When a person goes wingsuit diving and first jumps off the area, they immediately come in contact with some of the most surreal feelings in life: the sensation of the wind blowing through their face and each strand of hair, the images of nature they fly by, and the pleasure of personal achievement. Despite having this example of an extreme sport, most people will still view extreme sports, like wingsuit diving, as reckless and an action that only brings adrenaline, injuries, and death. Contrary to what most people believe, extreme sports carry more to its meaning and purpose than just the typical remarks and stereotypes people make of them.
In fact, they provide much more, such as a sense of controllability and the feeling of accomplishment. As Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet, philosopher, and artist that lived from 1861 to 1941, once declared, “ You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. ” As represented in this quote, a person cannot understand the true concept of extreme sports and its many benefits and positives by simply observing them. The definition of an extreme sport varies throughout each individual.
While one person might believe that extreme sports consist of dangerous actions and reckless morals, the other may think that it is moreover an activity that helps an individual to express themselves and find peace; due to this, there isn’t a full and definite meaning to the term ‘extreme sports’. Despite the contrasting sides, one part of the definition of extreme sports can be agreed upon by every party. According to Clare Davidson, the author of the article “The World’s Most Dangerous Sports”, an activity is only given the term ‘extreme sport’ if it “involves being exposed to the elements, using specialist equipment to ontrol an inherently uncontrollable and unpredictable environment”(par. 4).
Davidson’s definition of what an extreme sport is lies on the more technical side, but it covers most of the factors that make up these kinds of attractions. In other words, an extreme sport is one that involves the incorporation of nature and using special gear to control the outcome when being placed in a capricious surrounding. Within Davidson’s definition lies one reason to why people participate in extreme sports as well, as some individuals crave that sense of unpredictability.
In other cases, participants attempt to try these sports in order to have their aspirations fulfilled. For example, in Lola Jones’s article ” A Solemn Warning to Wingsuit Flyers”, it is learned that “ ‘To fly like a bird has always been a man’s ambition, and with wingsuit flying you are nearly there… “(par. 11). Sports like wingsuit flying can open up a new pathway for individuals and athletes to have their hopes and ambitions come alive and become fulfilled, and in this case, it is a man’s dream to fly.
This isn’t the only reason to why people may want to engage in these activities, for others may do so in order to test their courage, gain a sense of adrenaline and accomplishment, achieve the prizes involved in competitions or even because they have the natural yearning to do so. Whether the individual is out doing these sports for the money involved at a competition or because they just yearn for that sense of unpredictability, they are doing the best they can to live an interesting life, even with knowing that there are consequences to their actions.
People have argued about whether or not extreme sports are beneficial in any ways and if they are even humane. In most cases, observers will express that extreme sports can cause physical injuries and bring the individual to death itself. These arguments and contrasting beliefs most likely came from what they saw through the media and their surroundings, for the most talked about factor of extreme sports is on the fatalities athletes and participators obtain while taking part in these actions instead of the achievements made ithin the process. Due to these cases and examples, observers often generalize the statement that extreme sports only bear harm and injuries. Nevertheless, extreme activities are well worth it and provide the factor that affects the individual in a beneficial and life-changing way, which overcomes the problems of it all.
In “The Lesson of the Moth” by Don Marquis, the moth explains his philosophy on life in general and how” it is better to be happy/ for a moment… o be/ a part of beauty/ for one instant and then cease to/ exist than to exist forever. ” The moth implies that for a person to be doing an action that provides them ecstasy and bliss despite the turn-outs is more beneficial than living a long time without those results. Even if extreme sports can cause injuries that affect our lives, it accommodates a person the irreplaceable opportunity of breaking away from the monotonous way of life and experiencing the overjoyed emotions and sights that come along with it, which makes it worthy of trying.
Even though extreme athletes know what the consequences of their actions are, they continue to take part in these sports, since it supplies the individual with the opportunity to break apart from the humdrum life they may have. Many people create false statements and misconceptions on the topic of extreme sports based on their observations and not much on their participation. In one case, many observers believe that all participants who engage in these types of activities are reckless and take foolish risks and impulsive actions purely for the exhilaration of it all.
Contrary to this statement, participants who take part in these sports are not represented by this depiction. Dr. Eric Brymer, a lecturer from the School of Human Movement Studies in the Faculty of Health, showcases the true portrayal of these athletes by stating that ” ‘The people [he] knew were very careful, disciplined, and determined and focussed, not at all reckless or risk taking… which is not something you would associate with a thrill seeker’ “(qtd. n “Extreme Sports” par. 5).
Instead of being reckless as observers had thought they would be, participators become fixed on the actual task in front of them and disconnect from their surroundings in order to succeed in what they are doing. Thus, participants of these attractions are not represented by the archetypal statements made, but they are actually characterized by the traits of being extremely alert and conscientious, not at all impulsive.
An observer would not be able to tell that these misconceptions weren’t true, nor would they be able to see the true benefits to extreme sports. The majority of the research done and people’s statements on this genre have tended to veer off onto more of the negative aspects of these attractions, making the benefits less understandable and recognized. Little do they know, extreme sports do carry along its advantages. For instance, these activities have aided autistic children with developing the mind and behavior.
As shown through John Donvan’s piece, “ Camp for Kids with Autism Offers Extreme Therapy”, autistic children are affected by these activities, as” ‘the brain, the body and the endorphin rush that comes in postadrenaline rush – is what gets them the most relaxation and calm… when they are back in normal condition, they have a better capacity to be in control. “(qtd. in Donvan par. 12). Through this type of treatment, autistic children are forced into stepping out of their comfort zone and trying something that they usually do not do otherwise.
As a result, they have more ascendancy over themselves, which gives them the ability to perform everyday tasks better and respond more appropriately to different situations. Not only do the positive results apply to autistic children, people without this disorder will achieve the same benefits as well. Overall, participating in extreme activities like so can really benefit everyone and improve their quality of life. Everyone will have their different perspectives of what extreme sports are and their reasons to why they are supporting or against it.
In its favor, extreme sports provide individuals an escape from their monotonous lifestyle and gives them the opportunity to add a little excitement to their lives. Not only that, these activities can help normal people and autistic children improve their overall quality of life. Even with its benefits, extreme sports contains its disadvantages too, such as the physical injuries the participants can obtain and the encounter they may have with death itself. With adding extreme sports to their lifestyle, an individual is able to live life to the fullest and experience the many positives that can’t be felt anywhere else.
