In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 most popular extreme sports in the US. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global adventure tourism industry, the companies catering to extreme sports, and how the dawn of sports cameras helped make extreme sports more popular, head to 20 Most Popular Extreme Sports in the US.
5. Paragliding
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Paragliding is now a professionalized activity, and the United States is teeming with destinations where thrill-seekers can experience it. It can be enjoyed by anyone, from teenagers to seniors and first-timers to those conquering their fear of heights. Sky-high moments are assured when paragliding.
One of the major reasons why this extreme sport is gaining so much popularity is that compared to skydiving or other extreme sports, paragliding is relatively more affordable, making it accessible to a wider range of adventure enthusiasts.
4. Skydiving
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Skydiving is an exhilarating and thrilling activity that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world. With over 40,000 active members in the United States Parachute Association (USPA) alone, it’s clear to see why skydiving continues to be a popular pastime for many.
The average cost of a first-time tandem skydive in the U.S. ranges from $200-$300 and with only one fatal accident occurring out of every 100,000 jumps, safety remains paramount when participating in this extreme sport.
3. Snowboarding
Insider Monkey Score: 7
The number of Americans who went snowboarding in 2021 was the highest recorded since 2010, hitting around 7.96 million. In the first season affected by the pandemic – 2019-20 – the total number of ski and snowboard resort visits nationally dropped to 51.1 million (from 59.3 million in 2018-19). However, as resorts learned how to safely operate during the pandemic – and also due to the natural cycle of resorts closing and opening – the number rose to 59 million in 2020-21.
The Ski & Snowboard Resorts industry in the U.S. is expected to reach a market size of $4.6bn at the end of 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7% between 2018 and 2023.
2. Rock Climbing
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Even before climbing star Alex Honnold’s stunning ‘free solo’ ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan in 2017, rock climbing was gaining a foothold. Now, with its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the once niche sport is reaching new heights.
Yet the popularity of rock climbing and its sister sport, bouldering (where climbers scramble up large rocks without the use of ropes or harnesses), is raising questions about the damaging environmental effects of climbing chalk – a ubiquitous and essential climbing tool.
1. Skateboarding
Insider Monkey Score: 8
Skateboarding has been an important part of youth culture for decades. And it’s not just the sport itself – from Vans shoes to Tony Hawk video games, the culture surrounding skateboarding culture is just as intense. Although it’s now a global phenomenon, skateboarding has a very specific place in American pop culture.
The global skateboard industry has been growing steadily over the years, driven by the rising popularity of skateboarding as a sport and a recreational activity. The increasing number of skateboarding parks and the inclusion of skateboarding as a sport in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have had a massive impact on the popularity of the sport.
While extreme sports, in general, have seen a boost in popularity since the pandemic, skateboarding still officially reigns as America’s Most Popular Extreme Sport.
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