5 Best Places in the World to Go for Your Extreme Sports Addiction

Sliding down a snow-covered slope while standing on a snowboard is some people’s idea of a good time. Others like to jump off a cliff in a wingsuit and fly around for some time before opening a parachute and – hopefully – gliding gently to the ground.

No matter the reasons you enjoy extreme sports, if you are part of this group, you’ve probably done your fair share of adrenaline-fueled activities. But there are some places around the world that can give you an experience like no other. Here are five places in the world to go for your extreme sports addiction.

1. Southern Alps, New Zealand: Heli-skiing

If you are bored of the regular slopes, want to explore uncharted snow or need some serious space to yourself, then heli-skiing may be for you.

New Zealand is one of the top destinations in the world for sports enthusiasts. The Southern Alps are not only a perfect spot for heli-skiing but are just plain gorgeous. With access to over 3,100 square miles across eleven different mountain ranges, skiers here don’t need to be professionals to try out the extreme adventure.

2. Taupo, New Zealand: Skydiving

New Zealand is a ground zero for extreme sports and perhaps the top country in the world for skydiving. The country has plenty of beautiful drop zones that you may want to try out. A consistent favorite here is New Zealand’s largest lake, Great Lake Taupo.

During the skydiving experience, you get to jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet (65 seconds of freefall) or 12,000 feet (45 seconds of freefall). Freefalling over the lake offers stunning views of the blue waters of Lake Taupo as well as the snow-capped volcanic peaks of the Tongariro National Park.

Great Lake Taupo is undoubtedly one of the gorgeous drop zones in the world as it hosts about 30,000 skydives every year. In addition to skydiving, Lake Taupo is a great spot for whitewater rafting, fishing, snowboarding, water skiing and bungee jumping.

3. Kjerag Mountain, Norway: Wingsuit Base Jumping

Popularized by Angelina Jolie in the 2001 action-adventure film, Tomb Raider, wingsuit base jumping is the ultimate thrill. This kind of extreme sporting involves jumping off a giant cliff, gliding into the air with the help of a winged bird-like suit.

Jumping off a 3,228-foot cliff is not for the weak-hearted, things can get very scary! Only the most experienced skydivers should try this sport. As a matter of fact, it is recommended that skydivers have at least 200 free fall sky dives under their belt before taking the plunge.

4. Paulo Afonso, Brazil: Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping is an exceptional and classic sport for thrill seekers. One of the notable places to go bungee jumping is at the Dom Pedro II Bridge. Located on the Sao Francisco River in Paulo Afonso City in Bahia, the bridge is 85 meters high making it a perfect spot for spectacular jumps. Over the past six years, adventure seekers have traveled to this adrenaline mecca for the thrill of their lives. In addition to bungee jumping, the site is ideal for ziplining and other activities.

Sportsman Ruy Fernandes praises Paulo Afonso as being the best bungee jumping spot in Brazil. The sportsman travels to the city of Paulo Afonso four times a year to bungee jump.

5. Hollywood Sports, California: Paintball

Hollywood Sports (Real Life Movie Props) is a great paintball center that will undoubtedly make you feel like an action movie star. The center has been used as a hot spot for paintballing for over a decade now. It is located in Bellflower City in Los Angeles and is spread over 28 acres.

The idea behind the Hollywood Sports is simple yet interesting. The paintball arenas are built of actual movie sets such as The Haunting, Godzilla, Starship Troopers, Mad Max, and Supernova to name a few. It also has multiple sporting venues that have different themes. These themes are aimed at helping the players to mark their territories during the game.

The complex has also become a celebrity destination in Los Angeles with celebrities like David Beckham, Kobe Bryant, and Justin Bieber all having been to the paintball center. Therefore, if you want to feed your addiction as well as get a memorable paintballing experience, Hollywood Sports is a go-to place.

Conclusion

People engage in extreme sports for different reasons. For some people, it is for pure fun, while for others, it is about testing the limits of what’s humanly possible. Whatever your reason for indulging in the sports, always remember that your safety comes first.

Author Bio: Amanda Wilks is a professional writer, a paintball guns reviewer for The Paintball Professor and an avid paintball player. As an adrenaline junkie, she is passionate about extreme sports and never misses a chance to try something new. Visit Amanda’s Twitter for more of her writings.