Each day, numerous women throughout the world strive to expand the boundaries of what›s achievable in the predominantly male-dominated world of extreme sports. Whether it›s scaling towering peaks, mastering turbulent waves and gusty winds, or navigating rugged landscapes, female adventurers are leaving their mark. Their journeys are marked by encounters with numerous injuries, the delicate balancing act of multiple responsibilities, triumphs over financial hurdles, and defying gender-based stereotypes. Naturally, each of these individuals possesses a story that brims with inspiration. From fearless base jumpers to resilient mountaineers, we salute these remarkable forces of nature.
Archana Sardana
In her youth, Archana Sardana observed people engaging in skydiving on television with a perplexed curiosity, often pondering their audacity. “What crazy people,” she would reflect. If only that young child could witness her present self — a forty nine-year-old BASE jumper, distinguished as the first Indian woman to take leaps from structures like bridges and lofty buildings, securely equipped with a parachute. Beyond her prowess as an accomplished skydiver, boasting an impressive tally of hundreds of jumps, she has also embraced her role as a scuba instructor, triumphing over her initial fear of water.
Rinzing Doma Bhutia
Rinzing Doma Bhutia, the lone representative of India at the Pre-Paragliding World Cup in Bir Billing, stands as a true pioneer. Notably, she doesn’t possess her own paraglider and relied on a borrowed one from a friend during the filming of Project Wild Women, a documentary spotlighting Indian women adventurers. This journey took her from South Sikkim to East Sikkim. Bhutia’s path to this achievement involved persistent persuasion, as her family initially held reservations about her involvement in the sport. Her passion for paragliding ignited after she enrolled in a course in 2009, and from there, she dedicated herself to regular training. By 2010, she had undertaken an advanced course and delved into national and state-level competitions. Though faced with financial constraints and a lack of equipment, she nearly considered leaving the profession. However, her determination prevailed, leading her to train in Nepal for a period before returning to Sikkim to pursue her career as a paragliding pilot.
Zandi Ndhlovu
Zandi Ndhlovu openly acknowledges that free diving, the practice of plunging into the depths without reliance on an air tank, presents an exhilarating avenue for exploration. Frequently descending beyond 100 feet, this remarkable accomplishment has earned her the title of the Black Mermaid. She concurs that it qualifies as an extreme endeavor due to the significant risks involved; a single misstep could result in being engulfed by the ocean. Yet, embracing adventure has proven immensely rewarding for Zandi. Having grown up in a landlocked neighborhood of Soweto in Johannesburg, Zandi’s introduction to the ocean only occurred during a vacation in 2016 — an instantaneous and transformative connection she labels as a “freak-out.” Upon returning, she eagerly integrated into the local dive community.
Premalata Agarwal
Premalata Agarwal’s journey into mountaineering began serendipitously, driven not by choice but by chance. Originally seeking adventure opportunities for her daughters, she crossed paths with the renowned mountaineer Bachendri Pal, who recognized Premalata’s potential and encouraged her to embrace the world of adventure. Born in 1963, Premalata Agrawal etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to conquer the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent. Her remarkable achievements garnered recognition from the Indian government, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 2013 and the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2017 for her outstanding contributions to mountaineering. On 17 May 2011, at the age of 48, Premalata became the oldest Indian woman to summit Mount Everest, a record later surpassed by Sangeeta Sindhi Bahl from Jammu and Kashmir on 19 May 2018, achieving the feat at the age of 53. Before this milestone, Premalata Agarwal undertook various demanding expeditions, including the Island Peak Expedition in Nepal (20,600 ft) in 2004, the Karakoram Pass (18,300 ft), and Mt. Saltoro Kangri (20,150 ft) in 2006.
Today, women no longer feel the need to stay reserved or hold back from pushing boundaries, especially in outdoor and extreme pursuits. After years of challenging stereotypes, they’ve rightfully earned their place as leaders in these domains. Women are showcasing their ability to excel in activities traditionally associated with men, often surpassing expectations. For female athletes, who continuously reach new daring heights, the sky (and the mountains) is no longer a limit.
The author is the Director, Business Development, Jumpin Height.
