Lewis Hamilton has achieved in Formula 1 what others could only dream of. Having equaled Michael Schumacher with seven championships and having surpassed him in most other aspects, the British racing driver will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest drivers to ever grace F1. But did you know that F1 isn’t the only source of thrill for the 7-time world champion? He is well known for his other dangerous hobbies, like surfing, snowboarding, and skydiving. In the recent issue of the Wall Street Journal Italia, the Mercedes driver highlighted one of the most chilling experiences he had in Dubai.

Lewis Hamilton is not your casual skydiver; he is a frequent flyer who is well known for his spectacular somersault plane exits and his ability to hold the iron cross position on his way down. The Brit seems to have found a way to challenge himself not only on the land in Formula 1 but also in the air and the water. He also recently attempted a pond skim in Antarctica with his good friend and famous snowboarder, Shaun White. It’s safe to say that Hamilton is a man of many interests, even when he is not racing.

Lewis Hamilton relives the scare of his first para fall jump

According to Lewis Hamilton, in a time when people often fail to unlock their true potential by limiting self-belief, he proposes that people should keep challenging themselves at all times if they want to keep growing. He talks about the importance of trying new things even if you’re afraid of something, especially when you’re afraid of it.

Responding to a question about the thrill of the adrenaline rush, Hamilton said, “I love pushing myself beyond the limits, which is why I love skydiving. One of the moments in which I feel most free is when I jump from a plane. The most extreme experience I have had, in addition to running on the track, was my first parafall jump… I was in Dubai, I was studying to get my parachuting license and I remember getting on the plane with my heart pounding. I must admit that I was very nervous. Immediately before when I left, I looked at the sky and thought: now everything depends on me, It was an experience I will never forget.“

Hamilton has also embraced the thrill of surfing even though he was a bit late in trying out the sport in 2014. With his desire to keep improving, he took guidance from surfing legends Kelly Slater and Kai Lenny. Now an avid surfer, Hamilton can often be seen in famous surfing spots and wave pools around the world.

If you have the will to take on your fears, it is almost inevitable to come close to death a few times in your life. And that’s no different for the 7-time world champion.

Hamilton once had a near-death experience while surfing

In a conversation with Robb Reports in 2023, Lewis Hamilton shared the story of a near-death experience while surfing one time with Kelly Slater. He recalled an incident when he was surfing in Pipeline, Hawaii when the wave suddenly rose to almost 8 meters in height.

READ MORE: “COOLEST MAN ON EARTH” – Lewis Hamilton Leaves F1 Fans Amazed With His Sky Diving Antics in Dubai

Despite being warned by the experienced surfer, Hamilton wanted to take a shot at the massive waves, staying true to his life’s mantra of taking risks. Reflecting on the experience Hamilton said, “I’ve always been a risk-taker. When someone tells me ‘You can’t climb that tree’… I’ll climb it. Even though I will almost certainly fall,” Marca.com quoted Hamilton.

With Slater leading the way on the mammoth waves, Hamilton recalled just trying not to get caught in the waves. “I dove in, held on to the reef, and prayed. I could feel the wave landing behind me, like a bomb going off. My board broke and snapped in half. I thought I was very close to the end. But this, for some reason, excites me.” He concluded by saying that with age he has learned to put more thought behind taking risks and that he has always felt comfortable pushing himself to his limits.

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What are your thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s ideology of always trying to push yourself to discover your limits? Share your insights in the comments down below.