10 Unique Watersports and Water Activities

Experiencing the combination of sunshine, fresh air, and being on the water is so much more than the sum of its parts. If you are a person who feels more at ease when they hear the sound of moving water, check out these 10 unique watersports and water activities that are making a big splash. 

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has grown in popularity over the last 10 years, since it is relatively easy for beginners. However, don’t be surprised to see fishing paddle boards, yoga on SUP, and paddleboarding with pups and kids on your next visit to the lake since people seem to be finding inventive ways to adapt the sport. 

Rowing

Rowing is a sport that doesn’t feature on most people’s radar until the Olympic Games are back on television. It stands to reason that the top teams historically come from water-rich countries such as Italy, the USA, the UK, and Germany. However, many people initially discover their love for rowing on a stationary rowing machine at the gym. 

Kayak Fishing

If you love angling, exploring new fishing spots, and outdoor recreation, we are confident kayak fishing is a pastime worth pursuing. It is possible to use any type of recreational kayak, but as the sport's popularity has increased, so have the designs. Today, you can buy a fishing kayak fit-for-purpose with an elevated seat, paddle and rod holders, and even a GPS fishfinder mount.

White Water Kayaking

Prepare to be amazed by the epic rapids and waterfalls that the world’s best white-water kayakers are tackling these days. Whether surfing holes in a playboat on the Zambezi River or racking slalom on a custom-made course in England, white water kayaking is a fantastic way to explore the world’s river systems.

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing its current form has only been around for about two decades, but it has quickly gained popularity, with top athletes gaining sponsorship from the likes of Red Bull. If you live in international kitesurfing hotspots like Maui in Hawaii, Tarifa in Southern Spain, or La Ventana in Baja, then kitesurfers will be a common beach sighting. Packing a picnic and watching for the day makes for a great afternoon.

Yachting

Yachting is often a natural progression for kids that love the ocean, boats, and watersports. Sailing is an excellent activity for spending time together as a family and teaching children about independence and responsibility. Understanding a racing sail, mainsail, headsail, and spinnaker is fun to learn, with lessons available for the entire family.

Snorkeling

Swimming in your local pool doesn’t compete with the aquatic life that can be seen in the world’s ocean systems. Although snorkeling is more commonly linked with places like the Caribbean, Maldives, or Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, cold water snorkeling is also an increasingly popular activity. If you are visiting Vancouver or the surrounding Gulf Islands, then consider booking a cold water snorkeling trip. You’ll just want to remember to use a full wetsuit or drysuit. 

Marathon Swimming

Did you know that marathon swimming is an Olympic sport where athletes need to swim 10 km in open water? Moreover, for the first 10 years that marathon swimming was an Olympic event, the race was 25 km long and took roughly five hours to complete. Today, competitors can use natural current and weather patterns to their advantage, but winners are often decided within seconds after a grueling two-hour race.

Parasailing

If you’ve ever thought about skydiving but couldn’t work up the nerve, parasailing could be the ideal alternative. Parasailing is relatively sedate unless you and the captain choose to add in a few extra dips and turns. It is also an excellent activity for persons with disabilities since the captain and the wind does the majority of the work.

White Water Rafting

If you fancy yourself an amateur explorer, then white water rafting might be the ideal extreme sport for you. Navigating rapids and learning about water flow and river systems are integral to becoming a professional raft guide. White water rafting is done on rivers worldwide and is the ideal excuse to book a plane ticket and travel from one exotic river destination to another.

Whether you are lugging your board into the ocean close to home or following your passion around the world, you’ll have a fantastic time with these watersports by getting fit, having fun, and making a splash. Try some of these activities the next time you’re out on the water.