Going eXtreme!
Do we Singaporeans have what it takes? Do we have the guts to go to the “EXTREME”? Well, when we use this term “extreme sports”; which sports are actually considered “EXTREME”? aloud takes a closer look into what “extreme” means.
By: Zee, Melvin & Prasad
First, let us look deeper into the definition of the term “extreme sports”. The term “extreme sports” initially started in the 1970s – 1980s and was exclusively used for sports that involved high risks and has possibility of death. One resource reports that “extreme sports” are activities that are associated with the adrenaline rush. In the 20th Century; “extreme sports” started gaining popularity.
Individuals such as Tony Hawk, an American skateboarder, also contributed much to the rise of the popularity of “extreme sports.” He is the winner of 9 gold 3 silver and 2 bronze medals in different events under Skateboarding at the yearly X-games event. The event includes many things “EXTREME”, from Skateboarding to Snowboarding to even Freestyle Motocross. It offers quite an array of “extreme sports”, which caters to athletes, enthusiasts and just about anyone.
“Extreme sports” is usually an individual sport rather than a team’s’. Then again, even if it is not a team sport, it helps promote creation and innovation of new maneuvers and the improvisation of existing techniques. For example, Tony Hawk created the “900”, a skateboarding manoeuvre that he trademarked. Now that’s what we call the “Skater boy!”
Here in Singapore, we call it Extreme and Adventure Sports (EAS). “EAS has become a fast-growing niche sport in Singapore, targeted mainly at the youth and young adults segments.” Says Mr Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development Luck, in a speech two years ago at an inaugural ceremony. And yes, they are growing fast here in Singapore.
We could always find these people around Singapore easily; one of the good location to spot them will be outside Somerset MRT on the other exit, where there is a Skate park opposite the Singtel building. You’ll get to see the athletes with their bikes and skateboards doing different tricks, if you realised there are more skate parks being built around Singapore, the most recent would be at Bukit Timah. Other extreme sports like wakeboarding could be found in East Coast. And for most bikers, being “extreme” means taking things off the road, into the dirt tracks and high ramps.
It sure does look like extreme sports are rising up like a star here in Singapore! @
