If you enjoy adrenaline rushes or thrilling adventures, then adventure sports could just be what the doctor ordered. Whether it's climbing the face of a mountain, jumping off a bridge, diving to see sharks or navigating through treacherous rapids, there is an adventure around most corners.
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is the sport of navigating on rivers in an inflatable raft. Usually several people are in the raft, and each uses a paddle to help navigate. The categorization of rapids into six classes according to order of difficulty guides which whitewater experience is appropriate to attempt. Level I rapids, which are small, easy waves with no obstacles, do not require a guide. Level VI rapids are unrunnable waves that can be deadly, including waterfalls. If you are thinking about organizing a rafting adventure but don't know where to go, websites like raftingamerica.com are helpful resources.
Rock Climbing
If you aren't afraid of heights, rock climbing could be the adventure sport for you. The many types of rock climbing include free, trad, aid, solo, ice and mountain. Before you set out to climb, you'll need certain equipment. Carabiners connect your rope and your harness; the harness is needed to hold you up while you are climbing. Also critical are belay devices, used by climbers to feed the rope to one another. Climbing shoes made of vulcanized rubber, gloves and a helmet are also necessary equipment for climbing adventures.
Bungee Jumping
Bungee jumping is the sport of jumping from tall structures such as bridges, buildings and towers with an elastic cord tied around your ankle. With the cord secured to the structure, bungee jumping gives you a sense of free falling until the cord reaches its end and snaps you back toward the top of the structure. The highest structure in the world for bungee jumping is China's Macau Tower, the launching pad for world-record drops. For bungee jumpers in the United States, a popular place is Bungee America, located in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles, California.
Deep Sea Diving
Special equipment and certifications are required before you can deep sea dive. Because of the pressure deep water can place on the human body, prospective divers must take classes offered by a certified scuba diving organization. They attend classroom sessions and practice in confined and then open water; they learn to use diving equipment and dive safely and effectively at various depths. Most beginners are limited to diving more than 130 feet. Basic equipment includes a mask, air tank, dry suit, gloves and flippers.
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