It was once the case that the term extreme sports related only to a select few activities. Among those worthy of the accolade included sports such as surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, motocross, base jumping and a few others. There was an obvious disparity however between the extreme level of even these ‘original sports’. You can’t really compare jumping off the kerb on your skateboard to hurtling down a 70 degree slope with board strapped to your feet, dodging trees, rocks and deer, whilst trying to outrun an avalanche.
Nowadays however the range of sports that fall under the ‘Extreme Sports‘ umbrella is quite frankly staggering. There are thrills to be had everywhere, including in the sky with paragliding, to in the water with the currently very popular, paddle boarding. In some cases it is no longer impressive enough to turn up to the beach with your surfboards, you now need to be involved in kitesurfing, land yachting, skim boarding and loads of other sports that people have dreamt up whilst presumably under the influence.
Some people think this is a bad thing and that the term ‘Extreme Sports’ should only be reserved for those sports either around from the beginning or that contain an element of danger so great that only those will a bit of screw loose are willing to give them a go. What they don’t realise however is that extreme sport is not just about the sport, it’s a way of life. It’s all about leaving your inhibitions and fears behind and just giving something a go. Maybe getting some new scars to show off, or scaring the living daylights out of your mother sometimes, but feeling alive every minute. Extreme sports doesn’t always have to mean laying your life on the line each and every day, it can instead be about giving yourself a bit of an adrenaline rush or bucking convention every now and again, which means that the term ‘extreme sports’ is really immortal.












