Leaps of faith: extreme sports with adventurous appeal

Extreme sports have traditionally been the preserveironing. Skateboarding and snowboarding, or 'snurfing'
of only the maddest, baddest and most dangerousas it was originally called, have been popular since
to know, and of course rebellious teenagers keen totheir inception in the 1950s and 60s, while kite surfing
worry their mums. However, as with any trendcan trace its origins back to thirteenth-century China
worth its salt, the history and variety of 'extreme'when kites were used, just like sails on boats, to
activities - also known as action, adventure orharness the power of the wind and allow streamlined,
dangerous sports - are more interesting than manyone-man canoes to go much faster for practical
people realise, and there are well-establishedreasons, not just fun!
organisations which can help make delving into theirWith so much choice and interest in these previously
adrenaline-pumping world almost as safe as any otherniche activities, it's unsurprising that an industry is
hobby.springing up around extreme sports instruction and
The phrase 'extreme sports' only came into use inadventure holidays, where novices can learn the
the 1990s, probably thanks to the first televisionbasics of a sport and then let loose their adventurous
coverage of organised events like the X Games.spirits in a supervised environment. These
Many enthusiasts actually dislike the term, arguingexperiences could be the ideal gift for the 'person
that most typical activities such as bungee jumping,who has everything'; don't you know someone who'd
hang gliding and ice climbing are not 'sports' in therather spend their honeymoon in a cage in the Indian
sense of competing against others to win something,Ocean baiting great white sharks, than admiring their
and the 'extreme' tag just smacks of mid-90snew toaster? Don't we all?! How about bouncing
advertising hype.down a hill in a three-metre, transparent PVC ball,
Whatever you prefer to call it, extreme sports is awith or without the optional water, and other people,
loose and ill-defined category which can include fairlyinside it? It's called zorbing, and it's seriously taking off
mainstream pastimes like inline skating, BMX bikingas the latest way to spend a fun weekend, from
and snowboarding, (activities which can all involveNew Zealand to Bournemouth.
elaborate spins, stunts and tricks) as well as moreBear in mind that some activities should not be
'out-there' pursuits such as BASE jumping, freediving,attempted by absolute beginners; the BASE jumping
zorbing, swooping, kite landboarding, volcano gliding,academy will only admit 'students' who have
shark diving, octopus wrestling, nude parasailing,completed 200 skydives, and swooping, or 'extreme
mafioso cuckolding (alright, that one's not real).skydiving', is similar. As long as you're clued up about
Just as some of these fall out of fashion - forsuch regulations, got any necessary equipment, and
instance, octopus wrestling is now considered cruel -perhaps made sure your life insurance is up to date,
new sports and clubs are growing up all the time,though, why not explore a new activity today - the
although several are tongue-in-cheek parodies such assky really is the limit!
extreme wheelbarrow and the celebrated extreme