A very strange competition for ironing clothes takes place in conditions bordering on the impossible. People first learned about extreme ironing when it emerged in the late 90s because this trend brought something completely new to the world. Taking an ironing board and iron with them, most of the participants engaged in ironing in difficult terrain, including mountain tops, bottoms of water bodies, forests, and rooftops of buildings. The main aim of this competition is to achieve perfect ironing of clothes in the most difficult conditions. Extreme ironing turns a routine household chore into an exciting show.
So, How Did Extreme Ironing Come to Be?
Phil Shaw added his daily ironing practice to his adventurous nature when he combined these habits in England in 1997. When he went camping, he took an ironing board and iron with him and set up unexpected places as ironing spots. People adopted his idea, and in 2002, the first World Extreme Ironing Championship was held in Germany. Representatives from ten countries, including Australia and South Africa, took part in the championship.
It is now a global phenomenon. Extreme ironing develops according to the abilities of the participants: some perform their tasks over mountains and underwater with the help of aqualungs, and others do so during a parachute jump.
Surprised? Let’s say more – a huge number of such strange and unusual activities are even considered official sports. For example, have you heard about the differences between curling and hurling, bandy and field hockey, floorball, pinkleball, mini-football, and lacrosse, a traditional sport of American Indians? All these entertainments can become not only an entertaining spectacle, but are also available for betting online. The odds for exotic sports are always more profitable, and every attentive viewer can earn good money. And even if extreme ironing is still not on this list, who knows what awaits us tomorrow…
The Most Extreme Places for Ironing
Extreme Ironing participants seek out the most risky and unbelievable locations to fulfil the dual purpose of pressing clothes and passing the challenge in difficult conditions. Extreme Ironing participants discover new places every year, proving their creative spirit and courage.
Below is a list of unforgettable locations where Extreme Ironing competitions have taken place:
- On the Everest and other peaks;
- While skydiving;
- On moving cars and trains;
- In the Arctic;
Taking part in such activities requires both physical strength and meticulous execution. Ironing shirts in such unusual locations requires participants to use special board mounts, as well as select equipment to work in a variety of conditions.
Rules of Extreme Ironing
Although extreme ironing sounds like a chaotic activity, the sport has clear rules. Your ironing equipment should consist of a real iron and board, which you must use to properly smooth your clothes without wrinkles, no matter what. The judges analyse both your ironing skills and your innovative choice of location.
Different ironing categories include water, mountain, forest and mobile ironing. Competitors take part in individual or team competitions with atypical approaches to ironing that heighten the excitement.
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The Most Unusual Records in Extreme Ironing
Throughout the history of extreme ironing, there have been many amazing records. People actively seek out unusual places to iron, as well as attempting difficult tasks that are hard to repeat.
A British mountaineer became famous for ironing a shirt in the Himalayas at an altitude of over 5,000 metres. And one group continuously ironed his shirt during a marathon race. Another participant ironed a shirt on the roof of a car at 90 kilometres per hour. In another instance, an ironing board and iron were hoisted up in a hot air balloon while the participant failed in flight.
Courage allows people to do amazing things because it demonstrates that any goal becomes achievable.
Equipment for Extreme Ironing
Choosing a suitable hazardous location forces competitors to prepare the appropriate equipment for the event. Athletes choose special equipment, not limiting themselves to the usual iron and ironing board, because ordinary equipment does not meet the requirements of extreme conditions.
Most often, athletes choose lightweight folding ironing boards, as such models provide easy transport in mountain and underwater conditions. Many extreme sports enthusiasts prefer to personalise their irons by purchasing rechargeable battery-operated appliances. However, some participants use regular irons that are powered by generators and even open flames.
Protective gear plays a crucial role in extreme ironing, as you will need waterproof suits along with breathing apparatus for water activities, as well as safety ropes with board mounts to avoid injury during high altitude activities.
New Iron Madmen: What Else Will They Come Up With?
Nowadays, people from different countries gather to discover revolutionary approaches to creative actions. This sport combines physical challenges with fun attributes, which makes it attractive to both participants and spectators at competitions. The ironing process becomes an exciting spectacle when performed on peaks or underwater.
Extreme ironing competitions are held in different countries, and every year, there are more and more participants. People find in this sport a way to go beyond the usual and test themselves in unusual conditions. It is also an opportunity to show imagination and ingenuity, choosing the most unexpected places to perform the task.
In some countries, extreme ironing has become part of charity events, where the money raised is channelled to support environmental projects.
