There’s nothing like the rush of adrenaline when you’re doing something as fun as it is dangerous, right? Consider jumping off a cliff or a plane, or maybe skiing on steep, snowy mountains, or even sliding on the slopes of a volcano.
Let’s check out the best extreme sports and see the fuss!
Best Extreme Winter Sports
Ice Climbing
Ice climbing is an extreme sport that tests precision and speed. It includes climbing vertical ice formations, like frozen waterfalls and cliffs covered with ice. The goal is to reach the top surface as fast as possible. The essential ice climbing equipment includes rope, gloves, an ice axe, helmet, harness, ice clippers, a backpack, and layered clothing.
If you are ready to experience the adrenaline of an ice climbing extreme sport, consider visiting Rjukan in South Norway, Canmore in Alberta, Canada or Kandersteg in Switzerland.
Snow Kiting
One of the top winter solo sports activities is snowkiting extreme sport. It is a mix between kitesurfing and snowboarding. In this winter sport, you use snow kiting kites to glide on the snow and ice with the help of the wind. You can choose a snowboard, skis, or split board, depending on your preference.
Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Iceland and Canada are considered the most popular countries for snowkiting.
Ice Diving
Ice diving is an extreme sport, people dive under the ice, and they have an entrance and an exit point. Divers are facing the danger of getting lost under the ice, the risk of hypothermia and ice diving regulator failure because of the freezing waters.
This extreme sport requires suitable ice diving equipment, such as a dry suit, a thermal undersuit, a hood, gloves, boots, a fins buoyancy control device, a mask, a snorkel, a diving computer, an octopus set-up and a weight belt.
The most famous places to go ice diving are Baffin Island, Newfoundland, the North Pole, Lake Baikal, the White Sea etc.
Big Mountain Skiing
Extreme Big mountain skiing is the same as regular skiing, but the skiers are “flying” down the sharp slope of tall and snowy mountains. This extreme sport does not stop skiers from participating and experiencing a sense of accomplishment and an adrenaline rush.
The needed equipment is skis, boots, knee protectors, hip protectors, gloves, avalanche transceiver, back protector, snow shovel, avalanche probe, goggles, and a helmet.
The most popular places to go extreme skiing would be Banff National Park (Canada), Jackson Hole (USA), Mayrhofen (Austria), La Grave (France), Girdwood (Alaska) and plenty more.
Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing extreme sport is also known as “downhill skiing.” It requires sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis with fixed heel bindings. You’d also need boots, poles with pole guards, an alpine race helmet and shin guards. Snowmobiles and helicopters may be used to start more experienced skiers off at the top of the mountain for that additional rush of excitement before racing down the slopes. Although it is a risky sport, the dangers are not always likely to happen if you are well trained and protected.
On the Alps you can find the most prestigious alpine ski destinations such as Chamonix, Cortina, Davos, Garmisch, Grindelwald, Kitzbühel, Seefeld, St. Anton, St. Moritz, and Zermatt.
Best Extreme Water Sports
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing extreme sport is a wind-powered water activity performed across the water, such as mirror-flat lagoons, turbulent seas, or large waves with a kite and a board.
If you want to experience the adrenaline of this water sport, you’ll need all the kitesurfing equipment: a power kite, bar and lines, a seat harness, a big kitesurfing board, and a helmet.
Before going into action, learn how to handle the water, control the kite and do not forget to check on the weather forecast.
Kitesurfing is also one of the best extreme sports in the UK. You can kitesurf in St Ives Bay in Cornwall, New Hunstanton in Norfolk, Marazion in Cornwall, Troon in Scotland, etc.
Wakeboarding
The rider, fastened to a board and pulled behind a motorboat at roughly 30 miles per hour, describes wakeboarding as an extreme sport.
Behind the boat, the rider may both ride on the water’s surface and do wakeboarding stunts.
Wakeboarding gear such as a boat, boots, life jackets, goggles, helmet, swimsuit, towing cable, wakeboard and a wetsuit is required for one of the most famous action sports.
Among the most popular destinations to go wakeboarding are Stoney Park in Australia, Aquasky Park in Costa Rica, Neorion Bay in Greece, Lake Geneva in Switzerland and Lake Bled in Slovenia. In the UK, JustWake in Tattershall Lakes Country Park, Lincolnshire, is undoubtedly one of the best wakeboarding parks.
Freediving
One of the most dangerous is the freediving extreme sport. You’re mistaken if you believe freediving is like snorkelling but going deep. It is a unique method to explore the underwater environment. You’ll go deeper, stay down longer, and feel like you’re a part of the ocean. Though it might sound simple, the most apparent danger is drowning, blackouts or hypothermia.
However, freediving can improve the diver’s breathing, lung functioning, water safety, and confidence. The freediving equipment includes a freediving wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, neoprene socks and gloves, weight belt, weights and a safety lanyard.
Freedivers usually visit Kona in Hawaii, New Providence in the Bahamas, Roatan in the Western Caribbean, NDAC in Chepstow, the deepest official dive site in the UK, etc.
Scuba Diving
Although anyone without previous courses can go scuba diving, it is indeed an extreme sport.
The scuba diving gear involves a diving mask and a snorkel, a wetsuit, scuba gloves, fins, a scuba tank, a regulator, a depth gauge, a compass and a dive computer.
Despite having some dangers such as decompression sickness or drowning, divers get some health benefits like improving emotional wellbeing, relieving stress, and improved blood circulation.
Some of the most popular destinations globally are Raja Ampat in Indonesia, Malapascua in the Philippines, The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Lundy Island and Scapa Flow in the UK.
Water Rafting
Water rafting extreme sport, often known as whitewater rafting, is a sport in which people navigate a river or an artificial whitewater course together. You can experience the rush of adrenaline, and most importantly, you can spend time with family and friends while doing it! On the other hand, you have to be careful not to smash into the rocks, get stuck, or even drown. One of the most interesting water rafting facts is that in the beginning white water rafts were made of wood.
For this sports activity, you will need the raft, throw rope, communication device, whistle, river knife, life vest, first aid kit and an extensive guide paddle for extra leverage.
The most popular destinations for rafting are the Colorado River in the USA, Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, Río Upano in Ecuador, Magpie River in Canada, etc.
Best Extreme Land Sports
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is one of the best outdoor extreme sports. Many children and teenagers enjoy skateboarding extreme sport.
The equipment requires a helmet, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, closed-toe shoes, and a skateboard.
You have to balance yourself and learn to do a trick or two while riding it. The inexpensiveness of skateboarding is one of the good things about it. Other benefits are learning good balance and better coordination. However, the skill of skateboarding can be hard to learn for some people, and you can easily injure yourself by falling.
Although skateboarding is famous worldwide, it is mainly done in Barcelona, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, etc.
Volcano Boarding
Volcano boarding extreme sport involves sliding down the slopes of volcano ash that has recently erupted. Jumpsuits, goggles, gloves, and a volcanic board are the only items required for one of the extreme adventure sports, making it relatively inexpensive. However, travelling to the most famous volcano boarding destination Cerro Negro in Nicaragua can be costly, depending on where you’re from.
You have to be aware of the slight dangers this sport brings, such as falling off, cutting yourself with the rough volcanic ash, or getting hit by blobs of molten lava.
Zorbing
Getting in giant inflatable body zorbing balls and rolling down a hill, a gentle slope or even in the water perfectly defines the zorbing extreme sport. The adrenaline rush experienced when the zorb hits its peak speed is the goal of zorbing. The level of fun is high since bouncing while being protected from hitting the ground yourself is very thrilling.
The only risk is the oxygen depletion inside the balls, but it is considered very low.
The most popular destinations to go zorbing are Hydromania in Slovenia, Zorbcenter in Sweden, Spheremania in Heaton, UK, Go Zorbing in London, UK, Mad-Renaline Activity Centre, Manchester South, UK, etc.
Parkour
Parkour is a physical discipline of training to move freely from point A to point B over any terrain utilising body skills, notably through running, jumping, climbing, and quadrupedal movement.
Parkour extreme sport doesn’t have specific rules since the top priority is to reach your destination. So, there is no equipment required, it helps you stay fit, and it’s great for stress relief! However, it’s highly dependent on climate, and you have to be careful not to injure yourself.
Among the best parkour locations globally are Lisbon in Portugal, Ala Moana Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan, The logs at Regent’s Park and IMAX spot in London, UK.
Caving
Caving extreme sport is for those who dare to visit and explore caves. Sometimes this sport can be very challenging, especially since the caves can be dark and hazardous. However, to make it less demanding and safer, you’ll need a helmet, a caving suit, a headlamp, a rope, a harness, climbing gear, protective boots, and ladders. It can strengthen you both physically and mentally. On the other hand, there is always the danger of rock falls, exhaustion and bad air.
The most popular caving destinations are the Caves of Sagada in the Philippines, Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand, Fingal’s Cave in Scotland, Alum Pot and Gaping Gill in Yorkshire, UK.
Best Extreme Air Sports
Hang Gliding
Hang gliding extreme sport is the most basic type of human-powered flight. A hang glider is a stiff, metal frame that allows you to navigate through the air while maintaining a wing shape.
The only equipment used is the glider, the harness which holds an emergency parachute and a helmet. It is quite a dangerous sport, but you shouldn’t have to worry about it too much if you exercise good judgement and approach hang gliding with the appropriate mindset. Failure to do so may result in injury or even death.
After getting proper training, you can visit the most popular hang gliding destinations: Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Interlaken Districts in Switzerland, Kahului in Hawaii, Snowdon in Wales, UK, Three Sisters Mountains in Scottish Highlands, UK, The South Downs in East Sussex, UK e.t.c.
Paragliding
Among the best of extreme sports is paragliding. It is definitely for you if you’re into adventure sports, risk-taking activities and heights. Still, you have to correctly judge the weather, especially the wind, to avoid accidents like falling and injuring yourself.
The needed paragliding equipment is a paraglider, a harness, a reserve parachute and a helmet. The pilot is seated in the harness, and once they start flying, they control the vast wing-shaped paraglider with the help of the wind. Once you’ve taken up paragliding courses to learn how to be in control, you’re ready to go!
The most popular paragliding destinations are Interlaken in Switzerland, Pokhara in Nepal, San Gil in Colombia, Pembrokeshire in Wales, Yorkshire Dales National Park in England, Isle of Arran in Scotland etc.
Skydiving
Skydiving extreme sport’s point is to jump from a high altitude, experience a free fall and then open up the parachute on your back to land back on the ground. Although it sounds dangerous, it’s among the sports with a fantastic safety record, with one fatality over 500,000 tandem jumps.
The gear you’ll need to leap is a skydiving parachute, an AAD (Automatic Activation Device), a jumpsuit, an altimeter, goggles and a helmet.
The top places for this sport are Fox Glacier in New Zealand, North Wollongong Beach in Australia, Mount Everest in Nepal, Cumbria, Hull, Lowestoft, St Andrews in the UK etc.
Zip Lining
Among the top action, sports is zip lining. It is an extreme sport that lets you explore the outdoors, reduces stress levels, and makes you feel a sense of accomplishment after reaching your destination. You run off the edge of a cliff, a tree, or a mountain before you rapidly fly down the zip line. You will need a helmet, harness, lanyards, carabiners, pulleys and trolleys, and you’re good to go.
If you’re up for it, ziplining is most prevalent in Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, Waiheke Island in New Zealand, Orocovis in Puerto Rico, and Zip World Adrenaline Quarry, Treetop Trek, and Zip Now in the UK.
Wingsuit Flying
Wingsuit flying is a skydiving discipline and extreme sport that involves wearing a specialised jumpsuit known as a wingsuit, squirrel suit, or birdman suit. Besides the wingsuit, you need to have a main and a reserve parachute, an automatic activation device, an altimeter and a helmet to fly safely. You have to take special courses to learn to fly and consider the risks of this sport. It has approximately one fatal leap per 500 jumps. However, some people like the taste of danger and adrenaline rush, especially if you go wingsuit proximity flying (flying close to the faces and edges of mountains).
The best places to go wingsuit flying are Troll Wall in Norway, Tianmenshan in China, the Hinterrugg and “The Crack” in Switzerland, Milford Sound in New Zealand etc.
Conclusion
If adventure is your middle name, you can pick some of the world’s best extreme sports. Whether it’s on the surface, in the air or in water, there is an unlimited choice despite the weather conditions that you like. It’s all up to you!
Take life to the extreme and let the adrenaline kick in!
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