Summer’s here and this means we are ready to have a good time in the water! Be it the beach, by the poolside or if you are looking at water theme parks or water sports activities to enjoy, you have come to the right place to find out about the different all things water sports you can take part in. Read on to find the perfect water sport adventure for you!
Wherever you go, enjoying the cool, blue waters is a must! Dive into the deep, blue either for a scuba diving adventure, or paddle through the waves when you indulge in a stand-up paddling session. With a wide range of water sports for you to choose from, you and your family will surely stay entertained.
Kayaking
Kayaking is one of those water sports that don’t require you to put in a lot of effort. If you can maintain your balance in a single or double kayak, you can rest assured to have a pleasant time, paddling through the waters and keeping your eyes out for the beautiful sea life beneath you.
Kayaking Tips for Beginners
Choosing to kayak in a lake is the best option, as you aren’t up against strong winds and the waters are calm. Majority of the times, mornings and evenings have calmer wind conditions, compared to the afternoons, so always make sure to research the weather or climatic conditions wherever you choose to go for your kayaking activities.
Understand the types of kayaks that you can use – Inflatable kayaks and Hard-shell kayaks. Inflatable kayaks are beginner friendly, as they can be inflated or deflated with ease. These kayaks don’t easily get damaged by rocks in water bodies, or during transportation.
Hard-shell kayaks, on the other hand, are more responsive to quicker movements, and a better option for kayakers who have more experience. These kayaks are also susceptible to damage due to their fiberglass or solid plastic exteriors and can incur damages from water body rocks.
Most times, the equipment is provided to you at the time of your kayaking session, but you can invest in top quality wetsuits or swimsuits, life jackets as well as waterproof bags/pouches to keep your valuables dry and safe.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Take in all the sea life and the breathtaking underwater views when you embark on a snorkeling and scuba diving, or deep-sea diving adventure. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned diver, you will have an enjoyable time with professionals and other likeminded divers accompanying you.
Is Snorkeling Beginner Friendly?
If you are a beginner at scuba diving or snorkeling, and want to keep up with the basics, you will first need to know what kind of equipment and accessories you’re dealing with such as masks, fins, and snorkels. It is imperative that all gear fit you properly and comfortably, so you can maneuver yourself around the water smoothly.
It is always better to test out equipment in controlled environments like swimming pools, so you familiarize yourself with how to handle the gear.
When you go for diving or snorkeling, you will be provided a diving suit, oxygen tank or snorkeling gear, depending on the kind of experience you choose. You can still choose to invest in top quality wetsuits, goggles, snorkeling masks and waterproof bags/pouches if you choose to go an adventure by yourself.
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is a challenging sport that requires practice, but a fun activity that helps you improve your fitness, as it needs your full body to be in action. Anyone looking to experience kitesurfing must first understand the basics as well as the know-hows. It is important to keep in mind that you use the right gear, such as a quality kite, harness, board, to name a few, to experience an enjoyable adventure.
Kitesurfing for Beginners
If you are not keen on joining extra classes, you can take the time to learn by following a few steps. With practice, you will be able to glide through the waves like a pro.
Before you invest in professional gear, use a trainer kite to get a hang of maintaining your balance as well as how to move smoothly. You will be able to understand the power zone and the wind window.
Kitesurfing is a sport that crossovers with wakeboarding, surfing and skateboarding. Grab your skateboard and get comfortable keeping the kite flying, instead of completely focusing on your balance on the board.
When you are not doing anything outdoors or practicing kitesurfing, you can watch as many experience and instructional videos as you can. There is no limit to the number of videos that you can watch.
Last but not the least, make sure you enroll yourself in a class for professional assistance, so you have a qualified instructor help you get the best out of your kiteboarding experiences.
Stand up Paddle Boarding
Stand up Paddle Boarding is one of the other fun water sports activities you can try and do. If you can maintain your balance on the board by keeping your knees slightly bent, feet forward and your eye level at the horizon, you can rest assured that you will be able to paddle through the calm waters and enjoy the scenic beauty around you. Remember to never continuously look around or at your feet, as this will cause you to lose your balance and fall into the water.
Can You Paddle Board If You Can’t Swim?
If you choose to go paddle boarding on your own, you can wear a life jacket or a floatation device to help you stay afloat, if you fall into the water. You can ensure that you are able to always maintain your balance, if you stay in the center of the board, so that your weight is evenly distributed, and you mitigate any risk of toppling over.
Be it summer or winter time, there is no particular season for you to try out a water sport to your liking. Always ensure you are geared up properly before you embark on your adventure, know the basics of interacting with different equipment and accessories, and have an enjoyable time with your friends and family!
