Extreme sports aren’t for the fainthearted, they earn their name for their unique thrill and elevated injury risks that attracts thousands of adrenaline junkies each year. While each sport has their own dangers associated with them, there are 5 extreme sports that stand out above the rest for the extraordinary risk factor/or wide range of injuries associated with them.
Big Wave Surfing
Surfing in itself can be a leisurely pass time for most riders. Big wave surfing, however, becomes more life endangering when waves as big as 100ft are thrown into the mix. Surfers who fall while big wave surfing can be pushed down between 20 and 50 feet below the surface, risking impacts with the ocean floor or reef. Once under, they have about twenty seconds to reach the surface before another wave comes in.
Most people who try big wave surfing know what they’re getting themselves into and have gone through the proper training to tackle the sets safely. Deaths are somewhat rare in big wave surfing, but accidents do happen. There have been about four notable deaths from this sport in the last decade.
Skateboarding
The popularity of skateboarding surged following the COVID-19 pandemic and the inauguration of skateboarding in the 2020 Olympic games. As a result, skateboarding is the most popular extreme sport with almost 8.8 million participants in 2021. Compared to other extreme sports, skateboarding is the most accessible thanks to its relatively low cost and abundance of public skateparks across the nation. With so many participants, it’s no surprise that skateboarders represent the most injuries in any extreme sport.
According to 2021 data, more than 245,000 emergency room visits were due to a skateboarding injury. Some of the most common skateboard injuries include:
- Concussions
- Broken bones, particularly in the legs and arms
- Sprained joints
- Torn ligaments
- Back injuries
Skydiving
Skydiving is a fully developed sport in the US with numerous drop zones situated throughout the country. In 2022, there was an estimated 3.9 million successful jumps across the country. However, in spite of its popularity and various safety standards, accidents do happen. In that same year, there were 20 recorded skydiving deaths. Most fatalities were due to landing problems which accounted for 60% of deaths. Looking beyond fatalities, most injuries sustained while skydiving are minor such as cuts and bruises, while more serious injuries are to the extremities and spine.
Mountain Biking
Unlike conventional cycling, mountain biking takes riders off the beaten path and into challenging terrain and technical trails. This sport often demands the rider to navigate hazardous conditions such as sharp rocks, steep cliffs, and challenging weather conditions. The risks are compounded at speed when downhill descents have riders reaching speeds upward of 30 miles per hour.
The main factors contributing to mountain biker’s injuries include:
- Slippery road surface
- Poor judgement of situation
- Excessive speed
Although most injuries were minor, one study revealed that 10% of participant injuries were so severe that hospitalization was required.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a hallmark winter sport with many different types of disciplines such as freestyle, freeride, and alpine. Each area has its own set of risks, but the sport as a whole is tough on riders’ bodies. Deaths are relatively rare, but injuries commonly result in emergency room visits. According to this study, 42% of snowboard injuries in their analysis necessitated immediate medical attention.
Their findings revealed that sprains and fractures are most common for snowboarders, as well as cuts, bruises, dislocations, and concussions. On average, there are about 200,000 injuries per year that go treated by emergency departments.
Know the Risks, Participate Wisely
In spite of the notorious reputation each of these sports have, they continue to attract thousands of participants every year year. Adrenaline enthusiasts and thrill seekers alike will continue to push the boundaries and explore the risks associated with them. If you have faced the consequences of an extreme sports mishap, the experienced Fresno personal injury attorneys at Roberts & Spiegel can guide you through the legal process. Your passion for extreme sports should be thrilling, not held back by complex legal challenges.