Extreme Lava Kayaking

Jo    Extreme News & Views    

Just when we thought we had seen some extreme kayaking, we find this…

Oh yes, that really is lava! A whole team of fearless kayakers take to the boiling water to get up close and personal to the oozing molten lava … all to create some incredible images and unforgettable memories … and, of course, to wow us! Check out some more of these jaw-dropping images, all taken by Alexandre Socci:

I’m sure you’re all wondering, ‘Just where is this awesome place?’ Well, it’s an active volcano (surprise, surprise) called Kilauea on Hawaii’s ‘Big Island’. This bunch of daredevils braved the waters all to get some awe-inspiring footage for a Brazilian TV show, KAIAK on Channel OFF. Well worth it, if you ask us!

Absolutely unbelievable. Think this rates pretty high on the ol’ extreme-ometer… anyone fancy giving this a go? Think we’ll give it a miss this time, and leave it to the kayaking pros!

Tough Mudder Update

Jo    Extreme News & Views, Jo on the Road    

Extreme Element signed up to Tough Mudder two weeks ago and aside from all the shocked faces from friends and family, we’re feeling pretty good about it… until a couple of us saw this:

That heavy feeling sinking in; this really isn’t for the faint hearted, we really are going to be facing blood, sweat and tears. Anyone can run a half-marathon (if they train hard enough of course) but to smash through the tough and muddy obstacles will take more than physical fitness, it’s going to test our mental strength too. Twenty-five challenging obstacles – everything from ice pools and fire walking (maybe we should all go to our very own fire walking experience first) to monkey bars and climbing over walls.

With that in mind, I think it’s time to introduce some of the Extreme Element Team who will be tackling the mud and ice together in just thirteen weeks. I also thought it would be a good idea to put together some questions to really dig deep into the worries and fears of our TM team… only to receive some rather witty (or just plain stupid) replies, which I couldn’t possibly ignore… enjoy!

Aaron

What is your biggest concern?
There’s a yoghurt in my fridge that I bought last week and haven’t eaten it as yet. Not 100%, but I think it goes off today or tomorrow.

How’s the training going?
I have set myself very low targets, so even though I haven’t actually done anything yet – I am ahead of schedule, by quite some distance in fact.

What are you hoping to achieve from doing TM?
Great acclaim. Women. Money. Fame. The attention I deserve.

Any previous marathon experience?
I ate hundreds before they were rebranded Snickers – so none in the last 10/15 years.

How has your life / routine changed most?
Where I once didn’t feel guilty about my slowly expanding waistline, I now almost feel the peer pressure seeping in. So, my oblivious nature is being ever so slightly impacted by the notion I should really be doing something. But then I remember how far ahead of schedule I am – and the feeling of pride makes me feel great. So that’s good.

Do you have a goal beyond TM?
Well I’d still like to own a Lamborghini. Hopefully doing TM will bring me the fame and money that would be needed to purchase one – so yes, my goal would still be the Lamborghini I guess. I’d also like to set up as many websites and make as much money as I possibly can. I’d also like to improve my food-wasting efforts, and not have to throw yoghurts away.

Dee

What is your biggest concern?
Death, and the back of my shorts splitting.

How’s the training going?
Tentatively

What are you hoping to achieve from doing TM?
I expect to resemble an Amazonian goddess, as though I was sculpted by the gods themselves.

Any previous marathon experience?
I watched one go by my house once, while smoking and eating cake in bed.

How has your life / routine changed most?
I have started juicing vegetables. I am hoping that will be enough.

Do you have a goal beyond TM?
To use it as a catalyst for living a slightly healthier, smoke-free life. And also I would like to win the euro millions.

Robb

What is your biggest concern?
Mud in my hair-do.

How’s the training going?
I have a cold. However, I would say I’m roughly 18% manlier now than when I started.

What are you hoping to achieve from doing TM?
With any luck we’ll lose Selene in one of the obstacles.

Any previous marathon experience?
I watched the half marathon from my living room window, and have a London Marathon medal (acquired without running).

How has your life / routine changed most?
I’m tougher. And muddier.

Do you have a goal beyond TM?
At my age you don’t set goals beyond 3 months out; you never know if you’ll make it that long.

Ok enough of this terrible wit and sarcasm, time for some ‘real’ answers.

Renata

What is your biggest concern?
That I won`t be able to run the whole distance. I don`t think my main problem will be with the obstacles and to overcome them, it will be with the constant running. I was never great at long distance running and 12 miles seems to be an awful lot to me.

How’s the training going?
Training is going great as I have Jo training with me, which makes it easier. We can push each other and help each other to overcome our concerns or issues and still have a great laugh about it. The only thing we need to get more going or more like I have to start running more so I can last the whole 12 miles. We have been talking about going down to the beach and run on the pebbles, stairs etc… but we have not gone yet.

What are you hoping to achieve from doing TM?
I hope to run the distance that is asked and I am hoping that this experience will bring us (Extreme Element members) even closer and we will be an even greater team at work. I hope we all be able to come away from it with loads of great memories and with a huge smile on our faces.

Any previous marathon experience?
Back in elementary school I have ran the half marathon and took part in many short distance races so this is not that new for me but it has been a long time since then. Hence, I am a bit nervous about it.

How has your life / routine changed most?
I have been going to gym before the TM training kicked in, but now we (Jo & Me) started to go for as many morning classes as possible. On Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays we go for a Fit-X Class held by Laura in the ZT Gym, which prepares us for running and gives us more strength. We are always given something different to do but the exercises are put together to use all the muscles in our body. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we go to a Box-X class held by Ed at the ZT Gym where we are again do several different exercises but this class focuses on our arm strength a bit more, this will come handy when we will need to climb the obstacles. Otherwise, I still try to go to yoga to stretch my muscles and breath better. Also started to do a diet and eat healthier so I can lose some more weight so I could carry less but this was something that I wanted to do anyway. It will be another change for us when we will move office as we will need to create a new routine, it will be hard.

Do you have a goal beyond TM?
I have the same aim that I already had before the TM….. to lose the weight that I have gained in the last 2 years, become healthier and stronger. Maybe even take part in the next year half or the full marathon in Brighton, this depends on how I will get on with the 12 mile on the TM.

Selene

What is your biggest concern?
Not being able to finish, letting everyone down, getting a stitch really early on and getting really bad chaffing from the cold! Also, not being prepared to the cold/wet element of it.

How’s the training going?
Only started this week. Am stepping it up now so I will get back to you…

What are you hoping to achieve from doing TM?
All round general fitness and strength. I want to be really strong, really fit and really toned.

Any previous marathon experience?
I did a 14k cross country run last year (mostly uphill) but that’s it.

How has your life / routine changed most?
Not stuffing my face with junk food before I go to bed … saying no to sweet things … not being able to walk due to pain of going on one run.

Do you have a goal beyond TM?
To keep up the general fitness level and not fall off the bandwagon. Perhaps to do the half marathon next year.

Michelle

What is your biggest concern?
Injury during the race
How’s the training going?
Great, I’m always training
What are you hoping to achieve from doing TM?
Have fun and be able to say “I did it”
Any previous marathon experience?
2 ½ Marathons
How has your life / routine changed most?
It hasn’t this is just one of many races in the season

As for me (Jo), I’m most worried about injuring myself, falling and dying in a big heap, covered in mud… not too dramatic then.

Watch out for more updates to come!

Extreme Element Does Tough Mudder

Jo    Extreme News & Views, Jo on the Road    

Extreme Element have just entered the dirtiest competition ever – Tough Mudder! We will be training to the max on a daily basis over the coming months, as we prepare for the most hard-core workout of our lives – a 13 mile run, riddled with some pretty terrifying obstacles. We are not just talking monkey bars and mud, the Tough Mudder course features actual extreme elements – electric shocks, fire and ice. Oh yes, things are getting serious in the Extreme Element HQ, as we prepare to well and truly live up to our name. Every day we provide you guys with the most extreme, blood-pumping activities, and now it’s our turn to put our money where our mouth is!

For those of you who have been brave enough to tackle the event in the past, I’m sure you can appreciate the nerves we are feeling, but I have extra worries! You see, I entered everyone into the race, therefore I’m to blame if anyone dies (and we did sign a death waiver)! Over the next few months I’ll be updating you guys on our trials, tribulations and tough mudder training. Bearing in mind this is a first for all of us (most of us haven’t even attempted a half marathon before, let alone one with obstacles), we’re all just hoping we make it out the other side. The lucky eight who will be tackling the 13 mile track punctuated with multiple obstacles are: Michelle, Aaron, Robb, Renata, Tatiana, Dee, Selene and myself – pictures to come!

To kick start the training and progress tracking we will be taking body fitness tests that measure our body fat, muscle balance, physique rating and many more. However, with only three months to go, will we be ready on time? I’ll be posting our first results in the next blog.

To keep updated on our progress (or lack thereof) check back here. If you want to tell us about your past experiences with Tought Mudder (and maybe offer some words of encouragement… or warning), get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter… but please don’t scare us too much, we already know a few of us may be barely crawling over the finish line, if and when we get to it!

Got a question for me? Drop me an email:
jo @ exelement.com

Budapest to Bamako 2013

Jo    Experience Guides, Extreme News & Views    

Every year a number of adventurous people trek all the way from Budapest to Bamako (and sometimes further), with nothing more than the car they travel in… oh, and some toys to donate! Here at Extreme Element we love everything extreme and to find out this charitable event was happening right under our noses we just had to find out more! We managed to catch up with a couple from Hungary who are now already on their sixteen day adventure.

Hi, I hear you’re driving all the way to Bamako from Budapest? Could you tell us a little bit more about what you’re doing and what your journey includes?

We are not going to Bamako, it is Bissau where we are heading, it is only the name of the race brand which stayed as Bamako (same as with the Dakar Rally, it is only the name, which stays the same). In answer to your question we run our own design company (ADVEX Design Srtudio) together and alongside this we are the founders of a nature photography club (Foto Natura) so we were always up for challenges, something new, adventures and extreme. Joining this event was an idea from my husband, Laszlo Herbaly last year. It was his dream since his childhood to become a car racer, this almost came true when he took his Dad`s old & shabby car once and entered a race, where he qualified for the next year race but due to the lack of equipment and qualified people`s help he gave the car back to his father. Hence, when he heard of this Budapest-Bamako race he came to me and asked or maybe even tricked me into entering the race with him. I am up for adventures as well so he did not have a hard job. Hence, we equipped our Land Rover and entered the race for the first time in 2012, with the idea that my husband will be the main driver and I will be the navigator throughout the journey, obviously we did swap roles every now and again. This event is a great adventure and one humanitarian caravan altogether.

I understand you’ve done this sort of charity fundraiser before, what did you find to be your greatest achievement last year?

Crossing the finishing line was awesome, not only physically but morally as well, since we could bring toys and other equipment for the Cacine village`s missionaries and this is a great feeling.

Is there anything else you wish to achieve this year?

This time around we are hoping to live through a lot of new experiences, see new things, take photographs and create a full HD small movie about our journey.

With the journey being nearly 16 days where are you planning to stay overnight?

In Europe and Morocco we will be able to hopefully find accommodation along the road in simple and small hotels but from then on during the trip we will be sleeping in camps with camp fires created by the participants of the round.

Apart from the accomplishment of reaching Bamako and delivering all those toys to the children who else are you hoping to help?

We hope to help the other participants (eg. When they are stuck in the sand and need someone to pull/dig them out) and the people who stayed home and would not be able to reach destinations like this to get there and be part of our adventure through our blog, photographs and a small movie.

Is there anything that worries you about the trip, running out of petrol? Meeting some unfriendly people?

For us, all unknown circumstances are a test, by this we even mean finding fuel when needed or being creative of how to work with the little that we have left. Last year, for example, in Senegal there was a walkout; therefore, at the petrol station we could not buy petrol so we decided to flag down trucks and vans to buy petrol from them. We haven`t experienced any unfriendly people so far, obviously there is no guarantee that this will stay the same for this year as there are troubling times in Mali at the moment but we hope this won`t spread out further.

How do you plan on keeping everyone back home updated on your journey?

There is a page functioning as an SMS wall for the participants during the journey, where the participant`s text messages will be uploaded alongside the car`s race number so our loved ones can keep track of us. During the race we will obviously be taking notes and photos and if there is an internet connection we will automatically upload information onto our own blog.

This all sounds really amazing! Is there anything else you would like to tell us about?

THE ADVENTURE, which is not about 5 star hotels and sun loungers, which could last for a life time and you MUST EXPERIENCE! The happiness that the contribution and the donation can give, and the only way to understand this happiness is by participating. Even if we only saw one child`s smile and could help that one child to have a better life by giving them clothes, support and security IT`S ALL WORTH IT.

With thanks to Ildiko Herbalyne Szalanczy and Laszlo Herbaly for their time and we wish them the best of luck!

Here’s the journey they have planned out:

Win a Tank!

Aaron    Extreme News & Views, In the Limelight    

Which would you rather win?!

Well, why not like our facebook page and enter yourself into draw to win one or ‘tuther?

Whether you’d rather pester the family this Christmas with your very own mini military vehicle – complete with remote controlled BB gun, or you’d sooner take the controls of a 10 tonne war machine for an off road driving experience to remember… well, the choice is yours. So, much like the previous Helicopter giveaway, Ice Climbing giveaway and the 4×4 Rocky Road giveaway – stick your cyber thumbs up and let us know which… and we’ll see what we can do!

Competition closes 20.12.12, so don’t miss out!

Win A Helicopter Lesson OR A Remote Controlled HD Helicopter

Jo    Extreme News & Views, Newsletters    

Everyone loves a competition!

Three small steps to win:

1. Like Extreme Element Facebook page

2. Share the competition photo (make sure it’s public or we might not see it!)

3. Let us know which one you would rather win!

Good luck guys, see you in the air!

Extreme Daredevils

Jo    Extreme News & Views    

The world’s highest freefall last week, completed by Felix Baumgartner, got everyone talking about anything and everything extreme here at Extreme Element. It then got us thinking – how many other daredevils are there out there risking their life?! Surprisingly, we found eight within seconds! These eight extremists have been jumping, skiing and climbing their way up the extreme ladder, here are our top four adrenaline junkies that pushed their daredevil side to the extreme::

Jeb Corliss – best known for his extreme BASE jumps and wing-flights from heights some people could only dream of. Some of his most outstanding and astonishing accomplishments since learning to BASE jump, at the age of 22, are his jumps from the Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge and flying into a half-mile deep cave in China. Absolutely unbelievable!

Corliss recently injured himself during one of his many flights (over 1,000 jumps to date) but even his recovery time was impressive and he updated his many fans that he is back in the air! Wonder what major jump he has lined up next!

Robbie Knievel followed in his father’s motorbiking footsteps, having successfully completed more than 250 professional motorcycle jumps! On top of this, Knievel proudly beat the world record for the biggest distance jumped on a motorbike AND starred in eight live TV specials!

Knievel isn’t stopping there though, he has future plans to complete the jump his dad crashed out on – sixteen double decker buses together at Wembley Stadium in London. Good luck Robbie!

Another famous daredevil biker – Travis Pastrana. This one even has his own stunt TV program to show off his perfect motocross skills and throw in a few stunts to keep you guessing! On top of the stunt motorbiking, Pastrana is involved with car racing, BASE jumping and freestyle.

Pastrana has won countless medals and trophies and has even injured himself so bad he found himself bound to a wheelchair for three months; but not even losing the ability to walk stopped him from recovering and coming back better than ever!

Another inspirational daredevil is Karina Hollekim, a freeskier and BASE jumper who shattered both her legs but, (like Pastrana) took it a day at a time and pushed herself to carry on doing what she loves. Hollekim has been skiing since the age of five and then took up BASE jumping and skydiving.

Hollekim has become one of the biggest inspirations in the extreme world, her near death experience has lead her to motivational speaking and gave her that push to reach goals she never thought she could reach.

Can’t get enough of the daredevils? Well here are those other five extremists we mentioned earlier, with a short insight into what makes them so well known in the daredevil world!

Glen Plake – A big mountain freeskier that has featured in a number of ski films and survived an avalanche!
Alain Robert – The Human Spider from France who climbs buildings without help.
Mat Hoffman – Well known for his BMX freestyle riding but also took his bike BASE jumping.
Jackie Chan – Stuntman – insurance companies won’t even cover him any more!

Tech21 – Even Your Smartphone Can Go to The Extreme

Jo    Extreme News & Views, Jo on the Road    

Extreme Element love all things extreme, but to be extreme you need the equipment worthy enough to live up to any challenges you throw its way. That’s why my JOTR blog is taking a different direction this week. In this day and age if you don’t carry a smartphone…well then you may as well be back in the dark ages! It’s no surprise that the new iPhone is already a huge hit and whilst I’m travelling around the UK on my mini adventures it’s what I’m using to keep the social world up to date – OK tell a lie I don’t have the brand new sparkly one, but I do have an iPhone!

Well, fortunately for me (and my iPhone), Phones 4U stepped in and sent me this:

A band for my phone made of their D30 impact material, carefully built to absorb any impact and spread the shock outward – all to protect your phone from cracks and chips. As I’m sure you can imagine, a life saver for my phone during my extreme adventures…

Land Yachting:

Wakeboarding:

Kitesurfing:

So far both phone and case are surviving my punishing (but enjoyable) schedule. With many more experiences ahead, it will be interesting to see how they cope.

Thanks phones4U!

Freefalling from Space

Jo    Extreme News & Views    

Right at this very moment (Tuesday 9th October) Felix Baumgartner is preparing himself to beat a world record created over 50 years ago by a man called Joseph Kittinger. Baumgartner will be jumping out of a balloon at more than 120,000ft (36.5km) above Roswell, New Mexico. That’s 17,200ft (5.2km) higher than Kittinger’s jump in August 1960 – skydiving taken to its extreme!

Baumgartner has come a long way since his world champion title for BASE jumping in 1997 (West Virginia, US), as well as being the first person to do a winged freefall crossing of the English Channel in 2003! One of his latest world records in 2007, saw him BASE jumping from the Taipei Tower in Taiwan – at 1669ft, the world’s tallest building…but it seems Baumgartner wasn’t quite satisfied with that, and had to take it further… much, much further.

Today, Baumgartner is going to freefall from Space. The 43-year-old Austrian will be risking his life in the aim to break a ton of world records – highest manned balloon flight, longest freefall, highest jump and depending on the temperature he may even be the first human, unaided by a vehicle, to break the sound barrier at around 690 mph.

I’m sat here waiting and watching the live updates in amazement! I can’t even begin to imagine how Baumgartner must be feeling right now, let alone how he managed to get the guts to do it. This is beginning to make a skydive look like a walk in the park!

On the other hand, waiting for this record breaking moment is really giving me the urge to go skydiving…lets hope ‘Jo on the Road‘ plans to head there soon…but at a smaller scale!

(Previous test jump)
Go check out his pre-jump timeline!

UPDATE – Wednesday 10th October

Due to high winds the jump had to be postponed! The 23-mile free fall will be rescheduled, but it’s still unsure when for.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE UPDATES

UPDATE – Monday 15th October

Felix Baumgartner successfully completed the jump yesterday – 23 miles above the Earth and he broke the sound barrier! Congratulations Felix! Wonder what he has planned next…

Here’s a recap of the jump!

Parkour With A Twist

Jo    Experience Guides, Extreme News & Views    

Just when we thought Parkour couldn’t get any cooler…the friendly canines get involved!

A week ago, this American Staffordshire Terrier stole the hearts of the Youtube audience with this highly entertaining take on free running:

Apparently this fearless pooch isn’t the only dog to be jumping off walls and over objects…

Oh yes Parkour…or Barkour as some may call it, has caught on!

Want to get involved? Here at Extreme Element, we offer Parkour tasters and workshops…or you could get your friends involved and go for a group session! (For humans only I’m afraid!)

Parkour Taster
This one hour session is a perfect introduction to get anyone bouncing off objects and over walls – all in a safe gym environment! By the end of the workshop you’ll have picked up the skills and confidence to jump, roll, vault, climb and swing from just about anywhere…may need another couple of lessons first though!

Price: £75

Parkour 2 Hour Workshop
Feeling that an hour might not be long enough? This two hour session in the gym will give you plenty of time to really master the art or free running. You’ll want to leap, jump and climb every obstacle in your way! This experience is perfect to really build your confidence and skills!

Price: £150.00

Parkour Group 4 Hour Workshop
If you want to get a group of your mates together, why not book into a group workshop!? This four hour gym session will have you and your friends climbing, jumping and flipping over obstacles, working on your skills and gradually building confidence as you work your way around the room!

Price: £1,125.00

Unless, of course, you’re afraid of being shown up by a couple of dogs? Find out more about Parkour