Adventure Sports

S urfing The term surfing refers to the act of riding a wave, regardless of whether the wave is ridden with a board or without a board, and regardless of the stance used. Surfing is an event to be inducted in the Olympic Games from the year . Surfing is a surface water sport in which the wave rider, referred to as a surfer, rides on the forward or deep face of a moving wave, which carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitable for surfing are primarily found in the ocean, but waves can also be found in lakes or rivers in the form of standing wave or tidal bore.

However, surfers can also utilise artificial waves such as those from boat and the waves created in artificial wave pools. Fig. . : Surfing- Historical Development of Surfing For centuries, surfing was a central part of ancient Polynesian culture.

Surfing may have first been observed by the British explorers at Tahiti in . Do You Know? George Freeth ( November – April ) is often credited as being the ‘Father of Modern Surfing’. He is thought to have been the first modern surfer.

Governing Body The highest governing body for surfing sport is known as International Surfing Association. It is played all over the world. In , professional contests started. That year, Margo Oberg became the first female professional surfer.

Types of Surfing Fig. . : Surfing- . Stand-up Surfing: The modern-day definition of surfing, most often refers to a surfer riding a wave standing up on a Surfboard; this is also referred to as stand-up surfing.

Long surf-boarding and short surf-boarding are the two types of stand-up surfing. Both long and short surf-boarding have several major differences, including the board design and length, the riding style, and the kind of wave that is ridden. . Body Surfing or Body Boarding: The surfer riding a wave on a body board, either by lying on the belly, or drop knee, is called body surfing.

In body surfing, the wave is surfed without a board, using the surfer’s own body to catch and ride the wave, this is very common and considered to be the purest form of surfing. . Surf Matting: An other type of surfing that is surfed in inflatable mats, using foils, is called surf matting. .

Tow-surfing: Tow-surfing is most often associated with big wave surfing with a motorised water vehicle, such as a personal watercraft, which tows the surfer into the wave front. Water-craft help the surfer to match a large wave’s speed, which is generally higher than a self-propelled surfer can produce. Types of Surfboard A long board ( feet) causes more friction with the water, and is slower than a smaller lighter board ( feet). Longer boards are good for beginners, who need help in balancing.

Smaller boards are good for more experienced surfers who want to have more control and manoeuverability. Dangers during Surfing Seabed The seabed can pose danger for surfers. If a surfer falls while riding a wave, the wave tosses and tumbles the surfer around, often in a downwards direction. At reef breaks and beach breaks, surfers have been seriously injured and even killed because of a violent collision with the sea bed, the water above which can sometimes be very shallow, especially at beach breaks or reef breaks during low tide.

Rip currents Rip currents are water channels that flow away from the shore. Under the wrong circumstances, these currents can endanger both experienced and inexperienced surfers. Since a rip current appears to be an area of flat water, tired or inexperienced swimmers or surfers may enter one and be carried out beyond the breaking waves. Although many rip currents are much smaller, the largest rip currents have a width of forty or fifty feet.

However, by paddling parallel to the shore, a surfer can easily exit a rip current. Surfing related Sports Surfing-related sports, such as, paddle boarding and sea kayaking do not require waves. Other water related sports such as kite surfing and wind-surfing rely primarily on wind for power, yet all of these platforms may also be used to ride waves. Recently the use of V-drive boats wave surfing, in which one surfs on the wave of a boat, has emerged.

Safety and Security in Paragliding and Surfing The securi ty and safety of the gliders and surfers have to be kept in mind as there is high risk involved during these adventure sports. Safety measure should be followed and observed by the individuals taking adventure sports. . A paraglider should be certified and highly skillful before taking adventure sports.

. A paraglider should keep all type of safety instruments before going for paragliding. These instruments are Virometer, Global Positioning System and Radio to get update about all kinds of dangers. .

During practice, proper safety equipments like helmet, knee guards, chest guards and other protective equipment should be worn. . Gliding should not be permitted without proper assistance (licensed personnel). .

A surfer should recognise the wave current flowing in sea for keeping himself in the safe zone. . A surfer should also be able to recognise the deep face of the moving wave that can be dangerous sometimes to the surfer. .

Surfer should practise his surfing skills in the artificially created waves before introducing himself in the deep sea. . Paragliders should inspect their paraglide breaks and other necessary lining for safety measures regularly. .

Enough practice should be done before taking long route paragliding. . Fitness standard (physical and mental) should be maintained, which is considered as the key factor that helps in meeting out and taking quick decision during any untoward situation. I.

Long Answer Questions . Write down the use of Variometer in paragliding. . Explain ‘tow- surfing’.

. Discuss the safety measures to keep in mind during paragliding. . Briefly explain Sea beds and Rip Currents.

. How does Global Positioning System work? II. Short Answer Questions .

Name the person who invented paragliding. . Name the two flying techniques in paragliding. .

Classify the categories of adventure sports. . In which year, the first world championship for surfing was held? .

What are the different types of surfing?