Extreme Sports in Supposedly Sleepy, Laid-Back Victoria BC
Anyone who believes that Victoria is for the “newly wed and nearly dead” should spend some time with Jayson Biggins of Vancouver Island Paragliding, based right in Fairfield. He’ll take you out to Dallas Road on a windy Saturday to watch the paragliders as they bank and weave their way to a soft beach landing – quite literally on a wing and a prayer.
Or you might head out to Clover Point with Dwayne Strong of Strong Kiteboarding downtown and have a go at one of the newest, most thrilling of the “extreme sports” – kiteboarding. Kiteboarding, also known as kite surfing, involves using a power kite to pull a small surfboard skipping across the waves at 40 miles an hour… only to be launched suddenly, on a gust of wind, 30 feet in the air. It’s a sport for people who think windsurfing is for sissies and skydiving just a little too dull. And they do it right here in quiet, peaceful Victoria.
Fortunately, if you ever have an inkling to try extreme sports yourself, there are plenty of “extreme” opportunities right here in Victoria. There is something for everyone… and a surprising number of beginners classes, expert seminars and even gear suppliers. Here are just a few suggestions for how you can get involved in extreme sports in your own backyard:
Rock Climbing. Crag X Climbing Gym, 341 John Street (one block north of the Bay Street Bridge); 250-383-4628; www.urbancliffculture.com. Beginners must pass climbing test, take beginning course or be part of scheduled supervised group. Rates: Day pass, $12-15. One month unlimited: $80-$90. If you want to build your confidence and get a workout you’ll never forget, try the hot new indoor sport of rock climbing. Fortunately, Victoria has a state-of-the-art rock climbing gym right downtown, near the corner of John Street and Pleasant Avenue. The beauty of indoor climbing is the controlled environment and Craig X Climbing Gym offers a full range of courses from beginner to advanced levels, with excellent, qualified instructors. The skills one learns in the gym are transferable to outdoor climbing. Although Craig X does not organize outdoor excursions, there are plenty of challenging climbs on the Island.
Mountain biking. South Island Mountain Bike Society, Box 215, 2680 Quadra Street; Tel. 389-1009 (James Brown, president); email: president@simbs.com; www.simbs.com. ,If you are looking to throw another element into the mountain mix, like, say… speed? Then South Island Mountain Bike Society (SIMBA) president, James Brown, is a guy you should to talk to! These are some people who have come head to head with the issues of risk and liability and have successfully defended their “turf” — Mount Work/Hartland Regional Park, at least for the time-being. Insurance costs have more than doubled over last year but SIMBS has been able to obtain temporary insurance and maintain legal cycling access. Learn more about the issues on the SIMBS website.
Currently, the Society offers introductory rides at Hartland on the first Sunday of the month at 9:45 am sharp. There are also women’s and youth rides offered on the second Sunday of each month at 9:45 and 10 a.m. respectively.
There are plenty of other cross-country and down-hill cycling opportunities available in the greater Victoria area and any one of the many excellent local bike shops can point you in the direction of the best and most challenging trails. SIMBS provides a list of links and shops.
Paragliding. Vancouver Island Paragliding; PO Box 50005, #15-1594 Fairfield Road; Te; 514-8595; email: info@viparagliding.com. “When you dreamed of being a superhero as a kid, which super power did you covet most?” asks Jayson Biggins of Vancouver Island Paragliding. “If you answer, ‘flight’ without skipping a beat, then paragliding is the sport for you.”
Paragliding is the simplest form of aviation there is — just you, your wing, and the silent sky. A paraglider (wing) is a nylon aircraft you can fit in a backpack. Invented by mountaineers who wanted a way to avoid the arduous decent of the mountain they had just climbed, it is engineered to be supremely portable.
Taking “flight” entails running towards the edge of a cliff, wing above your head, until you realize that your feet aren’t even touching the ground anymore, and you’re running on air! From the first breath-taking tandem ride, for the beginner, to the other side of the spectrum, solo aerobatics, Vancouver Island Paragliding can get you on your way.
The paragliders you see hovering above Dallas Road are all advanced rated pilots (unfortunately no commercial tandem flights are permitted there) — but with some time and practice, Jayson says, you could be hanging there in the sky with them!
Skydiving. Ultimate High Parachute Centre, 101 - 9564 Hurricane Road, Sidney; tel. 250-656-6111; email: skydiveultimatehigh@shaw.ca. If jumping off a cliff doesn’t grab your attention, how about jumping out of an airplane? Ultimate High Parachute Centre is located in beautiful Sidney-by-the-Sea. Gary Butchart, the drop zone owner, started out in the skydiving business in a small office with a single Cessna in December 1985. Business continued to grow to the point where he had to purchase a hangar which would allow for expansion, and the new facility, from which they operate today, opened for business in June of 1995.
“Skydivers are air junkies that just can’t get enough of this unique and adrenaline filled sport,” says Fiona of The Ultimate High Parachute Centre, but anyone can give it a try! You must be over 18, but there is no maximum age limit. In fact, one of the dive experts recently took an 83-year-old on a tandem jump – and she loved it! If you are in good health and weigh less than 220 pounds, you’re eligible to jump.
First jump courses and tandem jumps are available, as well as ongoing instruction in gradual and progressive freefall. All the necessary equipment is also provided by the Centre. Your dream of soaring with the eagles is a phone call away!
Windsurfing. Excel Water Sports, Inc., 2001-D Douglas Street; tel. (250) 383-8667; email: excelsports@shepard.ca. Windsurfing is a combination of surfing and sailing. The rider relies on the wind rather than just the waves for momentum. Enthusiasts enjoy a broad range of experiences from the solitude and peace of a solo ride to thrills and spills of tricks and competition.
A self-described “novice” windsurfer once convinced me (a landlubber) to give it a try. I have to say, I was a little skeptical — especially after hour or so. I did eventually get the hang of it and managed to stay upright for a few minutes – just enough to sail across to the farthest side of the lake and require rescuing because I didn’t have the strength or skill to get myself back. In spite of my “perils” on the sail board, the power and exhilaration of skimming across the water for those brief minutes was enough to give me a sense of the adrenalin rush that has enthusiasts “addicted.”
Local windsurfer Chris Shepard of Excel Water Sports says that basic windsurfing on a light, long board in low wind is easy and takes most people about an hour to learn. “Extreme” windsurfing is not about strength, but mastering technique, which comes with practice – and lots of it! He welcomes anyone interested to join the informal groups who sail together in Cadbaro Bay and Elk Lake on Monday and Thursday evenings. For more information call Chris at the number above or check out his website. Since windsurfers don’t have to “share a wave,” the general feeling is “the more the merrier.” Newcomers are welcome.
Kiteboarding. Strong Kiteboarding, 137 Goverment Street; tel. 216-3360; www.strongkiteboarding.com. Its “Intro to Kiteboarding” lesson offers personal one-to-one instruction that covers all the basic skills you will need to kiteboard. You will be taught the important fundamental aspects to kiteboarding, including piloting skills, launching and landing safely and equipment set-up. Kiteboarding takes water sports to yet another level. It combines aspects of several board sports: the power of surfing, the responsiveness of wakeboarding, and the speed and intensity of alpine downhill. Kiteboarders claim it’s the best of all board sports rolled into one. Many just enjoy the thrill of the ride - “cruising”, as they say. But, in strong winds, a skilled kiteboarder can jump 8 to 15 meters into the air! The tricks and acrobatics performed by these athletes are spectacular!
Commercial fisher and expert kiteboarder Dwayne Strong teaches the sport out of his “mobile kite school.” He is passionate about kiteboarding and says it’s the “three dimensional” element that he likes best. Contrary to what one might think, Dwayne insists that learning isn’t that hard and doesn’t take extraordinary strength - just proper technique and moderate fitness. He also shares some concerns about his rapidly growing sport. While Dwayne encourages everyone to try it, he sees the potential for legal problems because the sport is, as yet, unregulated. “Anyone can get the gear and head out to the beach. Inexperience in this sport is not a good thing. People can get seriously hurt,”he says. Dwayne sees the potential for liability issues that could cause restrictions on a sport whose great appeal is its freedom. Dwayne stresses the importance of getting proper instruction for personal safety and for the benefit of others. It makes sense! If you want to learn how, Dwayne can be reached at 216-3360.
Scuba. Ogden Point Dive Centre, 199 Dallas Road; tel. 380-9119; email: info@divevictoria.com. But, what’s going on under the waves? South Vancouver Island boasts some fantastic diving and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the depths right in our own backyard. Did you know that some of the best diving conditions occur in the winter when “traffic” is light and the water is at its clearest? Scuba diving may be a lot easier than you think! Really, all that is required is that from you is “comfort” in the water – you can let the experts take it from there!
Visit a local dive shop (or one of their websites) such as Ogden Point Dive Centre (380-9119)… Wilson Diving (478-4488)… Great Ocean Adventures (475-2202)… or Frank White’s Dive Stores (385-4713 or 652-3375).
The staff members at these shops possess a wealth of knowledge and experience, and can provide you with all the training and equipment to make your local diving trip unforgettable. Their services include: rental and sales, equipment maintenance, introductory day trips, weekend trips, guided dives and certification courses. Becoming certified requires a 40-hour commitment including classroom and pool sessions before you begin ocean diving.
Extreme Racing. Mind Over Mountain Events, #205 - 15 Smokey Smith Place, New Westminster; race hotline: 250-715-8933; email: info@mindovermountain.com.
Combine a little bit of something the earth, wind and sea have to offer, add a little competition, and you’re talking Adventure Race. This relatively lesser-known sport has been around a while, but has become more popular in the last decade with big races such as “Echo Challenge” being broadcast world-wide.
There are a variety of challenges out there that range in skills requirements, duration, and difficulty. Right here on the island, there is an excellent series called the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race – or MOMAR, for short. These are one-day events that take place throughout the spring, summer and fall at various locations in the Victoria area and throughout BC. Each race provides a multi-sport challenge including: cross-country running, orienteering, mountain-biking, kayaking, and climbing. Participants can race alone or in teams of two or four. The races will be between 35 and 45 kilometres. You will not know the exact distances or the course route until the night before the race.
And be prepared for some steep climbs and fast decents. Generally, racers in the full course can expect 8 to 12 km of paddling, 20-30 km of riding, and 8-14 km of trail running. MOMAR invites novice racers as well as seasoned veterans, and promises an adventure/endurance experience you won’t soon forget.
I have had the opportunity to speak with many athletes, from many backgrounds, from a full spectrum of sports, but there was one overriding theme: “GET OUT THERE AND DO IT!” Every one, from Olympic to recreational athlete, encourages “extreme” newcomers to find something they like and participate. “Extreme” is a relative term, they insist; how far you want to go is entirely up to you. But one thing is sure: In Victoria, you have more options than almost any other place around.
