From the specific moment in June of 1987 when A.J. Hackett threw himself off the Eiffel Tower, bonded by a merely stretch rope, adrenaline junkies around the globe have been in love with bungee jumping. The Kiwi’s persuasive stunt also allowed glue New Zealand’s standing as the motherland of extreme sports. On top of bungee jumping, activities such as zorbing — cruising downhill in a colossus, plastic ball — and canyon flying — kind of a mixture of bungee jumping and ziplining — were initiated here. Why are extreme sports so popular in New Zealand? Some say Kiwis are just kinda outlandish. Yet, by all means, others argue the advancement of extreme sports may be associated with something few people are aware of: the ACC.
So, why are extreme sports so popular in New Zealand? Millions of adrenaline junkies visit New Zealand every year. What’s more, a bunch of them strive out the white-knuckle adrenaline sports for which the country is well-known. From springing bungee jumps to black water rafting through hidden treasures in caves, New Zealand proposes something for each and every adventure-seeker.
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The Accident Compensation Corporation
The ACC, in other words, the Accident Compensation Corporation, exists since 1974 because of the New Zealand governance. Its primary objective is to assist the country’s general casualty insurance fund. The fund has one goal, it pays the medical bills of people wounded in accidents on New Zealand soil. Kiwi businesses pay yearly into the fund (which too acquires cash-on-hand from other bases). Also, with bonuses based on the risk level intrinsic to their kind of business. Corporations also have to pursue individual safety restrictions and benchmarks aimed at accident prevention. This is the unwritten rule.
The ACC covers both residents and tourists. And the responsibility is never an issue. Hence whether you’ve thrown back one too many in your resort, then fell and broke your leg, the ACC still yields your medical bills. What’s more, whether you’re hurt when your rental bike blows a tire, it doesn’t count whether the rental company supplied you with a risky set of wheels. Or perhaps if you recklessly flew over a pile of pins. Your expenditures will be protected. In return for such benefaction, you can’t sue anyone for carelessness. By all means, that provision is the most important factor. That is, without a say, what all the specialists voice.
Without the nervousness of pricey, messy lawsuits, Kiwi tour operators include long been free to make risky, extreme-adventure sports. In other regions of the globe, such as Europe, tourists harmed in an accident may likewise acquire complimentary or affordable medical lookout as part of the region’s universal health care procedure. Yet they nonetheless normally are free of charge, say, the bungee-jump operator for their damage. Therefore, New Zealand is still more appealing to those providing extreme experiences.
There Is More to This
The ACC has improved and sweetened its regulatory and enterprise norms. How? By focusing on higher-quality schooling and training for tour operators and directions, and providing participants with satisfactory pre-participatory statements. New Zealand’s experience journey is much more securer than it was 20 years ago, yet safety persists to be a priority zone for improvement.
The Adventure Tourism Expansion
According to an analysis by Sandler Research, adventure travel industry earnings hit $7.88 trillion in 2015. What’s more, between 2016 and 2020, the global adventure tourism market is foreseen to grow another 46%.
At the moment, assumably thanks to the ACC, it seems the Kiwis will resume conquering the adventure travel sphere. What’s more, thrill-seekers will persist to sign on. Risk and delight are an innate part of an adventure trip.
Extreme Sports You Can Tackle in New Zealand
New Zealand’s mountainous landscape and immediacy to a handful of islands make it an exceptional terminus for all adventure seekers. This absolutely goes without saying!
#1 Skydiving
Whether you’re confronting time restrictions, skydiving is the best manner to see everything in one instant. It is also the most effortless extreme sport you’ll ever need to go through. Whether you select a tandem dive of course. The widespread dropzones at Glenorchy bring you into the movie spots of the Lord of the Rings trilogies.
Whether you’re about to fall 12,000 feet, make sure you pick someplace scenic to appreciate the view on the way down. You’ll be rather tired of selection but the volcanic ground and lake at Taupo make it a stand-out.
#2 White Water Rafting
New Zealand has a bunch of scenic cliffs and valleys, making it the ideal place to spoil in a little white water rafting. Out in the details with only a boat and your rower, it’s a thrilling venture that’s not for the soft-hearted.
Whether you’re new to this activity, set the worries aside. There are various stages of rafting available, suggesting you can drop your toe in the water first without needing to dive directly in. Speaking of the more partaken rafter, there’s an honest treat waiting at Kaituna River. That is the tallest commercially draftable waterfall in the globe, Tutea Falls, together with a rising seven-meter drop.
Note: When venturing through the breathtaking wonders of New Zealand’s nature, sturdy combat boots become your trusty companions, safeguarding your feet against rugged terrains and adding a touch of adventurous flair to your exploration.
#3 Bungee Jumping
Now, speaking of adrenaline-pumping sports, there’s nothing like bungee jumping – it’s lengthy been one of New Zealand’s most notable appeals. Bungee jumping is as prototypically Kiwi as the Kiwi itself, so take benefit of the many bungee jumping locations while you’re here. This absolutely goes without saying!
The Nevis Bungee is more elevated than any other leap in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether water-touch jumps are more your kind, go to Lake Taupo to appreciate the tallest water-touch jump the world has to present.
#4 Jet Boat – Ski
The territory of New Zealand’s natural delight is its many lakes and rivers. With that in mind, why not endeavor an extreme water sport? Whether you’re steering narrow stripes of water with rock facades on either side or shooting over wide watery areas, this is certain to be one hell of a ride.
The world-well-known Shotover Jet in Queenstown is one of multiple jet boat adventures that will exhilarate any visitor – nevertheless, this one presents 360-degree swirls in the boat! This goes without saying!
#5 Rock Climbing
New Zealand’s stunning mountain ranges mean there is an abundance of rock climbing possibilities. Consolidated full of majestic rock fronts and peaks, it’s no wonder so many thrill-seekers explore the Southern Alps mountain range during a visit to the motherland. This is the unwritten rule, by all means.
As you go on your way up, be certain to stop and take in the astonishing panoramic sights from the top.
#6 Canyon Swinging
Of all the adrenaline-pumping experiences New Zealand has to present, canyon swinging is not to be ignored.
Bringing you lofty over the stony landscape, you can swing down above the canyons in tandem, or fly solo if you’re feeling courageous. The Nevis Swing is the most elevated swing on the earth, taking you 120 meters up before fetching you down. Would you like to start a bit nearer to the ground? Then try the swing at Taupo.
#7 Hidden Treasures
You definitely should not overlook caving. New Zealand is just as beautiful underground as it is on the surface, with plenty of hidden treasures beneath the caves waiting to be explored.
Waitomo is a well-known cave complex in New Zealand and presents visitors with diverse backgrounds relying on how courageous they’re feeling. You can merely walk through the caves, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, why not try black water rafting? Whether you desire even more from your cave expedition you can abseil through the complex – a frankly remarkable way to see the sceneries!
The water isn’t black and there are no rafts. However, bear in mind that black water rafting, or cave tubing, is always an exciting experience. Try this venture and you won’t regret it! This goes without saying!
#8 Sky Jump
Auckland is a captivating city however you think to or do participate in it. In spite of this, one way to make it memorable is to witness it from above. Many operators present you with the opportunity to jump off New Zealand’s most elevated structure while you’re in Auckland, revealing the sentiment from a very diverse perspective.
Fact: Skyjumping, ziplining, or roller coaster, what’s the one thing that connects many extreme activities? Executing thrilling and stimulating actions releases performance-boosting chemicals in our bodies. The adequate chemicals we assemble such as adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine are moved to movement by sky jumping which can have both quick and lasting outcomes. This applies to almost every extreme sport, however.