Extreme tourism

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Extreme tourism brings together the most specialized form of tourist activities. In contented societies, living in concrete and asphalt landscape, people began to look for the possibility of letting off steam in nature and rebound stress. they adore risks and madness. Walkers attempt to overcome the one-off 100 km and more, kayakers floating down from the mountains rushing rivers, the riders are pushing the peaks of mountain paths, skiers come to ski on high peaks on snowmobile untouched snow cover.

Causes of extreme tourism interest

Fig.1. Place of extreme tourism among other types of tourism

Increasingly popular among young people becomes sports at increased risk, called extreme sports. These are sports whose practice requires extraordinary skill and courage to bear high risk, and also very often a threat to life. Sports with an increased risk, are all involving outside routes or areas not prepared for regular sport activity. Extreme sports include, in particular: base jumping, caving, air sports, mountain biking, motocross, riding on jet skis, motorboat racing, or high mountain climbing.

Rafting on rushing mountain river, jump rope, or other extreme sports require a lot of courage. However, there are people who can not live without extreme experiences, and practicing such sports gives meaning to their lives. It may be due to the fact that when someone tries once, it is difficult to stop because of excitement and elevated adrenaline level.

Extreme water tourism activities

  • Canyoning - is a field invented by tourists practicing mountaineering, canoeing, climbing and cave exploration. It involves long hours of arduous climbing with sophisticated hardware for runoff narrow, steep gorges of mountain rivers.

to the pond located at the foot of the hill. Along the way they must steer clear of stones and boulders sticking out towards them.

  • Hydrospeeding - based on overcoming mountain rivers with the flow on a small plastic board, in an appropriate protective attire (neoprene suit, helmet, flippers, protectors on the knees and elbows).
  • Canoe Slalom - grown on rushing mountain rivers.
  • Freediving - breath-hold diving
  • Diving - free diving and snorkeling includes scuba diving underwater on apnea from 50m to 100-800m, spearfishing, underwater navigation on the route, as well as underwater team games.

Underwater tourism are performed in the following forms:

  • diving breath-hold:
    • deep diving,
    • spearfishing
  • free swimming using diving duit:
    • wreck exploration
    • cave diving,
    • under ice diving,
    • night diving.
  • Kiteboarding - which is the kind of gliding on the surfboard after jumping from airplane

often with aerobatics, and parachute landing.

  • Wakeboarding - involving gliding and surfing after motorboat,
  • Windsurfing - gliding on special board with a sail.

Extreme tourism on land

  • Adventure racing - usually a form of long-distance run on orientation (from several to several hundred kilometers), combining trekking, mountain biking, swimming and ski running.
  • Climbing - the movement of the ground so steep that it requires use of hands to maintain balance. There are many types of climbing, including climbing on rocks several meters high (bouldering) and climbing to more than eight thousand peaks in Himalayas. It is performed using natural features of rock and terrain. Climbing equipment is only used for belaying in the event of a fall. There is also solo climb, which does not use any belaying or protective equipment.
  • Caving - involves the examination and exploration of caves and spelunking. Most are performed in hard to access and dangerous places. In many caves are present narrow straits, traps, cliffs, places, threatening to collapse and falls off the rocks.
  • Base jumping - which is kind of parachuting from buildings, antenna masts, bridges and rocks, the acronym "BASE" is derived from: Building, Antenna, Span, Earth.
  • Bungejumping - jumping from high places on the rubber tied to the legs, for example.

bridges, brackets, structures, rock cliffs.

  • Jumping dream - the essence of which is the zip on line between two tall buildings, rocks, or over the ravine.
  • Mountain biking - on marked trails and bike paths, forest roads and off-road, for example: downhill.
  • Motocross - a form of motorcycle racing performed on special tracks. Motocross tracks are usually intentionally piled up with sand, clay or mud.
  • Parkour - involves overcoming urban obstacles in an effective way.
  • Mountainboarding - which involves riding down the steep slope, on a board with wheels.
  • Paintball - an outdoor war game, using specially designed air gun, sling bullets with paint.
  • Streetluge - which is a fast descent on a trolley with wheels on the steep and winding asphalt roads.
  • Ski alpinism - which combines mountain downhill skiing, climbing and hiking mountain in winter and skiing, requires great physical, fitness, knowledge of the specificities of mountains, climbing skills and sophisticated equipment.

Extreme air tourism

  • Paragliding - sport and a form of recreation which consists of flying with a paraglider. Is one of the most popular aviation sports.
  • Skydiving with parachute - sport involving the performance of jumps,

in which - depending on the discipline - is assessed component of stroke, e.g. to perform acrobatics in free fall, performing acrobatics in the open canopy or precision landing

  • Skysurfing - skydiving on a snowboard.
  • Hang gliding - is a form of flying with the glider, which wing is stretched on the aluminum or plastic rack. By using internal combustion engine hang gliding becomes motor gliding.

Examples of Extreme tourism

  • Heliskiing: Heliskiing is an extreme form of skiing that involves the use of a helicopter to reach remote and difficult to access mountain peaks and slopes. This activity is popular among experienced skiers who want to explore untouched, virgin snow. The skier is dropped off at the peak of the mountain and can then ski down the slopes as they please. Heliskiing can be done in many parts of the world, including Alaska, Canada, Europe, Russia, and several other countries.
  • Base jumping: Base jumping is a form of extreme sport where individuals jump off a cliff, bridge or other high structure, using a parachute or wingsuit to slow their descent. It is considered one of the most dangerous extreme sports, as the margin for error is extremely small and the consequences of a mistake can be fatal. Base jumping is illegal in many countries, but it is still popular in some areas.
  • Canyoning: Canyoning is an extreme form of adventure tourism where participants explore and traverse canyons and rivers using a variety of techniques such as climbing, rappelling, swimming and jumping. Canyoning is a popular activity in many parts of the world, including Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia. It is a great way to explore and experience the beauty of nature.
  • Ice climbing: Ice climbing is a form of climbing that involves scaling icy or frozen cliffs, rocks and other surfaces. It is a very challenging and dangerous form of extreme sport that requires a high level of skill, expertise and physical fitness. Ice climbing is popular in many areas of the world, including Canada, Iceland and the Alps.

Advantages of Extreme tourism

Extreme tourism has many advantages for people seeking a thrill. It can help to relieve stress, build confidence, and encourage physical activity. Moreover, it provides a great opportunity to explore and experience new cultures, places, and activities. Here are the main advantages of extreme tourism:

  • It helps to relieve stress and provides an effective way to relieve boredom. It gives people a chance to escape their daily routine and explore the world.
  • It builds confidence and encourages people to take risks and push their physical boundaries. It gives them a chance to challenge themselves and gain new skills.
  • It encourages physical activity and helps to keep people in shape. It also promotes physical and mental health by providing a great way to stay active and explore different places.
  • It provides an opportunity to explore and experience new cultures, places, and activities. It gives people the chance to learn about other cultures and traditions and see the world in a different way.

Limitations of Extreme tourism

  • One of the main limitations of extreme tourism is the potential danger. Extreme activities often involve a high level of risk, and the possibility of serious injury or even death if not undertaken correctly. There is also the cost associated with these activities, as they often require high-end equipment, or the hiring of an experienced guide.
  • Another limitation is the physical and mental preparation needed to successfully complete the activity. Many extreme sports require extreme levels of endurance, strength and agility. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, individuals must be able to cope with the physical demands of the activity.
  • Accessibility is another limitation of extreme tourism. Many extreme activities take place in remote and difficult to reach areas, so even getting to the location can be a challenge. This can limit the number of people who can take part in the activity.
  • Time is also a factor. Many extreme activities require hours, days or even weeks of preparation and training, which can be difficult to fit into people’s busy lives.
  • Finally, extreme activities can also be expensive, as they often require specialist equipment and professional guides.

Other approaches related to Extreme tourism

Extreme tourism includes a wide range of activities that are not commonly experienced in day-to-day life. These activities typically involve some degree of risk and often require specialized equipment and knowledge in order to be undertaken safely. Some of the most extreme activities in this regard include:

  • Bungee jumping: A high-adrenaline activity involving leaping from a high platform and being suspended by an elastic rope.
  • Skydiving: Involves jumping from an aircraft and using a parachute to slow the descent.
  • Zorbing: Rolling downhill in a transparent ball.
  • White-water rafting: Navigating down a river in an inflatable raft.
  • Canyoning: Descending down a ravine or gorge, usually using rope and/or a harness.
  • Cave exploration: Exploring and discovering hidden caves and underground caverns.

In summary, extreme tourism encompasses a wide range of activities that involve some degree of risk and typically require specialized equipment and knowledge in order to be undertaken safely. These activities can range from bungee jumping and skydiving to zorbing and white-water rafting.


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