The Coolest Extreme Sports for Men

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Whether it’s the boredom of the daily grind which is getting to you, the feeling of being stuck in a rut or the need to find out what mettle you’re made of, we’ve got a line-up of extreme sports to get your blood pumping and help you shake things up! For some extra fun take an adventure-loving buddy with you or center your vacation round one of these extreme sports. Either way, you’ll make memories to treasure. And if you’re into photography, make sure that you take your GoPro with you, for the ultimate extreme sport selfie! Interesting and challenging as they may be, these activities will get you to push your will and your body to the limit. These extreme sports are not to be entered into lightly and may require some amount of physical fitness. While a more sensible and calculated risk-taking approach would be preferable, making use of the appropriate safety equipment and engaging licensed and experienced operators are a must.

#1 Cave diving

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photo: www.cavedivingcenotes.com

Take scuba diving to a whole new level with cave diving; underwater diving in water-filled caves. Due to the nature of the lack of free water surface, the particular equipment used and also diving techniques (including decompression) this is considered technical diving. Over and above the physical exertion required for regular scuba diving, cave diving includes the additional challenge of navigating complex cave systems, which frequently have low visibility and which may contain strong currents. This activity requires considerable scuba diving experience, in addition to specialized training and costly equipment, however, its reward for divers is the authentic experience of inhabiting the underworld of the deep blue sea! Popular cave diving holiday destinations include Florida, Mexico, Australia, Sardinia, Brazil, Egypt, France and the Maltese Islands.

#2 Rafting

photo: instagram.com

Feel the wind on your face, the unpredictable waves splashing and lapping around you, and the thrill of the speed as you course down a raging river on an inflatable raft! Rafting can be as tame or intense as the roughness of the water. White water rafting is done over water which is considerably rough and feisty and is best-described as an exhilarating splash into the wilderness. Rafting throws participants together, needing to work as a coordinated team, in order to navigate the waters. This breath-taking experience is set against a backdrop of an often spectacular natural environment, worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the grey, drab city life. The forcefulness of the water will determine the level of skill required for participants to maneuverer the waves. Beginners can opt to bob along tamer waters, where they can enjoy the scenic route, taking the time to immerse themselves in the natural environment.

#3 Kitesurfing

photo: intagram.com

Kitesurfing brings together a number of surface water sports into one extreme, adrenaline-pumping water sport which includes speed, complex acrobatic jumps, physical prowess, freestyling and long-distance endurance. This is a new, but rapidly-growing sport, in which the kitesurfer steers a wind-powered kite across the water on a board. This extreme water sport is guaranteed to get your blood buzzing as you surf the wind and glide over the waves. It also doubles up as an exceptional total body workout as it works the core, arms, legs and thighs. In terms of adrenaline kick, this sport can be as extreme as you’d like to make it. A harness is employed for the kitesurfer to steer the kite reduces the pressure on the arms and upper body, enabling enthusiasts of various ages and sizes / body types to engage in the less extreme versions of this sport. While this sport requires wind, waves are optional – in fact, flat water will do just fine, and may be preferable for freestyle kitesurfing. Specific training, however, is not an option. Familiarity with other extreme water sports can provide useful insight, but will not be sufficient.

#4 Parkour

photo: www.pinstopin.com

Remember the opening sequence of Casino Royal where the villain bounces off of walls, slides along staircases and gets up to all sorts to acrobatic mischief to escape James Bond? Well, that’s parkour. The name derives from French military obstacle course training, with the word itself meaning ‘a path through’. In this training discipline, participants employ gymnastic-like body movements to get from point A to point B in the most efficient manner possible. This extreme sport requires participants to re-envision their environment and its features as potential stepping stones on a pathway to help them get to their destination. Participants decide for themselves whether jumping, climbing, swinging, rolling or vaulting is the best movement to get them towards the next step. While parkour is usually practiced in urban environments, some participants prefer more natural landscapes.

#5 Slacklining

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Slacklining is a more flexible form of tightrope walking, which is practiced on a flat piece of tubular webbing, anchored between two support structures. Various exercises are then done on the slackline, including balancing acts, yoga poses and also back flips. The tension of the ropes is much looser than that of a tightrope, so as to allow an element of stretch and bounce. This gives the user elbow room to indulge his creativity in creating movement and tricks. This flexibility and movement requires considerable physical prowess from the user, including balance skills and the ability to employ separate muscle groups to control and adjust movement. Various types of slacklines can be employed, including longlines, which require considerable physical endurance so as to walk a loosely stretched line over a long distance. Highlines are all about control, will and concentration so as to perform at a high altitude, surrounded the blue skies and the clouds, while fighting the wind. Slacklining just above the ground, allows the user to engage in different positions and movement, including yoga. Walking a slackline is all about balance, co-ordination and control over one’s own body, and may have a meditative appeal to some.

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#6 Snowkiting

photo: magazin.blackcomb.cz

Feel the cool wind skim your face as you navigate the winds above as you glide on the fresh squashy snow below. Speed, freedom of movement and one-ness with nature are all key features of snowkiting, which uses a kite to power glide over snow. Similar to kiteboarding, but somewhat easier to master, this extreme sport uses footwear previously employed by snowboarding and skiing. It allows participants to travel uphill as well as downhill, regardless of the direction of the wind. Participants may choose to focus on different facets of this sport, such as long- distance, freestyle as well as speed.

#7 Glacier hiking

photo: www.fjordnorway.com

The hazards of the fast-changing glacial environment and special equipment required are what makes this form of hiking an extreme sport. Axes, crampons, suspender belts and helmets are not usually part of the required gear for a walk in the park! Carrying the heavy equipment across rough and uncertain terrain is a challenging workout in itself! This form of hiking requires detailed knowledge of the particular glacier and how the environment changes throughout the day. Knowing how to use all the equipment and gear and when the need arises is a must. One of the most impressive features of this winter outdoor workout is certainly the breath-taking environment and blue-sky-white-ice backdrop. And certainly, the crisp, fresh air!

#8 Coasteering

photo: instagram.com

Combine coastal rock climbing with sea jumping and there you have coasteering! Make the best out of land and sea with this extreme sport, which involves jumping, swimming and rock climbing. Experience the coast and the water from a different, unique perspective, while pushing your body to travel along the coast. This activity merges the sea and the land, to literally give you the best of both worlds, as you closely explore the area where land and sea meet. Again, an all-round body fitness activity, which has the added health benefits of the water, coastal climate and the fresh, crisp sea-breeze.

#9 BASE jumping

photo: www.wallpaperup.com

Take one look at the breath-taking scenery around, and especially below you. One deep breath, then a leap into the void! BASE jumping involves leaping from four fixed objects Buildings, Antennas, Spans and Earth (BASE), with specifically-designed quick-deployment parachutes. The lower altitudes involved in the BASE jumps as well as the need for quick and cool action by the jumper to deploy the chute is what makes this extreme sport so dangerous. This is also what makes BASE jumping illegal in a number of locations. Frequently used in stunts for action movies, BASE jumping is certain to give you a thrill which will set your adrenaline pumping.

#10 Wingsuit flying

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photo: www.independent.co.uk

We’ve all had that dream of being able to fly, just like an eagle, gliding over the air currents, descending and soaring back up again, as we master the great blue sky. Wingsuit flying brings you oh-so-close to that feeling, in real life! Wingsuit flying enhances the thrill of skydiving and BASE jumping, by enabling participants to glide through air currents, during their descent, until it’s time to deploy their parachute. The wingsuit is a specialized jumpsuit which slows down the speed of descent, allowing participants to control speed, direction and lift, during the extended freefall period, when they can also engage in mid-air acrobatics.

11 Motocrossing on water


Taking a page out of Evel Knievel’s book, motocrossing on water is a brand new extreme sport which brings motorcrossing to the open waters, by fitting a motorcross bike with skis. Australian FMX legend Robbie Maddison has been widely credited for starting this extreme sport, when earlier this year he raced the waves for his ‘Pipe Dream’, with a custom bike fitted with skis, which defied engineers’ expectations. The industry has been quick to target this extreme sports market. The Foiljet MR1 Concept, for example, is a new specially-designed Motocross bike for water fusing a motorcross bike with the Jet Ski. Ride the waves on a motorcross bike, as you race the raging water coursing below your bike on skis. This makes for some rip-roaring exhilarating fun as participants use their body to give the personal watercraft direction, scrambling over the waves lightly and with agility.

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