| What with the 2010 World Cup taking place in | | | | Some of the biggest and most magnificent sharks |
| South Africa, the sporting status of the country | | | | in the world can be found off the coast of South |
| has undoubtedly risen. However, it's not all football, | | | | Africa, and cage diving is the perfect way to see |
| rugby and cricket in the rainbow nation. There is a | | | | them in all their splendour, whilst keeping at a safe |
| whole range of sports, which are as diverse as | | | | distance from their teeth. During a cave diving |
| the people of South Africa themselves - read on | | | | session you will be fitted with breathing equipment |
| to find out about just three of them. | | | | and lowered into the water in a cage made from |
| Sand Boarding | | | | extremely strong metal, so that you can watch |
| Expending a lot of energy climbing up sand dunes | | | | the sharks in their natural habitat whilst remaining |
| may not seem like your idea of fun, however I | | | | protected from them. So whether you're |
| can guarantee that the thrill you'll experience on | | | | fascinated by sharks, or simply keen to face your |
| the way back down will make it well worth the | | | | fears, shark diving is a popular recreational sport, |
| effort. Sand boarding is becoming an increasingly | | | | becoming more popular all the time. |
| popular sport in South Africa, and it's easy to see | | | | River Boarding |
| why. Relatively similar to snowboarding, sand | | | | If you like the idea of getting wet in South Africa, |
| boarding involves standing with two feet on a thin | | | | but are slightly less keen on the prospect of |
| board and weaving and arcing your way at | | | | sharks, then perhaps another water sport is more |
| breakneck speed to the bottom of the dunes. | | | | suitable for you. River boarding is increasingly |
| However, for those who are less steady on their | | | | common in South Africa these days, and |
| feet there is a great alternative of lying flat on | | | | particularly in the area of Victoria Falls. Referred |
| your stomach on the board, and heading downhill | | | | to by some as 'motocross on your belly', river |
| as if you were on a surfboard. Whichever way | | | | boarding refers to the art of travelling |
| you decide to descend down the dunes, sand | | | | downstream lying on your front on a board, |
| boarding gives you a guaranteed adrenaline rush - | | | | navigating various rapids as you go. But it won't all |
| just be sure to keep some sunglasses on and | | | | be roaring rapids; in places you will be able to lie |
| your mouth shut or you may just end up eating | | | | back and relax as you drift along and make the |
| sand. | | | | most of the stunning scenery that surrounds you. |
| Shark Diving | | | | So, though the sounds of the vuvuzelas may be |
| Everyone who heads to South Africa is aware of | | | | ringing out over South Africa for some weeks |
| the fact that there are some pretty big fish out | | | | yet, there is much more than just football to |
| in the waters. However, not everyone will know | | | | enjoy where sports are concerned. Try your |
| that you can in fact take to the water yourself, | | | | hand at any one of the weird and wonderful |
| and swim up close and personal with the sharks. | | | | sports for which the country is becoming known. |