This section of our guide focuses on extreme sports, sometimes known as action sports or adventure sports.
Extreme sports involve a high degree of risk of injury or death and often include speed, height, a high level of physical exertion, and highly specialized gear.
Thrill-seeking appears to be the chief motivator in extreme sports. This is often attributed to the release of adrenaline and dopamine, which can enhance focus and clarity. Participants are believed to seek out these activities for the intense adrenaline rush and the sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering fears and pushing personal boundaries. Secondary motivators include the desire for adventure, the need to escape monotonous routines, and the pursuit of self-confidence and mental resilience.
The origins of extreme sports can be traced back to the 1970s when adventurous teens began experimenting with mountain biking and motocross. The term "extreme sports" gained popularity in the 1990s due to the marketing efforts for the X Games, a made-for-television sports festival created by ESPN in 1995. The success of the X Games raised the profile and economic viability of these sports, leading to their inclusion in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in 1996 and 1998, respectively.
Participation in extreme sports brings significant risks, including severe and fatal injuries, with some far more dangerous than others. Concerning BASE jumping, for example, statistics have demonstrated as high as one death for every sixty participants. The high risk of injury or death is a critical concern for both amateur and professional athletes.
Besides the risk of trauma, extreme sports can pose various health risks, particularly those related to the heart. Chronic extreme exercise and competing in endurance events can lead to heart damage and cardiac rhythm disorders. Additionally, the remote locations and challenging environments inherent in some of these sports can complicate access to medical care, increasing the risk. While moderate exercise benefits physical and mental health, many extreme sports exceed recommended levels.
Unfortunately, there is no precise definition of an extreme sport, and some sports that were undisputably extreme when they were first introduced now appear tame with familiarity.
The use of the term is used to describe a large number of activities, some of which might appear questionable. Several lists of extreme sports that I have come across include ATV off-roading, auto racing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, hiking, ice skating, indoor climbing, jet skiing, kayaking, pole vaulting, rodeo, roller derby, sailing, SCUBA diving, skiing, sledding, snorkeling, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing, surfing, tobogganing, and water skiing. One list even included curling.
While risks are involved in some of these activities or sports, that could be said about any activity. Some elements in rodeos, such as bull riding, might reasonably be included, but other rodeo activities are comparatively tame.
Several of those listed are things that most of us have done as children, although I'm sure they could be done more dangerously than we did.
Perhaps more reasonably, the following sports might be considered extreme: air racing, BASE jumping, BMX, bobsleigh, bodyboarding, cliff jumping, canyoning, cave diving, extreme pogo, extreme skiing, freeride biking, freerunning, hang gliding, ice climbing, ice diving, ice yachting, inline skating, Ironman Triathlon, kitesurfing, land windsurfing, longboarding, motocross, motorcycle sport, mountainboarding, mountain biking, parkour, rallying, rock climbing, sandboarding, skateboarding, ski jumping, skysurfing, slacklining, Snocross, street luge, technical diving, volcano boarding, wakeboarding, waveski, wingsuiting, and whitewater kayaking. This is not a complete list, however.
Extreme sports offer a unique blend of thrill, adventure, and physical challenge. While they come with significant risks, the motivations and rewards for participants often outweigh the dangers; whether it's the adrenaline rush, the sense of accomplishment, or the escape from routine, extreme sports continue to inspire athletes worldwide.
Categories
Recommended Resources
Available on satellite and cable across Europe, Russia, Africa, and the United States, the original extreme sports channel brings global audiences a mix of extreme sports from around the world. Its terms of service are set forth, and program promos, recommended programs, and highlights for all of its programs and videos may be browsed or through its categories (skating, surfing, and lifestyle). A TV guide is also featured. Its terms of service, a help section, and contacts are included.
https://www.extreme.com/
The website offers detailed guides on various extreme sports, including gear reviews, tips, techniques, and valuable safety information for beginners and seasoned athletes. The guide also introduces readers to thirty different extreme sports, including insights into each of them. The guide covers a wide range of extreme sports, from bouldering and canyoning to skydiving and kitesurfing, along with the necessary equipment, safety tips, and locations. A blog and contacts are included.
https://extremesportguide.com/
Based in Hawthorne, California, the website features tips, tricks, and stories about different kinds of extreme sports, including BASE jumping, wingsuit flying, and ice climbing. Created and maintained by Sean Lockwood, much of the website's content is contained in a blog, while another section (prepared in 2022) lists one hundred extreme sports and provides brief descriptions for each. A newsletter, telephone number, email address, and an online contact form are included.
https://www.extremesportslab.com/
Covering news from all over the world, Extreme Sports X began as a SCUBA diving blog in 2011, adding other extreme sports as the author became interested in different sports and as submissions started to come in from other writers and professionals in the industry. Its content includes well over 750 articles and information for those interested in advertising on the website, including current stats, rates, and a media pack. Air, land, water, and winter sports are included.
https://extremesportsx.com/
The Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlons organized by the World Triathlon Corporation. It consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a 26.22-mile marathon run, completed in that order, a total of 140.6 miles. It is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. The name "Ironman Triathlon" is associated with the original Ironman Triathlon, which is now the Ironman World Championship.
https://www.ironman.com/
Sand Surfing & Desert Adventures
Also known as sandboarding, sand surfing is an extreme boardsport, similar to snowboarding, that involves riding across or down a dune while standing on a board, either with both feet strapped in or while standing loose, without bindings. Sandboarding can also be practiced while sitting or lying on the board. While it typically involves a sandboard, it is possible to use sleds, surfboards, a skateboard deck, or snowboards. The sport is highlighted, and sandboards for sale are listed.
https://sand-boarding.com/
The informational website focuses on extreme sports and adventures, such as BASE jumping, bungee jumping, caving, cliff diving, drifting, hang gliding, kitesurfing, skiing, skydiving, snowboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, and whitewater rafting. It includes videos, photographs, descriptions, a map showing locations, and lists and details on the equipment necessary for each. An introduction to the site is provided, along with a FAQ. This is an informational site that does not provide services.
http://thirstforadrenaline.com/
