:: RADICAL SPORTS and EXTREME ACTIVITIES ::
In this section of website is gonna be listed some of the Radical Sports that anyone can do in New Zealand. Some of these activities maybe are not considered oficial sports, but they still considered radical or extreme activities. It is all about ADRENALINE and FEAR feelings! I will list some of that I consider really fun. Most of them I have experienced myself and the others I have heard about. Enjoy this section of the site. You will able to see some of the interesting activities that you can do in New Zealand.
Bungy JUMPING
Leaping from high places with a cord attached to your ankle has long been a traditional activity in Vanuatu, where young males throw themselves off towers during a manhood ritual.
In the 1980's, kiwi entrepreneurs AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch were inspired by video footage of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club. From this started the world's first commercial bungy operation, with a jump from the 43 metre Kawarau Bridge near the South Island resort of Queenstown.
AJ Hackett's latest jump—New Zealand's highest—involves an awesome 134-metre plunge (440 feet or eight seconds of free fall) from a gondola suspended above a canyon.
A strict safety routine is always followed, taking this thrilling activity to new extremes. Now you can even heli-bungy!
I experienced the three bungy jumps in Quenstown:
In the 1980's, kiwi entrepreneurs AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch were inspired by video footage of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club. From this started the world's first commercial bungy operation, with a jump from the 43 metre Kawarau Bridge near the South Island resort of Queenstown.
AJ Hackett's latest jump—New Zealand's highest—involves an awesome 134-metre plunge (440 feet or eight seconds of free fall) from a gondola suspended above a canyon.
A strict safety routine is always followed, taking this thrilling activity to new extremes. Now you can even heli-bungy!
I experienced the three bungy jumps in Quenstown:
- Kawarau Bridge - 43m (141ft) Jump of the historical Kararau Bridge
- The Ledge - 400m (1312ft) above Queenstown
- The Nevis - 134m (440ft) - Highwire Bungy - 8sec of free fall.
Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump
TANDEM SKY DIVING
It takes a certain kind of person to jump from an aircraft at 15,000ft into thin air. It takes courage.
Expect sensory overload as your mind, body and soul fight against every natural self-preserving urge. The challenge is immense. Harnessed by space age materials to an experienced qualified Jumpmaster, you step out of that aircraft door and for some 60 seconds you plummet toward the ground at 200 kph - terminal velocity!
Queenstown has one of the most beautiful scenarios to skydiving. Especially if you do it when the mountains are covered by snow. The view is so beautiful over there and you can see how small we are comparing to the world. You can skydiving in other cities like: Taupo, Abel Tasman and Wanaka.
Here are some companies that you can have a look and know more about Sky Diving: NZone, Abel Tasman Sky Diving, Taupo Sky Diving and Wanaka Sky Diving.
I did my Sky Diving with the NZone. They are really professionals and they have a really nice place that they have license to jump. I really recommend this company. New Zealand have some professional schools to provide students the course and Diploma in Commercial Skydiving. The NZ Skydiving school seems to have a excellent structure. More information about them just go to their webpage linked in their name before.
The prices starts from NZD 250 (New Zealand dollars).
Expect sensory overload as your mind, body and soul fight against every natural self-preserving urge. The challenge is immense. Harnessed by space age materials to an experienced qualified Jumpmaster, you step out of that aircraft door and for some 60 seconds you plummet toward the ground at 200 kph - terminal velocity!
Queenstown has one of the most beautiful scenarios to skydiving. Especially if you do it when the mountains are covered by snow. The view is so beautiful over there and you can see how small we are comparing to the world. You can skydiving in other cities like: Taupo, Abel Tasman and Wanaka.
Here are some companies that you can have a look and know more about Sky Diving: NZone, Abel Tasman Sky Diving, Taupo Sky Diving and Wanaka Sky Diving.
I did my Sky Diving with the NZone. They are really professionals and they have a really nice place that they have license to jump. I really recommend this company. New Zealand have some professional schools to provide students the course and Diploma in Commercial Skydiving. The NZ Skydiving school seems to have a excellent structure. More information about them just go to their webpage linked in their name before.
The prices starts from NZD 250 (New Zealand dollars).
ZORB
ZORB is a business which provides safe and unique adventure experience all over the world.
They have over 18 years of expertise as the world leaders in the globe-riding activity which ZORB created in the home of adventure sports, New Zealand. They are to this day a New Zealand business, with our Head Office based in Auckland.
ZORB® Rotorua is their first official site and one of the Rotorua attractions you have to experience. ZORB® has been running for over 18 years. ZORB®Rotorua often takes the Number 1 spot on visitors “Things to do before I die” lists. In fact, ZORB® Rotorua has been the Winner of the Visitors Choice Award for the things to do in New Zealand.
There is some videos on YouTube that you can experience a little bit of the ZORB.
The ZORB company has expanded to two more sites. They are in two spots in USA. In their website you can see more about this sites.
The price starts from $39 (USD). Personaly i haven't been to this activity, but some of my friends said it is really fun!
They have over 18 years of expertise as the world leaders in the globe-riding activity which ZORB created in the home of adventure sports, New Zealand. They are to this day a New Zealand business, with our Head Office based in Auckland.
ZORB® Rotorua is their first official site and one of the Rotorua attractions you have to experience. ZORB® has been running for over 18 years. ZORB®Rotorua often takes the Number 1 spot on visitors “Things to do before I die” lists. In fact, ZORB® Rotorua has been the Winner of the Visitors Choice Award for the things to do in New Zealand.
There is some videos on YouTube that you can experience a little bit of the ZORB.
The ZORB company has expanded to two more sites. They are in two spots in USA. In their website you can see more about this sites.
The price starts from $39 (USD). Personaly i haven't been to this activity, but some of my friends said it is really fun!
SNOWBOARDING/SKIING
If you’re into snowboarding, you’ll be into New Zealand. Big time. The slopes here are snowboard friendly, the views are magnificent and the fun's on tap.
If you’re looking for super pipes, rails, boxes and off-trail powder freedom you’ll find them on New Zealand’s snowfields. For awesome freeriding, you can't go past Coronet Peak in Queenstown. This ski field has terrain for snowboarders of all abilities with slopes that offer both wide-open pistes and well-groomed trails.
In terms of spectacular views and crowd-free slopes, Ohau - a ski area between Christchurch and Queenstown - takes the cake. With a great choice of steeps and excellent riding for all levels, Ohau is an internationally-renowned snowboard resort that's a must-do for keen riders.
New Zealand has a lot of spots to snowboarding and skiing. Coronet Peak in Queenstown use to open during some nights too. Ohau is a awesome mountain and they have a nice lodge on the bottom of the mountain, with great food and nice wines. Also in Queenstown you can go to The Remarkables Park. The New Zealand Ski website has a lot of information of some of the best ski resorts in the south island. I did two seasons in Remarkables and Coronet Peak and also I have been to Cardrona (Wanaka) and Ohau. The Otago region is really visited for who is looking some snow sports.
Snowboarding and skiing are popular for all ages, especially skiing. In my time there I saw really young people and really old people riding on the slopes.
Snowboarding and skiing can be really dangerous if you like to go fast. Also some experienced riders are always looking for more adrenaline and adventure. Some companies are offering the heli-ski experience, where they take you to the top of virgin mountains with fresh and powder snow to you have the best experience riding the slopes. The Harris Mountain Heli-Ski company is running in three places in New Zealand: Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt. Hutt. In their website you can find more information about price and their business.
Below you can see some pictures and a video edited by one of my best friends that I made in New Zealand, Rodrigo Segala.
If you’re looking for super pipes, rails, boxes and off-trail powder freedom you’ll find them on New Zealand’s snowfields. For awesome freeriding, you can't go past Coronet Peak in Queenstown. This ski field has terrain for snowboarders of all abilities with slopes that offer both wide-open pistes and well-groomed trails.
In terms of spectacular views and crowd-free slopes, Ohau - a ski area between Christchurch and Queenstown - takes the cake. With a great choice of steeps and excellent riding for all levels, Ohau is an internationally-renowned snowboard resort that's a must-do for keen riders.
New Zealand has a lot of spots to snowboarding and skiing. Coronet Peak in Queenstown use to open during some nights too. Ohau is a awesome mountain and they have a nice lodge on the bottom of the mountain, with great food and nice wines. Also in Queenstown you can go to The Remarkables Park. The New Zealand Ski website has a lot of information of some of the best ski resorts in the south island. I did two seasons in Remarkables and Coronet Peak and also I have been to Cardrona (Wanaka) and Ohau. The Otago region is really visited for who is looking some snow sports.
Snowboarding and skiing are popular for all ages, especially skiing. In my time there I saw really young people and really old people riding on the slopes.
Snowboarding and skiing can be really dangerous if you like to go fast. Also some experienced riders are always looking for more adrenaline and adventure. Some companies are offering the heli-ski experience, where they take you to the top of virgin mountains with fresh and powder snow to you have the best experience riding the slopes. The Harris Mountain Heli-Ski company is running in three places in New Zealand: Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt. Hutt. In their website you can find more information about price and their business.
Below you can see some pictures and a video edited by one of my best friends that I made in New Zealand, Rodrigo Segala.
LUGE
Set high above Lake Wakatipu, Skyline Queenstown Luge is an awesome Queenstown adventure activity, which has two thrilling tracks with internationally acclaimed alpine scenery as your backdrop.
With stunning views across Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, our tracks twist and turn through banks, cuttings and tunnels for the ride of a lifetime. A great Queenstown activity for families or groups of friends, this will be an experience you will long remember!
Their purpose built Luge carts are gravity fuelled and the rider has full control over speed and direction using a unique braking and steering system. Riders of all ages and abilities can enjoy the thrill of racing the three wheeled cart around bends, over bumps and through tunnels. It's like life size Mario Cart!
Some people can say it's not a extreme activity, but I really liked and it really give you some adrenaline if you are with competitors friends that make you go really fast! This activity is so much fun. I have do it with some friends and we all got really excited about! We did have a great time together "mario karting" with the luge! You can have a look in the Skyline Luge website to get more information.
The price starts from NZD 11 (New Zealand Dollars).
With stunning views across Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, our tracks twist and turn through banks, cuttings and tunnels for the ride of a lifetime. A great Queenstown activity for families or groups of friends, this will be an experience you will long remember!
Their purpose built Luge carts are gravity fuelled and the rider has full control over speed and direction using a unique braking and steering system. Riders of all ages and abilities can enjoy the thrill of racing the three wheeled cart around bends, over bumps and through tunnels. It's like life size Mario Cart!
Some people can say it's not a extreme activity, but I really liked and it really give you some adrenaline if you are with competitors friends that make you go really fast! This activity is so much fun. I have do it with some friends and we all got really excited about! We did have a great time together "mario karting" with the luge! You can have a look in the Skyline Luge website to get more information.
The price starts from NZD 11 (New Zealand Dollars).
JET BOAT RIDE
World famous as the ultimate jet boat experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 3 million people since 1970, and now it’s your turn! Take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, and hold on tight for Queenstown’s only exhilarating full 360° spins. ‘Can you handle the canyons?’ with award winning Shotover Jet, ‘The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride’ and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons. Combining the classic New Zealand invention of the Jet Boat with the kiwi culture of adventure, Shotover Jet has become part of the fabric of what is quintessentially 'New Zealand'. People from all around the world visit Queenstown for two main reasons, scenery and adventure; Shotover Jet combines both of these in a unique, exhilarating and unforgettable way and is for many visitors the highlight of their Queenstown and New Zealand holiday.
I did this ride with 3 of my friends. The drivers are really good! They get really close to the rocks and they do a lot of 360° spins in really fast speed that make you think that you gonna hit the rocks.
I did this ride with 3 of my friends. The drivers are really good! They get really close to the rocks and they do a lot of 360° spins in really fast speed that make you think that you gonna hit the rocks.
New Zealand have so much more to explore. Be brave and embrace your fear!
Next you can see a video with some nice and extreme sports in advanced levels. Some of them are done by professionals, but for sure you can have a taste of some of them.