Summer means warm days spent in cool water. Do you want to get into a water sport? Don’t know where to start? Here are 7 types of water sports that will help you decide which one you might want to give a try.
Kayaking Can Be Done In Any Water
Here’s the cool thing about kayaking:
It can be done on almost any body of water! Rivers, lakes, or even oceans can be a lot of fun to kayak on.
Here’s what people love about kayaking…
It’s very beginner friendly. You don’t need to be skilled to give it a try. A nice, calm body of water would be best for a beginner kayaker.
There are some risks associated with kayaking that you’ll need to be aware of. If you kayak flips, it can be hard not to panic. Consider taking a beginner course so that you know what to do in case your kayak flips.
Whitewater Rafting for Thrill Seekers
Frequently, whitewater rafting is used as a team building exercise because each person on the raft has to communicate and do their job for everyone to make it down the rapids safely. That’s one heck of a company retreat!
A little too nervous to try it?
Don’t worry. There are plenty of beginner whitewater rapids for people that have never gone before. These include a river guide who is an expert and can safely guide you down the river. You’ll still get the thrill of trying something new, along with the peace of mind knowing you’re in good hands!
Make sure you’re 100% confident in your abilities before you jump on a whitewater raft. It can be dangerous and you’re uncertain. Especially on difficult rapids.
Canoeing is Great For Exercise and Nature Lovers
Here’s the best thing about canoes:
They’re so versatile! They can be used for a variety of things. A lot of people like hunting or fishing from a canoe. Some people like getting closer to wildlife as they paddle down a river. And some people like canoeing for sport with specialized whitewater canoes.
Lots of families like having their own canoe to take to river or lake trips. A lot of people can fit on a canoe so it makes a fun adventure for everyone.
Wakeboarding if You Want Speed and Air
Feeling extreme?
Some wakeboarders can use the momentum of the boat to fly 20 feet in the air while doing tricks!
Don’t worry:
You don’t have to go that far. It’s easy to adjust the boat speed so that beginners go a lot slower while they figure out how to stay up on the board.
Make sure the boat starts off slow for you. Especially if you’re a beginner. Falling in the water really hurts if you’re going fast. Beginners tend to fall a lot so you wouldn’t want to get too banged up as you learn.
Standup Paddleboarding is Relaxing and Rewarding
Paddleboarding is now the fastest growing water sport. Don’t get discouraged if it takes you a while to get the hang of it. It takes a lot of core strength and balance to do well. Most beginners need several tries before they are successful. Don’t give up!
There are lots of places that rent out paddle boards now. You can find one to try anywhere with water! Since paddleboarding is done in calm waters, it’s a relaxing way to get outside and learn something new.
Windsurfing in Deeper Waters
What’s the downside to windsurfing?
It has more of a learning curve than a lot of the other water sports. Surfers will also need to learn how to use the sail to catch the wind and take them to where they want to go. Beginners should start with a larger board then gradually go smaller as they get better.
Windsurfing is done fairly far out into the water so it’s important that you know how to be safe in the water. Always wear a life jacket and consider carrying a flag so that passing boats can see you if you fall into the water.
Surfing Can Be Hard at First
Here’s the ultimate goal to surfing:
Ride the unbroken part of the wave instead of the whitewater part of the wave. This can take a lot of time to master.
Want to know the secret to surfing?
Learn how to bodysurf really well first. You’ll learn when to catch a wave and how to use its energy. Then move to a surfboard and it’ll be easier for you.
Surfing can be dangerous as well. Know your limits and don’t try too many things too fast. If you aren’t completely confident in your abilities, don’t go far out into the water.
Facts and Statistics About Water Sports
One of the main goals of water sport participants is to get outside more and enjoy the world around them. However, the most common reason why people engage in outdoor activities is to get more exercise. Luckily, most water sports will give you some sort of physical exertion.
Outdoor activities are becoming more common as people in America try to fight obesity. In fact, 13.7% of Americans participated in water sports in 2018. Not bad!
But how many Americans do water sports?
Let’s look over the numbers.
4.8% of the US population from ages 6-17 participated in canoeing in the year 2015. 4% participated in kayaking, 2.1% participated in rafting, 1.4% participated in surfing, 1.6% participated in standup paddleboarding, 1.9% participated in wakeboarding, and 1.8% participated in sailing.
The percentages may seem small, but compared to the entire US population that’s quite a bit of people!
So, which water sport are you going to try this summer?
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