MARIKA SBOROS: Nothing like standing on the edge to conquer life’s fears
‘With extreme sports you live in the moment while going against gravity and all self-preservation instincts’
You don’t need a death wish to enjoy the life-enhancing benefits of extreme sports. I don’t mean ultramarathons, although running the Comrades is risky and finishing it can feel as if you’ve survived a life-or-death struggle. I mean recreational activities involving a high degree of risk. These may involve speed, height, a high level of physical exertion and highly specialised gear. To survive them intact, it helps to be naturally athletic and stable, relatively speaking. Extreme sports are a danger to life and limb if you aren’t in tip-top condition in body and mind. Urban areas tend to be natural habitats of lovers of life-threatening exploits. Big cities are teeming with them. London is no exception. The latest I bumped into in the city last week is Paul Barr, 36, a skydiver. He voluntarily jumps out of aircraft high up above the clouds with nothing more than a parachute attached to his back. His highest jump has been from 18,000 feet. I’ve always marvelled at the courage it take...
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