Gran Canaria is an excellent Spanish tourist destination that, in addition to the sun and beach, allows you to enjoy a range of entertainment activities suitable for all tastes, including high-risk sports.
Among the most popular activities on the island are water sports, with a wide variety of options that captivate visitors, such as kayaking, paddle surfing, windsurfing, surfing, scuba diving, jet skiing, sailing and many more.
On the other hand, this beautiful island also offers more extreme activities that attract a public that is in search of more challenging experiences that require previous training to master.
Having said that, we will now take a look at the high-risk sports available in Gran Canaria, such as skydiving, climbing, paragliding, etc.
1. Skydiving
This is one of the most sought-after high-risk sports on the island, as it offers the opportunity to enjoy an extreme experience that requires a great deal of bravery.
Parachute jumping offers the opportunity to challenge the deepest fears while enjoying an exceptional level of unimaginable vibrant emotions.
It can be practised in groups of friends, as a family or as a couple, and you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of Gran Canaria from the heights above the popular Playa del Inglés beach to descend over the sublime Maspalomas Dunes.
For beginners, it is recommended to start with a tandem jump in which you will be accompanied at all times by an instructor who will be in charge of controlling and directing the equipment while you enjoy the jump and the breathtaking views.
To enjoy this fabulous experience it is important to have the support of the best equipment and to be familiar with what to wear skydiving.
2. Climbing
Gran Canaria has excellent geological conditions for climbing. Its volcanic origin and its orography offer a wide variety of routes for the enjoyment of this activity in the middle of a totally natural environment.
The island has more than 400 climbing routes in different areas such as the cliffs adorned with beautiful pine forests, located in the Tamadaba Natural Park.
Other popular climbing spots offering excellent conditions are in the valley of Las Mil Palmeras and the Fataga ravine, as well as in the hamlet of Ayacata, in the central peaks of Gran Canaria.
3. Paragliding
Another high-risk sport practised on the island is paragliding, which, unlike skydiving, does not involve jumping from a plane, but only requires being on a mountain or high hill with the right weather conditions to enjoy a flight that allows greater control and relaxation at all times.
In Gran Canaria the conditions are very favourable for paragliding thanks to the trade winds, which provide an intense propulsion in the air.
With paragliding you can enjoy incredible views over hillsides, peaks, beaches and ravines from the heights and keep photos and videos for your memories.
4. Surf
Surfing is another of the most popular high-risk sports in Gran Canaria, in fact, numerous visitors from all over the world come to the island to enjoy its waves.
The best time of year for surfing is between September and April. Depending on the area, you can find beaches with more or less swell according to the experience of the surfers.
On the west side of Las Canteras beach, in the area known as La Cicer, surfers gather from early in the morning, as it is an area with different swell peaks for different levels.
Also at El Confital beach, which is located very close to Las Canteras, there are very good surfing conditions with strong and fast waves, so it is suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Additionally, towards the south of the island at Playa del Inglés there are very suitable conditions for less experienced surfers who are just starting out.
As you can see, Gran Canaria offers a wide variety of extreme sports thanks to its great location and weather conditions.
