Extreme Sports Near Columbia, SC

people skydiving
Courtesy of Kamil Pietrzak
  • There are plenty of extreme sports opportunities near Columbia, South Carolina:
    • Red Bank Arena BMX
    • Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center
    • Flight Adventure Park
    • Skydive Carolina

Whether you’re living at the lake for serenity and relaxation or speeding across the water, lake homes bring opportunities for new outdoor pursuits and indoor hobbies. Extreme sports juxtapose lake living by stretching the limits of the human body, and the area around metropolitan Columbia is one of the most diverse places to explore new adventures.

Red Bank Arena BMX

South of Lake Murray, the Lexington BMX track in Lexington, South Carolina, is a premier facility for BMX riders. Known for its professionally designed and meticulously maintained track, it offers an exhilarating and challenging experience for riders of all skill levels. The route boasts various features, including jumps, berms, and rhythm sections, carefully designed to test riders’ abilities. Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your skills or an experienced rider seeking a rush, the Lexington BMX track is ideal. The track’s community often puts on events, races, and competitions to test your mettle. If you’re looking to get into BMX riding, instructors at the track offer crash courses.

Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center

Located at and run by the University of South Carolina, Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center offers more than the typical gym. While there is a swimming pool and court-sport rooms, it’s also the closest place in the Columbia area to climb! The 52-foot-tall climbing wall features several changing routes for varying difficulty levels. Many walls only feature top rope, pre-made routes that require a belayer, but the wall here allows for lead climbing and bouldering. Visitors can also book adventure trips planned by staff that explore favorite sports in outdoor locations. Hours are seasonal, and a day pass costs $10.

Flight Adventure Park

kids jumping on trampolines
Courtesy of Camknows

Northeast of Lake Murray, Flight Adventure Park provides sky-high opportunities in Irmo. Bound and leap across the room as a series of aerial courses and trampolines encompass most of the facility. If you’ve seen American Ninja Warrior on TV, you’ll want to explore their endurance-training obstacle course, but there is a high requirement for those interested. If you need a break from soaring, you can find entertainment in the arcade games that satisfy your wandering stimuli. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in the ultimate laser tag showdown, where fun and excitement collide in a neon-lit battleground.

One of the park’s highlights is its year-round ice skating rink — one of very few in the state. Whether you’re a novice or a master, the chilling breeze while gliding across the ice is as exhilarating as the first time. From figure skating to ice hockey, various forms are fun for the whole family, and nothing beats that summer heat more than this winter sanctuary.

Skydive Carolina

tandem team jumping out of a plane
Courtesy of Tom Fisk

If the courses at Flight Adventure Park do not satisfy your adrenaline craving, set your sights on the horizon as you sail through the air with Skydive Carolina. A little over an hour north of Columbia, the team at Skydive Carolina is a group of seasoned professionals with developed insight into the sport. Skydiving enthusiasts can prep for the fall by taking the Comprehensive Accelerated Freefall Course, which requires students to perform multiple jumps and develop essential skills. While this course allows solo jumping, you don’t have to go it alone. Customers can jump in tandem, in groups, or solo. Depending on the day, tandem skydiving can range between $209–$259, and groups cost between $10–$20 per person. Visitors to the premises can visit their main hangar, student training center, and the Blue Sky Cafe.

Need that perfect shot for social media? The staff at Skydive Carolina can take videos and photos or create edited content. Prices range between $109–$199.

So, after exhausting the body from extreme sports, let the lake carry your weary bones back home.

There are several extreme sports opportunities near Columbia, SC, including Red Bank Arena BMX, Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center, Flight Adventure Park, and Skydive Carolina.

Red Bank Arena BMX in Lexington, SC, offers a premier facility for BMX riders of all skill levels. It features a professionally designed track with jumps, berms, and rhythm sections. The track hosts events, races, and competitions, and instructors offer crash courses for beginners.

The Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center in Columbia, SC, offers more than just a gym. It features a 52-foot climbing wall with varying difficulty levels, including lead climbing and bouldering. The center also offers adventure trips and has a swimming pool and court-sport rooms.

Flight Adventure Park in Irmo, SC, provides a range of aerial courses, trampolines, and an endurance-training obstacle course inspired by American Ninja Warrior. It also offers an arcade, laser tag, and a year-round ice skating rink.

Skydive Carolina, located about an hour north of Columbia, SC, offers skydiving experiences. They provide a Comprehensive Accelerated Freefall Course for solo jumping, as well as tandem jumps and group options. They also offer video and photo services for capturing the experience. Prices vary depending on the type of jump and additional services desired.