The Top 5 Water Sports To Try This Summer
Ice cream, relaxing beach days and road trips all scream summer, but there’s something even more exciting and enjoyable to do during the best months of the year…WATER SPORTS!!!
Water sports give you the chance to catch a few waves and a lot of adventure. Plus, you’ll surely lose some calories in the process too! Whether you’ve never been to the open ocean or have always been a water baby, there’s a water sport for everyone. From very safe and beginner friendly to those better suited for thrill seekers, read on to get the low down on these 5 must-try water sports!
Water sport #1 — Rafting
Rafting is one of the most thrilling and fun water sports. If you have’t tried white water rafting yet, there’s a first time for everything and I guarantee that your first rafting trip will be an experience to remember. Because rafting is not an everyday activity, it is a great way to break out of your routine and challenge yourself to do something bold and adventurous. After all, that’s what life is all about, right?
How it works:
The thrill behind rafting or white water rafting comes from being huddled with a group on your raft and manoeuvring it through rapids. You can expect paddling, turns, speed, exclusive mountain/river views and plenty of water splashes. While many think rafting is a risky sport, booking a rafting trip with a reliable company or experienced guide will ensure your group learns all about safety and understands the rafting techniques needed to enjoy a risk-free, happy trip.
Why you should try it:
Rafting is an amazing idea for a group activity. Whether you want to organise your next office social, want to do something different with your friends, or want a full family adventure, rafting fits the bill of being something unique and exciting. Another great plus is that while rafting trips may seem pricey, they are actually pretty reasonable for a full day of entertainment, quality gear, expert instruction and jaw dropping moments of joy.
Tips/Recommendations:
We recommend checking out Canadian Outback Rafting. The company has many one-day as well as multi-day adventures on offer and you can choose the class of rapids you want to navigate. From family friendly winter eagle watching float trips to rafting through class 3 rapids and seeing mountain scenery, grizzly bears and more, there’s something for everyone! Feel free to speak to your rafting provider to learn more about any gear or clothing you may need to keep in mind before you embark on your trip.
Water sport #2 — Flyboarding
Are you someone who always answers ‘flying’ when asked what superpower you’d like to have? Well, it doesn’t have to be a fantasy anymore! Flyboarding is a water sport where you can soar above the water as you control your water propelled flight.
How it works:
A flyboard is similar to a wakeboard but it is attached to and powered by a jet-ski. The board has a pair of boots which the rider or ‘flyer’ has to wear. The device also has a hose connecting it to the jet-ski. The water pressure from the jet-ski provides thrust which is basically what lets the rider fly over the water and have a sea to sky experience!
Why you should try it:
Flyboarding is probably the most futuristic water sport around and is guaranteed to be great fun for thrill seekers. Flyboarding is also a pretty new water sport — which the average person can do without any prior training or experience. Trust, us although you might not be a bird of flight on your very first try, anyone can get pretty good with practice. Additionally, keeping your balance on the flyboard actually works your body’s core muscles pretty hard — and getting one step closer to those summer abs just by flying through they sky sounds like a no-brainer.
Tips/Recommendations:
If you are in Ontario, Canada we’d recommend checking out Ontario FlyBoard for high quality rentals. Hydrofly in Kelowna, BC also rents out flyboards and has 4 daily sessions you can book. This is the best place to check out for various package deals like flyboarding + zip lining, flyboarding + an ATV tour, flyboarding + mountain biking and more! Miami is another great location for water sports — check out Miami Water Sports for some great deals.
Water sport #3 — Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is a great water sport to try out if you’re an explorer at heart. Diving down to the ocean floor is definitely a wonderful way to get up close and personal with marine life. As is frequently heard from diving experts, each experience is unique and offers you the chance to discover the earth and ocean more fully. Going down under is also a slower and more leisurely way of adventuring for those aren’t the adrenaline junkie type.
How it works:
I’m sure most of us have a general idea and automatically imagine wet suits and oxygen tanks when we think of deep sea diving. SCUBA actually stands for “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus;” aka a metal tank which holds breathable air that is delivered to the diver. Going scuba diving involves taking a few training sessions with a certified instructor and figuring out basics like breathing, hand signals, dive limits, etc. so that you don’t panic and flounder when under water. You can have a wide variety of dive experiences during and after taking a few basic lessons with an instructor. Of course you can have even more amazing underwater adventures once you get SCUBA certified!
Why you should try it:
The biggest benefit of scuba diving is getting to explore amazing and unique underwater creatures and plants. Scuba diving can also be therapeutic and peaceful since the noises and stresses of everyday life disappear below the surface. It can also be a great activity to do while travelling and will help you explore the world in a deeper way. Connecting with divers could also help you create a network of friends who you can go on other diving or resort trips with!
Tips/Recommendations:
PADI is the largest diving training organisation with trained instructors, dive centres and resorts all over the world. You can choose from a range of courses, study online and later work with with a certified instructor to obtain your own diving certification. Just check out their website to find a course or lesson near you.
Water sport #4 — Parasailing
Parasailing is another water sport where you get to fly over the water like a bird of paradise. This water sport in particular is a perfect choice for thrill-seekers and more cautious personalities alike. With parasailing you’ll be able to glide through the sky without the uncomfortable feeling in your tummy that rollercoasters bring.
How it works:
When parasailing, a person is towed by a boat and slowly lifted from the ground into the sky using a parachute like device. The concept of the activity is very similar to running with a plastic bag and watching it fill with air. It is actually a very pleasant and smooth experience with minimal jerks or scary drops.
Why you should try it:
As far as water sports and adventure activities go, parasailing is actually a pretty safe sport to try out. Unlike scuba diving, you don’t need any prior training before your first time and it isn’t very scary either. In fact even children as young as five years old can parasail. Parasailing gives you a birds eye-view of any marine life below (think dolphins jumping through the water) and can be very relaxing. Other points to mention are that while parasailing sounds luxurious and awesome, it actually isn’t very expensive. So what are you waiting for? Find out about the parasailing providers near you and feel the salty breeze in your hair as you soar through the sky…
Tips/Recommendations:
There are plenty of great places around the world for parasailing. The choice comes down to what view you’d like to have from the sky. Some great locations include Rio de Janeiro, Catalina Island, Hawaii, Goa, Bali and Cape Town. Of course, you don’t have to wait for a vacation to try parasailing. Just book your session with the closest reputable provider near you and if you like it take flight again when on vacation! Also if you’re nervous for your first go you can request to fly with an instructor on a two or three person flight.
Water sport #5 — Jet Skiing
Jet skiing is a classic water sport that can be enjoyed all year round but is particularly enjoyable when you can feel the warmth of the sun. It is a fun summer activity for all ages and one for the whole family too. Riding the waves while controlling your speed is very exhilarating and the salty breeze will help clear your mind. Plus, jet skiing isn’t hard to pick up and controlling your speed and direction is just like a controlling a car or motorcycle in a video game. Super fun, super easy, super cool!
How it works:
Most of us have seen a jet ski before and know how the sport works — but just in case you don’t, here’s a little refresher. A jet ski is a personal watermobile of sorts and is basically driven like a water scooter. There are a few simple controls — like the accelerator and ignition — and the rider has to use their body to lean on either side of the jet ski to control direction (exactly as if you were riding one of those life-size motorcycle arcade games). The thrill comes from riding over waves in the ocean and zooming through the water!
Why you should try it:
Jet skiing is extremely beginner friendly and there are plenty of water sport centres that rent jet skis out for cheap. Not many people realise the great health benefits of jet skiing — even half an hour of jet skiing helps you engage your core muscles, work on balance and coordination and can make you lose up to 250 calories. Another great draw to this popular water sport is that it is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the water without ever needing to get into it!
Tips/Recommendations:
There aren’t too many things you can get wrong when choosing a jet ski rental. 30 minutes is usually enough for a first time rider (you don’t realise how many different muscles get tired from use during jet skiing) and we’d recommend at least an hour if two riders are using one jet ski (so you can switch out who’s driving half way). Make sure to ask about the safety of the jet ski, hidden insurance or other costs for potential damages to the jet ski, and make sure someone experienced is on hand to tell you about the controls and help you get started. Of course, don’t forget the sunscreen. You can burn easily while out on the ocean for even less than 30 minutes!
We Want To Hear From You!
Have you tried all the water sports on our list? What’s one new water activity you’d like to try this summer? Let us know in the comments below! :)
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