STYLISH

ABSEILING For those unfazed by heights and damp, abseiling was developed by early 20th century French mountaineers, who thought it would be fun to descend ravines, often created by erosion from still running water. One modern variation involves attaching yourself to a rope and bouncing down the side of a tall building.

BODY SURFING For those with no board, body surfing involves catching a wave', riding the surge, then swimming like a demented penguin with the wave's power to get you to the shore. Board surfing has been around for a while too. Captain Cook saw Tahitian surfers in 1769.

BUNGEE JUMPING It started as a South Pacific island manhood-rite, when vertigo-free blokes leapt from bamboo towers with vines knotted round their ankles. The modern version began either in New Zealand or in late 1970's Britain, when dangerous sports enthusiasts jumped from the Clifton Suspension Bridge restrained by huge luggage straps rather than creepers. In 1997 a German entertained himself with a 3320ft jump from a helicopter. And lived.