| Skydiving may not be traditional Olympic sport, but | | | | can be extremely dangerous - especially for |
| participants interested in parachute games can find | | | | inexperienced skydivers - involves the use of a small |
| contests and competitions held annually in various | | | | board (similar to a snowboard) attached to the |
| parts of the world. The International World Games | | | | jumper's feet. With this board, skysurfers can try |
| Association, which is recognized by the International | | | | radical maneuvers not otherwise possible. Participants |
| Olympic Committee, sponsors skydiving competitions. | | | | can kick the board loose just prior to landing; some |
| The 2005 World Games, which were held in Duisburg, | | | | experienced skysurfers are able to land with the |
| Germany, included many parachuting events. | | | | board still attached to their feet and glide to a stop. |
| Participants competed in canopy piloting, formation | | | | Only very experienced skydivers should choose to |
| skydiving, freeflying, freestyle stunts, and accuracy | | | | participate in skysurfing and should only do so after |
| landing events. Just as in the traditional Olympic | | | | speaking with people who have tried skysurfing. |
| games, gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded | | | | Classes and instructional videos are available from |
| to the individuals or teams placing first, second, and | | | | some skysurfers and from board manufacturers. |
| third in these skydiving games. Skydiving has also | | | | "BASE" stands for Buildings, Antennas, Spans |
| been included in the x-games, which hosts | | | | (bridges), and Earth (cliffs) - fixed objects that |
| competitions for "extreme sports." | | | | skydivers jump from rather than from aircraft. BASE |
| Speed skydiving is one type of "extreme" parachute | | | | jumping is one parachute game that relatively |
| games in which jumpers exit an aircraft at 13,000 | | | | inexperienced skydivers may try; however, there are |
| feet and then accelerate in a vertical, head-first | | | | some limitations. First, finding a place where BASE |
| position into a measuring zone, which begins at 8,850 | | | | jumping is legal can be difficult. Second, although |
| feet and extends to 5,570 feet. Altimeters attached | | | | extensive skydiving experience is not necessary, |
| to the racing skydivers measure average speeds | | | | BASE jumpers must ensure that they are skilled in |
| across the measuring zone. | | | | parachute packing and canopy control and should |
| Skysurfing and BASE jumping are two skydiving | | | | have sharp reflexes and good body-position |
| games that are gaining in popularity. Skysurfing, which | | | | awareness. |