Experiences of Participants in the Three Extreme Sports - Coursework Example

Compare and contrast the experiences of participants in the following three extreme sports - skydiving, tow surfing, street luge. Sports that take the participants to ‘extreme’ measures are called extreme sports and include skateboarding, snowboarding, in-line skating, sky-surfing, wakeboarding, and stunt bicycling, mountain biking, tow surfing or street luge. Such sports are thrilling, full of danger to limb and life, and involve airborne stunts and tricks. Today the extreme sports also include such sports which offer adrenaline rush to the participant. In fact anything that is a variation of safer sport and performed at a greater level of difficulty, is called extreme sports. This paper will discuss the experiences and dangers of three such extreme sports namely, skydiving, tow surfing and street luge. While experiences of all the three sports differ, they are governed by the same risk and safety factors. Appleton (2005) feels extreme sports are an antidote to our safety-first, shrink-wrapped world. They help one to carve his/her own path. According to Shane Murphy, a sports psychologist and professor at Western Connecticut State University, Olympians redefine risk according to their skills, experience, and environment (cited by Handwerk, 2004). People from Korea, Brazil, Thailand, Taiwan, and Canada alike, agree that those who indulge in extreme sports have something in common – they enjoy the thrill and excitement (TOPICS). Adventure is like an addiction and the rush of adrenaline coerces them towards this adventure. The fear is only for the first time after which is just the excitement. To one huddled inside a small aluminum basket, attached to a paper-thin helium balloon inflated to the size of a football stadium, from a height of 25 miles above the ground, the earth is like a blue and green gumball. The mission is to land on the gumball. The skydiver is unsure whether he would hit the ground alive when his body tears through clouds like a human torpedo, within 60 seconds of the leap, with speeds touching 900 miles per hour. How does one feel at this moment? Dyer (2002) explains breathing becomes a problem at height greater than 4 km. As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, and every breath contains fewer gas molecules. symptoms of oxygen starvation, such as blurry vision, can appear at altitudes as low as 1.5 km (0.9 mi).The survival plans of Cheryl Stearns, a passionate skydiver, is the suit which is like a wearable spaceship. It provides the creature comforts like the heating and air-conditioning, a steady flow of oxygen and protection from cosmic rays from the stars and the sun. Fewer air molecules means less matter and hence even at a speed of 900 mph she only feels it is 150 mph as the air is thin. When the speed comes down to 300 mph, her suit depressurizes. After that, she shifts the body to a belly-to-earth skydiving position. Dangers of physical injury cannot be ignored or overlooked. A friend of Stearns became partially paralyzed while skydiving from the stratosphere. Tandem skydiving is safer as the diver is attached to the instructor. First time skydivers try to hide their nervousness behind laughter as Clash (2003) describes on his first attempt at tandem skydiving. The fear grips the person as the wind changes direction and hurtles you downwards. Hence, to avoid the fear one tries to concentrate on something else. The face distorts, and the cheeks begin to flap once you reach a speed of 120 mph. There are others who turn to the lord, as did a co-diver with Clash. Stearns on the other hand, finds it fun and challenging to use the power of the air to control her body. Fear teaches one to respect it and pay heed to it. She explains there is sensory load when you first start jumping. While skydiving is an experience to dive down towards earth, tow surfing open up the possibilities to ride waves the height of a large apartment building. You fall from a height in skydiving and in tow surfing you remain under water for at least 30 seconds, says Ken Bradshaw, a surfing legend (cited by Clash). Bradshaw set a world record for surfing 85 to 90 feet wave. The wave runner travels at a speed of 30 mph against the drop from the parachute, which can be as high as 900 mph. The skydivers travel through nothingness and have to keep their mind focused on something to avoid feeling scared; the surfers play in the waves amidst pelicans, dolphins, whales, and seagulls. The Willis brothers (Art 10,2002), who have been the pioneers in tow surfing, state that human beings have a lot to learn from how the pelicans co-operate, live together, and take turns leading. They further claim, surfers come in all ages, shapes, sizes, color, religions and gender held together by the surfing spirit that knows no boundaries (Art 4, 2002). In tow surfing, the surfer “water-skis" his board behind a high-speed tow vehicle. Tow surfing a big wave is safer than paddle surfing as the giant wave subsides while in deep water. There is a lot of noise and pollution due to the gasoline-powered craft. Tow surfing is done on waves which are too large to paddle but tow surfers should have paddle surfing experience. Tow surfing too is not without risks and can even cause death. Individuals are not encouraged to venture alone or even without informing the harbor master. Serious injury like loss of breath, drowning, hyperventilating, choking, vomiting, loss of blood, extreme headaches, loss of vision are possible in this sport (Towsurfer). Boating disasters and shark attacks are not uncommon either. Women participate equally enthusiastically in this sport as six-time world champion Beachley observes there is so much depth of talent within the women’s surfing field (Samsung). Streetluging too has acquired a place in extreme sport history. It is a gravity powered sport which has its own thrills of motor racing. Steering is through weight transfer, that is through leaning while boots are used as brakes. The streetluge is a long vehicle, up to 8.5 feet long and is operated in a laid back position. It is built like a skateboard with wheels, the pilots are clad in motorcycle helmets and wear full leather suits. Even at a speed of 25 mph it is thrilling and one can go up to 80 mph. This sport promotes group interaction and team support. World Street Luge Champion, Pete Eliot explains it is exciting because one is just inches above the road (OSF). This heightens the impression of speed enormously. It is well suited to long, smooth, fast hills. The ability and agility to overtake another rider adds to the thrill and excitement. The luger makes the luges to his own specifications although a few manufacturers have sprung up. A poorly designed craft can be dangerous. Street luge too is an international sport where several countries participate in international tournaments. Competition becomes a little difficult, as there is no organized body or structured format to set rules. As in skydiving and tow surfing, the luger too has to become one with the equipment. Gravity does the work as the luger lies on his back. World-class street luger Jarrett "Dr. Go Fast" Ewanek, says each moment is full of fear. Nalewak (1999) describes the perils saying any moment one should be prepared for an ill-placed rock, or a slick of sand threaten to send vehicle and rider into a tumultuous and perilous spin-out. The only sound one can hear is the wind screaming and the racing of the heart. Vision is blurred due to the high speed at which one travels. The three extreme sports – one diving from the atmosphere, anther riding the earth’s surface, and the third braving the waves – all share the same thrill and excitement. The internal feelings of the athletes in the three events too are the same – to escape fear they either prepare themselves mentally or divert their attention elsewhere. The vision is blurred in all three cases and the mind becomes blank. No thoughts pervade the mind. The dangers in all the cases can range from simple to extreme cases of physical injury or even death. These sports know no barriers and are equally popular in several countries. In fact, there are international events with participation from several countries. It is beyond gender and beyond age. While tow surfing board is gasoline powered, luging board is gravity powered, skydiving requires the right suit like a spaceship equipped with oxygen and other contingencies. The thrill brings back the athletes even after physical injury. Extreme sports of any kind teach humanity to respect fear. Most athletes indulge in it for the pleasure that they derive from it. Extreme sports have become so popular that there are several TV channels dedicated to this sport. Despite the dangers and the risks, extreme sports have been around for a long time and are here to stay. References: Appleton, J (2005), Whats so extreme about extreme sports? 24 February 2006 Clash, James M. "Take A Leap.(skydiving)." Forbes 172.12 (Dec 8, 2003): 280. British Council Journals Database. Thomson Gale. British Council - India. 24 February 2006 DiGregorio, Barry E. "New Scientist" 180.2426-2428 (Dec 20, 2003): p76(4). British Council Journals Database. Thomson Gale. British Council - India. 24 February 2006 Dyer, N. "Science World" 58.12 (March 25, 2002): p8(6). British Council Journals Database. Thomson Gale. British Council - India. 24 February 2006 Handwerk, B (2004), Fear Factor: Success and Risk in Extreme Sports, 24 February 2006 Nalewak L (1999), Doc Go-Fast, Adventure Time, 25 February 2006 Roxy Pro (2006), Samsung, 25 February 2006 The Oxford Stunt Factory (OSF), 25 February 2006 TOPICS Online Magazine (2004), Why Do People Like to Take Risks? 24 February 2006 Towsurfer.com (2002), 25 February 2006 Willis Brothers (2002), Aquatic Close Encounters, 25 February 2006 Willis Brothers (2002), Winning with Waves, 25 February 2006 Read More