Associated with a healthy and adventurous lifestyle, extreme sports are gaining ever greater numbers of fans across the world. Portugal provides confirmation of this trend, with increasing numbers of athletes and international competitions. This growing popularity is partly due to the extraordinary developments in the safety, sturdiness, and performance of the equipment used, which attracts new participants and allows experienced exponents a greater scope for daring feats.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) originated in Hawaii and can be practised in the sea, rivers, or lakes/lagoons. It is accessible to people of all ages and provides a complete physical workout. The most popular SUP spots in Portugal are the Aveiro estuary and the autonomous region of the Azores. This archipelago hosts an international competition that involves crossing between the islands of São Jorge and Pico, a distance of 19 kilometres.
Skydive means exactly what it says. Free falling in the seconds before the parachute opens leads to a huge adrenalin rush. The jump is made at an altitude above 600 feet, usually from an aircraft.
The tandem version (under the control of an instructor) is one of the most popular extreme sports among those seeking an unforgettably intense experience. The Portuguese region of Alentejo offers excellent conditions for this sport.
Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports. Its origins can be traced to pre-historic Africa and Asia, where wooden boards and tree branches would be used to walk on the snow. Modern athletes wear boots made using space technology, with computer-designed skis.
Portugal has a ski resort in the Serra da Estrela, which has facilities for recreational skiing as well as training and competition. The first international medals for Portugal were won in 2012 by Andrea Bugnone.
