Melo Villareal
Top 10 Extreme Sports all around the Philippines
The Philippines is quite known for its beauty and the friendly folks living here. Tourists come here every now and then to visit some of the country’s best beaches or the heart-racing treks of the several hiking spots here. It’s always quite inviting to come around the Philippines. There are cheap deals for your hotels, food, and bar hopping. There is always something that you can and will want to do once you get here.
But PH is not just about the beaches, the beautiful scenery, the warm people, and the cheap prices, but also there are quite many exciting things you can do here. If you’re willing to take on the extra challenge, there are a handful of adrenalin-pumping extreme sports that you might like to try out.
1. White water rafting
Wet and Wild, this might be the most precise way to describe a typical white water rafting experience. It’s exhilarating, and it’s going to leave you all soaked, especially if you’re paddling your way in a long stretch of crazy rapids.
The PH has a lot of places for white water rafting among the most famous are the rapids in Cagayan de Oro, Davao Wildwater Adventure, and Chico River Whitewater Rafting Adventure.
Cagayan de Oro’s rapids are mostly of class III and IV, Chico River has class II, III, and IV, while Davao Wildwater Adventure has mostly class III. Judging by the rivers’ rapids, you would definitely not go GENTLY down the stream, but you will surely be merrily satisfied after this. Be prepared to have a swell time shouting your heart out as you row your rafts.
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2. Reverse Bungee Jumping
If you think that India and Singapore are the only places where you could sit on a chair (attached on a cable, of course!) that gets launched in thin air, then think again because this superbly heart-thumping experience is also in the Philippines.
In fact, it’s in the summer Party capital of the Philippines- Boracay. So if you’re tired of walking around the beach, you might want to try G-Max’s Reverse Bungee Jumping.
3. Mountaineering
It’s no secret Philippines has lots and lots of hills and mountains that you can climb any time of the year. You could choose from the grand Mt. Apo with its tricky trails, Mt Pulag for its sea of clouds, Mt. Dulang-Dulang for the Rivendell-like forest, Mt. Pinatubo for its picturesque crater lake, Mt. Guiting-guiding for its sharp and treacherous trail and among all the other mountains and hills that would relieve yours from those itching soles.
Also Read:
- Mt. Ugo: My last climb for the year
- Summer Trek: Five Mountains Perfect to Hike this Season
- Travel Guide: Mount Pinatubo Day Tour
- City lights overlooking and star gazing at Mt. Balagbag
- Prepared itinerary for your Mt. Daraitan Getaway
- Travel Guide on Things to Pack for Mountaineering Newbies
4. Wake Boarding
No one knows how it started, but everyone raves about this sport. Wakeboarding is done most of the time on lakes, with a good old board and motorboat. You just surf and flip in the air while being pulled by the motorboat. If you are in the country, you might as well drop by Nuvali, Laguna, or perhaps the famous wakeboard capital, CamSur (Camarines Sur), for a flipping fun day.
5. Motorcross
While the first few sports mentioned can be tried by anybody, Motorcross is quite the opposite. It requires a bit of training and basic knowledge of driving a motorbike. It is popular among thrill seekers and trained motorists.
In the country, Lanao del Norte is considered the Motorcross capital. Last 2010, Lanao del Norte hosted the Enersel Forte Philippines International Motorcross Series, one of the biggest international motocross events held in the country.
6. Canyoneering
Canyoneering or Canyoning is the sport of exploring canyons. By canyons, you either mean the classic ravine between cliffs like those of the Grand Canyon or the rift between two peaks. The Philippines has the latter kind of Canyon, which is found in Kawasan Falls and Montaneza Falls in Cebu. Enjoy various activities from abseiling, climbing, walking, and swimming in exploring these two falls.
7. Surfs up!
When you hear surfing, there just might be a jumble of words in your head like, Kitesurfing Windsurfing and Surfing. Naturally, all of these would require you aboard and some sea-loving spirit, but each has its own equally exciting perk. First is Surfing which is basically standing on a board and gliding with the waves.
Second is Kitesurfing, your typical surfing with the additional excitement brought by being tugged by a kite. Last but not least is Windsurfing which is done by standing on the board and maneuvering the mini sail that powers your surfing movement. Surfing is best at Siargao, and San Juan, La Union, while Windsurfing and Kitesurfing are popular around Boracay, Puerto Galera, Puerto Princesa, and Davao.
Also Read:
- Bulabog Beach : Asia’s Windsurfing & Kiteboarding Capital
- Palawan: Your Next Kitesurfing Destination
- Top 10 Cool Surfing Destinations in the Philippines
- Top 8 Surfing Spots in Luzon: Part 1
- Top 8 Surfing Spots in Luzon: Part 2
8. Sandboarding
If you’re hydrophobic and you’re still dying to surf on your board, you might as well give it a shot at Sandboarding. As the name suggests, it’s gliding through the sand with a board. It’s similar to skiing, only that skiing needs snow, and sandboarding, as the name suggests, requires sand. Come to the La Paz sand dunes to try this waterless boarding sport.
Also Read: Sand Boarding in La Paz Sand Dunes, Surfing in La Union and Baguio : Lakbay Norte Day 3
9. Paintball
Do you want to go shooting around with capsules of paint? Then bring in your gang [or friends or family] and let the shooting spree begin. It’s quite exciting carrying around paintball-loaded guns as you aim and shoot for fun. Several places would help you unleash that sharpshooter in you.
There’s one in Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, another Holiday Inn, Clark Pampanga, and another in Southwoods Ecocentrum in Laguna. Cebu also has paintball fields, Del Rio Resort in Koronadal, Highlands Adventure Park in Tagaytay, and Paintball Republic in Camp John Hay, Baguio.
10. Triathlon Racing
Adrenalin Junkies would never miss out on a triathlon race. It’s probably the ultimate energy-draining sport that one could ever enlist in. It’s a combination of swimming, running, and biking events that is held annually by different sponsors and organizers. The Philippines hosts several local and international triathlon races. You just need to register online through different web portals.
Also Read:
- 5 Extreme Adventures You Won’t Be Able to Do without Enough Protein in Your Body
- Pico Tri 2013 Invitational at Hamilo Coast
So, suppose by chance you’re not in the mood to walk around or take selfies and groupies behind famous historic or perhaps beautiful sceneries. In that case, you might want to jump into some serious game-changing extreme sport to amp up your experience here in the Philippines.
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