Talk of the Town: Extreme ironing pressing on my mind

Possibly the most bizarre extreme sport on this planet, “extreme ironing,” is setting records all over the world— one just recently.

A group of 72 “wild and crazy” Australian scuba divers last month pressed onward for the world record for ironing under water, taking a dip in the waters near the southern city of Melbourne, ironing boards, irons, and their linen in tow.

According to our news seeking friends at Reuters, so-called “extreme ironing” has generated a cult following in recent years.

The Web site extremeironing.com espouses it as being the “latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt.”

The Australian group, who bypassed the previous mark of 70, are seeking their rightful place in the Guinness Book of World Records after taking their linen into murky, 10-foot deep ocean water.

“It was cold and I think they were bloody crazy,” local councilor Tom O’Connor, who with police helped authenticate the new record.

Event organizer Debbie Azzopardi said the group eclipsed a 2005 record set in a swimming pool at nearby Geelong, which in turn beat a world mark set in New Zealand.

The irons all had their electrical cords removed for the attempt, which took place in chilly pre-winter seas.

Just what is extreme ironing?

The sport that is “extreme ironing” is an outdoor activity that combines the danger and excitement of an ‘extreme’ sport with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt.

It involves taking an iron and board (if possible) to remote locations and ironing a few items of laundry. This can involve ironing on a mountainside, preferably on a difficult climb, or taking an iron skiing, snowboarding or canoeing.

Where does extreme ironing take place?

All over the world. Even in dangerous Tubac, Ariz., where “art and history meet” near the home of the Fords.

Other locations where such performances have taken place include a forest, on top of large bronze statues, in the middle of a street, while parachuting, and under the ice cover of a lake. The performances have been conducted solo or by groups.

Where did extreme ironing start?

It all started in the summer of 1997 in the city of Leicester in the United Kingdom.

When mild mannered Phil Shaw, (nicknamed “Steam”) returned home after a long day in the knitwear factory, the last thing he wanted to do was start on a pile of ironing. The sun was shining and Phil preferred the idea of an evening out pursuing his (somewhat unsuccessful) hobby of rock climbing. Then it occurred to him to combine these activities into an extreme sport - the result: extreme ironing.

Who does extreme ironing?

The fearless!

Anybody with a penchant for peril can try extreme ironing, but be warned, it’s addictive! For the low-down of some of the Extreme Ironing Bureau (EIB) members go to the who’s who page at extremeironing.com.

Where can I start?

Budding extreme ironists are advised to start ironing in the safety of their back yard before progressing to mountainsides, woods or public places. The basic equipment is an iron and board. Ironists are also advised to take full safety equipment such as harnesses, ropes and helmets where appropriate.

Why is extreme ironing, extreme?

Domestic ironing is usually done indoors—fairly boring right? Well the first step is to take it outside and add a bit of risk. This might mean ironing on a particularly difficult mountain climb or taking your iron and board underwater with full scuba gear.

The only limit is your imagination. Just remember to plan your extreme ironing carefully. Pay attention to weather conditions as they change quickly in the mountains and never extreme iron on your own.

The nature of some extreme iron sessions is such that it would be foolhardy to attempt them without backup.

Where does the power come from?

In the beginning extreme ironists used (very long) extension cords, but soon realized that unless they wanted to be limited by taking a generator with them, a new solution would be needed.

Starch and battery powered irons have also been used, but if you manage to haul a full ironing board and iron up the side of a treacherously steep mountainside, I think the powers that be will give you due credit.

Where is the sport today?

Extreme ironing has branched off to other sports. For example a branch of ironing has been developed that includes both bungee jumping and well-pressed clothing. Bungee ironing is, what some would call, the ultimate in the thrill of extreme ironing.

For those theater goers who want an evening of fun and good food without spending a lot of money on gas, I suggest you check out the Amado Inn Mysteries production of “Betrayal in the Jalapeno Cantina” running at the Madaras Cultural Center at Amado Territory Inn, just off Interstate 19 at Exit 48, south of Green Valley. The drive is easy and the coast is clear.

Written by Davey Jones, this musical dinner theater mystery alao stars the playwright, as well as Dana Willens, Claudia Andrews, Barbie Anastos, Pam Campbell, Randy Davis and Mary Campbell-Jones as Melba Toast.

I had the opportunity to see the show a couple of weeks ago and it was great fun, appreciated by young and old alike in the audience. (You can also visit the Green Valley News web site at gvnews.com to see a video clip of the show)

Davey has a knack for incorporating local people and places in his scripts and gears the humor towards recognizable situations that local audiences can relate to, including topical issues and up-to-date tongue-in-cheek story lines.

Whatever he does, it must be right because most performances are sold out during his four-month seasonal run.

The show is set in the infamous Jalapeno Cantina, where negotiations for the purchase of a sizeable piece of Mexico, the Gadsden Purchase, reveals differing points of view from locals. A light history lesson of sorts, paired with witty dialogue and popular songs makes for a very enjoyable evening.

Dinner and show is $35 per person, including tax, tip, and a three-course meal with hors d’ouvres before the curtain goes up. Happy hour starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by the show at 6 p.m. For available dates and to book your seat at this historical (and hysterical) show, call (520) 398-8684.

The final Keyboard Classics and Comments for this season will be Monday, April 7, at 10 a.m., at St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 600 S. La Canada Dr.

Ann-Marie Schaffer will present a summary of the themes of this year’s talks along with performances of illustrative music. How differently composers of each century communicated emotions and feelings will be part of the open discussion with the audience.

Keyboard Classics and Comments will resume on the first Monday of October. These talks are free and open to the public. Information: Ann-Marie Schaffer at 625-1609.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740