People have been playing games and participating in sport, probably since the beginning of time. It is true perhaps that early sport may have been very primitive and a far cry from events we now see but the concept of competing, either as individuals or in teams has been around forever!

The first recorded history of the Olympic Games dates back to 776 BC. In those days there was only one event, the 192 metre dash. I don’t know why they didn’t keep that one in!

There is much debate as to what exactly is the crucial factor when deciding what is sport and what isn’t and this debate rumbles ever more furiously on when it comes to what are now considered to be extreme sports.

For example why is snowboarding considered to be “extreme” and skiing generally not? I mean, they both involve hurtling down near vertical slopes of ice on bits of manufactured plastic or carbon fibre!

Despite these quandaries, extreme sport has literally taken off in the last couple of decades and there are no signs that this trend is slowing down. The growth of the sports is almost as extreme as the events themselves!

Video game culture has raised the profile too, with hosts of snowboarding, skateboarding and even surfing and wakeboard games. Snowboarding also made its debut in the 2008 Olympics in China, further evidence of its increasing popularity.

Of course, with new “things” come new marketing opportunities and it is becoming more and more common to see specialist extreme sports shops and stores on your local high street; smaller stores and large emporiums too are springing up, supplying all your wakeboarding equipment and climbing gear amongst lots of other exciting stuff!

The internet has surely helped to increase the exposure of a lot of the extreme sports, some of which are now practically household names, such as snowboarding, skateboarding and climbing, while others still have a bit of work to do. A quick search in one of the internet search engines for the sport you are looking for, is very likely to throw up thousands, if not, millions of results for your desired search!

Along with all the news and gossip from these sporting worlds, there are also a host of online stores, where, here too, you can order your new snowboarding equipment and extreme clothing.

One of the hottest new extreme sports is called adventure racing. Far from being a sport with one set of rules, it features a variety of competitions like an Extreme version of the Olympics. The name tells you all you need to know about the makeup of the sport: it’s all about competing and winning. Whoever crosses the finish line first wins. Be forewarned! The combination of a highly competitive sport matched with the extreme sports makes for an adrenaline rushing experience.

As a touch of information to those of you who are new to the thought of extreme sports: competing in an extreme sport isn’t about having a some kind of death wish or enjoying getting hurt, or even a desire to take crazy and outlandish chances. Extreme sports competition is all about challenging yourself to beat the odds, no matter what. It’s about achieving a level of focus and determination, which results in accomplishments you had previously doubted yourself capable of. Several sports “officially” qualify as adventure racing. We’ll take a look at some of them.

Many of these races can be quite long and involve training as rigorous as marathon or triathlon training and in fact many of the athletes cross-train in other sports. Adventure races often have an element where navigation is a stand-alone event, but even where it’s not it’s still an important component in every event. Navigation is all about your ability to read a topographical map, use a compass, and find a target location before your competitors. Again, this is similar to paddling in that it’s many competitors’ weakest skill.

The next is Hiking or Scrambling which is held on any and every terrain and in any kind of weather. These competitions often start with a run from an easy starting point to and through tricky terrain which requires hiking and scrambling. FYI: scrambling is climbing difficult terrain without ropes and using only your hands for balance. You can’t grab things to pull yourself up. We’ve all paddled a canoe, rowboat, or kayak, but it’s usually across a pool, a gentle lake or a calm bay. Adventure racers paddle in all water and weather conditions. Being good at paddling in all conditions is a huge advantage in adventure racing because for many adventure racers it’s their weakest event.

Many races will include a climbing or rappelling element. This is an important event to practice so you can stay safe and be fast. You need to buy lightweight climbing gear and only bring what is absolutely necessary so you don’t weigh yourself down needlessly.

Most people think that for a mountain bike race you should get rid of the extra weight like the headlight. This is a bad idea in the world of adventure racing because there’s a good chance you’ll be racing at night. A good idea is to employ a powerful lightweight headlamp with high and low settings. Tip: everyone on your team should have the same bike so you can swap parts when necessary, which can be often.

Mountaineering, mountain climbing, top rope, bouldering or rock climbing, whatever you want to call it, these names all pertain to the wonderful and exciting sport of reaching the peak of a goal. Experienced climbers know the adventure and fun in store in climbing a mountain. There are many trails, sites and stopovers that can definitely provide you a whole new perspective. People sometimes need a change of scenery to refresh the body and the mind. Mountain climbing and exploring the outdoors can give the right setting for such needs. This is also a good opportunity to get closer to nature. Thus, it is best for you to explore this wholesome activity. This is one good way to challenge your body. This is also a way to stimulate the mind and spirit by giving it a refreshing drive. You will do more than just mere hiking when you go mountain climbing. You will also get to learn how to work well with other people in a group, proper balancing, controlling movements, following a lead and even taking safety considerations. Rappelling is also one thing that you can only enjoy here. It will definitely be one of the best decisions you will make in your lifetime. Thus, if you are interested in learning the many ways of mountain climbing and rappelling, you must do your homework. Research on how you can start on this activity and take initiative in making this plan a reality. Some Helpful Tips for Climbing and Rappelling Activities For most beginners, this exciting sport will have to be properly prepared to ensure safety and fun at all times. Here are some points to keep in mind when you go mountain climbing and rappelling. 1. Climbing Guides First consideration is the need to take caution at every step of the way. It is best to get the assistance of a climbing guide. Basically, the guide will keep you on track. Make sure that he or she is qualified enough to take on the task. A certification by the IFMGA or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association will be a good assurance. 2. Get Proper Instruction There are many equipment, terms and techniques that you will encounter in climbing. These will come in handy as you communicate with fellow climbers and learn the various ways they do their climbing and rappelling. As such, it is best to get the right education when it comes to such things. There are instructions offered by climbing guides, groups or organizations that can cater to your level of ability. Be sure to take this opportunity. The beginners can be best taught the proper ways in climbing and rappelling through training. Indoor man-made rock walls will help in giving you a feel of what you will face outdoors. Most people find rappelling down more difficult than climbing up. If you train indoors, you can learn rappelling techniques until you are confident enough. This way, you can easily learn even if you are still trying to overcome your fears. You can also choose to get personal instruction on your rappelling abilities. The personal instructor can very well adjust to your pace and guide you in every detail that you need to focus on. 3. Have the Right Equipment Any climbing and rappelling endeavors must also be supported by the right equipment at hand. Make sure you have all the necessary things on hand. The helmet is a must to keep you head safe from any falling debris, bumps, or bruises. The climbing shoes must also be worn to keep you safe from any slippery steps. Check also the climbing package. Make sure you have all the tools needed like the food, rope, chalk, harness among many others. Make sure also that you take care of your equipment really well. For example, if you want to focus more on rappelling, you must keep the necessary things at hand. Protect your rappel and know how to use it when the need arises. By doing these things, you can easily focus on the fun experience. Conclusion Mountain climbing and rappelling may be foreign to you for now, but with the right research, preparation and training, you will definitely be one of those raving on how fun these adventures can get.

It is fair to say that climbing gear and equipment has come a long way since Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay found themselves at the top of the world, on the summit of Mount Everest in May of1953.

One wonders how they did it really, with the primitive equipment that was then available to them. Although climbing the biggest mountains remains a worthy and dangerous challenge, thanks to the advancement in technology, conquering these giants has become a much more frequent occurrence.

A climber has to exercise a lot of faith in the climbing gear he or she uses and therefore it is important to be confident in the equipment of choice.

Let’s have a quick glance at some of the essentials in a climber’s arsenal

If you are just beginning your climbing career or in the process of upgrading all your climbing gear, what are the best ways to get hold of new equipment. Well, there are lots of extreme sports and specialist climbing stores now on the internet, if you enter your search you are bound to discover what you need.