Extreme sports are evolving into more and more extreme equipment. After months of research, the following are some of the newest and most extreme sport toys we could find.
Jumping stilts are by far not only the most extreme. They go by lots of names; the most popular brands are Powerizers or Powerisers. They have super-charged springs that store the energy from the weight of your body, then release it in a recoil motion. Basically, spring loaded stilts. These jumping stilts are strapped to your feet and shins. With a little practice, you can jump higher and run faster than you ever dreamed possible. It will take some practice getting up off the ground on your own if you fall down. Make sure you have someone with you to help you stand back up. It can be tricky. Before you try jumping to the moon, I suggest you walk around on them for a few days until you become comfortable with them being an extension of your legs. Some folks have recorded running at speeds up to 20mph and jumping 6 and 7 feet in the air. These were designed for fun and exercise. Now that's extreme!
A pogo stick on steroids is the ONLY way to describe this sport toy. They call it the Flybar 1200. It was developed by Andy McDonald (eight time World Cup Skateboarding champ), and was designed as a stunt and exercise pogo stick. It operates on an elastometric system (giant rubber bands); actually it has 12 rubber thrusters that operate like a trampoline that can bounce you more than five feet in the air. Boing, Boing, Boing! Again, be careful starting out. My suggestion is to keep the thrusters set low so you can get used to the momentum that this pogo stick creates. Also, it is important to bounce straight up and down...takes a little practice. The first time I got on this baby, I landed the Flybar in a slight forward position, and was instantly catapulted forward, then rolled about 10 feet upon landing.
Enough with the Extreme Air Equipment lets get back down to earth. Do you like to skateboard? We found the coolest alternatives to your basic skateboard. The Waveboard is a cross between snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing. It's the only non motorized skateboard we found that actually lets you go uphill! It will take some practice to get it going, but once you get the hang it's a blast. Here is an interesting side note...the waveboard comes with an Allen wrench which is used to tighten and loosen the mid-section. Make sure you use it to loosen the mid-section before attempting to ride it. I spent two hours trying to get the hang of the Wave, most of it on the ground, only to discover my latest hint to you. The company that manufactures the waveboard has a "How to Ride" section. You should check it out for some quick tips.
Skateboarding and inline skating, do you like them both? This next product is like the Reece's Cup of extreme sports. You know chocolate and peanut butter mixed together. That is what happened with Freeline Skates. Someone got these two sports mixed up! Let me explain, you have two small platforms, one for each foot. Each platform has two wheels under it, no straps or bindings. Your body is the only thing connecting the platforms together. To look at them you would think it would be almost impossible to stand on. A quick look on YouTube will find video of Freeliners everywhere. I could not believe the things people were doing with these skates. It is incredible! I give these skates a 10 for best innovation of a street skate to date. Also if you are an avid skateboarder, Freeline skating will improve your skills. That is Awesome!
I live in New England, so I am always looking for some new Extreme Sport Toys for those snowy winter months. I grew up on skis, snowboards, and sleds, but when I found this next toy I got really excited. It is called the Airboard- D. Not to be confused with the airboard hovercraft. It is an inflatable sled, comes with a backpack carrier and an air pump that'll inflate the sled in about 3-5minutes! The first time I rode it I took a running start holding the Airboard-D next to my torso by holding onto the handles and launched myself forward in to a prone position landing with the Airboard-D between me and the snow. The first thing I noticed was that the air cushioning of the Airboard-D softened the impact of that take-off. It also made going over jumps a lot less jarring. It took me a little practice, but once I got the hang of using my legs to control speed, this thing really rocks. Within a short time, about an hour, I was flying and maintaining excellent control. It has heavy profile runners on the bottom that allows me to steer easily just by shifting my weight from side to side. If you get going really fast, the best control is lying flat versus leaning back on your legs. Works great in powder, but goes a lot faster on packed corn snow. (I really like to go fast, so my preference is corn snow). No comparison to the old wooden or plastic sled idea! The future of sleds has arrived. When I was done I just opened the quick release valve to let then air out and had it packed away in its own small back pack style carrying case in less than five minutes. Here is a secret about the Airboard-D, you can buy a wet-kit to add to it and use it to tow yourself behind a boat in the summer time. Not only is it extreme fun but practical too!
Well, I have more Toys to talk about, but I'll save that for my next article. I would like to end this with a note about SAFETY. All of the above should not be attempted without proper safety equipment. That means always wear a helmet, and use Knee, elbow, and wrist protection. I've seen a lot of video on different sites that show people using these extreme toys without any safety equipment on. This is a Really Bad Idea. If I could recommend a good helmet it would be the TSG skateboarding helmet. It wraps around your head more than a lot of other skate helmets, adding more protection and comfort. It also looks cool! My best recommendation for knee, elbow, and wrist protection would be the Pro-Tech safety equipment line. This company has been around since the 70's and continues to be a leader in safety equipment.
