From runner’s high to watching frightening movies, we all get our thrills and adrenaline rush in a variety of different ways. However some of us seek thrills far beyond the norms of daily life. Extreme sports take the quest of thrill-seeking to mind-boggling, daring, and frequently dangerous levels. You’ll hardly believe some of these activities are really actual sports.
Some you can possibly try. Others are far too dangerous, needing years of practice, commitment and nerves of steel. However all are amazing in their own right. So gear up for a hair-raising ride like no other, as we have a closer look at some of the extreme sports that have to be seen to be believed.
Hot Air Ballooning
Hot air ballooning is quite a popular activity in many areas of the world. In some spots, hot air balloon festivals are all the rage, enticing onlookers and participants alike. Taken together, gliding through the air in an open basket can be an amazing way to see the wonders that abound.
There are no windows to peer through or walls to impede your view. You have perhaps seen images of colourful hot air balloons that float over the volcanic peaks of Cappadocia. It’s a bucket list experience for many.
Ice Cross Karting
Twist and turn with ice cross karting, which sees you getting behind the wheel and then pulling off techniques as you travel through an ice-driving circuit. Anyone can zoom along a smooth road, but real thrills come when you drive on frozen lakes forwards, backwards and sideways!
Underground Zip Lining
Zip lining in a cave? Who knew? This rare attraction at Louisville Mega Cavern takes place in a 100-acre, man-made former mine that is tucked underneath the Louisville Zoo. Known as the world’s only fully underground zip line course. This underground excursion will get your heart pumping on 17 miles of passageways traversed with six zip lines and two “challenge bridges” over the course of two-and-a-half hours. Zipping into darkness is undoubtedly one for the books.
BASE Jumping
Watching BASE jumpers can make the palms of even the most steely-nerved of people sweaty! You can watch thousands of jumps like these on YouTube.
BASE jumping sees risk-takers jump and freefall from high-up fixed spots such as buildings, antenna, span and cliffs. Do you know what the only thing stopping them from hitting the ground at full speed? One solitary parachute!
Paragliding/ Hang Gliding/ Acro-Paragliding
While all three of these activities operate on the same free-flying principle and are as adrenaline inducing as playing NZ roulette online, the difference between them comes down to the glider’s shape, size as well as their weight. While paragliders will sit in a harness that is suspended below a fabric that resembles a parachute, hang gliders are in a harness which is suspended from the airframe. The metal frames have heavy tarpaulin that is stretched over them to form a wing.
Slacklining
Most individuals think that slacklining is walking on a short line between two trees. In reality, you walk along a thin line between two objects, however those objects could be across a 100-foot canyon.