adventurous recreational activities
Adventurous Recreational Activities
With the kind of lifestyle most of us lead these days, it has become imperative to take up some kind of recreational activity. However, there are some people, for whom it has to be a recreation activity coupled with some adventure. A person can choose from numerous adventurous activities for recreation based on his likes and dislikes.
A recreational activity need not necessarily mean sitting in a cottage sipping on some beer or coffee and not to forget a book in hand. This can indeed be exhilarating for some; however, for the truly adventurous, there has to be some 'outdoorsy' activity to heighten the adventure quotient. One can opt for adventure recreation in wilderness or outdoors. Other than being refreshing, the adventure activities teach outdoor survival, as in most cases the living conditions can be harsh. Depending on one's health, liking and age, one can choose between the different land, air and water adventure activities. The amount of time, you are ready to spend on the activity will also help in deciding the right activity for you. Alternately, you can decide to go on an adventure filled vacation. There are a number of places, which offer a range of recreational activities with a ting of adventure.
The adventure activities can also be a part of extreme sports and are often known as adventure sports. Speed, height, danger, physical exertion are some of the adjectives, which flash as soon as one talks about these activities. One of the characteristic of adventure activities is that the athlete often has to compete against nature and not as much against other participants. The forces of nature against whom the athlete finds himself competing include wind, water, mountains and snow. Since these factors cannot be controlled, it is not always possible to complete the sport activity, that one has planned for.
In this write-up find information about different adventure filled recreational activities. The activities are divided into three types, namely land, water and air adventure activities.
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If you are interested in a snow activity, but do not want to tread the oft beaten track, then snowboarding is the right recreational activity for you. In this sport, there is a snowboard attached to the rider's feet and the rider has to descend a slope covered with snow. Since it is essentially a winter sport, you will be able to practice this sport only when the mountains are laden with snow. In other words, it can only be for about three months of the year. Alternatively, you will have to look around for facilities, where you can practice the sport all through the year. Although you are looking to take it up as a recreational activity, there are professional snowboarders as well.![]()
Biking off-road normally over rough terrain, especially in the mountains is mountain biking. Although there are a number of categories of mountain biking, most of it is recreational in nature. Ideally, mountain biking is practiced on off-road trails, country back roads, or in the mountains, but it can also be practiced in the backyard or on a gravel road. These days, there are a number of mountain biking championships where both men and women can take part. Along with it being a recreational activity, it also helps in building endurance, core strength, and balance.
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In my opinion, rock climbing can easily be included in the most adventurous of the recreational activities. One can go rock climbing on both natural as well as artificial rocks. Going rock climbing on artificial rocks is often said to be safer, when one is new to the sport. It may not be a sport for the weak as it is physically as well as mentally a very demanding sport activity. Before starting off with the activity, it is best to have knowledge of the right climbing techniques. Rock climbing is also practiced on the snow where the activity is known as ice climbing.![]()
The quad bikes are known with different names like all-terrain vehicle (ATV), three-wheeler, or simply quad. These trails are often guided. Since the trail routes often are through forests, they are like mini-safari, which are filled with animal sighting, game-viewing, and other things. The duration of the trails often depend on the facility that you are using. There are different types of quad trails that you can opt for like corporate trails, family trails, or friends' trails. These days it is not uncommon to see people participating in ATV racing trails as well.
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Although it is the favorite recreational activity for a number of people, it can be practiced only in the winters and in areas where there are snow-laden mountains. However, these days you will come across facilities which have created artificial skiing studios where you can continue to enjoy the activity. When you are new to the activity, you will have to tutor under a trained instructor so that you do not injure yourself. There are many different types of skiing. Depending on the accessibility of the facilities, the type will have to be chosen. People with disabilities should not be disheartened as there are many programs where skiing can also be enjoyed by the disabled.![]()
If you are the kind of a person who likes to spend time with nature, then hiking is the right recreational activity for you. For backpacking, you can choose from different terrains like a mountainous terrain or you can go backpacking in the forest. You will be able to spend a lot of time absorbing the scenic beauty of the place and be rejuvenated. If you do not have a lot of time at hand, then day trails is the right option for you.
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There are some of us who use the bicycle as a mode of transport; it can also be used for recreation. These days cyclo-tourism has become popular for exploring nature as well as for sightseeing. There are also biking trails, cycling tours in the countryside, etc. that you can go for. The beauty of these trails is that you will be in a serene environment and will not be disturbed by traffic. In a number of cities, there are cyclists groups who have regular activities planned. You can become a member of the same.
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If you want to take up a recreational activity in which the entire family can participate, then canoeing is the activity for you. Often there is a confusion between canoeing and kayaking. A canoe is a human-powered, small, narrow boat. A typical canoe is pointed in the front. While making of the canoe, traditional designs may be used. Similarly, the size of the canoe may be large and may be able to carry as many as 20 passengers. The paddles used for canoeing normally have only one blade. When one wants to canoe in deep water or sea, it is important that one has the hang of the different strokes to be used. Having the right technique will ensure that you are able to enjoy canoeing far more.![]()
Scuba actually is an acronym and stands for 'self contained underwater breathing apparatus'. Like most of us are aware, it is a type of underwater diving. It is the apparatus which gives the divers the freedom to move around freely in water and not be gasping for air. Although scuba diving is also performed professionally, for most people it is a recreation. It is the beauty of the underwater world which attracts most of the people to it. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see people flocking to the areas of tropical coral reefs to enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. Before one can venture deep into the sea, you will have to learn the basic skills of this sport.
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The other name of this activity is sailboarding. The beauty of this water sport is that it is a combination of surfing and sailing. Various moves like jumps, inverted loops, freestyle moves, etc. are performed while windsurfing. There are two basic types of sailboards which are used for sailboarding, namely short-boards and long-boards. Other than the basic boards, there are other sailboards as well. It is a difficult sport to master and a novice will need a lot of practice to master the sport. However, with regular practice and the right guidance, mastering the sport is indeed possible.![]()
Would it not be great to go away from the maddening crowd and hustle bustle of the city life for sometime? One recreational activity where this is indeed possible is sailing. Although sailing now is not used for commercial purposes, its popularity as a recreational sport is constant. Sailing sometimes can also be called yachting. One can choose from day-sails, to coastal sailing, to ocean sailing. Naturally, day-sails will be on rivers or large lakes. In coastal sailing, land will be within sight. There have been some adventurers who have crossed oceans in their sail boats.
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Kayaking is often confused with canoeing. It is the number of paddles and sitting position in the kayak that makes it different from canoeing. In kayaking, there are two paddles which are used for maneuvering the kayak with the paddler sitting with his legs extended forward. Fishing and kayaking is often combined. There are certain adventure parks where one can enjoy glowworm kayaking as much as one can go down a river and enjoy the wilderness and explore the region. Kayaks also prove to be useful during rescue operations in case of floods.![]()
In my opinion, this is definitely among the most adventurous activities, where it is the wave which carries the surfer towards the land. The surfer rides a surfboard. Although some surfers also practice in the river or a lake, it is best enjoyed in the ocean because of the larger waves. The different types of boards which are used in surfing are the bodyboards, paipo boards, paddle surfing, mat surfing, etc. More than one person can also ride a wave on the same board. This is called 'tandem' surfing. You will be surprised to know that surfers have also taken their pets surfing.
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This water sport can easily be practiced on any water body. There is a boat which has a cable attached to it. An individual holds the cable and is pulled by the boat. The starting point of water skiing is normally in deep waters. In the initial phase, the speed of the boat is not very high, but as soon as the skier is comfortable, the speed of the boat is increased. This sport needs two people other than the skier himself. One person rides the boat, while there is a spotter who informs the rider if the skier falls in water and if the speed of the boat has to be increased or reduced. There are different types of water skiing that are performed.![]()
White water rafting, simply referred to as rafting, is a challenging, adventurous activity. An inflatable raft is used to maneuver over rough waters. Often there are steep chutes or boulder strewn in the rivers along with the fast gush of water. No doubt, it is one of the best adventure sports. There is certain degree of danger associated for there is no time for people to prepare for any impending danger. Paddles or oars are used to maneuver the raft. A raft can be used by 4 to 12 people at a time.
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Were you not fascinated with the flight birds take as a kid? Then you can also take flight in the air with a hot air balloon ride. It has become one of the favorite recreational activities of a number of people, for they can enjoy the beauty of silence in mid-air. These rides are often peaceful and the rider does not get hit by wind, other than the time when the balloon is going up or down into different air currents. Some people choose to buy a hot air balloon for themselves, but there are others who rent the balloons and enjoy themselves. It is not uncommon to see the hot air balloons floating in the air at the crack of dawn. However, there are some people who also enjoy a ride in the evening as well.![]()
If you suffer from acrophobia, then this may not be the right adventure activity for you. In this sport, a large elastic cord is attached to the person and the person has to jump from a height. Oftentimes, a fixed tall object is used for the same; however, people also jump off a moving object. Fixed objects like a tall building, bridge, or a tall crane may be used. Likewise a person may jump off a helicopter or a hot air balloon. When the person jumps off the object, the elastic cord stretches, which causes the flier to rebound and be thrown up in air again. This process continues till the energy reduces and the person does not rebound.
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In the recent years, paragliding has become one of the favorite recreational activities for a number of people to the extent some of them have taken it up on a competitive level. The paragliding instrument is lightweight. It consists of a free-flying glider aircraft which is launched by running on an elevated structure and then taking off from the edge. You will be surprised to know that one paragliding flight can last for hours on end; however, the norm is of 1- to 2-hour flight. If the pilot is an expert, he will be able to gain height. Since it is rather easier to carry the equipment, a lot of people have taken to the sport.![]()
There are a number of names with which this sport is referred to with, like flying fox, zip wire, aerial rope slide, etc. Although initially, it was a mode of transportation between mountains or for traveling from a higher point on a mountain to the base of the mountain, it has become a popular sport in the last few years. In this sport, a person comes gliding down on a cable, which is set up on an incline. The height at which the higher end of the zipline is located may start at 30 feet and may be anywhere till 1500 feet. The gravity propels the person to slide to the other end, which is located at a lower angle.
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In this sport, one exits from an aircraft and lands on the ground with the help of a parachute. Often, there are moments of free fall before the parachute is deployed. However, if the fall is from a lower altitude, there are no moments of free fall as the parachute is deployed immediately after the fall. There are a number of people who also undertake skydiving as a competitive sport. The exit can take place either from an aircraft, a helicopter, or from a hot air balloon and from a height anywhere between 3000 to 13000 feet. Once the parachute is open, the speed and direction is controlled by the person flying.
This was a small summary of some adventurous activities. Now get ready for some heart-pumping, gut-wrenching activities to experience an ultimate epinephrine high! So what are you waiting for, just get set and go!!!
Land Adventure Activities
When you are looking for adrenaline rush along with recreation, then you may want to sample some land adventure activities like mountain biking, quad bike trails (only look simple and easy, but in reality very difficult), rock climbing (for the 'high' that it has to offer), skiing, and snowboarding (in the winter months), etc. are some of them.
Snowboarding
Mountain Biking
Rock Climbing
Quad Bike Trails
Skiing
Backpacking in Wilderness
Biking
Water Adventure Activities
There are very few people who do not enjoy themselves in water. Would it not be a great to just go to a water body and enjoy the crystal blue water? Also, as compared to the other activities, the water activities outnumber the rest. In other words, if you are bored with a certain activity, you can easily switch over to another activity. Some of the recreational activities, that can be enjoyed in water are kayaking, canoeing, surfing, scuba diving (an activity most people fall in love with), etc. Without wasting anymore time, let's turn our attention to the activities, that can be enjoyed in water.
Canoeing
Scuba Diving
Windsurfing
Sailing
Kayaking
Surfing
Water Skiing
White Water Rafting
Air Adventure Activities
Most of us fall in love with a beauty of the place after seeing it. However, would it not be great to enjoy the beauty of the place from the air. The adrenaline junkies often opine that the best way to enjoy the beauty of the place is to get a 'bird's-eye view' of the place. In other words, you will have to take up one of the air adventurous activities for the same. Let's take a look at some of the activities which you can indulge in.
Hot Air Ballooning
Bungee Jumping
Paragliding
Zipline
Skydiving