Scuba diving tops the list of “extreme sports” that Brits would most like to try but don’t – not only because they are afraid of taking risks, but also because they are afraid of embarrassing themselves.
This is the result of a survey conducted by cycling clothing manufacturer Endura among 2,000 adults – mountain biking, however, ranks 11th in the middle of the most popular sports.
It ranks ahead of skydiving, surfing, paragliding and horse riding on the list of sports where most people have no qualms about trying scuba diving. That might give scuba training organisations looking for new recruits something to think about.
The other sports were – in surprising descending order of fear factor – rock climbing, snowboarding, hang gliding, sailing, windsurfing, white water rafting, mountain biking, martial arts, motocross, cross country skiing, skateboarding, ice surfing, ice climbing, bouldering and, what seems to worry people the least, base jumping.
A third of Britons are afraid to try new sports for fear of making a fool of themselves, according to Endura, a Pentland Brands company. “They’re keen to try it, but doubt they ever will.”
Too old to start
Thirty-nine percent of respondents admitted that they were afraid of the risks associated with extreme sports, and many felt they were too old to start.
A similar proportion said that they had been more experimental when they were younger, but that social nervousness had made them wary of new experiences.
31 percent agreed with the statement that it is easiest to try out sports before the age of 18 and 34 percent of parents had the impression that their children were more willing to take risks than they were.
“The reason it can be so daunting to try something new is often rooted in social anxiety – the worry of not fitting in, of not having the right equipment, or of feeling too old or inexperienced,” explains senior NHS psychologist Dr Abdi Mohamed.
“These fears can create significant barriers and make it difficult for those affected to take the first step towards new experiences. By adopting a positive attitude, feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt can be significantly reduced.
“Overcoming the fear of the unknown is a critical step in building self-confidence, allowing individuals to take on new challenges with a sense of belonging. This journey not only promotes personal growth, but also opens the door to a more fulfilling and active lifestyle.”
The survey was conducted by OnePoll.com.
Read also: THE NEXT GENERATION: Training centers and children, diving tips for non-swimmers
