Summary of Adrenaline-Packed Adventure Sports:
Are you prepared to experience an adrenaline rush? This guide highlights thrilling adventure sports ranging from volcano boarding to cave diving and bungee jumping to kitesurfing, alongside exceptional destinations ideal for these activities (once travel resumes).
It is advisable to verify current travel restrictions before planning any journey and to adhere to government recommendations.
Volcano Boarding
Originating from an Australian traveler in León, Nicaragua, volcano boarding involves descending the slope of an active volcano utilizing a reinforced plywood toboggan. By leveraging your heels to slow down and maneuver, it is feasible to achieve speeds of up to 90 km/h (56 mph), contingent upon having scaled the volcano first.
Where to try it: León’s Big Foot Hostel serves as the entry point for exhilarating descents down the slopes of the ominously named Cerro Negro (Black Hill).
Downhill Mountain Biking
Riders utilize full-suspension bicycles engineered to glide over rocks and tree roots as “DH” bikers compete down steep inclines scattered with obstacles.
Where to try it: The famous Death Road in Bolivia is a prominent destination for this biking adventure, while the Whistler Mountain Bike Park in Canada transforms winter ski slopes into summer biking trails.
Freshwater Cave Diving
While ocean scuba diving can be thrilling for many, venturing into subterranean cave systems presents an entirely unique challenge. The captivating stalactites are often a major attraction.
Where to try it: Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is renowned for hosting the largest collection of cenotes (sinkholes) globally, surrounded by lush jungle and featuring crystal-clear turquoise waters that provide an idyllic setting.
Heli-Skiing or Boarding
By utilizing a helicopter to reach virgin terrain, heli-skiing demands considerable skill; advanced skiers or snowboarders are likely to derive the most enjoyment and value from the experience.
Where to try it: Although predominantly restricted in Europe, heli-skiing remains favored in North America and New Zealand. The Chugach Mountains in Alaska are celebrated for their deep and soft powder. For a luxury experience, visit Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, located near Anchorage, where expert backcountry ski guides can enhance your skills, all while offering breathtaking views of Denali and dramatic volcanic peaks.
Flowboarding
A unique combination of surfing and various boarding sports, flowboarding involves riding an artificial “sheet wave” using equipment resembling a skateboard.
Where to try it: Since the sport gained momentum in the 1980s, “flowhouses” have emerged globally. FlowRider offers experiences in California, Colorado, Dublin, and Sweden.
Bungee Jumping
Inspired by the traditional land divers of Vanuatu, the modern bungee jumping experience, which involves leaping from a height while secured by a safety cord, was popularized by New Zealand entrepreneur AJ Hackett.
Where to try it: The Macau Tower, owned by Hackett, features the world’s tallest commercial jump point at 233m (764ft). However, scenic experiences can be found at the original Kawarau Bridge Bungy in Queenstown (43m/141ft) and the Victoria Falls Bungee in Zambia (111m/364ft).
Zorbing
Zorbing, also known by various names such as sphereing or globing, is an activity where participants roll down hills inside transparent plastic spheres. You can choose to go solo, with friends, or with water for added enjoyment.
Where to try it: The original zorb company is located in Rotorua, New Zealand, but it is possible to zorb in locations around the globe, including Hatta, Dubai.
Ice Climbing
Ice climbing involves ascending frozen formations such as waterfalls, employing ice axes and specialized climbing gear.
Where to try it: The Ouray Ice Park in Colorado holds the distinction of being the world’s largest ice park, having been the first to exclusively cater to this sport. It is also popular in Canada, with enthusiasts particularly fond of Val-David in Quebec.
Slacklining
This modern interpretation of tightrope walking, where participants balance on a taut nylon strap secured between two anchor points at a modest height above ground, may appear simple, yet it is highly challenging and an excellent core workout.
Where to try it: Those skilled in balance may explore slacklining yoga throughout the USA with YogaSlackers. For the truly adventurous, try slacklining in Joshua Tree National Park in California. Alternatively, consider a DIY approach with your slackline (available through Gibbon Slacklines).
Kitesurfing
This athletic activity encompasses elements of wakeboarding, surfing, windsurfing, paragliding, and gymnastics, wherein kiteboarders employ a power kite to navigate across the ocean while standing on a specially designed board.
Where to try it: The most suitable locations for kitesurfing include windy beaches, such as the Kitesurf Centre in Camber Sands, the shores of Kailua Beach on O’ahu, Hawaii, and El Gouna, Egypt.
Cheese Rolling
This quirky sport, rooted in Gloucester, England, during the 15th century, involves competitors racing down a steep hill in pursuit of a wheel of cheese.
Where to try it: The annual Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling in Gloucester represents the largest cheese-rolling competition worldwide.
Skydiving
Considerably more thrilling than hang-gliding or paragliding, skydiving provides the ultimate rush of jumping from an aircraft at 12,000 feet. While tandem skydiving is accessible to a broad audience, advanced maneuvers such as sky surfing, wingsuit flying, and BASE jumping are recommended only for skilled athletes.
Where to try it: Select breathtaking environments like Byron Bay, Australia (consider Skydive Australia), the Swiss Alps (check Skydive Switzerland), or Key West, Florida (try Skydive Key West).
Whitewater Rafting
Adventurers navigate rapids rated from one to five (with levels higher considered unsuitable) in inflatable rafts. The first rubber raft for whitewater riding is believed to have been devised in the 1840s; commercial whitewater operations emerged only a century later. 1981 marked the inaugural descent of companies on the Zambezi River beneath Victoria Falls.
Where to try it: Exceptional grade five rapids can be experienced on sections of the Zambezi River bordering Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as on the Suarez River (located near San Gil, Colombia) and Nepal’s Sun Kosi River.
Bouldering
The rise in popularity of climbing has led to its inclusion as a competitive event in the Tokyo Olympics. Bouldering, a subset of climbing, involves climbing to heights of no more than 20 feet without the use of ropes or harnesses, typically on crash pads for safety. Climbing higher without protective gear shifts the activity into the realm of free solo climbing.
Where to try it: Gaining traction in North America, indoor bouldering facilities (equipped with low walls to mitigate injury risks) can now be found across regions from Great Britain to Germany. For indoor experiences, consider locations such as Grotto in San Diego and Earth Treks in Golden, Colorado. For an outdoor adventure, explore opportunities in Squamish, British Columbia, or Fontainebleau, France.
Ice Swimming
For centuries, Northern Europeans have embraced icy swims between sauna visits. Today, the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) defines an official ice swim as a one-mile distance in water temperatures below 5°C (41°F) while donned in standard swimwear.
Where to try it: This exhilarating activity is favored in the UK, Germany, Ireland, Finland, Russia, France, the USA, and the Netherlands. To formalize your initial solo ice swim, arrange to have your attempt witnessed and registered with the IISA.
Zip-Lining
Frequently incorporated into eco-tours, zip-lining entails traversing a slope via a pulley system affixed to a suspended cable, also referred to as zip slides and flying foxes.
Where to try it: The zip tour at Costa Rica’s Selvatura Park offers breathtaking vistas, while thrill-seekers might prefer the world’s longest and fastest zip-line: the Zip 2000 in Sun City, South Africa.
Canyoning
This enjoyable sport, also known as canyoneering or river trekking, encourages participants to utilize diverse techniques such as climbing and rappelling to navigate beautiful canyons.
Where to try it: Canyoning is best practiced in mountainous areas with flowing water, abundant in locations across Germany, France, Ecuador, Colombia, and Norway. In the U.S., consider the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles for a canyoning adventure. So Cal Adventure Co offers insights into rappelling down waterfalls, navigating rocky outcrops, and hiking through rugged landscapes.
Snowmobiling
Initially patented in 1937 as a means of transport over snow, the modern snowmobile was introduced in 1959. Today, it is predominantly utilized for extreme trail riding.
Where to try it: The region surrounding Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers exceptional terrain, although winter snowmobiling tours are readily available at resorts throughout the USA and Canada.
Coasteering
This multifaceted activity, which integrates swimming, climbing, scrambling, and diving, invites participants to traverse the rocky coastline and intertidal zones on foot or while swimming, without assistance from personal watercraft.
Where to try it: Coasteering gained popularity on the rugged cliffs of Pembrokeshire in Wales during the 1990s and merely requires a suitably rocky coastline to partake.
