When it comes to inline skating, the highest ramp jump ever performed took place on October 29, 2001 when two inline skating champs set the record by reaching a height of 13.45 feet (4.10m) at the studios of El Show de Los Records in Madrid, Spain. Since then, few inline skaters have come close to this amazing feat that requires the perfect balance when shifting body weight and launching high into the air above the ramp. Jose Felix Hormaetxe Henry and Borja Fernandez Campuzano set the world record with their courageous attempt. So how did they do it? Here's a closer look at this record-setting stunt:

Step 1: Speed
Working up enough speed before heading up the ramp is one of the most important elements to reaching sky-high heights. The stunt masters worked up tremendous speeds across the stadium to launch themselves into the air above the ramp and over the bar. This momentum also creates enough power for them to descend onto the ramp and turn around within seconds so they can work their way back to the starting lines.

Step 2: Courage
The adrenaline rush of speed skating and flying up above a ramp looks like fun, but it's still an act of bravery. There's no room for being afraid of heights, and once the skater is launched into the air, they need to balance out their weight in just the right way to ensure a smooth descent and landing.

Step 3: The Perfect Shin Grab
When the skater has launched themselves high above the ramp and over the bar, they need to hold onto their shins to prevent the skates from crashing into the bar itself. This maneuver requires a lot of practice because the skater needs to tuck themselves into an upright position and then release at just the right time for their landing. Without the perfect shin grab, the skater will knock down the bar or miss their descent entirely.

Step 4: Landing the Perfect Jump
The only way to set the record is to land with both feet and then turn around the ramp ahead. The skaters cleared the bar and landed on both feet before landing perfectly on the ramp and skating back down the ramp.

Performing motorcycle stunts up a multi-story building is nothing new, but when you plan on jumping up ten stories on a motorcycle and then freefalling back down, you could be setting yourself for a mind-altering experience. That's exactly what Robbie Madison did on New Year's Eve in 2008 when he jumped up to the top of the Arc d'Triomphe model building in Las Vegas on his motorcycle, waited a few seconds until the crowds caught their breath, and then jumped off the edge of the building to fall 100 feet and landed upright on a ramp. He drove back to the crowds in full force, setting one of the most noteworthy records in motorcycle stunts to date.

The Evel Knievel-inspired stunt was a phenomenal way to kick off New Year's 2009, and this wasn't the first gravity-defying stunt by Robbie Madison. The daredevil performed the record-breaking 322-foot jump on New Year's 2008, beating Guinness World Record holder Trigger Gumm to the match. The event took place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Robbie Madison was born in Australia, and the 27-year old stunt master has become the inspiration for many motorcyclists and stunt enthusiasts around the globe. He holds the world record for the longest motorcycle jump on a 125cc bike, and the longest jump with a trick (246 feet). The types of jumps Madison has become famous can be attributed to his skills using the rear brake. Releasing the brake pressure at just the right time and shifting your body weight to the front or back of the bike give the bike the extra push it needs to soar high into the air and stay in an upright position. Madison has perfected the art of landing on both wheels after even a 100+ feet jump, and the control he has is due to the way he shifts his weight and manipulates his speed at just the right time.

Madison's been practicing his stunts for several years, but if you've been inspired by his Knievel-like ways, you can get started with simple stunts including stoppies, wheelies and one-handers. Just make sure you're wearing the right protective gear and clothing, and keep your bike in good shape to perform a few record-breaking tricks of your own.

He's considered to be one of the most influential skateboarders in history, and this Santa Monica native spent most of his youth perfecting many of the skateboarding tricks that were popular in the 1960s. Skateboarder magazine reports that Tony Alva was the first ever skateboarder to perfect a stunt called the 'frontside air' trick, a seemingly simple maneuver that involves twisting and lifting the skateboard while in the air.
The frontside air involves riding up the wall at a slight angle and then lifting the board off the feet with the hands while turning around in the air. The skateboarder needs to have enough speed to reach high into the air so they have time to shift their wait and pop the board in their hand before hitting the landing spot. It's a complex maneuver for the beginning skateboarder, but is an incredible stunt to watch when it's performed properly.

Tony Alva managed to do just that at a very young age, and soon became famous for carrying out the first ever air trick in history. He and his skateboarding friends have been credited with creating the concept of a skatepark or 'bowl' inside empty swimming pools that allowed for these types of stunts to be performed. The frontside air is just one of several unique stunts that could be performed in the 'bowl' and many of the Z-Servant boys perfected these stunts to make their mark in history.

After continued success with pulling off his incredible stunts, Alva used the attention and spotlight to build a solid career in the industry, setting a new standard for professional skateboarders around the globe. He was the first ever professional skateboarder to open up his own company "Alva Skates" in 1977 at the young age of 19, and was also one of the original members of the Z-Servant boys.

Alva so moved on to the retail industry. He now owns lineup of skateboarding stores and created a cult-like following of fans who line up for his signature skateboarding gear. In addition to his amazing stunt performances for the crowds, Alva has secured sponsorships from companies such as Vestal Watches and Vans.

Dion Russell is a skate shop and restaurant owner by day and motorcycle stunt rider by night. This motorcycle stunt enthusiast from Kingsport, Tennessee, runs the Down to Earth Skate Shop and first started getting his adrenaline rush from motorcycling after watching videos of stunt riders throughout history. Russell has earned the title "King of the South" for motorcycle stunts and performs at special events in his neighborhood to show off his talents. His after-hours shows have attracted a strong following in Kingsport, and even the local police department has tipped their hat to this stunt rider who keeps things fun and safe at parking lots around town.

Russell says, "A lot of the balance and stuff I use through skateboarding has helped me with stunt riding." He's more involved with extreme sports these days, trying out new tricks and amazing stunts in parking lots - his "training ground."

Russell wasn't shy about jumping into the world of alternative sports, since he already had some experience with extreme sports and performing stunts on a skateboard. His skate shop is one of a handful in Kingsport and the surrounding area, attracting talented extreme sport enthusiasts of all ages who want to pick up the latest skating gear, accessories or just a few pointers from an experienced skateboarder.

While Russell doesn't offer lessons for his amazing stunts, he does host a performance for shop visitors and other motorcycle fans around Kingsport. You can also catch him at the Good Times Grill, a restaurant he's opened in Kingsport. It serves up "ole-fashioned, down home cooking," and is his way of giving back to his community.

Still, his passion remains in motorcycles. In a recent interview with the Douglass-Riverview News, Russell shares that one of the ways he's advertising the restaurant is stunt riding in the parking lot on a shiny red bike. So far, the strategy's been working; guests have reported that they would sit through a traffic signal nearby just to watch the amazing stunts Russell was putting on. He also participates in "bike nights" in the neighborhood, where everyone can enjoy some music, great food and watch an incredible show.

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk is considered one of the world's greatest skateboarders, the only skateboarding guru who successfully completed the front side "900." This stunt consists of 2.5 midair somersaults (900 degrees of breathtaking action) and was witnessed at the ESPN X Games in San Francisco, California in 1999. Since then, daredevils and skating enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels have attempted to replicate the amazing act, but few have managed to pull off the stunt as flawlessly as the great Hawk.

The 900 was executed when Hawk launched approximately 5 feet from the rim of the half-pipe on the U-shaped skate ramp and then did two and a half flips on the board before landing back into the half pipe with both feet and the board intact. For Hawk, it was one of his greatest personal achievements; for spectators, this was history in the making. And for scientists, it was just another trick made possible by the laws of gravity.

Skateboard stunts like the 900 depend entirely on the laws of physics; gravity allows the skater to accelerate, control their speed, move at different angles while airborne and control exactly where they will land. The faster the skater moves, the higher they can launch themselves above the rim of the skateboard ramp. The best way to pick up speed on the ramps is to use a technique called 'pumping,' where the skateboarder uses one foot to launch forward on the board and then quickly bends his or her knees while moving in order to accelerate. After launching off the rim, the skateboarder must curl up into a tight ball so that their body weight is as close to their axis of rotation as possible. This may sound very technical and complicated, but it's the blueprint for skateboarding stunt success for many experienced skaters such as Hawk.

Skateboarders also need to consider wind speed and temperatures when they're approaching a new stunt; the wind can affect how quickly the skateboarder is able to accelerate when on the ground and how long they can be airborne. The climate dictates what type of clothing the skateboarder will need to wear and whether the skateboard's wheels need to be warmed up before the event.

Hawk's execution of this amazing 900 stunt is just one of several legendary tricks and stunts to make headlines in the skateboarding world; he officially retired from professional skating in 2000.

Source:

Science World, Feb. 2001

When it comes to performing the ultimate wheelie on a dirt bike, the crown goes to the Wheelie King, otherwise known as Doug Domokos. Domokos is a Guinness Book of World Records holder, a Michigan native who began fueling his obsession for motorcycle mayhem at the young age of 15.

He practiced his now world-famous stunts at abandoned railroad roundhouses for years, riding for hours until he had worked up the skills to enter a motocross racing competition. He first began to do wheelie performances at the races he attended in Michigan and soon became the center of attention with his amazing bike stunts that left the crowds wanting more. He traveled the country to perform the ultimate Wheelie, every motorbike enthusiast's test of bravery and courage.

The wheelie is performed by lifting the bike up during a speedy ride and navigating it across a course or different types of terrain without touching the ground with the front of the bike. Domokos not only performed the wheelie by sitting and standing on the bike but also executed the stunt by navigating the bike with one hand and doing acrobatic tricks right on the bike while in motion.

The Motorcycle Museum's Hall of fame reports that the record-setting event that got him into the Guinness Book of World Records took place in 1984 at the Tallageda Speedway in Alabama. He set the wheelie record of 145 miles at the event, and this record stood for almost a decade. To date, Domokos' stunts have been recreated for Hollywood feature movies, and he also published a book called "Wheelyin' with the King."

Wheelie and motorbike enthusiasts of all ages can learn a lot from this talented stunt master; today's biking enthusiasts perform similar acts on BMX bikes, mountain bikes and the classic dirt bike, and there are dozens of variations of Domokos' jaw-dropping acts.

Wearing the right shoes and gear is a must; the right shoes ensure you have a strong grip on the bike pedals, all while navigating in style. Then you need to practice your body control and balance as you shift your weight to different parts of the bike; when you feel the power coming into the bike as you accelerate, you'll need to open up the throttle quickly to full blast so that the front of the bike lifts upward.

And that's it! With the front of the bike in the air, you can start performing a balancing act like the Wheelie King himself.

"Crazy Dan" Jackson is one of the world's most famous freestyle motocross stunt masters, a 25 year old from Kansas City who's already earned top titles at the XSBA Street Freestyle Championship and opened up his own stunting school for motorcycle daredevils around the country. He's become a master at the wheelie, the ultimate freestyle stunt, and there are actually several variations of this seemingly simple maneuver.

What are Wheelies?
Wheelies are performed by revving up the bike to certain speed and then lifting the front of the bike up; the biker is then riding on one wheel, and the longer they can ride and maneuver in this position, the more successful the wheelie. According to Crazy Dan, there are two types of wheelies: the power wheelie and the clutched wheelie. The choice rests on the shoulders of the rider; experience and confidence play a role in which type of wheelie to execute on any given day, but both techniques deal with a lot of power, and, of course, require lots of practice.

Types of Wheelies
Crazy Dan recently interviewed with super Street Bike, an online magazine, to explain the different types of wheelies that a biker can perform. These include:

High Chair - standing up during the wheelie and then kicking both legs out to the side while sitting on the tank.

12 O'clock - controlling the speed of the bike by shifting the body weight; bikers must use their shoulders to rock the bike and maintain balance.

The Standup - a wheelie that's performed just like a classic sit-down wheelie, except the biker stands up when the front of the bike is lifted up.

The Can Can - a standup wheelie where the biker lifts one leg off the bike, then the other to do a "Can Can" dance.

No-hander - standing on the bike and controlling the front tire with your body.

Frog - getting up on the tank and then pulling the front of the bike up (not for amateurs).

Anxious to hit the motocross trek to practice your wheelies? Just make sure you're well equipped for the event with the right clothing and protective gear. Even professional bikers wear helmets, sunglasses and lightweight layers to protect themselves from falls and accidents. Remember safety first and then follow Crazy Dan's footsteps to perfect your own wheelie maneuvers.

According to a recent news report, a group of teenagers were eager to enjoy some fun in the sun on the Sunshine Coast of Australia by jumping off the Coolum Beach's Esplanade rooftop - on skateboards.

The teenagers were practicing awe-inspiring leaps, twists and jumps on top of the roof and managed to catch the attention of shoppers and retail store owners over the weekend. The daredevils managed to pull off an impressive lineup of skateboarding tricks including vertical jumps, 360 degree leaps and 180s on top of an uneven rooftop.

Residents and shop owners confirmed that they were dong no harm and were just having some fun. The skateboarders simply enjoyed their practice session and adrenaline rush before heading home for the evening.

Ramping Up Your Skateboarding Skills

Skateboarding tricks and stunts can take months, even years to master, but the gurus of the skateboard have learned how to ride, maneuver and balance properly to avoid serious injuries.

Beginners may need to wear protective gear such as knee and elbow pads, the right shoesand even a helmet to reduce injury from a skateboarding mishap. Getting just the right angles and balancing the body just right before performing a jump or leap can be difficult for the beginning boarder; still, there are some ways to improve your skills.

First, you'll be better off practicing at an actual skate park before venturing onto the rooftops of buildings in the near future. Skate parks are designed with special edges and tracks that cater to the wheels of a skateboard. This will make it easier to practice those ollies, grinds and 180s without running into walls or other skaters. Well, at least for the most part.

You'll also need to practice good form. Keeping your weight balanced by bending your knees slightly and relaxing the body will help you maneuver the board easily and help you execute each move with ease. Keeping your eyes focused on the ground ahead (and not on your feet) will also help you navigate better and plan your next move.

Finally, don't forget to use skateboard wax. You'll need to rub this on the ledge you are working against so that you can ride up to the edge and make your turns with ease. A block of hard wax is fairly cheap and will likely last you through an entire skating season.

Remember that scene near the end of "Better off Dead," where John Cusack tackled a treacherous slope on only one ski? The same thing happens in mountain unicycling (MUni), which is sort of like riding a mountain bike that's missing a wheel. Unlike Cusack's character in the film, however, MUni riders do this intentionally.

Devotees of this extreme sport enjoy heading to mountainous and rocky areas all over the world and riding down on just a single wheel. MUni lovers also prefer a unicycle that has a rugged frame and knobbier tires than the more commonly available unicycle models. A hard head, nerves of steel and a really good sense of balance definitely can come in handy if MUni is your kind of thing.

For this activity that steadily has been growing in popularity over the last several years, rough terrain unicyclers gather together in places like Lake Tahoe and San Diego to try their extreme, one-wheel skills. For any MUni outing, good biking shoes such as the Merrell Moab Ventilators are essential. As the name indicates, a pair of Ventilators will help keep your feet cool and dry while you are unicycling down rocky terrain.

Rough Terrain Unicycling on Mount Everest
Most MUni riders have a good story or two to tell, but precious few can top Steve Colligan, the married father of two in Manchester, England. A self-professed adventure unicyclist, Colligan, 47, rode across approximately 1,100 km of Mount Everest, a mountain that's difficult enough to climb, let alone tackle on one wheel.

In addition to achieving a personal best, Colligan also helped improve conditions in one remote area of the Himalayas. His journey across Everest raised funds for the Hilly Region Development Fund, a non-governmental organization in Nepal. Since its formation in 1998, the fund has, among other projects, helped build a new primary school and health clinic in the Dhading District.

Sources:
http://www.mountainunicycling.net/
http://www.unicycling.com/muni/
http://www.unicyclesteve.com/