Participating in extreme sports can be a transformational experience that many people get hooked on from the first time. There are various extreme sports to choose from, and all of them require a certain skill level, along with mental & physical preparation.
Preparing for extreme sports activities is crucial for safety and enjoyment, and before partaking in such activities, there are things to take into consideration. From choosing adequate gear to being physically fit, have a look at our best suggestions on how to prepare for the big adventures, for all you adrenaline junkies out there.
Mental & Physical Preparation
No matter what extreme sport you intend to try, you want to be ready for the challenges it will bring.
Ideally, this includes being physically fit and having the right mindset, as almost every extreme sport requires both. This is fundamental because despite having the appropriate gear and expertise, not being prepared can lead to disastrous consequences.
To begin with, improve your strength and endurance by exercising many weeks in advance. Include both strength and cardio exercises. Additionally, work on your mental sharpness to overcome your fears, get more focused, attentive, and perform better overall.
Equipment & Gear
Just as when you’re about to go on an ordinary holiday, you don’t want to overpack and bring anything unessential. Instead, compose a checklist and pack smart since you’ll need every bit of space.
Unless you’re adventuring solo, make sure to inquire with organizers about what precisely will be provided and what to bring.
Perhaps there won’t be a need to bring sleeping equipment, as most of the time there will be blow-up mattresses and sleeping bags provided by the organizer (club, tour agency, etc.).
Nevertheless, you’ll need adequate gear, depending on the extreme sports you’ll be participating in.
Bonus tip: Always check your gear thoroughly and learn how to make minor repairs.
Proper Nutrition
While being prepared and having satisfactory gear is crucial, never underestimate nutrition as it can have a big impact on how you’ll perform.
Eating healthy food will boost your energy levels and recovery rate, among many other things, so start with removing all the junk food and adopt a healthy diet instead. On top of that, consider taking supplements to increase your overall well-being furthermore.
Boost Your Skills
This one is obvious, but you need to have a proper skill level to participate in extreme sports. This type of sport is surely not for everyone and meeting all the criteria above is simply not sufficient.
If necessary, consider getting professional coaching for additional bits of advice, techniques, and methods.
Research
This used to be a very complex thing, but with the rise of modern technologies, now it’s very manageable to get familiar with the surroundings and location where you’ll be engaging in extreme sports activities, as everything can be done online. Identify the best routes, learn about the terrain and weather conditions, and do all of this on time to make sure the conditions are appropriate.
In addition to that, join relevant forums and connect with other adrenaline junkies that have already had a chance to visit your selected location, to get some extra tips from them.
Insurance
It’s called “extreme sports” for a good reason. Mishaps can happen, and the more extreme the sport – the greater the chance of something going wrong. With that in mind, always make sure you have insurance that covers everything an extreme sports adventure requires.
Common insurance won’t cover high-risk activities, having gear stolen, etc. so always verify that your insurance covers all of this so that you can be prepared for any potential misfortune. This usually means that you’ll have to pay extra, but it’s absolutely worth it.
The Bottom Line
There you have it, if you follow our pieces of advice on how to prepare for big adventures, you’ll be more focused on the event rather than unnecessary details. Always aim to stay safe at all times and remember that the safety of everyone involved in extreme sports activity is the top priority.