Are you trying to figure out water sports to try so you stay healthy and fit? Read this article to learn the best water sports to use as a workout.
One of the main benefits of getting water exercise is that you get aerobic benefits without the pressure from normal gravity.
That means that no matter what your fitness level is, you can jump in and reap the benefits of having fun.
Here are 9 water sport to try to keep you moving and happy.
1. The Fundamental Requirement of the Sports to Try: Swimming
Most water sports require you to have fitness in the realm of swimming.
Even if you weren’t taught as a child, it’s never to late to experience its benefits.
Swimming increases your heart rate, endurance, strength, and flexibility. It activates all parts of your body, providing a complete work out while working your lungs and heart.
Not only that — it’s thought to be relaxing and stress-reducing.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking for a low-impact way to exercise, make swimming one of your best friends.
All you need is a body of water, which can be a pool, river, lake, or the ocean.
2. Flow With Water Yoga
Water yoga, also known as aqua yoga, combines the main concepts of the ancient practice with the element of water.
It allows you to focus on the asanas, or postures, since the weight is lifted from your own buoyancy.
This is something you can do if you’re pregnant or have other physical impairments like arthritis, obesity, or multiple sclerosis (MS).
Don’t worry if you’re not a strong swimmer. Most water yoga classes are in shallow water, meaning you don’t have to tread water the whole time.
If you want to increase the challenge, try doing your yoga on a SUP.
3. Stand Up and Cruise With Paddleboarding
SUPing is the sport of stand up paddleboarding.
It’s basically a modified and easier form of surfing.
The boards are up to 18 feet and are made from a mix of carbon fiber, epoxy, or fiberglass. This makes the board naturally buoyant, allowing you to balance on top of it with a little coordination.
There are usually one to three fins on the bottom as well as a long paddle, allowing you to propel yourself through flat or choppy waters.
The best part about SUPing is that it’s accessible. You can take breaks, sit down, or kneel on the board.
4. Try Out Another Board Sport
If you’re keen on the idea of getting a board underneath you, there’s a variety of options.
In fact, most water sports include a board.
Boogie Boarding
Boogie boarding, or bodyboarding, is most commonly associated with small children. You may have seen them before riding on their bellies in the wave break.
However, there are adult-sized boards (and some really nice ones, at that). This allows all ages to have fun in the water.
Skimboarding
Skimboarding is a sport where you run along the coast, throw down a thin, small board, and jump on top of it to surf the tiny “skim” of water.
It’s much less impact than something like skating. Plus, if you get good at it, you can even ride the skim into the breaking waves.
Wakeboarding
If you have the ability to get behind a boat, do it.
There, you can fasten yourself to a wakeboard while holding on to a tow rope. As the boat picks up speed, you press your feet down and stand up to coast behind the boat’s wake.
You’ll want to have a life jacket as well as a person looking out for you so that they can notify the boat driver.
Kneeboarding
A modified version of wakeboarding, kneeboarding allows you to strap in your legs while kneeling on the board.
Many people think it’s easier to get the hang of this compared to wakeboarding, especially because you don’t have to stand up.
5. Paddle Into the Historical Sport of Surfing
Surfing is thought to have originated in the Polynesian islands but became popular through the island of Hawaii.
Originally, it was a very spiritual and ritualistic sport.
Today, it still retains mystical joy as surfers leave their worries behind on the shoreline.
There are many physical and mental benefits of surfing. One of them is that there are endless locations to surf, surrounded by a tight-knit community of people from all walks of life.
You don’t have to be a “hippy” or an athlete to surf waves.
6. Let the Wind Take You Away With Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is similar to surfing but the main focus is wind power.
Using a kite and rope, you catch wind and glide across the water.
This allows you to still enjoy surfing even if there aren’t waves. Many kitesurfers actually prefer glassy, flat water compared to rougher seashores.
7. Ditch the Board and Bodysurf
If you want to feel the power of water beneath you but want to skip out on the board, give bodysurfing a try.
It relies on the same principles as surfing but your body becomes the water dynamic vessel that carries you.
Paddle and kick into a wave right before it breaks and let the force of the wave move you.
8. Grab a Mask and Dive Deep
If you want to have fun while seeing the wonders of the underwater world, your options are snorkeling and scuba diving.
Snorkeling is the simpler method and anybody can do it. Grab some goggles and a snorkel, hold your breath, and dive underwater to explore.
If you don’t want to be limited by how long you can hold your breath, you can look into scuba diving.
Scuba diving requires certifications and equipment, such as a mask, wetsuit, fins, scuba tank, depth gauge, and so on.
It is more expensive than the other sports listed but for many, the benefits outweigh the costs.
9. Jump Aboard a Kayak or Canoe
Want to enjoy the water without being completely submerged?
Get aboard a kayak or a canoe to paddle above water.
Kayaks are typically smaller and allow you to keep your legs straight out. You sit lower to the water and use a paddle to move around.
Canoes are similar but are much bigger, often allowing you to seat multiple passengers and sit in a normal, upright position.
You can take either of these vessels in the ocean or on a river. If you’re feeling adventurous, take it on a whitewater river and navigate choppy currents.
You should have a guide and a kayak dry box for your belongings if you decide to take the more adventurous route.
Dip Your Toes in Something New
Now that you’ve got the balling rolling on what water sports to try, make a splash by learning a fun, new skill.
Depending on the sport you choose, you may only need your body, a swimsuit, and a body of water. If you invest more by getting equipment, it will be well worth it.
Keep reading our blog for more ways to enhance your life through movement.