After a while of exploring fun activities the world has to offer, we can’t help but try to look into something a little more exciting.
This is when people start to turn to extreme sports, one that can get our heartbeat immediately pumping fast, to feel the rush of adrenaline as we partake in the activity.
But what exactly are extreme sports? Why are we addicted to extreme sports? Read more to find out the reason, as well as some extreme sports recommendations to try in Indonesia!
What Are Extreme Sports?
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Extreme sport in itself is a type of sport involving great speed, height, and high level of risk. Though the definition of “extreme” may differ from person-to-person, other characteristics you may find are their almost exclusively younger demographic and solitary nature.
It’s still unclear when the term extreme sports was first used, but extreme sports first gained popularity in the 1990s as a marketing gimmick picked up by various companies to promote the X Games.
Not long after that, the term became more popular after the establishment of Extreme Sports Channel and Extreme International.
To qualify for extreme sports, both expression terms “extreme” and “sport” need to be fulfilled. That’s why the activity requires skills and high risk.
Some most commonly known activities include quad biking, rock climbing, scuba diving, and many others.
Read Also: 5 Skydiving Places in Indonesia That Take Your Breath Away
Reasons Why We Are Addicted to Extreme Sports
Once you get into extreme sports, you won’t be able to go back. This addiction isn’t a mere sign of boredom. In fact, it has scientific and biological explanations behind it.
Here are two leading theories behind the question of why we are addicted to extreme sports:
1. Hormones
When we are getting ready to do something extreme, it’s likely that we are feeling scared, whether it be fear of heights or fear of failing.
Our body is forced to go into fight instinct. The hormone adrenaline releases, helping reduce the fear and prepare our body in facing external threats. It also improves our respiratory capacity, strength, and speed.
After that, the brain’s amygdala releases a large amount of dopamine and endorphins—the two hormones closely linked to feelings of pleasure—to overcome that feeling of fear.
This stimulus is what makes people come back to extreme sports. By partaking in risky activities, it gives people exactly what they need: momentary feelings of euphoria.
2. Brain’s Reward System
According to a study by the Queensland University of Technology, researchers have found that the brain has a reward system in place.
For some people, overcoming the fear of extreme sports is somewhat a meaningful and constructive experience that leaves a positive experience.
For example, after paragliding for the first time, you might feel a sense of accomplishment. You no longer feel the initial fear of heights, but instead remember your bravery and the beautiful view from up above.
Read Also: Dare to Try: X Heart-Pumping Extreme Sports in Bali
5 Extreme Sports and Other Adrenaline-Pumping Activities You Can Try in Indonesia
There are many types of extreme sports that you can try when visiting Indonesia. Get your dose of adrenaline with these activities:
1. Surfing
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Surfing is a type of water sport in which someone uses a board to ride on a moving wave of water in the sea.
This type of sport can be categorized as extreme sports in challenging circumstances where the waves and current are stronger.
Being an archipelago country, Indonesia has numerous beautiful beaches you can surf in. The most popular surfing spots are located in Bali and Sumba.
2. Flyboarding
Photo: Morteza F.Shojaei via Unsplash
Fly around like Iron Man by flyboarding! You’ll be asked to wear boots attached to a flyboard, which has a hose connected to a motor that will eject high-pressure water and send you flying into the air.
This activity can usually be found on Indonesian beaches. Among them, Nusa Dua Beach is perhaps the most notable one.
Don’t worry about falling, as you’ll be given instructions on how to operate it and equipped with a life jacket.
Read Also: How to Cure Burnout and Start Enjoying Your Life Again
3. Rock Climbing
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Aside from its many beaches, Indonesia also has plenty of grand mountains you can explore. One of them is Harau Valley in West Sumatra, a paradise for rock climbers that offers beautiful scenery and challenging hills to climb on.
4. Mountain Biking
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You’ve heard of biking, an activity of leisure. But if you like biking and are looking for something a little more challenging, then you can look into mountain biking instead.
As for the place, there’s Klangon Hill Yogyakarta that offers a fulfilling mountain biking experience. Here, you can ride through the rough hills and marvel in the view of its lush forests.
Read Also: Where to Stay For Your Next Bali Glamping Trip
5. Skydiving
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For the ultimate challenging experience, you can also try out skydiving. This activity requires you to jump off an airplane—like in action movies!—and use a parachute to slow down your descent to the ground.
You don’t have to immediately get on a plane to skydive, though. For beginners, you can try out an indoor skydiving experience at Trans Studio Bali iFly, where you’ll be able to float in a specially designed anti-gravity wind tunnel.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be ready for a more advanced experience!
Enjoy the Lush Balinese Nature at Bobocabin Ubud
After an entire day of adrenaline-pumping activities, be sure to sit back and enjoy the beauty of Mount Batur and the green rice field at Bobocabin Ubud.
Give yourself some privacy with our smart window, adjust the lighting to enhance your comfort, and put on some music for a great ambience—all within your fingertips.
Feeling like grilling? Go make some BBQ with your loved ones for some quality time. To close the night off, enjoy the warmth of your very own campfire under the stars.
Download the Bobobox app on Play Store or App Store for booking and more information.
Header image by: alexandre saraiva carniato via Pexels
