By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Have You Seen This? Hurricane windsurfing
9100be78ae06850074185ae57c72a6e646c1a35e75d9476be8b19daa5b11faf1
Red Bull pulls off some crazy competitions like the Red Bull Rampage, but this, the Red Bull Storm Chase, has to be one of the craziest. - photo by John Clyde


EYE OF THE STORM Red Bull is known for making energy drinks and hosting insane competitions. The Red Bull Rampage is a mountain bike competition held in Utah and it's hard to comprehend how these athletes do what they do. I've now found another Red Bull competition that rivals the madness of Rampage, the Red Bull Storm Chase.

The Storm Chase is where windsurfers from around the world meet to compete in hurricane-like conditions and basically laugh at death right in the face.

The next Storm Chase isn't until 2017, but this video captures some of the highlights from the last competition and it doesn't disappoint. My hands were shaking thinking about battling the wind and sea like these windsurfers. But they were mainly shaking because it looked so cold.

I have to be honest, I'm never more of a coward than when it comes to jumping into cold water. Don't ask me why, but man I'll avoid boating trips with friends for an entire weekend just so I don't have to jump into cold water. So, I guess I'll never be an elite windsurfer. Who am I kidding? I have the balance of a two-legged nightstand and the core strength of a 6-week-old baby, I was never going to be a windsurfer.

Enjoy the video and try to stay warm as you do it.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
638421_Screenshot_1.png
Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
Latest Obituaries