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How to slash the extreme cost

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Sport24 columnist Lindy Taverner (File)
Sport24 columnist Lindy Taverner (File)
Lindy Taverner

Getting into a new extreme sport is exciting as there is so much to learn and a huge amount of exploration and discovery to be enjoyed. That said, it’s not always cheap. Some sports require very little investment, but with others, you really need to have the right gear.

It’s the move from renting to owning that financially hurts the most. Buying your own rig or board is a real step forward.

It’s also a statement that you are fully committed to your exciting new world, and with ownership comes freedom. No more waiting for hire shops to open, no more rushing back to return your wetsuit just as the sun is setting and the best waves of the day are rising. You can get riding, skiing or flying any time you like with your own kit and equipment.

If you are lucky, you can get yourself to a retailer and start flexing the plastic. However, many people just don’t have the kind of money they need to deck themselves out in all the best gear.

Don’t let the price of new equipment put you off starting up a new sport. Do your research, find just what it is you are after, and then get searching.

Thanks to the internet there are always quality used equipment available. In most sports, people commonly trade up and seek out more technical gear. For a beginner this is great because excellent quality, used sporting equipment is forever turning up online and at a good price.

The best starting point is to contact a club in your area catering for your particular sport. If you have no luck on Google, try searching for a sports shop in your city selling what you need and ask them, they always know who’s who in the zoo. Often people trade their equipment within clubs via an eNewsletter, so get yourself on the database.

If you have older surfboards or snowboards that are in good condition, then use the internet to get it sold - you’ll get money toward your next purchase and help newbies on their path to extreme sports happiness.

Lindy Taverner is the editor of the RUSH magazine that was based in the Eastern Cape and recently relocated to Cape Town. Previous issues and updated extreme sport news can be found on her site www.whatarush.co.za


Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
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