If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of extreme sports out there to get your heart racing.
But be warned, these sports are not for the faint of heart. Some of them can be downright dangerous.
We are talking about the kind of sports where you could break a bone, suffer a concussion, or even worse. But hey, that’s all part of the thrill, right?
So if you’re feeling brave, in this article we will talk about 10 of the most dangerous sports played around the world.
BASE jumping
This sport takes the top spot because it’s like the ultimate daredevil move.
BASE jumping can be super dangerous if things go wrong.
The jumper’s parachute might get hit by something, not work properly, or the weather could mess up their landing. Falling from the sky is never totally safe.
Between 2007 and 2017, 223 people died while BASE jumping.
In just 2016, more than 30 BASE jumpers lost their lives, making it the deadliest year for the sport so far.
One study found that there’s one fatality for every 2,317 BASE jumps.
So if you decide to take the literal leap, your chances of dying are about 0.04%. It’s a serious risk!
Skiing and Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding need a lot of skill and careful moves to go down a mountain safely.
But no matter how good you are, getting hurt is a real risk.
At Johns Hopkins, experts say around 600,000 people get hurt skiing or snowboarding every year, just in this country.
One in five of these injuries is to the head, often because someone crashes into a tree or falls.
Of those head injuries, 22% were serious, and many happened because people weren’t wearing helmets.
Also, one in three injuries is to the knees.
A bad fall or hitting something hard can really hurt them.
Skiers and snowboarders might end up seeing a special doctor for knee problems like sprains, tears, or dislocations.
So, even though skiing and snowboarding are fun, they can be risky too.
Skydiving
Skydiving is a really exciting sport, but it can be risky.
One big concern is the parachute – it might not open, or the skydiver might open it too soon or too late. And it’s not just about the parachute – landing can be tricky too.
Even if the parachute opens fine, people can still mess up the landing.
Some have ended up in trees, buildings, or water by accident. Wind can also blow skydivers off course.
That’s why skydiving is considered one of the riskiest activities.
Big Wave Surfing
Surfing is a lot of fun, but it can be really risky. In places like Hawaii and Portugal, the waves can get super big and dangerous.
In Hawaii, especially during winter, waves can reach up to 50 feet! Sadly, some people have lost their lives while surfing in these places.
For example, in Hawaii, Dickie Cross died at Sunset Beach in 1943, and Todd Chesser lost his life at Alligator Rock in 1997.
In Portugal, Marcio Freire, who was experienced in surfing, died while getting ready for a competition at Praia do Norte.
Even though big wave surfing looks cool, it’s one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
Boxing
Boxing is at the top of the list of dangerous sports, and people don’t always realize it.
Even though it might not seem like it, boxing involves hitting someone in the face, and that can be really risky.
A study on Australian boxers found that 163 people have died in Australia while boxing from 1832 to 2020.
Nowadays, organizers try to make boxing safer by taking extra precautions. But even with these safety measures, it’s still a sport with a lot of risks.
Freediving
Picture this: holding your breath for almost three whole minutes while diving deeper and deeper into the water to a depth of about 200 feet.
This is freediving, where participants can go even deeper with just one breath.
The current record for men is 420 feet, and for women, it’s 331 feet. To put it in perspective, a standard American football field is 360 feet.
Luckily, there’s been only one recorded death in competitive freediving.
Competitions are strict, with experienced participants, rules, and medical doctors present.
But many people go freediving without these safety measures.
According to ABC News, there are about 5,000 free divers worldwide, and an estimated 100 die each year.
Even experienced divers face risks, as shown by a champion who died trying to descend 561 feet. It proves how dangerous the sport can be, even for the most experienced.
Cliff Diving
It is exactly what it sounds like – a daring sport where you jump into the water from a high, rocky cliff. It’s a lot like BASE jumping, which is also super extreme.
When cliff divers hit the water, they can go really fast, like 60-70 miles per hour, so getting hurt is a real risk. Common injuries include scrapes, bruises, broken bones, concussions, and even serious spinal damage.
It’s not smart to try cliff diving without proper training.
Divers have to think about things like the weather, the waves in the water, and what the ground below is like. Knowing about the wind is crucial to land safely.
People who do this sport keep pushing the limits in training. The usual jump is around 85-92 feet, while Olympic divers only go from a max of 33 feet.
But in 2015, a Brazilian-Swiss athlete named Laso Schallo went all out and dived from more than 193 feet!
Even though it takes a lot of prep for just a few seconds of excitement, thousands of folks take the plunge into cliff diving each year.
Motorbike Racing
Motorbike racing is risky because you’re speeding against other bikers on a bumpy dirt track that might have steep hills.
These hills can be tricky with bumps, and there’s always a chance you might crash into other riders. Off-roading is super popular, but it comes with the risk of getting hurt.
A study in 2013, shared with the National Library of Medicine, found that kids often get injured doing this sport.
Over 12 years, there were reports of riders suffering from ligament injuries. It’s still considered one of the most dangerous sports globally.
Field Hockey
Even though field hockey isn’t officially labeled as a contact sport, players get hurt a lot from bumping into each other, the stick, or the ball.
Even though players wear protective gear for their eyes and mouth, the sport is still one of the most likely to cause injuries.
The eye and mouth protection isn’t enough to prevent all facial injuries, like broken teeth and concussions.
Surprisingly, almost 90% of head and face injuries happen because players get hit by a field hockey stick or ball – that must hurt!
All the running and accidental bumps in the sport also cause problems for players’ leg muscles, knees, and lower back.
More than 15% of injuries in the sport are ankle sprains. It can be tough on the players!
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving, which stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, is a challenging activity that needs special skills and gear.
Most people go through a lot of training to scuba dive, but there are still dangers to watch out for.
If you’re diving in the open sea, the wild and hungry creatures, like big sharks, can be a threat. So, you need to be really careful.
Also, your equipment might not work right, like a broken depth gauge that could lead to a mild case of decompression sickness or a faulty regulator that could make you drown.
Decompression sickness (DCS), also known as “the bends,” is a common problem for scuba divers.
It happens when you breathe compressed air at lower depths, and your body absorbs too much nitrogen.
When you come back up, the pressure drop makes nitrogen bubbles form in your tissues.
DCS is super painful and can even cause fatal nerve and tissue damage.
Even if you don’t get the bends, going below 135 feet can lead to oxygen toxicity.
If you rise too fast or hold your breath, you might get a pulmonary embolism, which can be deadly. So, scuba diving is no joke!
Conclusion
In the world of extreme sports, the thrill-seekers who take on these challenges are in for an adrenaline-packed ride. From jumping off cliffs to racing on dirt tracks, each sport has its own unique dangers that keep the heart pounding.
Whether it’s the daring leap of BASE jumping or the rush of speeding on a motorbike through rough terrain, these activities are not for the faint of heart.
The risks are real – broken bones, concussions, and even the possibility of fatal accidents. But for those who crave the excitement, these sports offer an unparalleled adventure.
As you explore the realms of skiing, skydiving, big wave surfing, and beyond, it’s essential to remember that safety is paramount.
Proper training, protective gear, and caution are crucial to minimizing the risks involved.
So, if you’re ready to embrace the excitement, just be sure to tread carefully and enjoy the thrill responsibly.
