College students branch out from every day backyard sports to more over-the-top extreme sports such as motocross, surfing and skating.
Other than college football, basketball and baseball, many action sports seem to be overlooked. Although many enjoy watching or participating in these events, there is just as much, if not more, practice and training that goes into some of the risk-taking extreme sports.
"I normally ride about four times a week, which consists of race simulations and building a stronger cardio base," said Matt Boni, a professional motocross rider. "I also lift weights two times a week to maintain my muscle and prevent injuries."
It is not always fun and games; there is a tremendous amount of dirty work that goes on behind the scenes.
Boni said, with three knee surgeries and two major wrist injuries, there have been times when he felt like quitting, but he just can't.
"I have come too far and love it too much," Boni said.
He said he has had to sacrifice his social life with many other things from being home- schooled at the age of 11, which was a sacrifice in its transition.
Along with any other professional athlete, the hard work and sacrifices do pay off.
Boni said his most rewarding moment in his career so far is winning top privateer this past year in supercross.
He also just raced in the X-Games supercross event and placed fourth. As a result of all of Boni's hard work, he is in the process of signing with Hart and Huntington's team, owned by Carey Hart, a professional freestyle motocross rider.
There are two local motocross tracks, Monster Mountain and Big Cedar, which are both within 30 minutes of Auburn.
"I have rode at both tracks," said Carson Saville, a senior in business. "My favorite part of Big Cedar is the kicker at the end of the track, and Monster Mountain literally has a jump that looks like a mountain."
Saville said he and his friends from Auburn will go a couple of times each month to these tracks to either practice or race.
"It's pretty easy with a track 10 minutes down the highway, so it is no big deal to all of a sudden pack up and go to the track for the day," Saville said.
Saville said for those looking at getting into motocross in the Auburn area to go watch a race and see how they like the people and atmosphere, because it is addicting and a good time.
Not only is the motocross world exploding, there is also a boom in other action sports such as skateboarding and surfing.
David Baskin, a junior in industrial design, is involved in both surfing and skateboarding from growing up in Florida.
"As far as surfing and skating go, they are purely individual sports," Baskin said. "You never have to count on the performance of others to affect your own. Sure, you can go surf with your buddies, or you can go by yourself. Sometimes it's nice to just get away from everything."
Baskin said he knows many Auburn students involved in the action sports industry, but he sees more and more every year around campus.
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