Can you even imagine how it would feel like to swim in water that is -1.8 degrees Celsius (28.75 degrees Fahrenheit)? An average human would probably freeze to death in under four minutes in waters this cold but a British adventurer and swimmer Lewis Gordon Pugh had the courage to swim in the icy waters of the North Pole. With the aim of raising the awareness of how global warming is affecting the polar ice cap, Pugh undertook this task and has become the first person to swim in the icy waters of the North Pole. He took 18 minutes and 50 seconds to swim one kilometer in waters created by melted sea ice at the coldest temperatures a human has swum in. This isn’t the first time he’s accomplished some the amazing feats. He is the first person to swim 1km in the Antarctic Ocean, and he holds over 20 swimming endurance records, including swimming the whole length of the Thames River, the first to swim the length of the world’s longest fjord and first to swim round the most northerly point of Europe. Pugh suffered unbearable pain throughout the journey and even made up his mind to quit on few occasions. No, doubt it was the hardest swim of Pugh’s life but he undertook the task courageously and succeeded. He hopes that his swim would inspire world leaders to take the climate change seriously. Source: Daily Mail
Image Credit New Zealand is just the right place for those who have thirst for thrills and adventure. The activities out here are wide ranging, from some of the world’s best skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding, to adventure activities such as bungee jumping, flybywire, dam dropping and zorbing. The Kawarau Bridge Bungee: Some people call it crazy, but enough find it exciting. The Kawarau Bridge Bungee is the first commercial bungee site in the world. Located a few miles outside Queenstown, it is set in a picturesque valley overlooking the Kawarau River. It’s the only bungee where you can choose to bob above the water, touch it or be fully immersed. No trip to Queenstown in New Zealand would be complete without at least considering a bungee jump! FlyByWire Flybywire: With a top recorded speed of over 170 kph, FlyByWire is said to be the fastest adventure flight in the world. FlyByWire is a self-drive flying machine which is built of premium grade aircraft material using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques and is powered by a 60 hp aircraft engine. You experience a force of three G’s to weightlessness within a three second interval as it accelerates you. Image Credit The machine is suspended from an overhead cable system, which allows it to fly in circles within a spectacular steep-sided canyon. The flight lasts 6 minutes. Dam Dropping: Dam Dropping is a form of river surfing, commonly know as river sledging. Through some of New Zealand’s most picturesque river scenery, down the Waingongoro River, under the shadow of Mount Taranaki in New Plymouth, it’s an experience of a lifetime. Zorbing: Ever wondered what it would feel like to get inside your washing machine on a spin cycle? Try Zorbing! New Zealand offers the opportunity to have a go at zorbing which is a unique, exciting, downhill, adventure experience. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages who don’t mind being strapped inside an enormous clear plastic, air-cushioned ball. Image Credit As all the violent bouncing is absorbed by the bigger outer transparent ball, you are quite secure inside the inner capsule. As the ball rolls down a long grass-covered slope, you spin around in a virtual anti-gravity form of weightlessness like an intoxicated space traveler. Liquid-zorbing is a more recent development of this zany downhill roller coaster ride. Two or three buckets of water are added to the mix and you remain unattached to the inner ball like a loose cannon tumbling out of control. Grab the chance to zorb, wet or dry! Source: MSNBC
Another glorious edition of the intergalactically-famous X Games is right around the corner. The annual X Games is the premier action sports event in the world and showcases more than 150 of the world’s top athletes competing in BMX freestyle, moto X, skateboard, rally car racing and surfing. Taking place in Los Angeles, California, X Games 13 for 2007 is scheduled for August 2nd to 5th. This year is promising exciting new competitions and the same amazing action from the best athletes in extreme sports. Image Credit Held on August 3rd, Moto X Step Up final at the Home Depot Center will be one of the most exciting contests to watch. Skateboard Big Air Final (Aug. 2), BMX Freestyle Park (Aug. 4), Rally Car Racing Super Special (Aug. 5) are the part of X games. Image Credit X Games 13 will be telecast live on ESPN and ABC.X Games will remain in Los Angeles through X Games 15 in 2009. One thing you can count on from the X Games is excitement. Start planning now to go! Image Credit for the first picture Source: PE.Com
Pakistan seems to be the mecca for world class climbers. With the country being home to some of the biggest mountains like K2, Gasherbrum and Masherbrum; as well as big alpine walls like the Trango towers, Pakistan makes most of it’s economic profit from the mountaineering teams that visit the country. The latest news is that about 125 mountaineering teams from all around the world will be visiting Pakistan soon. At least this is what the Pakistani prime minister told the Chinese Tibetan mountaineering team. This particular delegation was led by Sang Zhum. The delegation of climbers visited the PM’s house last Saturday. The PM Aziz invited the team to congratulate the team for the latest achievement. On 12th of July, seven climbers of the international team accompanied by Pakistani climbers stood on top of Gasherbrum I peak of Pakistan (also known as Hidden peak). The Tibetan Chinese team recently completed all 14 of the world’s 8000 meter peaks located in the Himalayas. This is an incredible achievement. As far as I know, only a few have completed this feat. Out of them an American Ed Viesturs along with a Finish climber Veicca climbed all the 8000 meters in alpine style (without the aid of fixed ropes and camps). During this meeting, the PM also mentioned he will do whatever it takes to promote ecotourism and adventure sports like climbing in Pakistan. This meeting was also called to extend a hand of friendship to the neighboring China. The PM Shaukat Aziz acknowledged: Over the past five and a half decades, our all-weather and time-tested friendship has become higher than the highest mountains and deeper than the deepest oceans. According to the PM, Pakistan is proud of the feat achieved by the Chinese friends. Aziz further acknowledged that steps are being taken so that climbers from all over the world can enjoy the magnificent ranges of Pakistan. Along with this, they can enjoy the Pakistani culture as well. I think this is a great effort made by Pakistan. I wish India also encourages some thing like this. The Indian Himalayas are as beautiful and high as it’s Pakistani counterpart. Unfortunately, the 8000 meter mountains are mostly located in Pakistan and Nepal. With China trying to construct a highway to the base of Mt.Everest in preparation for the 2008 Olympic games, lot of things are happening in this part of the world. It is crucial that Pakistan, India as well as China be friends at least for the up coming season. Image Credits: Tuncifindik, Cybercity-online, Greatwalks
For a lot of kids, flying is a dream. The modern ultralight aircraft technology makes dreams come true. As some adrenaline junkies will concur that the sky is not the limit. One of these adrenaline junkies Gordon Merkel, is using his ultralight motor powered parachute to make his childhood dream come true. Ultralight flying is the way to go, and it is truly a modern marvel. This kind of flying is slowly becoming a common hobby. Much like rock climbing, ice climbing and other adventure sports, ultralight pilots get their rush from flying as they reach dizzying heights.I think this sounds like fun. Imagine taking crazy turns as you pull some g’s with your tiny little airplane. For one individual, this is not an imagination. It is a reality for him. Merkel Gordon uses a Power Parachute to fly high. It is powered by only one 65 horse power engine, and the total ‘airplane’ only weighs about 400 pounds. Controlling the microlight aircraft is pretty simple task. It just takes some guts. The powered parachute can be steered with your feet. As Merkel agrees: If you want to go right, you kick out right. If you want to go left, you kick out left. Very simple The best part about this kind of hobby is the birds eye view of the world. The pilot will be able to enjoy the panoramic 360 degree views all around him. You can take this baby over the Adriondack range of New York or even over the city. The ultra light parachute is the safest form of plane available according to many folks. The parachute is inflated on the ground. The cart hangs like a pendulum right under the canopy. This way, it won’t flip over.Manual control takes the power failure issue away. The pilot is always in control. These crafts don’t need any specialized airstrips either. So, now you know why some people prefer to go ultralight. Image Credits: Obsidianwings, Freedomflightinc
Who doesn’t want to be a part of the leading competition in action sports? Yes, I’m talking about X Games which is just around the corner. Starting this Thursday 13th X Games are going to be the main attraction for extreme sport lovers. Roy Canright, a Simi Valley resident feels proud to the part of X games this year. Not as a spectator, but as a participant. He has been selected in skateboarding competition that will be held on Friday at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Canright will be one of 10 Southern California skateboarders. Zack Krull of Calabasas, Lee Derber of Thousand Oaks, Matt Pierce of Oak Park and Justin Klegka of Agoura Hills are among the local skaters. Kristos Andrews of Santa Monica, Josh Krakover of Stevenson Ranch, Austin Squire of Pacific Palisades and Sean Bloom of Brentwood will also compete. Cory Phillips, a Thousand Oaks resident is also among the competitors. These ten area competitors are members of the National High School Association and the California High School Skateboard Club headed by Thousand Oaks resident Jeffrey Stern. The X Games will also feature club skaters and professional skateboarders. Source: Ventura County Star
Eyes popped, jaws dropped, time seemed to stop and heads are still shaking a year later, but nothing could stop the daring sportspersons to make the spectators tight-lipped with their miraculous skills. 13th X Games started yesterday in Los Angeles and the very first day witnessed the worst fall since the Mega Ramp debuted at the X Games. The height of the Mega Ramp is almost the same but this year it has been shoehorned into an arena for the skateboarding and BMX freestyle Big Air events. Skater Jake Brown and Bob Burnquist were among the outstanding sportspersons who showcased their skills by riding on the Mega Ramp and plunging down several feet roll-in on the first day of the 13th X Games. Jake Brown attempted a series of intricate tricks but lost his control and fell more than 45 feet during his fifth and final run. His momentum carried him away from the wall of the ramp and over its flat section. Brown landed on his feet before falling to his back and laid motionless on the ramp for several minutes and was tended to by medical personnel. To much surprise, he walked off the ramp afterward with assistance and was seen talking. Bob Burnquist landed a switch-stance front-side 540 on the quarterpipe which turned out to be the winning run. He became only the second skater to win a gold medal in skateboard Big Air. The very first day of the mega event didn’t go the way Jake brown might have thought of but, the startling show has just begun. It’s all about attitude. Spirits are still high and over the next few days, we are going to witness a number of dare devils entertaining the crowd with loads of death defying feats. Check out this video of the first day of 13th X Games. Source: The New York Times
Kevin Robinson The first day of 13th X Games witnessed the 45-foot free fall by Brown in the skateboard big air contest which was the worst fall. Thankfully, the second day did not witness any such fall though at one point when Mat Hoffman appeared out of control high above the 27-foot quarterpipe made us clinch our fists in apprehension but Hoffman had a reasonably happy landing on the deck. Mat Hoffman Jack Brown spent Thursday night in a local hospital, where he was treated for a bleeding liver, two sprained wrists, a bruised lung, and whiplash to his back and neck. But the spirits of the sportspersons were still high and the X Games, which continue through Sunday in Los Angeles and in Carson, California, went on as usual. Anthony Napolita Kevin Robinson, 35 landed a no-handed back flip over the 70-foot gap and completed a flair 18 feet 2 inches above the top of the quarterpipe. He captured the BMX big air title and won a gold medal on Friday night at Staples Center. His winning score was 95.33. Steve McCann, 24, and Anthony Napolitan, 20 were placed second and third, respectively. Ronnie Renner Ronnie Renner was the only Moto X rider to clear 34 feet, which got him the step up victory. Tommy Clowers, Lyn-Z Adams and Marcelo Bastos were among other daring players who entertained the crowd with their death defying feats. Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins Marcelo Bastos 13th X Games in videos: Images Source: Latimes
Are you planning to roll on the Lower Kern this summer? If you are, then it’s time for you to act quickly, the rafting trips are expected to end by Aug 20. Usually the rafting season runs till the end of September but this year the amount of water is little below the normal so the rafting trips will not run till September. Whitewater rafting is a popular pastime throughout the Kern River. There are many companies that offer rafting trips. The majority of trips along the river range between Class III and Class V rapids. Also, there are some Class II rapids that provide exciting adventures for younger and inexperienced rafters. Choose the class level you are comfortable with. Lickety Split is the easiest of the trips. This takes rafters through Class II-III rapids just upriver from Kernville and offers beautiful views of the river banks and surrounding forests. The Pictor is another Class II-III trip which runs south of Lake Isabella Dam and offers stunning views of Kern River Canyon in all of its glory. The Sampler is a Class III-IV run on the Upper Kern, a half-day trip that offers an idea of what rafting the river is like. Keep in mind your level of experience and how much time you have for rafting. There are a number of companies that provide equipment and guides for trips along the rapids. It’s best to take a guide with you when rafting the river, especially if it’s your first time whitewater rafting. Be safe and enjoy your Lower Kern rafting trip! Image Credit Source: Latimes
A French daredevil Michel Fournier plans to make the highest-ever freefall parachute jump from the edge of space to break Mach 1. He will jump from a capsule attached to a helium balloon 25 miles above Earth, wearing a pressure suit and traveling at nearly twice the speed of sound. The leap will take 6 minutes 25 seconds and he will open his parachute 1,000 meters above ground finally reaching the earth after around eight and a half minutes. His £35,000 suit will help him in heating up inside when it meets air resistance and he’ll be wearing a helmet that will have its own air supply and reinforced ear pads to protect him from the sonic boom as he breaks through the Mach 1 sound barrier. Fournier aims to become the first person to break the sound barrier in free-fall besides breaking three more world records (the longest sky dive, the highest parachute jump and the highest altitude achieved by a human in a balloon). Hope he succeeds in his endeavor. Source: Daily Mail