Olympic fever will have gripped most of you whether you wanted it to or not. Sport and recreational activities stir up deep passion amongst spectators and players alike. While many athletes achieve fame and fortune, most people are just seeking the reward of engagement with someone or something that makes them feel good. Attention spans are definitely decreasing and the amount of time people are prepared to commit to their sporting pursuit is following suit.  This issue I want you to forget football, tennis and other high profile sports. It is time to discover new skills and challenges, be super cool (I think) and wake to the Top New Sports destined never to make the Olympics:
 
Bossaball
IT'S VOLLEYBALL ON A TRAMPOLINE WITH THE SAFETY FEATURES OF A BOUNCY HOUSE – SADLY THIS SPORT HAS BEEN TRADEMARKED AND IT APPEARS THAT THE NETHERLANDS IS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF COUNTRIES WHERE THIS SPORT CAN BE FOUND. AFTER CANCELING THE HASH CAFES, IT WOULD APPEAR THERE IS A LITTLE TOO MUCH TIME ON SOME PEOPLEFS HANDS!
 
Kitesurfing
THE AWESOMENESS OF SURFING WITH THE ADDITION OF SOMETHING THAT PULLS YOU INTO THE AIR. HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS BECOMING TRENDY BEYOND EXTREME SPORTS. I HAVE TRIED SURFING BUT HAVE A VERY STRONG AVERSION TO SHARKS – AND I WILL ADMIT TO HAVING PURCHASED A KITE – ENOUGH SAID – I THINK THIS IS NEVER GONNA GO MAINSTREAM. WAY TOO MANY THINGS CAN GO WRONG HERE.
 
Octopush
FORGET MARCO POLO – ITS UNDERWATER HOCKEY WITH A TWIST. BASICALLY SCUBA (READ SNORKELING) IN A POOL WITH A LITTLE PUCK AND A WHOLE HEAP OF STRATEGY – YEAH RIGHT. ITS BASICALLY A SMASH EM DERBY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE SQUIRREL GRIPS AND INAPPROPRIATE PUSHING AND GRABBING – GUARANTEED TO MAKE SOME PEOPLE CRY.
 
Frisbee
I DONFT CARE – THIS IS NOT NEW. ANYTHING MY PARENTS HAVE DONE IS NOT NEW! REPORTS SAY PARTICIPATION IN FRISBEE IS UP 20% (NOT SURE HOW IT IS A TEAM SPORT THOUGH – REALLY!) PLUS HOW DO THEY MEASURE THIS? – I HAVE A FRISBEE – AM I IN? APPARENTLY DOG FITNESS IS SETTING THE BENCHMARK FOR THIS INCREASE.
 
Target shooting
WELL CLEARLY THE AUSTRALIAN SWIM TEAM IS HEDGING THEIR BETS BY CROSS-TRAINING ATHLETES ! ARCHERY IS ALSO APPARENTLY INCREASING -  FRIGHTENING AND NOT WORTH ENCOURAGING.
 
Cheerleading & gymnastics
OH NO – NOT FOR FEMALES BUT FOR MALES – OMG - CONFUSED FACE – SEND – GLEE HAS SO MUCH TO ANSWER FOR.

 
Social gaming
IT HAD TO HAPPEN EVENTUALLY – REFERRED TO AS GAMIFICATION – KIND OF LIKE THE GOODIFICATION ONLY LESS FRIED CHICKEN – IT IS AN EXTENSION BEYOND SOCIAL MEDIA THAT REQUIRES A COMMITMENT TO A SPORTING THEMED GAME USUALLY PLAYED IN TOURNAMENTS OR MASSIVE MULTI-PLAYER VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS. SPORT ME THINKS NOT – BUT IF YOU HAVE TO GET UP TO WII THEN MAYBE IT IS BETTER THAN NOTHING.