Daredevil Sports

Skiing and snowboarding are dangerous enough. Bringing the unpredictableness of the wind into it is truly for daredevils. Snow kiting provides an incredible new kind of rush to the snow sports. Catching the wind with a kite gives extreme athletes a chance to take flight for a bit while using a snowboard-like blade to cut through the snow. From learning the basics to watching the pros in action, readers see how dangerous and thrilling snow kiting is, and how they can learn it for themselves, if they dare.

Jumping from a long way up is incredibly dangerous. That's why BASE-jumping is a sport saved for the experts. These amazing athletes take leaps from fixed places like antennas and bridges and feel the wind through their hair before using safety equipment like parachutes to make it back to Earth without harm. Sometimes these daredevils will don wingsuits and actually fly while they fall back to earth. Full-color photographs and riveting text capture this sport up close and personal and take readers into the skies.

Experiencing the thrill of rodeo events like bull riding up close and personal is quite the thrill. The fastest rodeo event involves skilled people, talented horses, and barrels. Barrel racing is a fast-paced thrill ride unlike any other. Readers learn that barrel racing success depends on getting as close to the barrel as possible to ensure the fastest time. They learn about the history of the event, the role that women played in its early days, and how riders execute the cloverleaf pattern around the barrels.

Climbing is an exciting way to stay in shape. Ice climbing adds the thrills of rock climbing to the dangers of snow and cold, to create a brand new sport. Strapping on crampons, using ice-climbing axes, and scaling a sheer cliff of ice brings an incredible rush unlike any other. Readers dig into the thrilling world of climbing up cliffs and rock slabs in the middle of winter. From more dangerous climbs like frozen waterfalls to other ice formations, this book explores the equipment needed to safely ice climb and the history behind this amazing sport.

For some, exploring the depths of a dark cave is the ultimate rush of excitement. But what if the cave was filled with water? Readers get to experience this dangerous thrill from the safe pages of this exciting book. Readers splash through the dark and explore the world hidden deep in the water. From the equipment needed to safely participate to a few of the amazing places divers explore, this book explores the unseen and often unexplored parts of a world full of wonder.

Professional bull riding is one of the toughest sports out there. This exciting event pits man against bovine, strapping cowboys onto the backs of thousand-pound animals who don't appreciate the rider on their back. These cowboys travel around the country with bulls ready to buck them off at every turn. Fly off in the wrong spot and the bull might go after a rider. Readers learn how these amazing athletes stay safe while performing for crowds of thousands, and the skills it takes to ride like a pro.

Roller derby is an extreme sport making a comeback! With a history that dates back to the 1930s, in the last decade, roller derby teams have grown in number and popularity. Readers take a turn around the track and discover that, from hard hits to fast breaks, the action in roller derby is nonstop. Full-color photographs highlight the mostly female teams who dominate the sport and the theatrical quality of each jam, or matchup. Safety tips offer help to new skaters, as this sport can get aggressive fast.

Mixed martial arts, or MMA, has a long history since it includes techniques from older fighting styles like tae kwon do, muay thai, and Greco-Roman wrestling. But the popular sport is truly a modern invention that may result in blood, sweat, and tears. Readers learn about the fearless fighters who enter the cage for each bout, as well as MMA history and the formation of the UFC. MMA safety and rules are emphasized, including the need for specific training and great physical fitness. Full-color images highlight the intensity and drama of bouts for both the fighters and the crowd.