Bowfishing, mountainboarding, chess boxing? These adventurous twists on traditional sports will have you brainstorming other activities you can combine.
If you love sports, chances are that you play more than one and watch even more. Why not multitask? With these adventurous twists on traditional sports, you can combine interests and expand your enjoyment.
Mountainboarding
Skateboarding + Snowboarding
Unless you’re looking for a more efficient way to injure yourself, load up on the safety equipment for this one. No snow is involved (small mercies), but you’ll need a mountainboard that can handle rough downhill terrain. If you trust that you can balance while surfing, snowboarding, or skateboarding, you’ll pick this activity up quickly. Start with a qualified instructor, so you can ask the all-important question: “Is there any way to brake?”
Bowfishing
Fishing + Archery
Show fish that you mean business by bringing your hunting prowess into the equation. Bowfishing requires a bow that’s specially crafted for fishing, although there are ways to adapt hunting bows. Aim an arrow attached to a fishing line at your prey, and hold on for dear life. You can do it in a river in wading boots, from a boat, or off a dock. If that isn’t enough of a challenge, light up the water to try it at night.
Kick Tennis
Soccer + Tennis
Rules and interpretations vary, but the idea is to bring a soccer ball onto a tennis court (no rackets!) and score points without letting the ball bounce more than once on each side. Particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand, some enthusiasts play at half court, some play without a net, and some play with as many as six people. If you want to sharpen up your soccer skills, kick tennis is an intense and controlled way to master the ball.
Chess Boxing
Chess + Boxing
As long as we’re putting adventurous twists on traditional sports, why not try to punch out our chess opponents? You know Bobby Fischer would be into it. There are 11 rounds total, which begin with chess and alternate with boxing. Both your mental and physical skills get a workout. If you knock someone out or reach checkmate, you win. The idea started out as an art performance but is now competitively played in the U.K., Russia, India, and Germany.