YouTube has always been a place where unknown sports/activities shine, and lately two unusual ones have seen a rise in interest.

The first is a capture the flag type game called Bo-Taoshi from Japan, wherein players compete for possession of a pole. The game, which is popular among cadets, has been documented in YouTube videos that have now drawn hundreds of thousands of views from around the world:

(Use the arrows to navigate between videos or watch them all here.)



A second that seen some increased viewership after being featured on Deadspin and pop culture blogs is Freestyle Canoe, in which "many FreeStylers paddle to music making an expressible, interpretive art form." Another activity that's better seen than explained, freestyle canoeing competitions have been documented on YouTube for some time, but it's just lately that new interest has cropped up:

(Use the arrows to navigate between videos or watch them all here.)