Extreme sport is any of a number of athletic activities that are generally seen as risky and that tend to emphasize individual daring and creativity. Common examples include various kinds of skateboarding, snowboarding, and parachute jumping. There is no strict definition of an extreme sport. A sport is generally considered extreme based on the required skill, risk, and speed. Risk generally includes an increased chance of injury, particularly to the head and neck. Participants can reduce injuries by wearing such protective gear as helmets and elbow and knee pads. Extreme sports can be air, land, or water based. Most extreme sports athletes range from 12 to 35 years old. 
Some extreme sports require great endurance and strength. Examples include rock climbing and competitive surfing. Many extreme sports have loose rules that allow for improvisation—that is, trying new moves. Technique is an important aspect of such sports, which include BMX (bicycle motocross), freestyle skiing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. Other sports sometimes classified as extreme include in-line roller skating (often called Rollerblading), luge, wakeboarding, and water skiing. Certain extreme sports place more emphasis on daring and skill than athleticism. They may include bungee jumping, hang gliding, motocross, parachute jumping, parasailing, and skydiving. 
Extreme sports may trace their roots to daredevil acts such as the American stuntman Evel Knievel. Extreme sports have been popularized in such events as the Asian Games, Australia’s Gravity Games, and the X Games. The success of the X Games has helped popularize many nontraditional events, especially among young people. The X Games draw hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. The global popularity of the games, along with worldwide television coverage, has attracted competitors from throughout the world. Many famous athletes have starred in the X Games. They include the American snowboarders Chloe Kim and Shaun White, who both won gold medals in Olympic snowboarding; the American skateboarder Tony Hawk; and the Canadian Olympic snowboarding champion Mark McMorris. 
Some enthusiasts participate in extreme sports for the thrill of conquering a difficult or potentially dangerous activity. More serious athletes can compete to gain national or international titles. Extreme sports may offer beginners the opportunity to enter into competition at a relatively young age. Some, such as skateboarding, use equipment that may be relatively inexpensive to get. 
Some sports are extreme by nature. Others may become extreme through the addition of an element of challenge or danger. For example, trail running may be considered an extreme version of running, and off-road biking an extreme form of cycling.
