Meatball Monday

So if you are the type that sends your laundry out for cleaning, here’s something new you should think of trying.

No – it’s not done at home but rather you could call it a vacation away from home without packing the Iron and all the necessities you will need to complete the task.

The sport is called Extreme Ironing or EI for short and the only hitch is you have to take your own board along.

It’s the sport where people go to remote locations and iron items of clothing and according to the Extreme Ironing Bureau, (yes it does exist) extreme ironing is “the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt.”

Several often question is if this is a sport, but the interest the media has shown towards extreme ironing seems to centre on the issue of whether it is really a sport or not.?

They have performed this sport (?) at various locations where such performances include a mountainside of a difficult climb variance; a forest; in a canoe or even while skiing or snowboarding.

As hard as it is to believe it has taken on top of large bronze statues; in the middle of a street; underwater; in the middle of the M1 motorway; during a Keirin race; whilst parachuting and under the ice cover of a lake.

The performances have been conducted solo or by groups and some say claim that it was started in 1997 in Leicester, England, by resident Phil Shaw – in his back garden.

The “sport” somehow managed to gain international attention after a documentary entitled Extreme Ironing: Pressing for Victory, was produced for Britain’s Channel 4 known as Wag TV.

On March 24, 2013 Extreme Ironing came to the United States with the formation of the first-known American chapter of Extreme Ironing.

The founding members are Mike Kelsey, Matt Hicks, Caysey Herschaft and Erika Weinbacher (all of the meet-up group Hudson Valley Hikers) hosted an Extreme Ironing Inaugural Event in Ellenville.

Extreme Ironing America spread to Canada when club members ironed on rock and water while on a trek in Quebec in September 2013.

Some of the rules they follow:

There are some rules pertaining to the event:

Board size

• A miniature board is ok (although we prefer to see full sized boards wherever possible). However, it can’t be one of those tiny boards. It needs to be at least 1 metre long, 30 centimeters at the widest point and have legs.

Irons

• No plastic toys irons, they must be real irons. Travel irons are fine.

Garment

• Any garment is suitable, but it must be at least the size of a tea towel. It’s hardly impressive to iron a handkerchief!

While some call it a sport – it’s obvious that they are simply are looking for attention and want to “PRESS ON”!!

Strange but TRUE!!!