London listings: Extreme sports for adrenalin junkies in the city

Microlighting 

Fly through the air in a lightweight aircraft. These amazing crafts look similar to hang gliders, but have a mini engine and can reach speeds of 40m/ph. Or opt for a course and work towards getting a pilot’s licence.

Daily. 9am-sunset, £79
Aveley Road, RM14 2TQ
Tube | Upminster
londonairsports.com

Kiteboarding

Power kites can pull up to a ton in weight, meaning flying them is an absolute rush. One false move and you’ll end up metres in the air.

Get full instruction with Kite Vibe, who’ll hook you up with a beginner’s kite. When you’ve mastered that, they’ll let you try a board. 

Lesson times vary depending on wind conditions.  
Richmond Park, TW10 5HS, £40
Tube | East Putney
kitevibe.com

Ice Climbing

In London, of all places, you can climb an 8ft wall of ice. Hidden behind a secret door in the Ellis Brigham store, in Covent Garden, wannabe explorers can feel what mountaineers go through when climbing Everest for days on end. Believe us, it’s tough climbing that block with two ice picks and some sharp crampons.

Times vary, £5 Vertical Chill
Ellis Brigham Store, WC2E 7HA
Tube | Covent Garden
vertical-chill.com

Kayaking

Take to the Thames in a coloured boat, and negotiate strong currents on London’s busiest river, past naval boats, ferries and canal boats. Soak up the city’s most iconic landmarks while floating on the water.

Every weekend, timings dependant on tides
Cremorne Riverside Centre, SW10 0QH, £33
Station | Imperial Wharf Station
kayakinglondon.com

Diving  

This south London dive centre offers open-water dive trips just 45 minutes from central London to Wraysbury. Here, underwater explorers will find carp, pike, tench, eels plus a sunken boat, fruit machine, VW van, bus and London taxi.

Every Sat. 8am-4pm, £10
Voltaire Road, SW4 6DH
Tube | Clapham North
bigsquid.co.uk

Read more: Going to extremes - Escape your boring 9-5 with adventure sports in London