As the warm weather settles in, you may turn your thoughts to the long sunny days and summer holidays spent on the beach. And when the mercury rises, nothing is more enchanting than taking a dip in crystal-clear waters or cooling off in the deep blue sea. Instead of going for a basic splash in shallow waters, why not take things a notch higher by participating in watersport activities?
Watersports have something to offer everyone, whether you’re looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the beautiful beach sceneries or a physical workout. Besides, there is no shortage of amazing coastlines for beach sport enthusiasts to practice their water-based activities.
Here’s a valuable guide to help you pick the right beach sport for you and the watersport apparel you should have. All these activities are inclusive, meaning there’s no reason not to try them out. Keep reading to find out more.
4 Activities for Watersports Pro
1. Windsurfing
Windsurfing uses a board equipped with a sail to help you power across the sea. It’s best to begin with a large, stable board with a small sail and plenty of buoyancy, then gradually shift to smaller boards with time. The basics of windsurfing are pretty easy to grasp if you have the right equipment and expert tuition.
Besides having fun, you get a great sense of achievement when you learn something new in windsurfing. Regardless of your level of experience, you’ll always discover a new technique or move to learn. Even seasoned windsurfers spend a lot of time trying out their next big move.
2. Kayaking
A kayak is a tiny boat that sits low on the water, where you sit while facing forward and use double-bladed paddles to steer through the water. There are different kayaks designed for various water conditions. Some are for racing, some for white water, and others are entirely recreational and everything in-between.
Essentially, kayaking is the perfect way to practice an excellent low-impact workout or take in the beautiful sceneries.
3. Standup paddle boarding
Also known as SUP, standup paddle boarding is rapidly becoming a popular watersports activity for many holidays in Europe. SUP employs a massive surfboard and long paddles to move through the water.
The best part about standup paddle boarding is that it’s highly accessible. If you haven’t participated in a board sport before, you might become a little shaky at first, but you’ll swiftly find your sea legs in no time.
4. Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding, also known as water skiing, resembles snowboarding and snow skiing – but on water. With both, a motorboat pulls you across the water. It can be daunting at first, but you’ll be gliding across the glassy, smooth water pretty soon.
A ski boat is equipped with a bar, usually positioned alongside the boat. Beginners will find the bar quite handy as they can hold it while wakeboarding, giving them adequate time to familiarize themselves with the boat’s motion and how to control the wakeboards or skis. Click here things to do @ Spain for more information about Spain.
4 Pieces of Equipment for Watersports Pro
Categories of watersports pro beach wear and equipment include boats, boards, wearable gears, and accessories. Here are some notable pieces of watersport apparel and equipment.
- Wetsuit. Wetsuits are ideal for surfing, jet-skiing, kayaking, freediving, open water swimming, and any other watersport with temperatures ranging between 10⁰C and 25⁰C. A wetsuit works by insulating your body to retain body temperature, reducing hypothermia. It traps a thin water layer between the wetsuit and your body. The layer is warmed by your body to keep you warm for long.
- Life jacket. Life jackets can be used for any water-based sport to offer comfort and safety to the wearer. They are ideal for beginners and veterans alike. There are three major types of life jackets – manual activation, automatic activation, and standard life jacket.
- Personal floatation device (PFD). PFDs work similarly to life jackets but provide a wider motion range and improved maneuverability. These aspects are highly required for paddling and water rafting compared to life jackets.
- Snorkel mask. Snorkel masks are suitable for casual surface diving or snorkeling. It forms an air pocket around your face or eyes to help you see clearly when underwater,
