In today’s world, you can be a social media star in almost anything, whether it’s makeup videos, music videos, or the wild and wonderful world of extreme sports. You may think that extreme sports sounds like a far more intense experience than regular forms of sports, and if so you’d be right! It sits in a subcategory of sport that is so far removed from the regular that very few people choose to do it, which is why those thrill seekers who do often go on to be social media superstars. Often called “action sports,” this particular niche brings an abundance of danger, and we’re going to be looking at the influence of this world on our pop culture.
Extreme sports are known for pushing barriers in athletic performances and are making waves online due to their thrill and danger – which shock viewers. Whether it’s high-octane competitions or viral online moments, the stars in this niche have turned into influential figures in their own right. We’re going to be exploring how extreme sports athletes are shaping this world, and where they are now.
The rise of extreme sports in the media
Long gone are the days when extreme sports were known as a niche pastime that was only done by the small minority. Huge events now take place all over the world, and they bring together skateboarding, motocross, BMX, and more to their global audiences. Just as you’d sit and watch the Paris Olympics, people across the world turn to the events of extreme sports and follow their favorite stars. Because of this monumental growth, sports stars can excel on and off the track. From lifestyle brands to fashion and media, these sports stars are gaining traction and leveling up their follower base.
The most-known names in extreme sports
1Xavier De Le Rue
Xavier De Le Rue is a mountain snowboarder from France who is now 45 years old. His pro career catapulted him into the limelight. He began his career competing on the Boardercross pro tour and then went on to the 2006 Winter Olympics. At the FIS Snowboarding World Championships in 2009 he managed to snatch a silver medal, which put his name truly in the spotlight. He has over half a million followers on Instagram, proving that although his career on the slopes may be over – he’s a huge name in social media. From tutoring to advice, Xavier offers up brilliant new tricks for newbies wanting to get into the sport. His 20 years’ worth of knowledge of the sport is all being shared with his large fan base, and there’s enough people out there eager to learn from him that he’s able to make a flourishing career based on this.
2. Harry Bink
Harry Bink is a motocross rider whose interest in the sport began at just 4 years old. He’s dedicated his whole life to proving his skills, which has helped him turn into a huge figure in the motocross space. The Australian motocross star had an aspiration to become the best dirt bike rider in the world, and the sport has brought with it plenty of opportunities for him. The world motocross star is sitting on at least 274,000 followers online. This truly cements the fact that Harry Bink is a huge mark in pop culture and is someone to watch as this world progresses.
3. Alana Blanchard
If there is anyone in the world of sports who has brought social and pop culture into the sports scene, it’s Alana Blanchard. She is an American professional surfer and model who has a colossal 1.6 million followers online due to her huge surfing career. Surfing is known as one of the most extreme sports, like the others on our list, yet Alana makes it look as simple as can be. Born on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, she’s a true island girl and is doing it all for the females in extreme sports. She’s known as one of the most sought-after surfers on the planet – so you can bet your bottom dollar that Alana makes a huge difference in pop culture as we know it.
These three individuals may have begun by doing something they deeply love, but in each case, it has transcended into a fruitful career in social marketing. Extreme sports are loved by the masses and establish a huge audience for the stars. An audience means followers online, which translates to a budding career in social media. Through their achievements, social media presence, fashion sense, and brand collaborations, they’ve moved from sports to become influential cultural figures. They also know how to build trust and credibility among those followers. As extreme sports continue to grow in popularity, the influence of these athletes will likely keep shaping pop culture in exciting and unexpected ways – and we can’t wait to see it.
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