Above: Kitesurfing in Cyprus

Most people travel not only to see new places but also to experience new things. It’s not unusual to go to places halfway around the globe just to get a taste of something you would not otherwise know of if you choose to spend your vacation, say, in that resort where you have exclusive membership, or in the country where you’ve been going to with your parents since grade school.

Since you’ve decided to spend your well-deserved break in Cyprus, why not maximize the novelty by trying extreme sports? Take advantage of its sun, sand, and sea by taking on new challenges such as kitesurfing, paragliding, and bungee jumping. It may be scary at first, but it will be quite an adventure.

Kitesurfing

In Limmasol, Cyprus, there are kitesurfing schools (pictured above is a tourist enjoying the kitesurfing experience of Cyprus), such as Extreme Sports Cafe, that offer lessons taught by qualified instructors using the latest equipment. Extreme Sports Cafe offers an 8-hour course to be studied in 3 to 4 days and is divided into 6 lessons. Lesson 1 is an introduction to kite control. Here, you will be taught the basic flying techniques, theory, and safety rules. The instructor will familiarize you with flying in and out of the power zone, launching, landing, rigging, and self-rescue. Lesson 2 consists of learning about maneuvering in the power zone while being dragged in the water. Lesson 3 will be the application of the two lessons where you will start kitesurfing in water. Lesson 4 will take you a level higher by letting you try kitesurfing upwind where you will get a feel of Cyprus’ thermal winds. In Lesson 5, you will be practicing jibing, jumping, and other fairly advanced techniques. By Lesson 6, you will already be riding waves, speed sailing, and/or freestyling. After this 8-hour course, you will turn from a kitesurfing newbie to a competent kitesurfing enthusiast.

Paragliding

North Cyprus has lush landscape and pristine sandy beaches that can be best appreciated when viewed from the top. An airplane will give you a glimpse, but only paragliding will give you that bird’s eye view, so to speak. You will get a chance to float above the countryside before gliding gracefully down.

No experience is required for you to soar like a bird, North Cyprus style. There are tours, for example, Highline Air Tours, which offer paragliding in tandem with flights, so you are assured that experienced pilots will assist you. Fear not for your safety because full instructions will be given to you. The insurance will also be covered by the price of every trip so you won’t have to fear for your safety.

Bungee Jumping

If you are after that much-needed adrenaline rush, then bungee jumping is definitely for you. Just 10 minutes from Ayia Napa is Nissi Beach, where Bungee Dowunder, a team of professional bungee jumpers, has established its business of giving its clients an experience like no other. Here’s how it’s done. You will jump from a 200-foot platform with nothing but elastic cords tied to your ankles. On the other end you’ll get a little wet. But don’t worry, it will be safe. Bungee Downunder will take care of the medical assessments of the “jumpers” before and after, cord selection, and even the settings of the freefall so your mind and body will only have to concentrate on that exhilarating feeling you’ve been wishing for. After the jump, you can relax, chill out to the music, and join the barbecue prepared by the team.