Extreme

Liverpool may have been the capital of culture for 2008, but few could deny that Manchester can draw on an equally impressive heritage which makes the heir-apparent ‘capital of the North’ a city of history, diversity, and most importantly, innovation.

The emergence of sports categorized as ‘extreme’ in recent years has paralleled the rise to prominence experienced by Manchester’s indie music scene of the 1980s. The Manchester city council have attempted to pacify the growing interest and captivation in the ‘extreme’ sports with the erection of the BMX race track in Platt Fields. In association with British cycling and the Manchester BMX club, this has now reached international standards to placate the growing following that BMX racing has, highlights the often futile attempts to maintain the frenetic pace with the migrants flocking from other sports.

Much of the appeal, it must also be noted, is the leisurely and social luxury of the sport, which skateboarding equally represents. As one has traditionally grown up having a ‘kickabout’ in the park with some mates, skateboarding is beginning to take over the mantle of the ‘social’ sport in the adolescent years, as the culture and style of skateboarding helps teenagers to gain a unique identity and feel part of an expansive and friendly community that football cannot offer.

Skateboarding also has the adaptability to be enjoyed wherever the creative mind can see the opportunity. The council officially, however, recognises there to be 12 locations for skating in Manchester, varying in size and quality, with the most popular the Mancunian Way Skatepark. Located on the periphery of the city centre, and managed by specialist company Projekts MCR, the park offers the opportunity for freedom and independence.

Although these efforts of the council are gratefully appreciated, Manchester, sadly, isn’t exactly ideal for lovers of the phenomenon that has gripped France in recent years, and subsequently spread across the channel. ‘Parkour’, which, despite causing conflict over whether it can be categorized as an ‘extreme’ sport, provides excitement which see last-minute football goals or huge cricket sixes pale in comparison to the buzz of clinging to railings, building edges and pretty much anything that can be conceived of in an urban area.

The rising intrigue with extreme sports over the past decade has been reflected by The University of Manchester, who continuously encourage participation in its wide range of societies, of which the Manchester University Mountaineering Club belongs. Providing opportunities to both novice and experienced climbers to brave the challenge of vertigo, the enticement of the ascent draws many keen admirers. One member of the club, student Joseph Dixon, reiterated the thrill of the risk. “It’s the challenge, adrenalin rush and buzz of it. The freedom of it separates it from the monotony of other sports. Having everything in your hands appeals to me and it is crucial that you have the confidence to go through with your decisions. I enjoy that personal responsibility. One mistake could be disastrous”.

Nothing could be more accurate in relation to free-solo climbing, in which ropes, safety regulations and all are discarded in favour of raw excitement and outright danger. Dan Osman was one of the most famous exponents of these experimental sports, also partaking in ‘rope jumping’. ‘Rope jumping’ involves the free falling from a cliff face, to be saved by a safety rope below – a free abseil, if you like. His record exceeded an extraordinary 1000 feet. Hopefully the growth in extreme sports interest will never reach these incredible zeniths for Mancunians though, as the risks far outweigh the thrills, which the Asian-American Osman tragically discovered in 1998 at the young age of 35.

Music is often regarded as the key source of artistic expression of emotion, but sportsmen and women are seeking to change these floundering, stereotypical attitudes. Sports, or more relevantly, ‘extreme’ sports, are becoming the conduit through which youth and exuberance can be espoused. Of course Britain’s most popular sports continue to attract hundreds of thousands into its net each year, but the growth in ‘extreme’ sports in the last decade in particular has begun to challenge this autonomy, and shows little sign of slowing. Watch this space.

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