Five of the Craziest Extreme Sports in the World!
Photo by Gismodo Australia
It’s that time of year again! The countries of the world unite to compete in the ice and snow for the 2022 Winter Olympics! As we witness these athletes compete against their opponents in incredible feats of speed, agility, and sportsmanship, it becomes easy to wonder what falls under the blanket of “extreme sports.” Traditionally, extreme sports are defined as feats of athletic prowess, which focus on high risk, high speed, adrenaline-pumping action, and lack the traditional federations or leagues that other sports would have. Although everyone knows of the standard snowboarding, skiing, biking, or skateboarding, there have been some crazy ones in the past that you need to know!
Parahawking: You are likely already familiar with the sport of falconry, capturing a falcon to train it as your loyal companion, as well as the act of parasailing, leaping from incredible heights with a high-speed parachute. But what if you were to combine them? Well, that is where the sport of Parahawking comes into play. In this, paragliders will seek out birds who use the rising warm air and follow them to give their parachutes more lift, following close behind, and rewarding the birds with food in exchange for helping them out!
Crocodile Bungee: Everyone has heard of bungee jumping. Tie an elastic rope and throw yourself off a cliff only to send yourself flying back up to the top. It’s fun, dangerous, and positively thrilling. But what if you added deadly apex predators to the mix? That is when it becomes Crocodile Bungee. A popular sport in, of course, Australia, this sport revolves around a similar principle but with a single key difference: the waters you pull yourself back up from are riddled with crocodiles, adding just a bit more risk to the mix.
Mountain Unicycling: Mountain biking is an incredible sport, taking the act of bicycling to the next level in a very literal sense. It teaches discipline, practices balance, and helps improve one’s cardio whilst allowing them to see the sights of the world. Now, what if you said, “That sounds fine and all, but there are one too many wheels involved for me.” That is where Mountain Unicycling comes in. Taking all the craziness and heights of traditional mountain biking, but now with the added difficulty of only one wheel to work from, it is a challenge and a half for even the most experienced bikers!
Extreme Dinghy Racing: Last but certainly not least, another Australian sports staple, Extreme Dinghy Racing is exactly what it sounds like. Contestants will hop into small, motorized boats and race down canals and swamps through races sponsored by none other than Red Bull! All the while, they must beware and be careful to not fall into the water. If Australia is known for anything, it’s for bugs and reptiles that are out to kill you, and the water is infested with them.
