Adrenaline RUSH: the 10 SCARIEST sports on the planet

From surfing huge waves to boarding down active volcanoes, these are just some of the scariest sports on the planet.

When choosing a sport as a hobby, sometimes it’s not enough to enjoy some healthy competition or an active pastime. Sometimes, a huge adrenaline rush is needed. These incredibly extreme sports provide just that, but they are not for the faint-hearted and require great skill.

So, let’s check out the ten scariest sports on the planet – from BASE jumping and wingsuit flying to volcano boarding and heliskiing – which are catered to the bold and the brave in search of an adrenaline rush.

10. Free solo climbing – one of the scariest sports on the planet

While rock climbing has become increasingly popular over the years as a hobby, free solo climbing takes things to a whole other level – a scarier one.

This sport aims to rock climb without using safety equipment, which seems terrifying. Yet, it is a sport many adrenaline seekers are undertaking, relying solely on their skills and physical abilities to conquer challenging routes.

9. Wingsuit flying – an exhilarating experience

Those scared of heights will undoubtedly want to miss this one since it requires you to glide through the air like a bird while putting all your trust in a wingsuit.

This high-risk sport offers an exhilarating experience and panoramic views. It makes skydiving or bungee jumping look like child’s play.

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8. Big wave surfing – not for the faint-hearted

You might wonder what is considered ‘big wave surfing’. This sport sees surfers take on waves that tower over 20 ft (6m) or more, which might seem ludicrous.

For years, surfers have travelled the world seeking out places to face the immense power of the ocean. Notable spots in Portugal, Hawaii, Ireland, and Polynesia are among the most famous.

7. Bull riding – a controversial sport

This controversial high-risk sport is a rodeo sport which sees riders get on a bucking bull and attempt to stay on while the bull fights to throw them off.

American bull riding has been called ‘the most dangerous eight seconds in sport’ for great reason, and various rules and traditions exist across Latin America and Europe.

6. High lining – a daredevil sport

So, you’ve heard of slacklining, but have you heard of highlining? This is one of the scariest sports on the planet, and it takes slacklining to a whole other level, requiring participants to walk across scarily thin lines suspended between skyscrapers or similar heights.

The lack of a safety harness adds a nerve-wracking element to the daredevil sport.

5. Street luge – a need for speed

This gravity-powered sport might seem less scary because it doesn’t require being suspended at incredible heights, but it involves astonishing speeds. Participants in street luge must sit on a sledge-like board and race down steep roads with minimal protection.

Since you are just inches from the ground, you risk losing control and being badly injured.

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4. Heliskiing – for the fearless skiers

While skiing is a popular sport worldwide, some daredevil skiers have taken things up a notch with heliskiing, a sport which sees people being dropped from a helicopter onto remote, untouched mountain slopes.

Skiers must then navigate this challenging and avalanche-prone terrain, making this a sport only for highly skilled and fearless skiers who seek the ultimate off-the-beaten-path thrill.

3. Volcano boarding – high speeds on active volcanoes

Yes, volcano boarding is a sport, and it is one of the scariest sports on the planet, considering how volatile many volcanoes are. The exhilarating sport involves the slopes of active – yes, active – volcanoes on a specialised board, reaching speeds of up to 80 kph (50 mph).

This is undoubtedly a sport for fearless adventurers with the potential exposure to toxic gases and the risk of an eruption.

2. Cave diving – a risk of underwater entrapment

Cave diving is not for you if you fear the dark, deep water or small spaces. This extreme sport can be fascinating for some, but for others, it can be the scariest sport on the planet since it involves discovering underground cave systems in complete darkness.

Divers face potential entrapment and running out of air, which makes it a hazardous and demanding sport.

1. BASE jumping – one of the most dangerous activities

BASE jumping has to be one of the scariest sports on the planet, and even watching it on TV makes many of us hold our breath.

This hazardous sport sees fearless participants jumping off fixed objects like cliffs, buildings, or bridges using parachutes to break their fall, making it an adrenaline-pumping activity that is certainly not for everyone, especially anyone with a fear of heights.

These are just some of the scariest sports on the planet, and while they might seem outrageous to many of us, they are among the most popular among thrill seekers worldwide. Would you give them a try?

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