We’re all familiar with the most popular sports in the Unites States of America. There’s America football, baseball, ice hockey and soccer. However, there are some American sports that are more unusual, undiscovered and, well, very niche. Our list of unusual American sports is sure to intrigue and inspire you to try something new yourself.
Before you book a trip to the states and try your hand at some of the weirdest sports in the world, be sure to complete an ESTA visa application. The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation makes visitors eligible to travel to the US under the USA Visa Waiver Program. Introduced in 2009, it is used to enhance security measures and pre-screen travellers before they travel.
Extreme Ironing
Part chore, part performance art, people who partake in extreme ironing usually try to go to the more remote location possible to iron their clothes. People who do extreme ironing refer to themselves as ‘ironists’ and get their thrills from taking their unplugged iron, ironing board and wrinkled clothes out into the most extreme terrain possible and film of photograph themselves removing the creases from their clothes. You can find an ‘ironist’ anywhere; in extreme altitudes, underwater, on the edge of a cliff or even on top of moving vehicles.
Naked Sports
America is one of many countries that take part in playing sports while not wearing any clothing. Some of the most popular sporting events where nudity is a requirement are the World naked Bike Ride and International Naturist Sports Week. This one is definitely not one for the prudish!
Ostrich Racing
Ostrich racing originated in Africa and eventually made its way overseas to the US where it has proven to be very popular. Ostriches are known to reach the surprising speed of 43 miles per hour and take strides that reach up to 16 feet. The game entails people sitting on ostriches and racing their chosen big bird around a track.
Chess Boxing
As the name suggests, chess boxing involves the best of both chess and boxing. There’s something for everyone; quiet periods of concentration and exhilarating rounds of fighting.
Quidditch
Not even J.K Rowling could have predicted her fictional game of Quidditch to become a worldwide sporting phenomenon. The mixed gender contact sport is played by an impressive 500 teams in over 26 countries and involves two teams of seven players mounted on broomsticks playing the made-up game on a hockey sized pitch. It borrows elements from tag, dodgeball and rugby.
Wife Carrying
Wife carrying began in Finland as was adopted by America in 1999. This sport involves a man carrying a woman on his back while running through obstacles along the way. If the man drops their partner, their team adds time to their overall total – the team who finishes the course with the fastest time wins. And don’t worry if you’re not married. Participants are not required to be legally married to participate!
Dog Surfing
Dog surfing involves canines hanging out with your best friend on the deep blue sea. The more intense versions of this utterly-adorable sport involve dogs doing tricks on their surfboards while their owners keep the board steady. Radical!
