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Extreme Canada

MATAMATA, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 16: In this h...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If you want to try sports that are considered extreme, Canada is the place to be, since there are ample opportunities. Whether you are near Victoria or Toronto, you can find a range of extreme sports in this country.

Many extreme sports in Canada involve water or snow. For example, you can go wakeboarding on various lakes, or you may prefer to surf the waves. You can also take a kayak out onto nearly any body of water, so you have lots of places from which to choose. If you need to rent or buy equipment, check out Canada 411 to locate shops that offer extreme sports supplies. This may come in particularly handy to rent or purchase skis or a snowboard in order to take advantage of the numerous snowy mountains in this country.

You can also use search engines to look for locations that encourage extreme sports. For example, skate parks are popular in this country, but you may need some help finding one. There are maps that can point you in the right direction, offering information on what you can do in each area. Other extreme sports that are adored by some in Canada include wind surfing, mountain climbing and riding bikes at local BMX tracks. More unique sports that you may not have thought about include dog sledding and white water rafting. Clearly, there is no shortage of things to do in Canada if you want some adventure in your life, so use your local resources to get started.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Canada, Extreme sport, Toronto

Popular Extreme Sports

Ice climbing 

Image via Wikipedia

The popularity of extreme sports has increased in recent years. People seek out the thrills these sports provide. Extreme sports come with risks and often require great physical exertion. Still, if you take the proper precautions, these sports are a great way to get an adrenaline rush. From skydiving to ice climbing, there’s an extreme sport for any interest.

On the Ground
Mountain biking is a type of bicycling in which the rider rides over rough ground. Types of mountain biking include street riding, cross country, downhill, and freeride. Mountaineering combines elements of hiking, walking, and trekking. It can take place in the snow or as rocky climbs. Ice climbing is an extreme sport that entails climbing up icefalls and ice covered rocks. There are two varieties of ice climbing: water ice climbing and alpine ice climbing.

In the Air
Hot air ballooning developed as a sport after arising as the first kind of human transport in the air. Hang gliding and paragliding utilize similar techniques for flying and launching. Participants then glide through the air. The difference lies in the fact that paragliding uses no solid supports. Skydiving, also known as parachuting, involves a participant falling from a height while supported by a parachute. Bungee jumping, while also involving a jump from a height, occurs when the jumper jumps from a structure supported from above by a long elastic cord.

By Sea
A surfer glides along the water on a breaking wave by using a board. There are two classifications of surfing: short and long boarding. Windsurfing combines surfing with sailing and allows the rider to skim across the surface of the water.

 

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Climbing, Extreme sport, Ice climbing

Requirements to Skydive

Skydiving is an extreme sport that many people wish that they could take part in. However, due to the extreme nature of the sport is important to know if you meet the qualifications in order to take part in this extreme sport. Here’s a look at the guidelines that are required for those who wish to take part in skydiving.

Age Restriction. In order to skydive you must be 18 years of age or older. There is no upper age limit as long as you meet the qualifications as far as health, strength and weight. Skydiving can be done at the age of 16 years old with the proper parent consent.

Health Restrictions. A skydiver must be in relatively good health. It is not recommended that skydivers have previous heart condition, history is a stroke and other physical limitations. If you are unsure whether or not you are healthy enough to skydive please consult a healthcare professional.

Strength Requirements. The skydiving equipment that skydivers will wear weighs about 35 pounds you must be able to lift and hold the equipment that is required to skydive. Most skydiving instruction schools will test this before you go up in the plane.

Weight Restriction. The FAA has weight restrictions for the specific types of jumps. A solo jump can only be performed if the skydiver and its equipment weigh less than 254 pounds. I can jump with an instructor has a weight limit of 500 pounds. Generally skydiving operations recommended that the jumper being no more than 210 pounds.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Extreme sport, Parachuting, Skydiving

A Look at the Proper Body Position for Skydiving

While it might appear as if skydivers are just freefalling throughout the air there is actually a proper way to position your body while you are falling through the sky. This correct body position for skydiving is taught to all skydivers in their initial training course. This body position allows you to achieve maximum velocity and have control over your body as you fall through the sky. Here is a look at how to assume the correct body position while skydiving.

Belly to the Ground. You want to fall is if you are falling on your belly to the ground. This allows you to have the best control over your fall.

Arching Your Back. You want to make sure that your back is properly arched. This allows you to have a bit of control and maintain the speed of your skydive.

The Distance Of the Arms and Legs. As you fall you want to make sure that your arms and legs are equal distance apart from each other. Even though they are equal distance apart from each other you want to make sure that they’re close to your head and body. This allows you to have control over your body and maintain the speed of your fall.

You’ll not be able to achieve the proper skydiving position overnight as there is a lot to remember and keep in mind. This is why many skydiving instruction courses take several days to focus upon the proper body position. These instruction courses will also do a test body position while on the ground to make sure that you know how to properly hold your arms, legs, and back. The proper body position while skydiving is important as it controls the speed and velocity at which you fall to the ground.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Parachuting, Skydiving

Properly Exiting the Plane on a SkyDive

One of the most important parts about skydiving is learning how to jump out of the plane. Only theme as in all you do is just put your hand on the side in jump out there is more to jumping out of the plane then that. There are various safety precautions that you must follow to allow yourself to have a safe jump from the plane. Here’s a look at what you need to do to make sure that you are properly exiting the aircraft or plane.

Checking Equipment. You want to do one last check of your equipment before exiting the plane. This entails making sure that you have all the various equipment you will need in making sure that all the buckles and straps are in the proper position.

Taking the Student Position or Making Sure You Have the Proper Count. If you are doing a tandem jump with your skydiving instructor you will need to take the student position on the plane. This position will have been taught to you in your skydiving lesson. It involves holding with two hands the side of the door and staying partially inside the aircraft. You also be required to give the proper count to your instructor as well as check with your instructor. The proper count usually includes up, down, back and arch. This count is important as it notifies everyone on the plane as to when exactly you are jumping. If you are jumping by yourself you will need to make sure that you properly count although you will not need to assume the student position.

Body Position. After you have left the plane you want to make sure that you are assuming a stable arch back as you fall. This will allow you to have a bit of stability and control as you are falling.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Parachuting, Skydiving, Tandem skydiving

How to Properly Board the Plane For SkyDiving

In order to skydive you must first board the plane. One of the first things you learn in your skydiving safety lessons is how to properly board the skydiving plane. There’s a proper way to board the plane to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Here’s a look at some of the things that you need to keep in mind when boarding the plane for your skydiving jump.

Stay Away from the Propeller. You understand well away from the propeller of the plane. Most areas where the skydiving plane is located will have a line marked where you can stand so that you are well away from the propeller of the plane.

Where to Walk. Skydivers will always walk around the tail of the plane to make sure that they are not hit by the propeller of the plane. Never walked in front of the plane. When this is followed everyone knows where to go for so there is no confusion.

Boarding the Plane. When boarding the plane you must quickly move up the ladder and into the plane. This will allow others to board the plane quickly and not take up too much time. You will also be required to move to the front of the plane so that the weight is evenly distributed in the front of the plane and not in the back. This is important as a plane needs to have the weight evenly distributed.

Inside the Plane. Once you’re inside the plane you must immediately sit down and take the safety harness or seatbelt and strap it to your skydiving suit. This will allow you to be properly restrained so that the plane can get going and that you’re safe while the plane is flying.

It is important to remember all these safety tips when boarding the plane on your skydiving trip. Failure to remember these tips could result in injury of yourself and others.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Parachuting, Skydiving

Equipment For Skydiving

As with any sport skydiving requires all participants have the required equipment in order to take part. If you are an avid skydiver you may own all of these pieces of equipment as you frequently skydive. However, most skydiving schools will rent out or allow you to use these pieces of equipment when you are skydiving. Here’s a look at a list of the pieces of equipment that are required for skydiving.

Helmet. A helmet is required to be worn by all participants of skydiving. The helmet insurers that the head is protected at all times and that no one suffers any potential head trauma while taking part in skydiving. Head injuries can occur while a person is in the airplane or while freefalling close to other skydiver.

Altimeters. Altimeters are devices that allow the skydiver to measure what altitude they are at. Skydiver’s need to know when they must deploy the parachute and this is done the specific altitude. This device allows them to know exactly when the parachute must be deployed.

Goggles. Goggles are used to protect your eyes from any type of debris or dust getting into the eyes. Goggles are also used to make sure that skydivers have a clear line of vision while they are skydiving.

Jumpsuits. Jumpsuits are the suits are worn by skydivers. These suits allow skydivers to jump at accelerated rates and play against the wind so that the fall is controlled. Jumpsuits also help absorb some of the shock when the skydiver lands. It is important that you get a skydiving saves that fits your body as this is an important part of the jump and ensuring your safety.

Closed Toed Shoes. Skydivers must wear closed toed shoes to protect their feet and because the aerodynamics of the shoes allow them to fall at a better rate. Skydiving schools are not recommend that you wear boots as boots are often heavier and can affect the fall of the skydiver.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Parachuting, Skydiving

What to Consider Before Skydiving Your First Time

Skydiving is an extreme sport that is designed for people who are looking for an extreme thrill. The extreme sport of skydiving involves people jumping out of a plane and freefalling thousands of feet until eventually a parachute is launched to catch them. While many people know exactly what skydiving entails they do not know how to go about learning how to skydive. Here’s a look at what you need to consider before learning how to skydive.

Locating a Skydiving Center. There are local skydiving centers that will teach you how to skydive. It is important that you find a certified skydiving school who has experienced instructors. The more experienced the instructor is the better you will learn the art of skydiving and the less nervous you will become.

Deciding on the Jump. Once you have located the skydiving center you’ll need to decide what type of skydiving jump you’ll take part in. If you’re new to skydiving you will take a jump known as a tandem jump. This is a jump in which you take part attached to a licensed skydiver is the jump all beginners skydivers take part in. Other jumps include a freefall or static line jump. These jumps are reserved for more experienced skydivers and are not recommended for beginners.

Consider Purchasing a Package. Many skydiving centers offer packages that allow the skydiver to learn the training courses, become certified and take part in their first jump. These packages are great deal because the individual is not paying for each part individually. Many of these packages will also include a videotape of your first jump so you can take back home the memories of your first jump.

Consider Going in a Group. Many people who skydive will skydive in a group because it is more fun with the more people you have around you. Many skydiving schools will offer discounts for large groups of people who wish to learn the art of skydiving.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Extreme sport, Parachuting, Skydiving

Skydiving Disciplines

There are several disciplines of competitive skydiving that are recognized by the United States Parachute Association. Most skydiving competitions and organizations work with two basic categories: formation and freestyle. Formation skydiving is a group competition were participants execute formations by holding onto each other’s arms or legs while descending in the belly first position. Freestyle, on the other hand, can involve one or multiple participants and is widely understood to be more of a dance based competition. There are also competitions that test one’s landing accuracy and free-fall style. Other disciplines include canopy piloting or swooping, skysurfing or skyboarding, and even wingsuit flying.

Perhaps the most fundamental distinction in skydiving competition is between canopy and non-canopy activities. Canopy based sports involve work that is done after jumpers have opened their parachutes. There are canopy activities designed to test one’s formation skills and solo piloting skills. Canopy formation work is a collaborative effort to establish formations while in canopy. Canopy piloting, on the other hand, is often a solo activity geared toward testing the skill of a highly experienced person in canopy.

There are other competitions that are entirely based on attachments. Skysurfing or skyboarding, for instance, is a style competition that involves the attachment of a skyboard during free-fall. Highly skilled skyboarders are able to maintain balance and perform flips and spins. This is understood to be appealing but also very difficult. Another attachment based form of competition is wingsuit flying. The wingsuit allows one to glide horizontally at great speed.

In the end, if you have never seen a skydiving competition, they are definitely worth checking out. Skydiving competitions offer opportunities for highly experienced divers to show off their skills both technically and artistically. Knowing the categories makes it easier to understand and appreciate. Getting into competitive scene is also a great way to improve your skills and meet new people.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Aviation, Parachuting, Recreation, Skydiving

Skydiving Sports are Dependent on Technological Mediation

By now many athletic organizations have embraced the role of technology in today’s sports. American football, for example, has done well to integrate the use of video footage and instant reply in a way that is relatively seamless and effective. This is in stark contrast to FIFA, the international governing body for soccer, who have yet to allow the use of the camera as an aid to officiating its games. Depending on who you ask, the use of technology can either be viewed as a valuable asset or a threat to the spirit of the game.

In skydiving, however, there’s no other real way for judges or spectators to truly appreciate the dive of a competitor outside of the use of video technology, unless, of course, they too were also a part of the same jump. This would be highly impractical for several reasons. First of all, in skydiving competitions, there are usually several jumps for every competitor or team of competitors. If there are not a set amount of jumps then there is usually a standard amount of decided time for all parties. This standard amount of time most often requires several dives. In these situations you are often dealing with different teams, multiple jumps, and different competitive events. Usually there is a panel of judges or one judge per competitive event. Forcing the judges to jump would make the evaluation process difficult and highly impractical.

This is without even beginning to discuss how impractical it would be for competitions to actually send out a numeric amount of potential spectators along with every competitor, on every jump. Though it may sound like a lot of fun, this kind of approach would be inconvenient and potentially dangerous, especially considering that many skydiving spectators are not quite ready to take jumps for themselves. Thus documentation is another way in which skydiving requires the best of technology.

Filed Under: Skydiving, Sports Tagged With: Aviation, Parachuting, Recreation, Skydiving, Sport
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