For extreme sports enthusiasts, travelling is not just an opportunity to see how people live differently overseas, but also to check out some of the most thrilling and adrenaline-pumping sports out there!
To beginners, don’t let the word “extreme” put you off. Although some of these activities take place in challenging environments and can be pretty taxing physically, there are plenty of variations, levels and routes that are geared towards newbies.
From the earth and rivers to even the volcanoes and the big blue sky, here is just a glimpse at the many types of extreme sports out there:
Volcano Boarding
If surfing rough ocean waves isn’t enough of a thrill, then take it to the next level with volcano boarding!
Only possible at a scarce few locations in the world such as the Cerro Negro volcano in Nicaragua, volcano boarding involves putting some protective gear and mask, holding onto a toboggan and then simply sliding down the rocky face of the volcano! And that’s not all! The trip up the volcano also rewards you with stunning views of the valleys and hills of Nicaragua.
For the truly fearless though, the extremely active Mount Yasur at Vanuatu might just give you the adrenaline shot you want.
Mountain Biking
Fancy challenging Mother Nature in her domain with a bumpy and messy ride through rocky mountains and uneven forests? Then try mountain biking!
Besides the thrill of navigating through the gauntlet of rough terrain, limited visibility and managing your paces, mountain biking also gives you access to majestic views of the wilderness that most could only dream of seeing in person.
Where to Go: Death Road (Bolivia), Whistler Bike Park (Canada).
Cave Diving
An extreme sport that will test even the most courageous of travellers is cave diving. Imagine diving headfirst into a narrow and winding passages and seeing the light gradually surrender into darkness as you descend deeper and deeper into the bowels of the Earth, never truly knowing how far down it goes. More than a little thrilling than staring at some coral, right?
Destinations with diverse geological features are perfect for cave diving, such as Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Home of the largest number of long caves in the world, this region is famous for their cenote sinkholes and caves that lead down into other cave systems.
Skiing
Skiing is also an extremely popular sport, probably thanks to its accommodation for many different skill levels. Though ski resorts and mass tourism have tamed it somewhat, there are still wild slopes and routes out there that can test even the hardiest of veterans. And hey, zipping down a mountain with nothing but two planks on your feet as brakes is already brave enough in my opinion!
Your typical ski hotspots are usually found in Europe, the US and Japan, but a good recommendation are the unblemished slopes of the Chugach Mountains in Alaska.
Surfing
Surfing may just seem like standing on a board, but it’s also an extreme sport that requires extraordinary balance and endurance to simply do even that. And that’s not even mentioning the constant fear of being tossed into the turbulent waves. Still, that unique thrill of conquering the waves with quick reflexes is what keeps many coming back for more, despite all the wipeouts!
Where to Go: Perth, Australia; Bali, Indonesia.
BASE Jumping
You’ll probably find it pretty hard to top BASE jumping in terms of extreme (and risk). Basically, you climb atop a tall building or high point before leaping off and opening a parachute to land. That’s pretty much it! You can typically find BASE jumping spots on plenty of tall spots such as skyscrapers, mountains and even deep cave entrances such as the Cave of Swallow in Mexico.
Bungee Jumping
Not a fan of jumping off into a freefall? Then have some peace of mind with bungee jumping!
Originating as a rite of passage from Pentecost Island on Vanuatu, the extreme sport of bungee jumping has almost taken over the world thanks to its accessibility and quick thrills.
Start at the home of modern bungee jumping at Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge (43m), where you’ll bungee off a charming bridge whilst surrounded by the picturesque gorge. Or if you’re feeling pretty daring, then Zambia’s Victoria Falls Bridge (111 meters) welcomes you with open arms; be sure to enjoy the grand view of the falls while you’re screaming your lungs out!
Ice Climbing
Ice climbing is yet another extreme sport recreation that challenges even the hardiest of travellers from many fronts.
Not only is the climb itself challenging because of the ever-shifting nature of ice, the environment itself can present hurdles in terms of subzero temperatures alongside the slippery interaction between rock and ice. Therefore, specialized equipment such as cold weather gear, crampons and ice boots are a must.
Ice climbing hotspots are usually centered around frozen waterfalls or glaciers, so the Ouray Ice Park in Colordao (US) and the Val-David Park in Canada are fantastic for this.
Kiteboarding
Combine surfing and gliding and you have kiteboarding! Using a special surfboard to catch the wind, kiteboarders can glide through the waves and even perform tricks if they’re skilled enough!
Kiteboarding can usually be found around calm seas with plenty of wind such as the UK’s Camber Sands, Hawaii’s Kailua Beach and Egypt’s El Gouna.
Skydiving
The tried, the true, the classic―yep, it’s skydiving!
Easily accessible to complete beginners through tandem skydiving and with decades of safety improvements, skydiving is pretty much everywhere these days.
For the best results though, try it out at places with beautiful views so you can get a birds eye view of everything, for example in Byron Bay in Australia or the exotic Swiss Alps.
Bouldering
Bouldering is a pretty popular sport, as proven by the many indoor bouldering spaces popping up in various local malls. But if you want the real deal, then you have to head outdoors! Figuring out which holds and paths to take inside feels way different when you’re sweating it out under the sun and holding onto the rough rock surfaces. For some good boulders, head to South Africa’s craggy Rocklands or the desert stones of Bishop, California.
Whitewater Rafting
If your stomach’s up for some wet, wild rollercoaster ride, skip the theme park and head straight to whitewater rafting. From going it solo in small canoes to large groups on bigger rafts, all require both strength and skill to paddle and steer the boat correctly.
Some great rafting spots include South Africa’s Zambezi River, Colombia’s Suarez River and Nepal’s Sun Kosi River. To see if the river’s suitable for beginners, try asking for its class grade; class one is for beginners and class five for veterans.
Winter Swimming
“Oh I could do that!” I hear you say.
Maybe you’d like to know that famed ice swimmer Lewis Gordon Pugh took four months to feel his hands again after swimming in the North Pole…
In other less terrifyingly cold places though, ice swimming is a decently popular sport with countless clubs and even massive events involving hundreds of people dipping into near freezing (or frozen) waters with nothing but basic swimwear and maybe a swim cap! For a festive atmosphere try out the Polar Bear Plunges in Finland and the US, where participants dip themselves into the icy depths to challenge themselves and sometimes even raise money for charity!
So, all these sports get your blood pumping? Get outside and give them a try! There might be a budding extreme sports fan hiding within you!
