Are you an adrenaline junkie? Or do you just want to try something other than your everyday cycle or walk? Well, you’re in luck, as the windmill country that is the Netherlands also offers you the opportunity to try some extreme sports. By extreme, of course, we don’t mean jumping over alligators or running alongside lions with meat in your back pocket. Here are four cool places in the Netherlands you can visit to partake in some extreme sports.
That’s right, you can abseil down the tallest building in Rotterdam. How cool is that?! Of course, you won’t depart from the very top, only from the 100-metre mark- still pretty high if you ask us. Doing so will not only give you an adrenaline rush, but you’ll also get an awesome view of the city (if you dare to look around, that is). There is no supporting wall, so you’ll be abseiling straight down, which increases the fear factor and extremeness of this sports outing.
If you don’t fancy abseiling, you can also zip-line down from the 100-metre point. You’ll be doing so at 100 kilometres per hour, so be sure to hold on to your face to stop it from flying off - we’re kidding of course! You can go abseiling or zip-lining every weekend from May to September. Both activities need to be booked in advance online and tickets include entrance to the Euromast.
Did you think bungee jumping was something you could only do in Australia? Well, you’d be wrong. You can actually go bungee jumping in plain old Holland - at the beach in Scheveningen, to be precise. If you choose to indulge your inner adrenaline junkie with a bungee jump, head on over to Scheveningen pier to jump - or fall - from 60 metres above sea level.
Worried about how experienced the bungee jump company is? No need, Bungy Jump Holland has been around since 1991, making it one of the oldest bungee jumping companies in the world and a forerunner in the Netherlands. They have been accident-free for more than 25 years, so you know you're in safe hands.
Prices can be found online, so be sure to check out which ticket suits you best. Opening times differ per month. Too chicken? Luckily they have something for you too! In 2017, Bungy Jump Holland opened the largest zip-line in the country, stretching 350 metres and capable of speeds up to 70 kilometres per hour.
Video: YouTube / Breng het in Beeld
If jumping out of a plane is your thing, or an item on your bucket list, you should head on over to Paracentrum Texel, which was set up way back in 1969. While in the air, you’ll be able to have a fantastic view of the quaint Dutch island Texel. Want to jump on your own? You can take a course and work your way up to this, or simply opt for a tandem jump with an experienced instructor.
You can jump from different heights, with 13.000 feet being the most extreme; going any higher requires an oxygen tank. So, if you pick this height you are literally on the edge of the breathable atmosphere - crazy, right? You can also pick packages that include photos or videos, so you’ll be able to remember the experience for the rest of your life. That photo where it looks like your face is falling off will look great over your mantelpiece. Just kidding - it will be a badass photo, of course.
Not a fan of jumping out of a plane, or is it just a little too cold for an outdoor skydive? Just travel to Roosendaal to have all the fun indoors at the Benelux’s first indoor skydive centre. At Indoor Skydive Roosendaal, you’ll recreate the feeling of skydiving in a wind tunnel. Here, wind speeds can get up to 275 kilometres per hour, thanks to the 12 motors powering the tunnel.
The wind tunnel itself is 23 metres long and can fit more than one person: if you don't fancy going alone you can do it with an instructor, or you could make it a fun outing with work or friends. Another great thing is that anyone can do it, from 4-year-olds to 88-year-olds, with or without disabilities.
The skydiving facility is open every day apart from Monday. On Tuesdays, it opens from 6pm until 12am and then from 1pm until 12am the rest of the week. On weekends it is open from 8am until 12am. During a skydive, you get 60 seconds of wind time, which is why a package deal with more sessions is recommended. You can find details of prices and packages on the website.
Video: YouTube / Indoor Skydive Roosendaal
Have any of these activities got you craving an adrenaline rush? Well, now you know how to satiate that hunger. If you do choose to try one of the above extreme sports in the Netherlands, make sure you snap a picture and tag us on Instagram with @IamExpatNL. After all, pics or it didn’t happen…
Have you ever tried one of these activities before? Let us know in the comments below!