring and stereo thumping – I started to feel rather emotional. Sure, El Probo was more trouble than he was worth, but I had so many good memories with him. I taught myself how to drive manual and learnt how to do basic car maintenance with him. Indeed, I credit El Probo with helping me get this job at DMARGE, and therefore growing as a writer and creative.

Owning him was a formative experience, one that I’ll remember forever, and I felt a surprising sense of loss when I let him go. The fact I’m calling him a ‘him’ is evidence of that, I suppose.

RELATED: I Bought The Cheapest American Car In The Country… & It Was A Complete Disaster

I’m not the only one in the DMARGE office who’s had a similar experience.

“After 7 years I had formed an unusual attachment to my car and when I recently sold it, I was genuinely melancholy for a week,” DMARGE Director & Publisher Luc Wiesman relates.

“I asked my girlfriend to take a photo of me and the car, which I had never done in my entire life.”

“You spend hours every week in the car, so it’s like a home, so you’re likely to form some sort of attachment to it… The car was my father’s before I purchased it from him, so maybe the family nostalgia made it all the more difficult.”

The ‘home’ analogy is one that’s particularly pertinent. Just like a house, a car is more than just a possession. Like a house, it’s likely to be one of the most high-value possessions you own, but more than that, they’re a place where memories are formed life happens. Sometimes quite literally.

I remember some family friends of mine being very conflicted about selling their old station wagon because it’s where their daughter was born – they couldn’t get to the hospital in time and so the baby was delivered in the back seat of the car. They did end up selling the car (although of course, they made sure it was thoroughly cleaned before they did so…)

Needless to say, when a car is such a part of someone’s family; part of someone’s life, it can be really tough emotionally to let it go. But like houses or pets, owning a cars can be quite a liminal experience. It’s not meant to last forever, as tough as that can be to comprehend.

In Eric Bana’s acclaimed 2009 car documentary Love The Beast, famed motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson explains why cars are so special perfectly:

“It’s what non-car people don’t get. They see all cars as just a ton and a half, two tons of wires, glass, metal, and rubber…”

“[But] cars are living entities… When something has foibles and won’t handle properly, that gives it a particularly human quality because it makes mistakes, and that’s how you can build a relationship with a car that other people won’t get.”

RELATED: Sydney Sweeney Reaffirms Dream Girl Status Yet Again With ‘Secret’ New Hobby

We get attached to cars in a way that we do with few other things in our day-to-day life. Cars are special – and you don’t need to be a ‘car person’ to understand that.

So that’s our warning about diving head-first into this seller’s market we find ourselves in with cars in 2021: be prepared for the emotional aspect of letting a car go, as well as the financial one.

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The post I Sold My Car After 8 Years. It Was Like Going Through A Break Up appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Unruly behaviour at 40,000ft has spiked and flight attendants are not happy.Flight attendants warned passengers earlier this year they would no longer play “babysitter for adults.” Now things seem to have escalated another notch.CNN reports that “more than 100 incidents [of unruly passengers] were reported to the Federal Aviation Administration in the last week — for a total of more than 3,600 so far this year.”

“As a result, hundreds of flight attendants are being trained by the Transportation Security Administration this summer and fall in self-defense skills.”

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The TSA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, plans to train hundreds of flight attendants this summer, CNN reports, in “self-defence skills.”

“It is restarting the half-day course first developed in 2004 that was recently put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.”

“The skills include how to strike, stomp and subdue a violent attacker – a scenario these flight attendants said they hope to never encounter,” (CNN).

Why did they make me fight the self defense dummy in front of my whole class in flight attendant training. Don’t they know I have stick arms and anxiety. The audacity

— Stas (@wymaaaaan) August 1, 2021

“You get on a plane full of people and some of them are not very happy and you just never know what’s going to happen,” one flight attendant anonymously told CNN.

“It’s just more imperative that we take care of ourselves and take care of our passengers because people are anxious, and they’re upset, and they’re frustrated, and sometimes that comes out inappropriately.”

CNN followers on Instagram, however, had a little fun of their own with the news, ripping in with comments like: “You will remain seated with your seatbelt fastened. Or else” and “A travelling ass Whooping. Thank you for flying with United.”Others sympathised with the flight attendants.“The fact that this is even necessary is crazy,” said one follower.

“Sad it has come to this.”

“Airlines should be sacrificing a few seats to air marshals to protect their staff, not expecting staff to have to defend themselves like this,” wrote another.

This is sad. I have always loved any flight attendant I had on a flight. They don’t deserve the treatment that has been shown as of late. However, I hope they can kick some butt if need be after this training.

— @CarolynDiane (@CarolynDSchultz) July 28, 2021

Yet another said that nurses need this kind of training too.Further users proffered policies of their own, which they claimed would help solve the problem. One wrote: “NO VAX NO FLY!!! That will end it.”

Fuck around on a plane and you may find your ass getting whooped by a flight attendant https://t.co/p5V7JVZMTQ

— Shay is Vaxxed (@ShadyPlanes) July 28, 2021

Just watch the flight attendant segment, it looks like they are preparing to go to battle think about deescalating training. It’s the environment right now….soooooo political

— michael robinson_1 (@Michael_R_1) July 29, 2021

If California’s recent bacon ban has divided the United States, this could well be the thing to unite it, with most people appearing to be in favour of the training.If you’re currently quaking in your boots, watch the following video on how to stay in a flight attendant’s good books…

Watch a flight attendant reveal the secret to getting special treatment from the cabin crew

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The post Flight Attendants Are Now Being Trained To Kick Your Sorry Ass appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

From gun control to foreign policy, America is more polarised than a pair of $1,000 sunnies. In fact, it almost goes without saying that The United States is divided down all sorts of lines.

But what you might think would still be uniting it is a love of bacon, donuts; fries.

You’d be wrong.

The growing ‘low carb’ movement is eschewing fries and donuts, and now California is moving to ban bacon. How oh-very-coastal, you may be quick to think. Don’t.

It’s actually a pretty smart move, with even meat-eating advocates like Dave Asprey praising the Golden State for this particular burst of enlightenment.

 

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Asprey writes: “California has a dismal track record of setting stupid regulations that reverberate across the country.”

“Ever wonder why there are about six pounds of harmful flame retardants in your mattress?”

“Thank California.”

“Ever wonder why coffee used to say, ‘known to the state of California to cause cancer’ even though studies show the opposite?”

“Thank California.”

“But this time, I could hug California for a new regulation. Most pork in the United States is raised in prison-like conditions where animals do not even have enough space to turn around or lay down and stretch. California law now mandates that pigs must have a 6‘ x 4‘ space instead of a 3.5’ x 5.5’ space (24 sqft vs. 20). Just enough to turn around and stretch.”

“People know me as the founder of Bulletproof and @upgradelabs and for creating biohacking, but I’m also a small regenerative farmer carefully raising 25 heritage breed pigs. I can’t imagine confinement for them.”

“The Big Food Industry is fighting to maintain animal cruelty standards because they are worried that pork might cost 15% more if the animals were tortured less.”

“I eat grass-fed meat, and I love pastured bacon. I only serve those at my restaurant in Santa Monica @bulletproofcafesantamonica.”

“Now is a great time to take a look at what kind of meat you’re eating. You don’t have to give up meat, and it’s not even healthy to do that. But you do have to give up industrial meat because it’s bad for you, bad for the planet, and bad for the animals.”

“Our soil needs animals. We need animals. Let’s take good care of them when they are with us, and enjoy them after we have cared for them.”

Let’s back up for a second though. What was the news, exactly? USA Today reports, “At the beginning of next year, California will begin enforcing an animal welfare proposition approved overwhelmingly by voters in 2018 that requires more space for breeding pigs, egg-laying chickens and veal calves.”

“National veal and egg producers are optimistic they can meet the new standards, but only 4% of hog operations now comply with the new rules.”

Not everyone was as happy with the change as Asprey.

I don’t get why more producers didn’t adapt given that they had >2 years and they’d nor be positioned to make a premium. Article says something about CA not providing some regularity guidance, but presumably the law itself made some of this clear…

— Dean Eckles (@deaneckles) August 1, 2021

One Twitter user said they are “never going back” to California due to the change.

Another said “What the frick.”

Y’all California is trying to ban BACON. What the frick

— (@sophbilsborough) July 31, 2021

Another wrote: “lol.”

California bout to ban bacon now, lol

— Chris Ford (@DCSportsNexus) August 2, 2021

Another called the move “very concerning.”

That’s the AP, not Buzzfeed. I seem to remember your side of the aisle saying you didn’t want to ban meat, so this is very concerning.

— Daniel Wolter (@DJWolter) August 1, 2021

Yet another topic we look forward to seeing debated passionately in 30-second segments on prime time news slots.

Classic America.

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The post Americans Enraged As California Moves To Ban Much Loved Food appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whether you’re a devotee of designer fashion, a film buff – or both – you’re no doubt eagerly looking forward to House of Gucci.Directed by Ridley Scott and featuring a star-studded cast including names like Adam Driver, Lady Gaga, Jared Leto and Salma Hayek, the biographical crime flick explores the murder of Maurizio Gucci, Italian businessman and head of the eponymous fashion house, by his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani – as well as the family drama surrounding the famous business.The much-anticipated trailer for the film dropped over the weekend, and if it’s anything to go by, the film’s set to be a real winner. The attention to detail is absolutely exquisite – indeed, Gucci has even cooperated with the production and given them full access to their archives for wardrobe and props, WWD relates.Sadly, that same attention to detail wasn’t applied to the watches seen in the film, as is often the case even in big-budget productions. We’ve spotted two noticeable aberrations from the trailer that suggest that some of the characters might have had access to a time machine – guess anything’s possible when you’ve got Gucci money…

Firstly, we have Al Pacino, who plays Aldo Gucci: the chairman of the fashion house from 1953 to 1986 and the eldest son of the house’s founder, Guccio Gucci (a name so nice he had it twice). Pacino’s casting as Aldo hasn’t been without controversy, with Aldo’s daughter Patrizia Gucci singling out his casting as “really ugly” and “shameful”, as the Associated Press reports.More controversial (at least to watch nerds like us) is the watch Pacino was spotted rocking in the trailer: a Breguet Classique Moonphase. A highly elegant and stylish watch, it’s the perfect timepiece for a high-rolling 80s fashion mogul…. Except that, as eagle-eyed watch-spotter @niccoloy has pointed out, the watch didn’t exist back in the 80s, despite its classical design.RELATED: Sally Fitzgibbons Wears Most Unlikely Watch Surfing In Western AustraliaAnother watch mistake we spotted in the trailer comes from Jeremy Irons, who plays Rodolfo Gucci: an actor and entrepreneur who was also one of Guccio Gucci’s sons, and the father of Maurizio Gucci (played by Adam Driver).Irons is seen embracing Driver wearing a pink gold Vacheron Constantin Overseas on a rubber strap. While the Overseas was first introduced in 1977, the first Overseas with a rubber strap was only introduced in 2006. Furthermore, the eight-notched bezel design of Iron’s watch – the modern Overseas design – only appeared in 1996. So a double fail, then.

Of course, these are real nitpicks, and the vast majority of cinema-goers probably won’t even notice these horological anachronisms. In this instance, aesthetic is more important than accuracy – these watches give off a retro feel; they feel appropriate for the characters and the setting. Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story, as they say.Funnily enough, these days Gucci itself makes some rather impressive, Swiss-made watches. Check out some of their best – as well as some other impressive timepieces from other luxury fashion brands here.

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The post 'House Of Gucci' Watch Fail Suggests Al Pacino Has A Time Machine appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s no secret that Australia is one of the true pioneering countries of surfing, and is home to some of the best breaks in the world that command a wave of surfers both local and international. Of course, not everyone is a seasoned pro and everyone needs to start somewhere, and fortunately, there are plenty of beaches and breaks that are perfect for learning to commandeer a board.

Once you’ve got the skills to pay the bills – and all the gear from some of the best surf shops around – you can start tackling some of the countries’ trickier waves that will only result in feelings of absolute elation when you don’t wipeout. Sydney is home to its fair share of world-class surfing beaches and breaks that cater to everyone from beginner to pro, and the very act of driving between them is just as awesome as the surfing itself, such are the scenic journies you’ll find yourself on.

While we could easily list all the surf beaches in Sydney in this piece (there’s around 70), we’ve instead chosen to curate a list of just the very best, taking into account beaches that work best in various winds – some, for example, are at their peak in southerly winds while others work better when the wind comes from the north – and how busy they tend to be. After all, nobody really likes to surf with a crowd around them, no matter the skill level.

We’ve also broken it down to separate waves that are better for learners and those who really know what they’re doing – thanks to first-hand knowledge from our resident surfing expert.

So, pack up your boards and take a trip to the very best surfing beaches in Sydney and surfing spots Sydney has to offer.

Best Sydney Surfing Beaches For Beginners

Palm Beach (South)

Not just the filming location for Home & Away or a millionaire’s paradise, Palm Beach does, in fact, have some great surf, particularly at the northern end of the beach. However, the north is better suited to competent surfers, while the southern end is far more gentle when the wind is coming from the south, proving popular with beginners for a consistent set of waves that are a good size for learning how to duck dive and get up on your feet.

Collaroy

A gem within the Northern Beaches is Collaroy, which, like Palm Beach, caters for both amateur and pro surfers. It’s the southern end that will suit beginners, however, thanks to the Long Reef Point that protects the southern end from swells. But when a southern swell hits, expect to be gifted consistent waves that are well-sized for learners.

North Curl Curl

Curl Curl as a standalone beach is one of the very best in Sydney, but it’s the Northern end that will have beginners chomping at the bit to catch some waves, although, only on small days. Waves break right and left, so both regular and goofy riders will be at home, and when waves do break during offshore west and north-west winds, they’re consistent at a couple of feet.

Freshwater

Moving further down the coast we come to Freshwater beach, which is a prime spot for beginner surfers, along with those who are looking to progress into more intermediate territory. The waves that break flow all the way into the beach, so ample time for perfecting your stance, and rarely reach above two metres in height. As an extra piece of trivia, Freshwater is the beach that Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku introduced Australia to surfing in 1914.

Manly (South)

Literally just around the corner from Freshwater is Manly beach, which is split into quarters: Queenscliff, North Steyne, Manly and South Steyne. We’re focusing on the Manly section here, and the southern end specifically, due to it being more sheltered. You’ll want to try your hand catching some waves when winds are southerly, as this is prime time for some consistently surfable waves.

Fairy Bower

Fairy Bower is a point break, rather than a beach break, but even if you’re a beginner you shouldn’t let that deter you. The break at Bower has several elements to it, and beginners should steer clear of the first two: “Winki” and “Suck Up”, and aim to catch the wave formed during the final part, dubbed “Race Course”. However, because of the changing sections of the wave, Fairy Bower is a good spot to put your amateur skills to the test so you can advance your surfing skill.

Bondi Beach (North)

Bondi isn’t just one of the most famous beaches in Sydney or Australia, but is one of the most famous in the world. Despite the crowds that descend upon the sprawling sands every day during peak summer, it’s also a good spot for learning to surf. You’ll want to head to the northern end in particular, as it’s protected by the headland. Beware though, waves in the northern end can get big during big swells, so keep an eye on the reports.

Cronulla (Greenhills Beach)

Cronulla is in its own little bubble in the Sutherland Shire, offering everything you could really need from coastal living. That includes some fantastic surfing spots, and there are plenty to keep anyone from beginner to advanced perfectly happy. For the beginners, head to the far north end of the giant stretch of sand in ‘Nulla, to Greenhills Beach. Being situated further away from the main hustle and bustle of Cronulla, you’re less likely to bump into crowds, which is a bonus. Plus, Greenhills serves up plenty of smaller waves that are simply a dream to learn on.

Stanwell Park

About 40 minutes further down the coast from Cronulla is where you’ll find Stanwell Park. We’ll admit this isn’t the best spot to learn if you’ve never set foot on a board before, but once you’ve got a rough idea of what you’re doing, there’s nowhere better. Stanwell Park (Stanny) is a completely exposed beach break that is always serving up some sort of surf. Optimum conditions call for a southeast swell combined with a northwest offshore wind, but if you’re not able to head here during such a moment when the planets align, you’ll still be able to get up onto a wave of decent height.

Best Sydney Surfing Beaches For Experienced Surfers

Ok, now we’ve got the beginner waves out the way, it’s time to start talking about the monster breaks that form a good chunk of Sydney’s coastline. The majority of these waves are reef or point breaks, as opposed to beach breaks, so aren’t technically surf beaches, but they’re well worth checking out if you want to put your skills to the test. Reef breaks have the advantage of serving up consistent waves due to the reef beneath barely moving, so they can present a good chance to progress your skill – just try on the beaches first if you’ve never been or are still at a beginner level.

Little Avalon

Right at the top end of North Sydney is Avalon beach, and while the beach break may be good for surfing, it’s the Little Avalon reef break that can really separate the men from the boys. It’s been compared to Shark Island in Cronulla (which features later) and so is ideal for bodyboarding and shortboard surfing. Waves here can reach over 6-foot if conditions allow, so you’ll want to make sure you get some serious practice in before tackling those bigger breaks.

North Narrabeen

This surfing spot has amassed a serious following not just with the locals, but worldwide. It’s not a wave that works every single day of the year, but when it’s on, it’s on. The minimum size you can expect at North Narrabeen when conditions are right is 3ft, but waves can easily reach 8ft or more. You should really only head out if you’re experienced.

Dee Why Point

Another point-break that only really works when waves start at around 5-7ft – they’ve been known to reach 16ft and more in particularly stormy conditions. Nevertheless, if you choose to surf Dee Why Point, be prepared to celebrate after you’ve caught a barrel. A tube section forms straight away from a steep take-off, followed by a wall section. If surfing in low tide, it will usually tube again. It can be daunting just thinking about heading out at Dee Why Point, but make it and you’ll have a surf to remember.

North Steyne

North Steyne is a quality beach break that is usually bigger than the waves you get down the rest of Manly beach thanks to the offshore bombora channelling the swell. If the swell is coming from the east then you’re onto a cracker of a day’s surfing. Just – and we can’t stress this enough – don’t drop in on the locals.

Deadmans (Manly)

Deadmans in Manly is renowned for serving gigantic waves during mega swell – it was the site of the “best wave ever surfed in Sydney” in July 2020 – and as many experienced riders claim, make sure you watch a few waves come in first before you head out and kill yourself. Attempt it and succeed, however, and you’ll go down in the history books.

Bronte Reef

Bronte Reef, or ‘Bunnies’, is a reef break just south of Bondi that offers something for everyone, as it is made up of several sections during the break. It will occasionally barrel, so always worth getting onto a few waves just in case you can get yourself into a tube, but ultimately, surfing here is pure fun.

Cape Solander (Kurnell)

Another huge, demanding wave is Cape Solander – the break itself is called Cape Fear – nestled between Botany Bay and Cronulla. When big swell hits Sydney’s coastline, people flock to Cape in their hordes, either to surf the giant waves or to spectate and marvel at the guys who dare risk it all for glory. Waves here can easily reach 10ft but make sure you know what you’re doing if you wipeout, as there are numerous rocks around just waiting to punish you. Oh, and there can be sharks around too.

Voodoo (Cronulla)

For even heavier and scarier waves, Voodoo is a spot not to be missed. Really, you should only be attempting to surf here if you’re incredibly experienced, as to even get to the break is a good 500m paddle. When it’s on (usually between December – March), it can be incredibly fun, but scary at the same time. Underneath you is pure rock, so be prepared to take some bumps, but make it out the L-breaking wave and you’ll feel like you’re on cloud 9.

Shark Island (Cronulla)

This is another reef break that is only for seasoned pros or experienced bodyboarders. It’s a heavy reef break that can be incredibly unforgiving since it breaks onto sharp rocks, and with it being relatively shallow underneath, you’re more than likely to get a serious thrashing if you wipeout. Surfers can only really take the right-hander in good swell conditions, and occasionally the jet skis will come in to tow you in. Bodyboarders meanwhile have the luxury of going in either direction.

Sydney Surf Spots FAQ

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The post The Best Surf Beaches In Sydney For Beginner & Experienced Surfers To Carve The Sickest Waves appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Every four years – or five given the current global situation – millions of us gather around the TV to watch sporting’s elite take part in the Olympic Games. A spectacle in the very sense of the word, it’s a chance for us to see what the human body really is capable of, as a result of complete dedication to training.It’s certainly an inspiring event too, with many youngsters viewing their sporting heroes and deciding they too want to win medals for their country. But, since the Olympic Games represents the very best of the best, just how easy can it be to qualify for your chosen event? Each time the Olympics comes around, new sports are added, and for Tokyo 2020, there are 33 sporting events to enter – note that events such as athletics, swimming and cycling are listed as a single event, but there are several distances and disciplines within them – and the total number of medal events is a huge 339.So, if you want to become an Olympian, you certainly have plenty of events to choose from, each of which will require a varying degree of talent and skill, and depending on the country you’re representing, the path to the Olympics could be seen as easy or hard.

Which Olympic Sport Is Easiest To Qualify For?

Huge nations such as the USA, for example, will have a large pool of athletes all competing in qualifiers in the hope of making the final team. Smaller nations, such as third-world countries, may only have a few athletes to choose from and enter into the Olympics, and in many cases, their place is practically guaranteed.FINA and IAAF, the International sporting government bodies for water sports and athletics, respectively, allow each nation two “universality places”, one for male and one for female. This means that regardless of sporting prowess, every nation is allowed to enter at least two athletes to the Games. Choosing which sport to enter said athletes into needs to be taken into further consideration. Some events such as those on the track only allow a maximum of three athletes per country, per event, whilst for swimming it’s two per event.If it’s an easy route to Olympic glory you’re chasing then, it’s perhaps best to avoid high-profile events such as the 100m sprint or the 50m freestyle swim. Instead, look into sports that you could have some hope in hell at becoming incredibly good at in the three or four years before the next Olympiad. Forbes has previously curated a list of some of the most popular sports, which also shows how many years of training it would require to reach a competitive level.

Archery, for example, can be mastered in around four years, but you also have to take into consideration the cost of said training and the equipment required, but handball may only need around two years – plus, it’s a team sport, so you may be able to just show up and not have to get too involved and let the rest of the team carry you.Alternatively, as laid out by Forbes, the coxswain that competes with the larger rowing teams also receives a medal if his or her team finishes on the podium, and all they need to do is tell the crew how hard to stroke. Easiest way to get a medal? Perhaps.

Can I Change My Nationality To Compete At The Olympics?

The other route to sporting stardom could be to change the country for which you represent. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it increasingly harder to divert your allegiance.The current rules state “any competitor in the Olympic Games must be a national of the country of the NOC which is entering such competitor.”“A competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he may elect. However, after having represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships recognised by the relevant IF, he may not represent another country unless he meets the conditions set forth in paragraph 2 that apply to personal who have changed their nationality or acquired a new nationality.”One of the conditions laid out in paragraph 2 indicates a period of “at least three years” has passed “since the competitor last represented his former country” in order for him to represent a new country.Things can get a little more tricky when you take into account each individual country’s laws for athletes wishing to compete. Deseret News recently published an article that speaks about a Mexican pole vaulter, Giovanni Lanaro, who was “born, raised and trained in Southern California, but competed for Mexico in the 2008 Olympics.”

This was because “his mother was born in Mexico and the country only requires Mexican heritage to be on its teams.”One particularly noteworthy case of an Olympic athlete competing for a smaller nation is Eric Moussambani, better known as Eric the Eel. Eric competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where he won his heat for the 100m freestyle. However, he was pretty much guaranteed victory after the other two athletes in his heat were disqualified for false starts. His finishing time of 1:52.72 is the slowest recorded time for the 100m freestyle at any Olympics thus far. But his story highlights the fact anyone can make it to the Olympic stage.So if you think the country you’re from will pose too much of a competitive risk to be able to get into the team, you’ll want to do your research into which countries make it easier to compete for them. Of course, having family members from other countries will make it considerably easier.Ultimately, there is no ‘easy’ path to the Olympic Games, or at least, no easy path to getting yourself on the podium. Some athletes competing at Tokyo 2020 have the experience of several previous Games under their belt, and are only just winning their first medals. It’s not just about your athletic ability, it’s your mental stamina that is also challenged.If you don’t win a medal, or you don’t post a new personal best time or score, it can knock you back severely. But if you can dust yourself off, accept it wasn’t your day, but get straight back into training, there’s no limit to the amount you can achieve.

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The post How To Get Into The Olympics: The Easiest Way To Become An Olympian appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Some of the world’s coolest car brands and models have a military origin.There are some obvious examples: Jeep, Land Rover, Hummer… There are also some less obvious examples, such as the Toyota Mega Cruiser, Citroën Méhari or the Lamborghini LM002 – a.k.a. ‘the Rambo Lambo’.But one of the coolest ex-military vehicles is one that never made it to mass production, from a slightly more prestigious marque. Meet the Porsche 597 “Jagdwagen”: perhaps the most obscure Porsche model ever made.

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Produced from 1955 to 1958, the Jagdwagen (German for ‘hunting wagon’) was originally developed as a tender to the German Army after World War II. However, it never reached mass production, losing out to Auto Union (i.e. Audi’s) DKW Munga.RELATED: Audi Slams The Door On Electric Vehicle Haters With ‘Continent-Spanning’ ExperimentPowered by the same air-cooled flat-four from the Porsche 356, the vehicle only made around 37kW but could climb steep grades of up to 65%. Bizarrely, the car had no doors and high sills, which required passengers to climb over them to enter and exit the vehicle (probably why it lost out to the Munga); The upside of this basic design, however, meant that the body was buoyant and amphibious.Dr. Ferdinand Porsche himself might have become famous for his sports cars, but he also designed/made many notable military vehicles, including the WWII-era Type 82 “Kübelwagen” (the Nazi equivalent to the Jeep), Tiger tank and Elefant tank destroyer.Practicality aside, it looks cool as hell – and that big Porsche badge is a real selling point. Sadly, only 71 Porsche 597s were ever made, 49 of which were built for the civilian market, and none are known to be right-hand drive. Porsche have one on display in their museum in Stuttgart – which is about as close as you’re ever going to get to see one in the wild.

We reckon that if there were a few kicking around Down Under, however, they’d be hot property. We can’t imagine anything cooler to drive around Byron or Bondi in. That said, you’re not entirely without 597-esque options as an Australian motorist.RELATED: The Truth About Australia’s Most Vilified Motor VehicleThere are a few Volkswagen 181s (also called the Volkswagen Thing) knocking about, mostly imported from the UK. Volkswagen Australia also manufactured a vehicle called the Volkswagen Country Buggy, which resembles a Thing or Kübelwagen but with a much more basic design, and very obviously Beetle/Kombi headlights.Or what about this oddball buggy that’s the spitting image of a Humvee? The world’s your oyster…

Check out this Volkswagen Thing recently taken out of storage in Germany [Watch below]

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The post Rare Porsche Jeep You Never Knew Existed Is The Perfect Byron Bay Cruiser appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ever wondered how top tier snowboarders keep in shape? There’s more to it than metal pins and ligament reconstructions – they work out like devil’s possessed.World Champion snowboarder Scotty James does, at least. And fortunately for anyone looking to mimic his workout, he recently shared a snippet of what he does to Instagram.Along with the caption: “Sneak peek at the office work that allows me to do what I love,” James posted a video of himself doing core rotations, knee tucks, and some intense interval work to finish.

Watch World Champion snowboarder Scotty James’ brutal core workout

He then asked followers: “What’s your favourite core exercise?”, to which fans responded with comments like: “core, I think none” and “Reaching for my wine.”

“Resting core is my favourite.”

One Instagram user took it seriously, writing: “23 minutes of planking.”James, who is an Olympic bronze medalist, 3x World Champion, 6x XGames medalist and US Open Champion, has recently also shown followers his deadlift skills, calisthenics work, squatting, hudle jumping and skipping…

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… as well as posting clips of reaction time work reminiscent of a Formula one driver (while on vacation, no less).

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Want to know how it compares to Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo’s workout? Watch the video below and decide for yourself.

Watch Daniel Ricciardo keep himself sharp with various strength building exercises

If that doesn’t inspire you to go for your casual weekend jog, take a cold water plunge, or take up juggling, I don’t know what will…

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