When you think of the beach, lakes or pools, swimming is the only water sport that many think of but that is not the case. There are a variety of sports and recreational activities that can involve the water.
They are divided in three categories, in the water, on the water and under water activities.
No matter what your age is or likes are, there is something to do for everyone. Some sports are truly vigorous, some can be dangerous and some are just fun.
During the summer Olympics you can see that water sports are a huge part of the games. You can also see that they can be very vigorous; these athletes train all year round and keep fit. For those that are not looking for competition, there are also other water recreational activities that involve some type of activity. Now, if it's excitement you are looking for, how about water skiing, surfing, etc. Children can take part of many of the activities. Just make sure that your children are always supervised.
As with everything else, you must be careful. Check all the equipment, ask questions and if you have never done the activity before, make sure to get some training. Always practice safety first, then have fun.
SWIMMING
Many swim just for fun but others actually do it for sport or exercise. To be a good swimmer you must have good upper body strength and be prepared to be exhausted when done. The different types are the backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and most popular, the freestyle. It’s a good way to keep fit and reduce stress.
WATER POLO
This is very similar to team handball but in the water. It is one of the oldest Olympic sports. This sport involves swimming, passing the ball and handling of the ball. Good hand and eye coordination is important for this water sport. This is not an easy sport to do, it is very vigorous and you definitely have to be in shape to participate. The rules and regulations to this sport are very strict.
UNDERWATER HOCKEY
This is a non contact sport with two teams underwater maneuvering a puck across the bottom of the pool. They must wear diving mask, swim fins, snorkels and safety gear. The stick used is quite short and the puck is about the same size as the ice hockey puck. It is just as hard to score underwater as it is on ice, possibly even harder. The water will not allow you to move as quickly as you do on the ice.
SURFING
It originated in Hawaii; it is part of their ancient culture. A surfer must have good balance, know how to swim and be very skilled. Riding that wave is not that easy, it can be very dangerous. Surfers look for the perfect waves and storms usually bring those. The waves are huge and they are thrilled to ride those waves even though they forget they can be extremely dangerous and deadly.
WATERSKIING
It can be both recreational and a water sport. The person is pulled by motor boat and they are holding on to a rope while wearing one or two skis. The motor boat is going pretty fast and some skiers will just hang on for the ride while others will actually do stunts. If you are afraid of water or not too sure you can handle this, don’t try it.
JET SKI
This has become very popular and many wish to try this. It is a personalized watercraft that can hold up to two people. It used to be just for pleasure but now they also race. Those that are pros at riding a jet ski have also learned to perform tricks.
YACHTING
Yachting has been around since 1851 and since then, racing has emerged, such as the America’s Cup. This can be very competitive but it is also a relaxing recreational activity. If you have the chance to go yachting don’t pass it up, it is one of the best things to do, out in the open sea and sun. This list is only the tip of the iceberg; there are many more that you can do. An all time favorite is scuba diving, going under water and exploring. There is also the ever popular white water rafting or kayaking. No matter what type of body of water you are near, there is a recreational or water sport waiting for you.
On your next vacation, check out the water activities they offer, you will see there are so many you just don’t have enough time to do them all. This type of activity will keep you healthy and will allow you to enjoy the waters. It’s a nice way to pass the day. For every type of activity or sport, there is training so you don’t have to worry, you will know what you are doing. Check your local area and see what they offer in water sports or recreational activities, you will thank yourself for it.