Want to try a new sport or activity? Try some of these unusual sports, from blobbing to cannonballing!
1 Blobbing
What is it?
This sport starts with one person - the 'blobber' - sat on a giant inflatable bag in AREA 47's lake, located beneath a three metre tall platform. A second person jumps from the platform down onto one side of the bag, propelling the blobber up to 19 metres high in the air, and down into the water below. It's pure silly fun with laughter guaranteed, and with a minimum age of twelve, it's a great way to get teens involved in the holiday merriment.
Where to try it?
AREA 47 in Ötztal, Tirol, is Austria's largest adventure park. Zip lines, bungee jumping, rafting, canyoning, wakeboarding and much more is on offer in this gianormous thrillseekers' playground. In between via ferrata routes and Forest Cross freeriding, take some time to try out one of the park's most playful and novel activities: blobbing.
Find out more: https://area47.at/en/water-area/blobbing
2 Jetpacks
What is it?
Take flight in one of the world's newest activities and fly through the air on a Jetpack! The jet pack unit blasts hundreds of litres of water through specially designed thrust nozzles to enable you to fly as high as 10 metres above the water. And then try the fly board craze that is sweeping the nation. With a water-jet powered board attached to your feet you can soar above the water and dive under it like a dolphin.
Where to try it?
Try this sport in Australia; the Australian Flagship Jetpack training and flight centre is now open at the Sydney International Regatta centre at Penrith
Find out more: https://www.jetpackadventures.com.au/sydney/
3 Diving to Underwater Exhibition
What is it?
Divers can dive down to explore an underwater museum at a depth of more than ten metres. Marked by a buoy any diver can visit, provided they are accompanied by a technician and have insurance and a liability waiver, to be signed with project-associated companies.
Where to try it?
Less than two kilometres off Algarve's coast of Albufeira in Portugal, an exciting new underwater art exhibition has been revealed. The 'EDP Art Reef' project is the is the first of its kind in the country and created by the famous Portuguese Graffiti and street artist Alexandre Farto, also known as Vhils.
It features 13 sculptures made from old parts of power stations that are no longer in operation. The thirteen pieces (made of iron and concrete) stand in an exhibition area of 1,250 square meters, located about 12 meters underwater, and a mile away from the coast, with the tallest piece measuring 5.3 meters. This unique exhibition can be enjoyed until the end of this year.
Find out more: https://www.edp.com/pt-pt/edp-art-reef
4 Snowkiting
What is it?
Snowboarding, skiing and kitesurfing are all well recognised sports - but how many of us know about the activity that combines the best of these seasonal pursuits? Snowkiting, in which a large steerable kite pulls a skier or snowboarder across wintery terrain at great speeds, is the next holiday pastime to which to turn one's attention.
Where to try it?
To try snowkiting for first time, head to Lake Achensee in Austria: Tirol's largest lake, measuring 13,000 square metres. In winter, this entire surface area turns into a stadium of smooth, snow-covered ice, kept pristine by piste groomers. Situated between steep mountain chains, it's blessed with consistently good wind conditions. With these factors in mind, it makes sense that Achenkirch is home to Tirol's oldest specialist school for snowkiting (open since 2010). For those who have graduated from their expert-led snowkiting courses and are looking for more heart-pounding adventure, the nearby Nößlachjoch Ridge at the Brenner Pass will more than suffice. Its deep powder and strong winds - which on some days have the power to pull snowkiters back up the mountain - guarantee thrills for even the most experienced riders.
5 Cannonball
What is it?
Ever wanted to become a human projectile? Why not have a go at a gigantic water jet catapulting you several metres into the air across a lake!
Where to try it?
In Austria at the AREA 47 water park they use fresh mountain water from the Ötztal. The principle is simple: all you do is sit down on the hot seat and enjoy the feeling of your adrenaline level rising; suddenly a gigantic water jet shoots you into the air and you land safely in the lake.
In order for water to be able to fire a human being into the air like a bomb, it requires some compressed power. They provide you with a safety briefing so your body is protected from the force, and your cannonball flight becomes an unforgettable experience.
Find out more: https://area47.at/en/water-area/cannonball/
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