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Water can be extreme. In nature, it is unpredictable, hinging on weather-forces to unleash its power. For that reason, many water sports are extreme sports. For a few other reasons, some water sports are more extreme than others: Danger in the sports elements, the unknown in the surroundings and the skill of participants can make some water sports super extreme. Let’s take a look at a few of these.
Rafting
Rafting is an extreme sport because of the unknowns. A river can turn from gentle waves to Class IV rapids in a short distance. Additionally, other unknown rafting dangers, like rock outcroppings and waterfalls, can make rafting unknown or unchartered waters very dangerous.
Whitewater Kayaking
For the same reasons, whitewater kayaking can be extreme. The rocks can be problematic and unchartered waters are dangerous. In addition, though, the skill involved in whitewater kayaking is even more advanced than the high skill level needed for rafting: A kayaker must be skilled enough to traverse the dangerous waters all by herself in an overly responsive vessel.
Whitewater Canoeing
Even more dangerous in some senses, whitewater canoeing takes all of the above dangers into consideration and adds some more on top. In addition to the dangers existing in the water and the skill needed to steer, a whitewater canoe team must be able to work together to steer the canoe or a single canoer must be able to steer quickly and accurately with a single paddle.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving has its own sets of difficulties. Divers must know their skill levels and limitations because they are so far under water. For example, divers should know how quickly they use the air in their tanks, how fast they can descend and how fast they may ascend (to avoid the bends).
Water sports can be extreme. However, from rafting to scuba diving, respecting the power of water can help athletes compete in extreme sports.
