Wheelchair Extreme Sports

Believe it or not, there are extreme sports geared at even those who experience physical debilitation, deterioration, or injuries that preclude them from many other activities. And why shouldn’t there be? An adventurous spirit is not always housed in an able body. A person who has limited mobility in their lower half may not be able to leap out of a plane on their own, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to fly. And they might not be able to ride a bike in the Tour de France, but they can still use the wheels they have to race. In fact, people who are bound to wheelchairs can participate in many of the same athletic activities as able-legged persons (football, basketball, etc.) and they can even compete in a number of extreme sports, albeit in a different (and often more difficult) fashion. Here are just a few ways that those in wheelchairs are taking their activities to the extreme.

1. Skateboarding. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out how these guys (and gals) strap themselves to an actual skateboard. Don’t you know that wheelchairs come equipped with WHEELS? What’s amazing is that athletes in wheelchairs can do many of the same moves as those who have the use of both legs and a skateboard. They can work a half-pipe just as well as anyone, and pulling tricks like ollies, flips, and fakies just comes with the territory. Adaptation is the name of the game for anyone who competes in this amazing sport that is a testament to the human spirit.

2. Four-wheel mountain biking. Four-wheelers are nothing new, so why not use them as a way to compete in a sport that usually requires two legs to pedal? A strong pair of arms is all that’s required to participate, although good balance and the ability to roll out of a spill without damage can be a big help since this sport is generally practiced on rough downhill tracks.

3. Jousting. Leave it to fans of Jackass to come up with a sport that is just as horrifying as it is fascinating. In this outrageous and bemusing sport, two people in wheelchairs race towards each other bearing not the traditional lances of old, but rather cattle prods intended to shock their opponent into submission. It’s like a train wreck; you don’t want to look, but you can’t turn away. No word on whether this idiocy was developed by people who actually need wheelchairs to get around or just those who happened to stumble on some.

4. Sit-skiing. By using an adapted mono-ski (like a snowboard with a chair attached), those who have limited locomotion in their lower half can still participate in one of the best winter sports in the world. Of course, balance and upper body strength are a must for those who want to try this dangerous and difficult sport, but it can provide a great opportunity for mobility without the use of wheels.

5. Mountain climbing. Mark Wellman (a mountain climber who was paralyzed in an accident) proved that a sport which many would assume requires the use of lower appendages is merely a matter of perspective. Despite the obvious obstacles, he managed to ascend both Half Dome and El Capitan (sheer rock faces) in Yosemite National Park.

Author Bio: Kenneth Lewis writes for grocery coupons where you can get Chipotle coupon codes and find an assortment of deals for other popular restaurants.