Jet skis first developed from the “water
scooters” of the mid-1950s, which were pretty
much what their name suggests: scooters
modified with motors and pumps to function
on water. People stood on the flat bottom of
the scooter and controlled the craft using an
upright aluminium handle.
As the design and popularity of jet skis
improved over time, Japanese industrial and
motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki began
mass-producing them in 1973. Subsequently,
they became a popular water sport when
people started using them for races.
In a jet ski race, racers compete to complete
a fixed number of laps around a buoy-marked
water course in the fastest time possible. There
are different races held for different engine
capacities. The action-packed sport requires
protective gear like helmets, goggles, and
even back braces. In the upcoming Games,
riders will compete on a closed course track
measuring 3 kilometres long, or an endurance
track 6.5 kilometres long.JET SKI
The earliest versions of rock climbing began
when shepherds first scaled steep rocky terrain
to herd their sure-footed flocks. People across
the ancient world also started climbing up
large rocks and cliffs for exploration, and
the sport began to emerge in prominence
in the 19th century with the advent of
mountaineering (and its accompanying
mountain rescue operations).
The first and most prominent record of
sport climbing was the scaling of the Alps’
Mont Blanc by two French nationals. Rock
climbing grew more and more popular over
the 20th century, with the invention of gear
such as nylon rope, carabiners and pitons, and
the creation of artificial ranges soon allowed
for indoor matches.
Today, people climb to enhance their agility
and strength. In competitions, athletes have
a fixed time to observe the climbing wall via
binoculars before the race begins, and can
make sketches or notes to formulate a winning
strategy. A climber clocks in a timing when
they hit a switch at the top of the wall.SPORT CLIMBING
PHOTO © THOR JORGEN UDVANG/SHUTTERSTOCKPHOTO © MARCO GOVEL/SHUTTERSTOCKDATA SOURCES: PARAGLIDING TALES AND REVIEWS,
THOUGHT CO, THRILLSPIRE, HOW STUFF WORKS3 CliMbing events
Two climbers compete
for the fastest timing
up a 15-metre wallAthletes try to climb
as high as possible
within a fixed time up
a 15-metre wallAthletes try to scale as
many routes as possible
within a fixed time
along a 4-metre wall