This article first appeared on iVillage.com.
By Sara Eckel
Here's a quick test: Think about the last time you saw someone battle the forces of nature - a white-water kayaker bouncing over the rapids or a snowboarder catching air in a half-pipe. Did you think,
Wow, she must be having a blast, or
Man, she's nuts?If watching daredevil feats gets your motor running, then why not join the fun? Here's a primer on extreme sports for women.
1. SkydivingNeed to get over that fight with your boyfriend or ongoing drama with your boss? Try jumping out of an airplane. Joe Tomlinson, coauthor of
Extreme Sports: In Search of the Ultimate Thrill (Firefly, 2004), believes that few things can make your petty troubles melt away like hurling yourself into the air at 15,000 feet. "When you're free-falling, everything is quiet except the rush of the wind," he says.
Adrenaline factor: Five heartbeats. Unlike other extreme sports, skydiving doesn't require years of training for you to experience the full rush. Find a certified skydiving school, and you'll be airborne in no time.
2. SurfingNothing releases your inner California girl like riding the waves. Tomlinson notes that surfing requires keen understanding of the ocean. "You have to catch the wave at the exact right time, and because every wave is different, it requires a knowledge that you only get from experience," he says.
Adrenaline factor: Three to five heartbeats, depending on your level of experience. After you've mastered the basics, just looking at a wave will give you a buzz, says Tomlinson. Until then, patience is required. "Everyone is a 'kook' [surf term for people who don't know what they're doing] in the beginning. So don't feel bad about the fact that you stink," he says.
3. Bungee jumpingSkydiving not terrifying enough for you? Why not jump off a cliff headfirst with your ankles strapped together! Extreme-sports enthusiast Jackie Fritz admits that she was pretty scared before she jumped, but it was worth it. "It was life changing. I tested myself and conquered my fears. Now, when I'm tested in life, I often think back to that moment, and it helps me to get over most every obstacle," she says. Of course, make sure you take the plunge with a reliable adventure company and up-to-date equipment.
Adrenaline factor: Five heartbeats. Cuz you're jumping off a frickin' cliff! 'Nuff said.
4. Rock climbingIf climbing a vertical sheet of rock while tethered to another human being makes your heart go pitty-pat, then this could be the sport for you.
Adrenaline factor: Two to five heartbeats, depending on the level of difficulty. Beginners' routes, rated 5.8 and below, are great for a light climb with friends. On advanced routes, you'll be relying on your rope and partner a little more.
5. Mountain bikingFor those who'd prefer to get familiar with a sport before trying to amaze their friends with death-defying feats, mountain biking is great. "It can be as easy as a gentle ride through the woods or as challenging as riding a single track [a rut usually no wider than your bicycle tire] in extreme terrain," says Tomlinson. And you can do it anywhere. There are even urban mountain bikes that will enable you to show those potholes who's boss.
Adrenaline factor: Two to four heartbeats, depending on how often you fly over your handlebars and hit dirt, gravel or, yes, even rock. Ah, the ecstasy of the agony.
6. White-water kayakingIf you're looking for chills and thrills, try riding the rapids in a kayak. "It's a great adrenaline rush, especially running waterfalls. The feeling of dropping off the edge can be thrilling and terrifying at the same time," says Anna Levesque, kayak instructor and bronze medalist at the 2001 Freestyle Kayaking World Championship.
Adrenaline factor: Three to four heartbeats. "You don't have to be a daredevil to enjoy the river," says Levesque, who notes that her students begin on easier rapids.
7. WindsurfingOnce you master the fine art of skimming the waves while navigating with a sail, you'll feel like quite the rock star. Like sailing, windsurfing requires a keen understanding of wind patterns, which means it helps to have a good aptitude for geometry and physics. So if you slept through these classes in high school, you might want to consider something else.
Adrenaline factor: Three heartbeats. "In the beginning you're happy just to get on a board. But I got to the point where if the winds weren't blowing at 18 knots (that's over 20 miles an hour, yo) it wasn't fun anymore," says Tomlinson.
8. SnowboardingIf you're a hip chick (extra credit if your name is Betty) who likes skateboarding or surfing, snowboarding is definitely the winter sport for you. But before you start carving up the mountain, Tomlinson says it's important to get the proper gear: helmet, kneepads, wrist guard, butt pads. "The first day is brutal, but it's worth it. There's a lot of impact, and without the proper gear, it causes problems." He also recommends that you start on a day when the weather is mild and the trail is freshly groomed. "Don't start on a 20-below-zero day where it's icy," he says.
Adrenaline factor: Three to four heartbeats. Take a lesson, and don't forget the padding. You will be spending that first day on your ass.
9. WakeboardingIf your hometown is far from mountains, rivers or oceans, never fear. A lake is all it takes to go wakeboarding. (And if you don't have a lake nearby, girl, you've got to move!) As with waterskiing, you're pulled by a powerboat and ride the wake, but you have a single board, similar to a snowboard. As you progress, you'll be able to wow the crowds with jumps, flips and other tricks. But, initially, just staying upright will be challenge enough.
Adrenaline factor: Two to four heartbeats. Look who's walking on water now.
10. Scuba divingMany people learn to scuba dive on vacation, since you can learn the basics relatively quickly: Take a class in a pool in the morning, and go out on a dive in the afternoon. But just because your instructor is standing next to the piña colada hut doesn't mean this should be taken lightly, as the sport can be quite dangerous. But if you take proper precautions with a certified instructor, you're in for an incredible experience. "It's amazing walking in a place where man is not supposed to walk and seeing the world from a completely different perspective," says Fritz.
Adrenaline factor: Two heartbeats. This is a peaceful sport, with a different kind of buzz. Of course, it may take awhile for you to find the rush that's right for you, but it's well worth the effort. "When you're really dialed in, things move slowly," says Tomlinson. "You hit that Zen place and everything just comes into focus. It's just about being alive."
Editor's Note:Sara Eckel is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in many national publications and Websites, including
Glamour,
Self and
Nerve.