Chuck Berry base-jumps with fellow dare-devils above
Milford Sound. Photo supplied.
Extreme sportsmen are more likely to be afraid of their
partner or wife than they are of jumping off a 4500m high
mountain, according to one of New Zealand's keenest
thrillseekers.
Queenstown base-jumper Chuck Berry (44) has chased danger for
20 years but still thinks an "angry woman" is more dangerous
than any of the 19 near-death experiences he has had in his
stunt career.
This is completely normal, according to a study on the
personality characteristics of extreme sports participants by
Dr Erik Monasterio, of the University of Otago.
His four-year study has found those participating in extreme
rock climbing and base jumping are likely to be single, male
and more prone to alcohol and drug addiction.
The only thing differentiating these extreme sports
enthusiasts from an imprisoned "psychopath" was their level
of maturity, Dr Monasterio told the Royal Australian and New
Zealand College of Psychiatrists conference in Queenstown
yesterday.
While criminals and the sporting junkie both show high levels
of "novelty-seeking", the latter scores higher in
self-directedness and co-operativeness.
"These people have the same personality characteristics of
the drinking, drugging and fast-car driver," Dr Monasterio
said.
The risk-taker is more likely to be single ... and "actively
avoid responsibility".
"They're not thinking, just acting and doing what they call
getting into the zone."
Dr Monasterio was a mountaineer for 20 years until he found,
at the age of 40, the thrill of the chase with the aim of
finding a wife was more appealing.
He said 5%-10% of any population tended to be "risk-takers"
and their choices could be illegal drug use, harmful drinking
or the adrenalin rush of jumping.
The chance of serious injury participating in [extreme]
sports was 5000 times greater than work accidents - making a
9 to 5 job the safe, yet less thrilling option for this
group.
"If you choose those experiences, you're chasing the devil."
Mr Berry said this was all part of the experience.
"It is hard not to. I get a lot out of it and it is part of
my lifestyle," he said.
"I just find it makes you feel good."
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