For others, adventure is as simple as doing something outside of their comfort zone. But for real thrill-seekers, it means staying away from terra firma, flirting with peril, and seeking that heart-pounding, guts-pumping blast of an extreme sports buzz.
So, whether you are an adrenaline-seeking veteran or you are looking for just one extreme shot, here we outline 7 extreme adventure sports you need to try before you die. They offer more than just the thrill-they provide extraordinary views, mind-boggling struggles, and stories for a lifetime.
1. Wingsuit Flying
Wingsuit flying (also known as wingsuiting or proximity flying) is regarded as one of the most extreme aerial sports in the world. Extreme sport enthusiasts jump from high altitudes wearing a special suit that enables them to glide through the air making it a heart-stopping activity.
What Makes It Extreme:
- He broke speeds in excess of 200 km/h (125 mph).
- It requires amazing body precision, and perfect navigation.
- Commonly performed near cliffs and ridges.
Where to Try:
- Wedenbach, the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Swiss countryside
- Table Mountain, South Africa
2. Chamonix, France
Important: You must have a skydiving licence and hundreds of jumps under your, ahem, belt before even thinking about wingsuit flying.
What Makes It Extreme:
- Parachute deployment urgently needed
- Not much room for error.
- Safety concerns often render these activities illegal or highly restricted.
Where to Try:
- Kjerag Cliff, Norway
- New River Gorge Bridge, USA (Bridge Day)
- Angel Falls, Venezuela
BASE is not for anyone new to the sport and requires unparalleled skydiver skills.
3. Class V Rapids – White-Water Rafting
Though there are many mild white-water rafting rivers, the most extreme side of this sport takes on Class V rapids-that is, the hardest and most dangerous white-water that can be navigated.
What Makes It Extreme:
- Water currents that are violent and unpredictable.
- It involves teamwork, coordination, and excellent reflexes.
- Very high chance of overturning and/or harm.
Where to Try:
- Zambezi River, Zimbabwe/Zambia, Zimbabwe/Zambia
- Futaleufú River, Chile
- West Virginia, USA – Gauley River
White-water rafting is the most wild genre of group adventure sports featuring a combination of jaw-dropping natural beauty and petrifying strength.
4. Ice Climbing
Ice climbing is a sport in which participants ascend steep, icy or frost-covered terrains or climb up the icy walls of frozen waterfalls using ice axes and crampons The sport is one with heavy physical and technical demands, and one that will certainly strain both body and mind.
What Makes It Extreme:
- Surfaces that were cold, and covered in slimy things that tormented underneath a head, headlong, on a moving target.
- Great possibility for ice falls and bad weather.
This means you need to know something about climbing, like how to use climbing gear.
Where to Try:
- Ouray Ice Park, Colorado, USA
- Valdez, Alaska, USA
- Chamonix, France
If you’re an experienced climber with a taste for winter adventure infused with just the right amount of danger and beauty, then ice climbing is second to none.
5. Cave Diving
Among the most dangerous types of scuba diving is cave diving. It means exploring the underwater caves that are devoid of light, air, and easy escape routes. The divers have to swim through narrow cracks and the water can be choppy.
What Makes It Extreme:
- Needs specialized training and equipment corel.
- Emergency escape from depth is not via a port.
- These risks are getting lost, silt-outs, and equipment failure.
Where to Try:
- Cenote Dos Ojos, Mexico
- The Blue Hole, Belize
- Ginnie Springs, Florida, USA
Cave diving is a complex blend of technique and adventure that takes you into the dark underwater passages that few humans are privileged to experience.
6. Volcano Boarding
I know what you may be thinking and yes, volcano boarding is a real sport. This entails riding down the ash coated slopes of a volcano, either active or dormant on a board, often reaching over 80km/h (50mph).
What Makes It Extreme:
- Hiking up volcanic slopes.
- Falls, burns, and volcanic ash inhalation.
- In some cases, conducted on active volcanoes.
Where to Try:
- Cerro Negro Volcano in Nicaragua
- Vanuatu priests of Yasur (level expert)
- Mount Bromo, Indonesia (shorter route)
For those who want to put a hot edge to their adventure bucket list, this wild sport is what you need.
7. Big Wave Surfing
Surfing is the supreme test of skill, bravery, and timing, if you like surfing bigger stuff — big wave surfing. Waves that are 20 feet (6 meters) or bigger, created by storms away from the coast, and enhanced by underwater geography closer to shore, are surfed on.
What Makes It Extreme:
- Huge wave heights and ocean conditions that are notoriously wild.
- Potential for drowning, possible injury, underwater-held hazards.
- Does take years and thousands of matches to build physically.
Where to Try:
- Mavericks, California, USA
- Nazaré, Portugal
- Teahupo’o, Tahiti
Surf the biggest waves on earth (this sport is only for the most experienced surfers with safety teams and rescue plans) – but you can find excitement and some level of thrill watching this from only a beach or cliff away.
Final Thoughts
While extreme adventure sports are not for all, if one has the guts and ability to go the extra mile, it provides a thrill, trains the mind, thus helping a person grow. Few other experiences push the boundaries of human performance and primal survival instinct like these sports.
Here is a quick overview of the 7 extreme adventure sports to do before you die.
- Wingsuit Flying
- BASE Jumping
- Class V rapids (White-Water Rafting)
- Ice Climbing
- Cave Diving
- Volcano Boarding
- Big Wave Surfing
All of these need preparation and practice and great respect for the strength of nature. These are the boldest experiences in travel wrapped up in a present ready to be unwrapped – be it as you plan your next adventure or simply dream up the ultimate bucket list.
Which of these extreme sports would you be willing to attempt? Have you launched yourself into any of these extreme sports yet? Tell us your story in the comments!