10 Sports You Didn’t Know Existed

By Victoria Robertson on October 20, 2015

In the wide world of sports, there are bound to be a few that even the most adamant sports fans aren’t familiar with. In fact, almost no one is familiar with them, but that’s beside the point.

So to help you keep your reigning title as the resident sports know-it-all, here are 10 sports that you probably didn’t know existed (that is, until now).

1. Chess Boxing

Photo Via: http://www.cameracrewgermany.com

Yes, you read that right. Chess boxing is none other than the combination of chess and boxing. Did we want it? Probably not. Is it a thing? Absolutely.

While it may not be all that common in the U.S., the Dutch-created sport is played regularly in Germany, Great Britain, India and Russia.

How is it played? There are alternating rounds in which the competitors box and play chess. It’s perfect for those sports fans that love contact sports with that intelligent component.

2. Underwater Hockey

Photo Via: http://www.gbuwh.co.uk

In this sport, you’re almost always out of breath, but that’s a good thing.

Underwater hockey is a U.S. sport in which two opposing teams attempt to shoot a weighted puck into underwater goals. The game is focused more-so on teamwork than how long you can hold your breath, as players typically will take shifts moving the puck across the bottom of the pool.

The game is played in a pool about 6-8 feet deep, and players are donned in flippers, snorkels and masks as well as a one foot stick and the appropriate protective gear.

It’s the hockey game that you didn’t know you wanted to see.

3. Wife Carrying

Photo Via: http://www.centralmaine.com

Introduced to the world in Finland, wife carrying is actually a sport. No joke.

But of course North America now hosts the North American Wife Carrying Championship annually (Columbus Day weekend) in Maine.

The sport is pretty self-explanatory, as competitors must carry their wives (or a neighbor’s) across a course, and the winner is the couple that completes the course in the shortest period of time. And just so everyone’s aware, if you drop her, you have to start over. It’s actually a rule.

It may seem like a joke, but to the competitors, it’s very real.

4. Swamp Soccer

Photo Via: http://www.fieldofplay.eu

Swamp soccer is another Finish sport (called Swamp Football, for those that aren’t American) that’s taken very seriously.

The game is played in two, 12 minute halves and is basically soccer, but played in a swamp. This past year, the Swamp Soccer World Cup (yes, that’s a thing) was held in Istanbul, Turkey.

And for some extra fun, want to know some of the best team names? Some of my favorites include Swamp Bog Millionaire, Real Mudrid and Ar-mud-geddon.

5. Mindball

Photo Via: http://media.techeblog.com

Mindball is one of the most unique games out there, and I’m sure you’ll agree.

The game is played on a mindball table, on which a ball is moved back and forth. The players stand on opposing ends of the table and wear a headband with electrodes that are connected to the table.

And yes, the ball is moved by their minds.

Do I understand how it works? Not really. Do I recommend watching? Absolutely.

6. Extreme Ironing

Photo Via: http://www.adventureherald.com

Want some wrinkle-free clothes with some added outdoor adventure? Then look no further.

Extreme ironing is, simply put, a sport in which athletes take ironing boards to remote locations and, you guessed it, iron their clothes.

While I’m not all that sure what the point is, and I’m pretty sure that it’s much easier to iron your clothes from the comfort of your own home, it’s definitely a unique sport.

7. Zorbing

Photo Via: https://upload.wikimedia.org

If you haven’t heard of zorbing before, you’re missing out. I can honestly say, this is one of the weirdest sports that I’ve ever wanted to participate in.

Originally established in New Zealand, zorbing is a sport in which people get in a life-sized hamster ball (there really isn’t a better way to describe it) and roll down a hill.

Of course, because of the buoyancy of the ball, this sport can also be played on water.

It’s not exactly a competitive sport, but it looks like a blast.

8. Pillow Fighting

Photo Via: http://www.blogto.com

Men of the world, your dreams have come true … sort of.

Pillow fighting is actually a sport, and people actually play it. Of course, the first rule is that only women are allowed to play (figures), and that pillows can’t be filled with foreign objects (i.e. bricks).

And in Japan, this is a fully sanctioned sport as well. So the pillow fighting athleticism is spreading, people.

9. Giant Pumpkin Kayaking

Photo Via: http://blog.oregonlive.com

In true Halloween spirit, I figured I’d throw this one in here.

Every year in Oregon, there is a West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, in which participants race down a river in a giant pumpkin.

So there you go.

10. Cycleball

Photo Via: http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com

Simply explained, cycleball is soccer played on bicycles.

Of course, there are rules and regulations to adhere to, as participants are all on fixed speed bikes with no brakes and the ball is controlled by said bike.

While it’s not yet popular in the U.S., I can see this changing in the near future. Or maybe not, who knows anymore?

And now you know. So get out there and win every completely irrelevant sports trivia game you can find, because you now have all the answers, even if you didn’t necessarily want them. Congratulations.

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