Extreme growing up

While some of us enjoy winding down as we get older, quite content to be moseying along in the slow lane instead of battling it out in a rat race, others among us have quite different ideas. Time freed up by reduced working hours, retirement and fewer financial and family responsibilities means that the opportunity for experiencing new thrills has suddenly become more accessible.

Awesome adventures

More and more older people are embarking on globe-trotting holidays – rivalling gap year students in their quest for action, culture and off-the-beaten track experiences. Similarly, the uptake of extreme sports in the UK by older people is also on the rise. And the great news is that many holiday companies and outdoor leisure organisations are recognising this trend.

Sporty not senior

It might surpise you to know that a relatively wide range of extreme sports are accessible to older people, ranging from skydiving, white water rafting and caving to the slightly tamer – though no less exhilarating – treking, hot air ballooning and quad biking. And you don’t need to be an Olympian or at the younger end of the age spectrum to enjoy these fantastic experiences. Skydiving, as does hot air ballooning, for example, actually requires very little physical effort – so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

While there is always a minimum age limit for people participating in extreme sports, in many cases there is no maximum age limit. More often than not, a doctor’s note is all that’s required to declare you medically fit to partake in a particular activity.

Some so-called extreme sports do require a little more physical exertion than others, but the health benefits associated with exercise, particulary as we get older, are indisputably recognised. The more active we are, the more strength and balance we have, and the lower our risk of heart disease and raised cholesterol. Combine physical activity with the great outdoors – where most extreme sports take place - and you’ve got two fantastic ingredients for a happy, healthy lifestyle.

Adrenaline junkies unite

Another great thing about getting involved in extreme sports – no matter what age you are – is the social aspect. Widening your friendship group by linking up with other like-minded thrill seekers can be hugely rewarding – especially as meeting new people can become challenging as we get older. Sharing success stories, tips and advice can boost motivation, dispel nervous reservations about trying something new and help to combat social isolation.

While social groups aimed specifically at active older people are still rather thin on the ground, hobbies like extreme sports have the power to unite all age groups.

Celebrate in style

Extreme sports are a fantastic way to celebrate special anniversaries, birthdays and retirements. Annie Clarke from Suffolk, turned 60 last year and decided that the best way to celebrate this special occasion was to launch herself out of an aeroplane at 13,000 feet. As something she had always wanted to try, and just never got round to doing, dare devil Annie proved that you’re never too old to try new tricks. In fact, some might consider Annie a mere youngster in this sport – with reports of some skydivers aged in their 90s – now that is extreme growing up!