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Equipment Needed for Mountain Climbing

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mountain climbing is an extreme sport that takes a lot of patience and practice. It is good idea to spend some time on an indoor rock wall and get the proper training before you try to go out and climb a mountain in real life, otherwise you won’t succeed. You’ll also need a lot of gear in order to stay safe and be able to complete your task, in addition to physical strength and determination. The following is a list of equipment you will have to obtain:

1. A Rope: You want to use a cord that has been approved by the International Union of Associations of Climbing. It should clearly have a UIAA label that certifies that the product will provide the level of safety you need.

2. A Good Pair of Shoes: There are special shoes that you should purchase for mountain climbing. They are often called “espadrilles.” These shoes are unique because the soles are flexible which makes it easier to grip and adhere to rock. They are also light weight and ergonomic. You should buy custom made shoes to fit your feet perfectly for best performance.

3. A Safety Harness: This is important because it is what will keep you safe in the event that you fall. The straps should be at least 5 cm in width, as stated by the UIAA, and it should have a seat that matches perfectly. You’ll want to buy a harness with adjustable leg straps.

4. A Helmet: You can die when you experience significant head trauma, so it is important to wear a helmet when you are rock climbing because you could hit your head if you fall, even if it is just a short distance. Helmets are made to absorb shock which reduces injury to the head. You should use a helmet that is approved by the UIAA.

Filed Under: Extreme Sports Tagged With: , ,

The Thrill that Comes from Hang Gliding

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Hang glider start snow 2004
Image via Wikipedia

Hang gliding is an extreme sport that can give quite a thrill. It is done by jumping off of a tall structure, like a cliff, attached to a kite-like contraption that is then steered down to the ground by the rider. It is a lot different than parachuting because you are able to stay in the air for a longer amount of time, plus you have more control over the direction you are going. You can hang glide with a single rider or even have as many as three riders on the same contraption, it just depends on the size of your hang glider and your preference.

You need to be trained on how to fly a hang glider if you want to participate in this extreme sport, and there are schools that offer courses. You’ll have to pay a lot of money in order to learn, and the hang glider itself comes with a high price tag, but the thrill you will feel as you are soaring through the air makes it all worth the money. You can also practice flying a hang glider by doing parasailing, which is when you are pulled by a motor boat as you fly a kite-like contraption behind it.

Hang gliding is one of the more dangerous extreme sports and there is a higher amount of reported injuries than some other extreme sports. This means it is only for the most daring soles and biggest risk takers out there. If this sounds like something you think would be fun to try, all you have to do is find a hang gliding instructor in your area or take a vacation to a location where you would like to hang glide to get started. It is a lot of fun and you are going to have a great time.

Filed Under: Extreme Sports, Professionals Tagged With: , ,

Participate in BMX Biking for a Real Thrill

December 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
BMX Bike, with frame for vert, the other parts...
Image via Wikipedia

BMX biking is a popular extreme sport, especially around the younger crowd (those in their teens to mid twenties). This is because it is dangerous, but provides an equally exciting thrill and young people in general are bigger risk takers and thrill seekers than those who have kids of their own and established careers. It is definitely a fun sport though. even if you’re not as young anymore.

You get to drive around in the dirt on a motor bike doing stunts and jumps that are difficult to pull off. It is challenging and takes a lot of practice. There is definitely the risk of injury or death, which is why it is an extreme sport. You can compete in BMX races or just participate in the sport for recreation. Either way, you are going to have a thrilling experience each and every time you get on that bike.

Since the sport is so dangerous, it is important to keep safety in the back of your mind. You should wear the proper protective gear, like a helmet and wipe-out pads, as well as always being aware of the people and other bikers around you. This will help you avoid collisions and unnecessary injury. You should also only try stunts that are on your skill level. If you have never jumped off a ramp before with your BMX bike, you should start small and work your way up. Trying the biggest ramp on your first try is a recipe for disaster.

Just because BMX biking is dangerous, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be a participant. It just means that you should be mature and responsible enough to make good decisions to avoid injury. Teens should especially be supervised when on a bike. BMX biking is a lot of fun so give it a try and experience the thrill for yourself.

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Cliff Diving is Fun and Exciting for All Ages

December 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Man and woman jumping off a cliff in Glide, Oregon
Image via Wikipedia

Everyone likes to play in the water, but what’s even more fun is jumping off of a diving board. You can take the excitement up a notch even further by diving or jumping from a cliff into the water. This is a fun activity for all ages, and is relatively safe as long as the water is deep enough and there are no potential obstacles in the way. There is even more space to run and jump, so you can catch some air before you land in the water. It is quite thrilling and fun.

If you are going to allow your kids to participate in cliff jumping, you need to supervise the activity. This way you can keep your kids from getting too rambunctious and making bad choices. Kids are a lot more likely to goof off and get injured when they are under the influence of peer pressure instead of under your watchful eye. This doesn’t mean they can’t have fun, you being there is just a reminder to make good decisions and be careful.

Some areas do not allow cliff jumping, so be sure to check with the authorities to make sure it is okay. You wouldn’t want to be landed with a fine when you were just having fun. There are several reasons why there might be restrictions in an area, even if they are not obvious at first sight, so do your research and ask before you jump. The water might not be deep enough or there could be fragile species in the area that need to be left alone.

You can find opportunities for cliff diving by contacting water recreation lakes or performing a search on the Internet. You will find hundreds of results on locations where you can experience this form of extreme sport. Pick a location, grab your swim trunks, and go have an adventure.

Filed Under: Extreme Sports Tagged With: , ,