You’re young, wild and free, so why not take a few death-defying risks while you’re at it? Your twenties are the perfect time to get your pulse pounding and your heart pumping with unique and thrilling experiences. Here are some of the must-try adrenaline rush activities to experience before you hit the big 3-0.
1. Sky Dive
You, a plane and a parachute. Skydiving is hard to top when it comes to adrenaline rushes, and for good reason. As you freefall over the landscape, why not have something cool to look at? Skydiving over Mount Everest lets you fall from one of the highest elevations over majestic mountains, while the fall from the skies above Hawaii makes the islands look even more like paradise.
2. Swim With Sharks
Being lowered in a cage into shark-infested waters will have your heart pounding like never before. This incredible experience is one of the wildest and most daring ways to get your adrenaline pumping. If you’re looking for some of the most exhilarating shark dives in the world, try one of these locations:
- Bimini Island, Bahamas
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Bay Islands, Honduras
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Monad Shoal, Philippines
3. Skyscraper Stunts
You’ll feel like a real Hollywood stuntman or woman when you visit certain skyscrapers with vertigo-inducing activities for visitors. For example, you can experience a controlled freefall from the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas. At the CN Tower in Toronto, visitors can be strapped into jumpsuits and lean out over the city from 1,168 feet above.
4. Roller Coaster Thrills
While most of us loved them as kids, some roller coasters are made for grown-up thrills. You’ll go the fastest on Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, with speeds reaching up to 149 mph. A close second can be found on U.S. soil on Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure, with speeds of up to 128 mph. Meanwhile, the Takabisha in Japan features the steepest drop in the world at an angle of 121 degrees.
5. Running Of The Bulls
You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to participate in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? During the annual Festival of San Fermin, you’ll take to the streets to dodge fast, ferocious bulls with pin-sharp horns. This is sure to be the fastest sprint you’ll ever complete.
6. Flyboard
Hoverboards sound like a fantasy from the future, but you can experience it for real when you go flyboarding. This new extreme sport involves using a hydro-powered device that lets you hover over the surface of the water. Those who have mastered the skill can perform twists, turns and tricks as well. Best of all, it’s easy to learn with just a lesson or two.
7. Dog Sled Racing
Dog sledding offers a great combination of adrenaline rush-inducing activities: exposure to severe elements, surviving in the wild and, of course, speed. Riding on the actual sled is exciting in itself, but for the biggest thrill, sign up for a dog sledding trip that includes overnight camping on the frozen tundra. Some of the most exciting and scenic dog sledding can be found in the far north in Alaska.
8. Naked Bike Ride
Riding your bike naked through busy city streets in the light of day? It’s all part of the rush when you participate in a naked bike ride. These unusual events are held in more than 70 cities all over the world with a mission of promoting environmental causes as well as positive body image.
9. SCAD Diving
Can you imagine free-falling with no parachute, no bungee cord and no training required? That’s exactly what you’ll do when you participate in suspended catch air device (SCAD) diving. Your safety net in this case is, well, literally a net. You’ll fall from around 150 feet or so in the air onto a suspended safety net, reaching a speed of over 55 mph.
10. Polar Bear Plunge
It’s quick, but we wouldn’t say it’s painless. Jumping into ice-cold water seems crazy, but it’s become one of the most exciting winter activities at seaside locations across the country. Even though most participants jump in and out quickly, it’s still a rush like no other. Many polar bear plunge events are held on New Year’s Day.
11. Wingsuit
The wingsuit is certainly one of the most dangerous and thrilling activities out there. Sometimes called a birdman suit or squirrel suit, this jumpsuit is designed with built-in “wings” on the arms and legs. The increased surface area created by the suit allows the wearer to glide through the air and use their body to control their direction and speed. But take note— the U.S. Parachute Association requires first-time wingsuit flyers to have a minimum of 200 freefall skydives under their belt.
Don’t wait until you’re a bit too old to partake in these risky and exhilarating stunts. Add these activities to your pre-30 bucket list today.