LONDON is perhaps the historic hub of England, and quite the cultural one as well with its eclectic mix of art galleries, museums and theatres. That all might sound dull to the ears of someone who likes the feel of their blood coursing through their veins – a dusty old museum barely sounds like the place to grab a quick adrenaline fix – but there are still plenty of knuckle-shredding activities to indulge in within the capital. Here are five of the best:
1. Wing walking
Photo courtesy of Malcolm Fish.
There’s surely no better way to travel than being strapped into a harness on top of a bi-plane that then flies you thousands of feet into the air. If you fancy giving a few high-flying birds the shock of their lives, then sign up at the London Air Sports Centre in Upminster for one hell of a thrilling experience. If wing walking sounds too tame, how does para-motoring sound instead? Here you can take to the skies attached only to a motorized parachute.
2. UKIPT London
If you’ve played poker, chances are you’ve probably played it late at night on your laptop, playing for pennies with avatars from across the globe. If you find that exciting, why not play for real? The UK and Ireland Poker Tour takes in cities across the UK every year, and arrives in London in October. You can enter for free if you win one of the many online satellite tournaments, or just buy-in to one of the many tournaments available during the tour. The cheapest buy-in is just £100 (plus a £10 fee) and you can compete with real players at real tables. Will you hold your nerve when you go all-in with only a pair of sevens?
3. RIB powerboating
The best way to see London. Forget dull bus tours, instead hop aboard a RIB powerboat for a rip-roaring trip up the Thames. You’ll be spoken to (or rather, shouted at) about the history of England’s greatest river, as well as all the iconic landmarks you’ll be whizzing past, such as the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye. The boat driver will liven up the dull moments by performing a few 360 degree spins just to keep you interested.
4. Wakeboarding
Combine water skiing, snowboarding and surfing, and you’ve got wakeboarding. To generate speed on the surface of the water riders are towed behind a motorboat or an equally fast closed-course cable system like at WakeUp Docklands. Located in the sheltered waters of Royal Victoria Dock, the site boasts visually stunning surroundings with fantastic public transport links in one of the most exciting, up and coming areas of the nation’s capital. Riders of all levels can test their skills on the different cables, and can perform jumps and tricks using the various obstacles.
5. Power kiting
Let’s all go fly a kite. It’s such a gentle way of passing the time. How about when you’re on a skateboard strapped to it at high wind velocities? That is what’s precisely available at KiteVibe at London’s Richmond Park. The kites are especially designed to catch the winds, and you can choose from being tugged along in a buggy, on roller-blades or even across water on a surfboard.
