Kayaking is an activity I find to be largely leisurely. I might once in a while push myself a little harder than usual while kayaking. I might even break a sweat. But I certainly don’t ever kayak down a waterfall. Perhaps I’d try it if I felt mostly safe, but what these guys are doing in the above video doesn’t strike me as remotely “safe” – although I’m sure they’re taking all kinds of precautions. It sure is fun to watch, though. This video is shot and edited well. I found it on the Eddie Bauer Vimeo page, which appears to have zero traffic, more or less. Despite the lack of promotion, this video is both informative and inspiring. Kudos to these kayakers – I envy their apparent disregard for death.
Photo of the Day: Paragliding in France
Today’s positively ethereal image comes to us from Flickr user AdamJamesWilson, who captured this sky-high shot of a paraglider over Lake Serre-Poncon in Southeastern France. I love the image’s “vintage” muted colors, wisps of cloud and silhouetted figure all set against a glistening sun.
Taken any great photos during your travels? Why not add them to the Gadling group on Flickr? We might just pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.
Video of the Day: Russian heights
Many travelers enjoy pushing their limits while abroad. They’ll try bungy jumping, skydiving or hangliding for the first time because the thrill of traveling helps them escape their comfort zone. In Russia, however, those extreme sports are not enough of a thrill. How else can you explain these teenagers climbing a tower (or perhaps it’s an uncompleted building?), walking to the edge of a beam and staring down at a fall that surely must be several hundred feet? It’s most certainly not safe and they won’t even get a cool t-shirt when they’re done. Not much of a tourist attraction if you asked us.
Video of the day: Flyboard lets you swim like a dolphin
The first time I saw this video clip, I thought, “I can’t believe Mike Barish hasn’t covered this for SkyMall Monday.” This was before I realized that unlike, say, Nuddle Blankets, this is a completely impractical (but totally for-reals) product. The $5,000-plus price tag also makes it a tad inaccessible for most of us, but it’s still on my holiday wish list.
French pro jet skier Franky Zapata is the inventor of the flyboard, a water jetpack that lets you “swim like dolphin.” The force of the jets enable you to arc out of the water and turn somersaults, as well as blast 30 feet up in the air. Try that in a Nuddle.
Video of the Day: Salt boarding
Some people love winter sports so much, they don’t give a hang if there’s an absence of snow. Check out this epic video, where a group of shredders hit the Utah Salt Flats for kicks at speeds up to 50 mph. The boards were supplied by snowboard company BLANK; no word on who handed out the road rash salve.