Extreme Ironing (Please Just Read It)
As I am sure you all have seen, I do not like writing about actual games or even about major sports. I prefer stories with heart or that are just interesting to a reader who has the same connection with sports as I do- basically none. I do not find the game and the stats to be as important as the person themselves, and so I do not write about them. Plus, I think that an article with nothing but stats that I do not understand is boring. On that note, I am going to be talking about yet another weird sport, although I am not sure if this is really a sport- extreme ironing.
Yes, ironing. The common household chore has become one of the weirdest sports out there. I guess someone just got bored ironing their clothes one day and decided “why don’t I just take this and do it on a mountain in the middle of nowhere?” I think that is where this sport originated. Dull and boring meets exciting and dangerous. As most of these strange sports have, this one originated in the United Kingdom. In 1997 it was started, and in 1999 Extreme Ironing International was formed, which is when it was first recognized as a sport.
So, what counts as an extreme location? I am so glad you asked (not really, but let’s try and enjoy this). Basically, anywhere outside of your house counts. On the roof, in the backyard, on a cliff, on a surfboard, skiing, underwater, the possibilities are endless. If you really want to take home some big money, try going into space. You might spend more going there than actually winning money, but that would be so cool.
One question that is going through my mind is how in the world do you iron underwater? Surely the iron would not stay hot enough, and you will probably shock yourself trying to plug it in. Luckily, we have the internet, the magical place that holds all information. Except, apparently, how to iron underwater. Let’s just assume that they use some special waterproof ironing board that produces heat even while 20 meters down. Can we do that? I really do not want to do the research on this. I want to retain some of my dignity. At least underwater you do not have to keep spraying water on your clothes.
You may be wondering “how can I start?” Just grab an ironing board, an iron, and your least favorite clothes (let’s face it, you are crap at ironing, everyone is) and head to your back yard. Bring an extension cord, too. Please, for your own sake, do not try an actual extreme location on your first go. Just do not do it. It is not smart. Then again, you are ironing in your backyard, so the amount of brain cells you already have may be dwindling. You know what, go for it. Have fun, be safe and try not to burn yourself.
