Our pursuit of new highs has led to an increase in extreme sports and sporting events. Are you a thrill seeker? If you prefer adrenaline-fueled adventures over lounging by the hotel pool – you are. We’ve lined up some exhilarating sports in beautiful locations. While some of them are a little more extreme than others, they’re all great ways to get your pulse racing.
Cliff diving – Krabi
If you like living on the edge, you’ll love jumping off it too. Cliff diving may seem like a simple sport, but it’s far more dangerous than it appears. There are certain precautions to take when hurling yourself off a big rock into a large body of water. You need to position yourself at the right angle, make sure the water is at least two metres deep and check the landing zone for hazards. Make sure you do it in a safe and professional location. It may seem scary at first, but that transition from fear to pure adrenaline is what makes it all worth it. Phi Phi don in Krabi is a great spot for cliff diving, it has warm turquoise waters and the highest number of options for climbing and diving. If you’d like to watch the pros take the plunge before trying your hand at it, check out the ‘Cliff Diving World Series’, one of Redbull’s most extreme sporting events.
Volcano Boarding – Nicaragua
Volcano boarding is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s a must for adrenaline junkies. The most popular slope is based around the 730m slope of the Cerro Negro volcano, in Nicaragua. The words ‘active volcano’ might scare you, but there’s nothing to worry about since it hasn’t erupted since 1999 and officials monitor its activity regularly. After an hour hike up the volcano, you have to slide down the volcanic rock, sitting or standing, on a reinforced plywood toboggan. You’re able to control your speed by using your feet to brake. It’s possible to reach speeds of up to 55 miles an hour, but how fast you go depends on how often you put your feet down. A backpack with safety gear is provided, including wrist-guards, knee and elbow pads, goggles and overalls.
Ice climbing – The Alps
If you thought rock climbing was extreme, wait until you try ice climbing. Unlike rocky cliffs, ice walls provide no friction to help you on your way up. Climbing a slippery, vertical wall of ice with nothing but two ice axes and crampons will prove to be far more challenging. The Swiss Alps, home to some of the biggest winter sporting events, is one of the world’s best areas for ice climbing. Known for ski resorts and ice climbing walls, it’s a great place for newbies to start. There are a number of ice-climbing locations where professional climbers can teach you how to scale frozen waterfalls up daunting mountainsides. The most popular site is Kandersteg – it is home to a number of well-known routes. If you’d prefer to watch some ice climbing sporting events, Kandersteg hosts an annual ice climbing festival or you can watch the annual UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour Championships.
Zorbing – Rotorua
Rotorua, New Zealand’s hub of tourism and adventure, has introduced a unique and exhilarating sport: Zorbing. Zorbing entails rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable ball at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. Zorb, the original Zorbing company, offers a safe and exhilarating experience. You won’t have to worry about taking a knock since the double-walled plastic ball provides a cushion of air between you and the ground. Thrill seekers may choose to mix things up and experience the wet ride, where you can slip, slide and spin to the bottom of the hill with up to three people in a ball.
Coasteering – Majorca
Combine sea and mountains in this exhilarating action-packed sport. Coasteering is the combination of climbing, cliff jumping, abseiling and swimming. Get your adrenaline pumping as you hike off the beaten track, abseil off gigantic cliffs, swim through caves and scramble along rocky coastline. You can go Coasteering at several different locations on Majorca’s coastline. The island boasts stunning landscapes perfect for outdoor sports and sporting events. Different venues offer different activities, so you can tailor your experience according to the level of intensity you require. With Majorca’s stunning attractions, Coasteering provides an exciting way for thrill-seekers to navigate the natural beauty of the island.
Are you ready for your next adrenaline rush? If Coasteering in Majorca sounds like the ideal sport for you, make sure to contact us to book your accommodation in one of the best hotels in Majorca.
