The adventures of Xtreme Xtine
After a particularly bad-ass left-handed goal, I was given the nickname “Xtreme Xtine” as a rookie playing lacrosse at California State University, Chico. At the time, I was anything but extreme: despite my love of a sport that left me with a few choice bruises, I liked things that were sensible and safe and aspired to corporate success and financial security.
Then I got addicted to travel, the thrill of leaving guarantees and comfort behind in exchange for novelty and whim. With every new extreme sport I tried, in every new exotic and beautiful locale, I got a little more captivated by the adrenaline rush that was sure to follow.
Paragliding: Running off the side of a mountain was very out of character for the grounded girl in that picture, but the electric joy that resulted from that burst of spontaneity kicked off something new for me. Suddenly, I was a little more keen to try new things–who knew what I was missing out on? (I’ve been paragliding once more since then, and it’s still probably my favorite “extreme” sport!)
Canyoning: I did not love canyoning. I was terrified as I rappelled down a 30-foot wall and as I let go of the pseudo zip line to drop 20 feet into a rushing pool. I plugged my nose for every jump. But the exhilaration of actually doing it–of crushing a fear and completing something I never thought I’d have the guts for–was completely worth it.
Ropes course: My first ropes course was in Interlaken, Switzerland and it was about 189 times more challenging than it looks. Even with plenty of safety gear, like gloves and hooks, you’re still navigating crazy hoops and walking on a tightrope hundreds of feet above the ground. Awesome rush, and one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon.
Hot-air ballooning: Hot-air ballooning is surprisingly not so scary: it’s so calm and peaceful, and the views are so incredible, that you almost forget you’re floating thousands of feet in the air propelled only by a flame. Until you realize that you are.
Sky diving: The second we hit the beach, my legs were shaking and I couldn’t stop grinning. My first thought: now I know why people get addicted to an adrenaline rush.
Scuba diving: The coolest glimpse into another world. Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef totally got me hooked–I’m planning to get my open water certification this month in Bali!
Sandboarding: Another fabulous experience courtesy of the Nullarbor Traveller tour: hopping face-first on a board and soaring down a nearly-vertical sand dune.
What’s left on my list of adrenaline rushes to try? I’m keen to do my first bungee jump in New Zealand, where it all began–and I’d love to try zorbing. And one day, I wouldn’t mind being able to do a solo paraglide…
What’s your favorite extreme sport or adrenaline rush?
