When we think of adventure sports, we no longer associate them with risk, as society has evolved and is taking a different direction.
Nowadays, we can talk about an increase in another type of sports where adrenaline is present and strong emotions are your main allies. Mass sports are increasingly losing prominence in favour of practices where nature is usually the main stage.
However, many of the activities that have become trendy in recent years have been practised for a lifetime, such as horseback riding trails. These animals were once one of the main means of transport for villagers, townspeople, or even city dwellers who had no other way to travel or transport their belongings. Over time, what was a necessity has become a way to enjoy leisure time and escape the hustle and bustle.
You may see canyoning or rock climbing as some of the most attractive activities, but you should know that inhabitants of areas with such orographic features were already doing it. It was the only way they had to hunt or fish, as well as to carry out typical tasks of the time that would later be called rural economy.
We must not forget that sports like what we now call rafting, so fun and thrilling, are increasingly popular. But a few centuries ago, people didn’t have the boats you can find today in any company offering this activity. Logs tightly bound together were all they could use to descend a river, whether out of necessity or for fun.
From the 1970s onwards, inflatable boats began to be designed in the United States, and as a result, it became one of the most widespread sports, lasting to this day. Our geography has many rivers where you can descend in a fun and exciting way, especially in Autonomous Communities like Galicia, Catalonia, or Aragon.
Among the activities that will make you feel like flying like a bird, bungee jumping or parachuting are the most popular. Roughly the 1970s were crucial for the inception and development of these aerial sports, and interestingly, today companies across the country receive thousands of requests from people like you who are eager to experience indescribable sensations.
We can’t overlook water sports like scuba diving, practised since the dawn of humanity, as it has been a means of sustenance for centuries. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that equipment was devised to make this activity safer, such as fins, snorkels, or diving masks.
In the 1980s, jet skis started to become fashionable, as it was thought there should be a way to take this popular means of transport onto the water—a stunning and refreshing setting during the summer. Nowadays, there’s hardly a coastline where you can’t rent one of these vehicles for a few minutes and enjoy speeding across the water.
In this overview of adventure tourism, we couldn’t miss paintball, as it draws more enthusiasts every weekend who want to experience the thrill of being in a real-life battle akin to the best action films. Strategy and teamwork are the key features that will turn your Sundays into a completely different and spectacular day.
If you’ll take a piece of advice, these and many other adventure sports will add a special touch to your life—an extra incentive to say goodbye to monotony and discover a world of emotions waiting for you unconditionally. Dare to awaken your senses!
