How to Learn Extreme Skysurfing History

If ever there were a sport that qualified as “extreme,” it is skysurfing. Videos of one of its participants “carving” through the sky at an altitude of 10,000 feet are more than exciting. They border on being unbelievable. Learn the history of this extreme sport and discover how anyone ever came up with the idea of strapping on a surfboard and jumping out of an airplane.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read about the sport and its origins. “Skysurfing” by Holly Cefrey is an excellent introduction to the sport and its origins.

2. Explore some of the Web sites that document the history of skysurfing. Follow the evolution of the sport from what was originally a stunt performed for a movie about skydiving.

3. Understand the role that the x-games played in the development of the sport, not only its popularity but the means of creating competition. Follow the early competitors as they not only challenge each other but work as a group to validate the sport.

4. Appreciate the danger of the sport by watching Telling Picture’s movie “xTreme Sports to Die For.”
   

5. Study the life of Patrick de Gayardon, the French skydiver, base jumper and early skysurfer who first developed some of the aerobatic maneuvers that have now become standard. He also developed a winged skydiving suit called the “bat suit.”

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