| One of the hottest new extreme sports is called | | | | similar to paddling in that it's many competitors' |
| adventure racing. Far from being a sport with one set | | | | weakest skill. |
| of rules, it features a variety of competitions like an | | | | The next is Hiking or Scrambling which is held on any |
| Extreme version of the Olympics. The name tells you | | | | and every terrain and in any kind of weather. These |
| all you need to know about the makeup of the sport: | | | | competitions often start with a run from an easy |
| it's all about competing and winning. Whoever crosses | | | | starting point to and through tricky terrain which |
| the finish line first wins. Be forewarned! The | | | | requires hiking and scrambling. FYI: scrambling is |
| combination of a highly competitive sport matched | | | | climbing difficult terrain without ropes and using only |
| with the extreme sports makes for an adrenaline | | | | your hands for balance. You can't grab things to pull |
| rushing experience. | | | | yourself up. We've all paddled a canoe, rowboat, or |
| As a touch of information to those of you who are | | | | kayak, but it's usually across a pool, a gentle lake or |
| new to the thought of extreme sports: competing in | | | | a calm bay. Adventure racers paddle in all water and |
| an extreme sport isn't about having a some kind of | | | | weather conditions. Being good at paddling in all |
| death wish or enjoying getting hurt, or even a desire | | | | conditions is a huge advantage in adventure racing |
| to take crazy and outlandish chances. Extreme sports | | | | because for many adventure racers it's their |
| competition is all about challenging yourself to beat | | | | weakest event. |
| the odds, no matter what. It's about achieving a level | | | | Many races will include a climbing or rappelling element. |
| of focus and determination, which results in | | | | This is an important event to practice so you can |
| accomplishments you had previously doubted yourself | | | | stay safe and be fast. You need to buy lightweight |
| capable of. Several sports "officially" qualify as | | | | climbing gear and only bring what is absolutely |
| adventure racing. We'll take a look at some of them. | | | | necessary so you don't weigh yourself down |
| Many of these races can be quite long and involve | | | | needlessly. |
| training as rigorous as marathon or triathlon training | | | | Most people think that for a mountain bike race you |
| and in fact many of the athletes cross-train in other | | | | should get rid of the extra weight like the headlight. |
| sports. Adventure races often have an element | | | | This is a bad idea in the world of adventure racing |
| where navigation is a stand-alone event, but even | | | | because there's a good chance you'll be racing at |
| where it's not it's still an important component in | | | | night. A good idea is to employ a powerful lightweight |
| every event. Navigation is all about your ability to | | | | headlamp with high and low settings. Tip: everyone |
| read a topographical map, use a compass, and find a | | | | on your team should have the same bike so you can |
| target location before your competitors. Again, this is | | | | swap parts when necessary, which can be often. |