LOOKING TO TICK “EXTREME SPORTS” OFF YOUR LIFE LIST? VERLAINE RAMOS INVITES YOU TO CHECK THESE OUT
Looking for an activity more thrilling than going on theme park rides or maxing out the limit on your credit card? Why not dare to do something different to spice up your holiday? Here are sports that will challenge your wild side and deliver that rush. All you have to do is muster up the courage to take that leap/ ride/climb of faith! Now you may only have the guts to do it this one time, so make sure someone takes lots of photos of you while you’re at it.
1 GO WHITEWATER RAFTING
Since it’s a team sport, it will be much more exciting if you do it with friends! Bring a party of at least five (to properly control the raft), wear comfortable clothing, and paddle with all your might as you navigate raging water torrents. Experience 13 kilometers of wild water fun along the winding Davao River for PHP3,150 per person. Mt. Apo Travel and Tours; tel: +82 227 1657; email: mtapotravel@yahoo.com
2 DIVE OUT OF AN AIRPLANE
Take a shot at skydiving, the next best thing to fulfilling your fantasies of flying! Here’s what happens: You jump out of an aircraft and freefall several minutes with only a parachute to slow down your landing to safe speeds. First-timers usually make their first jump with a trained instructor, doing what’s called a tandem skydive. However, if you want serious skydiving, sign up for Accelerated Freefall (AFF), which requires that you get progressive training for solo freefall. In Indonesia, the best drop zone is in Lido Lakes, located at Bogor, about an hour’s drive from Jakarta. A jump ticket costs around USD20, and a tandem jump is around USD200. Lido Lakes Resort and Conference; tel: + 62 251 220922; www.lidolakes.com
LESTER LESDESMA
3 GO OFF-ROAD DRIVING
Tackle side slopes, steep inclines and rugged tracks using a 4×4 vehicle! If you’re not keen on driving, you can opt to let a seasoned daredevil take you through challenging terrains as you admire stunning vistas of highlands and valleys. Take a day trip and explore Mt. Pinatubo in Central Luzon for only PHP3,750(USD85.22) per person (minimum required is four people). ePinas Travel and Tours; tel: +63 920 952 5285; www.e-philippines.com.ph
4 GO FLY (ON) A KITESURF
Also known as kiteboarding, kitesurfing has you in foot straps on a board as a power kite propels you across the water. With advanced skill, you can even go upwind! Boracay’s Bulabog beach is known as the best kitesurf destination in Asia, with its wind powered by the amihan (northeast monsoon). Hangin Kiteboarding Center, Bulabog Beach, Boracay Island, Aklan; tel: +63 36 288 3663; www.kiteboardingboracay.com
5 BE A ROCK STAR
If water sports aren’t your thing, you can still get a piece of extreme action even if you’re on land – on upland, that is.
Experience a natural high by climbing up and across natural rock formations. Rock climbing requires a great deal of endurance, agility, balance and mental control, but nothing beats the rush of being able to reach the summit.
In Thailand, Krabi Beach offers great sport climbing with lots of scenic beach views. In the Philippines, Barangay Cantabaco in Cebu has been called the country’s official sport climbing mecca. For information on the best climbing routes, contact Mackie Mackinano, tel: +63927 738 5492, or email him at mackieontherock@yahoo.com
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