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Discover The 15 Best Water Sports To Try Out This Summer!
Summer days in Australia are a magical time, with the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze blowing by as clear blue skies stretch to the distant horizon. However, things can heat up pretty quickly when it comes to summer sports - unless you're in the water. Water sport activities are the perfect way to stay cool during summer while getting the adrenaline pumping.
From bouncing off the water jet skiing to riding through the barrel of a wave while surfing, here are the best water sports you simply have to try this summer!
Quick Links
- All About Water Sports
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Freediving
- Surfing
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Bodyboarding
- Skimboarding
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Ski Tubing
- Kneeboarding
- Wakeboarding
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Kayak Fishing
Everything You Need To Know About Water Sports
What exactly are water sports activities?
Water sports are simply exciting and fun activities that are enjoyed in the water. This can range from a casual dip in a backyard pool or swimming at the beach with the family to extreme water sports such as parasailing and windsurfing.
What is the easiest water sport to learn?
If you're looking to take it easy when out in the water, then the easiest water sports to learn are boogie boarding and kneeboarding. Similar to surfing, both of these water sports don't require you to stand up and control your balance, making them the easiest water sports to pick up for beginners.
What do you wear for water sports?
Depending on what type of water sports activities you're doing, the most important factor to consider is protection from the harsh Australian sun. Here's a quick breakdown of appropriate swimwear:
- 100% UV protection sunglasses.
- Protective and comfy footwear such as slides and sandals.
- A legionnaire cap, bucket hat or any other style of hat that provides protection to your face and back of the neck.
- Swimwear such as a bodysuit or rashie for water sports activities like surfing, and swim shorts or a bikini for more casual water sports like swimming.
How can water sports activities improve your well-being?
Whether you're ripping up the surf flyboarding or cruising down the river kayaking, water sports activities can offer a great range of health benefits. Water sports can help increase bone density and assist people with chronic heart disease and diabetes with keeping their health in check. There are also mental health benefits that can be gained from participating in water sports, such as improving your overall mood, reducing stress and helping with anxiety.
1. Go Back To Basics For Summer Water Sports With Swimming
It's the original and easily the most popular way to get out and enjoy the water. Swimming is the classic water sport, providing a low-impact full-body workout that's as beneficial as it is enjoyable. Plus, it couldn't be more accessible - all you need is some men's swimwear, women's swimwear or kids' swimwear and a pool or some open water, and you're good to go! Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and have some fun, and if you're not a confident swimmer there are loads of programmes to help you improve your skills, and patrolled beaches for extra safety.
2. Dip Below The Surface And Make Snorkelling Your Summer Water Sport
When it comes to the best water sports, there's more to enjoy than just skimming along the top of the water. Snorkelling is an awesome water sport that will take you beneath the waves to explore the amazing sights of reefs, wrecks and the amazing underwater sea life that lives below the waves. The great appeal of snorkelling is that it's a water sport you don't need any level of experience for - just the ability to swim. You can start out with basic snorkel gear and explore the shallows of the beach or take a boat out and take it to the next level: scuba diving.
3. Go Minimal For Your Summer Water Sports With Freediving
The extreme water sport of freediving is definitely not for the faint-hearted, so if the idea of holding your breath and plunging into the deep abyss doesn't tickle your fancy, then it might be best to skip this one. But if you're into pushing your limits and have great mental control, then definitely give freediving a try this summer. Professional freedivers are able to hold their breath for over 10 minutes, but it's best to start out in small steps within this water sport - see how long you can hold your breath for and how deep you can go, then slowly increase it each time. Once you have found a comfortable level, freediving will offer the most freeing underwater experiences you will ever have.
4. Try Out One Of The Classic Summer Water Sports With Surfing
As Australia has some of the best conditions in the world for surfing, you can't discuss fun water sports activities to do during summer without mentioning surfing. For a country surrounded by water, this is one of our most popular water sports, whether it's barrelling down a heart-pounding wave or just catching a few small waves early in the morning before work or school. As an incredibly accessible water sport, all you need is a quality surfboard and you can start hitting the waves. As you'll be standing on the board, beginner lessons are recommended if you haven't surfed before.
5. Give A Hot New Water Sport A Go With Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Stand up paddle boarding, also known as SUP, is another water sport that can be as laid back or as intense as you like it. For beginners, it is best to stick to rivers and lakes that have flat and still waters so you won't be wrestling with choppy conditions. Once you've gotten the hang of standing on the board, you can then venture into rougher waters such as beaches for more of a challenge. You can even try stand-up paddle board yoga if you want to strengthen your core - and your balance! SUP is a water sport activity you can enjoy in all sorts of ways. Check out our guide on choosing the right stand up paddle board for helpful info.
6. Take On The Surf Without Worrying About Balance With Bodyboarding
Bodyboarding is an exciting and accessible water sport that lets you enjoy thrills right away, so it's a great water sports choice for beginners. It's similar to surfing but it's typically easier to learn, because you ride the waves while lying down on your bodyboard rather than standing up, allowing you to focus more on choosing and timing waves rather than balancing. It's also a great full-body workout, improving your core strength, endurance and coordination. Plus, you can bodyboard in a range of wave conditions, from gentle surf to bigger breaks, so it's a versatile water sport to try almost anywhere.
7. Try A Water Sport You Can Do From The Shore With Skimboarding
Skimboarding combines the thrill of surfing with the ease of starting on the shore. It involves riding a small, rigid skimboard across shallow water at the edge of the beach, gliding along and performing tricks. Skimboarding is a great way to improve balance, coordination and agility, and it's a fun challenge you can do without needing to get fully into the water. You don't need waves and you can find good spots to skimboard on most beaches. Whether you're carving, jumping, or just cruising along the shore, skimboarding's a great water sport to try!
8. Explore The Water Without Even Getting Wet By Going Boating
If you're looking for the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and freedom, you can't do much better than boating! Whether it's cruising on a calm lake, exploring scenic coastlines or taking to the open sea, getting out on a boat lets you enjoy stunning views and the thrill of the water. It's a great way to spend time with friends and family, whether you're fishing, water skiing or simply enjoying a peaceful ride. There are boats to suit every budget and skill level, and boating can be a fantastic escape from the everyday and create unforgettable memories!
9. Paddle Your Way Into Water Sports Fun With Kayaking
Kayaking is a great water sport to get into this summer because it combines exercise, excitement and immersion in nature. It's a great way to improve your strength, endurance and flexibility, but kayaking can be as strenuous or serene as you like. There's a wide range of kayaks to suit the type of padding you're going to enjoy, from exploring peaceful lakes and gentle rivers to tackling challenging ocean waves. Whatever you choose, kayaking lets you experience the outdoors from a new perspective, and it's accessible for water sports lovers of all skill levels.
10. Discover An Extra Accessible Water Sport With Canoeing
The great thing about canoeing is that it's the perfect water sport for all levels of experience, building and developing endurance and strength. You can choose to drift calmly across the water while taking in the beautiful surrounding scenery or test your limits by canoeing in whitewater conditions. Whichever level you're comfortable with, canoeing is a great water sport for boosting your fitness levels - just make sure you have all the canoeing equipment you need before heading out.
11. Grab Your Tow Rope And Experience The Thrills Of Ski Tubing
Ski tubing is a water sport that's as exciting as it is easy to learn, with a great blend of speed and thrills. It involves riding an inflatable ski tube that's usually towed behind a boat, and as it skims across the surface of the water riders enjoy an adrenaline-pumping experience of skimming over the water, bouncing on waves and thrilling with sharp turns. You don't need much skill to get started, but there are still plenty of challenges as you try to stay balanced while being pulled at high speeds. It's a great way to enjoy fun and thrills on the water!
12. Experience Thrills And Spills At Speed With Kneeboarding
Kneeboarding is a fun water sport that's easy to learn and incredibly exciting! It involves strapping in on a kneeboard, a specially designed board that's towed behind a boat, similar to ski tubing. Kneeboarding is a great way to feel the thrill of speed and movement without the balancing challenges of stand-up water sports like surfing or wakeboarding. It offers an awesome full-body workout while being a blast to do. Whether you're carving sharp turns or catching some air, kneeboarding guarantees an unforgettable time on the water!
13. Go For A High-Speed Water Sports Thrill With Wakeboarding
With your feet strapped to the board and your fists gripping onto the rope handle, wakeboarding is an extreme water sport that will have you towed at high speeds by the back of a boat. The thrill of this water sport is obvious when you hit a ramp or wave and launch into the air, performing spins and flips. If the sound of this gets your heart pumping, then wakeboarding is the water sports activity you absolutely have to try this summer. Don't have your own boat? Not a problem - there are heaps of wakeboarding parks across Australia that will have everything you need to enjoy this water sport, from lessons to all the required equipment.
14. Reel In A Water Sports Adventure With Deep Sea Fishing
Love the open water but don't particularly like being submerged in it? Well, an exciting water sport you can enjoy without having to hold your breath for 10 minutes is deep sea fishing. From the comfort of your boat, you can enjoy the heart-pounding, intense action of reeling in a sea creature from the depths that you won't find swimming along coastlines. Depending on what you're fishing for, such as Snapper, Tuna, shark or Mackerel, some battles can last a while, so make sure you've stocked up for this water sport with all the fishing gear and supplies you'll need before heading out.
15. Reel One In Almost Anywhere With Kayak Fishing
Kayak fishing is a great way to get out on the water and fishing without the hassle and expense of using a boat. With a fishing kayak, you can explore remote waterways and access fishing spots that are hard to reach from shore, while enjoying the silence of not having a motor. Kayak fishing offers both relaxation and recreation, so it's the perfect water sport for those who love nature and a challenge. It's great for all skill levels, and provides a fun way to stay active while enjoying a peaceful day on the water.
Find Everything You Need For Summer Water Sports At Anaconda
And there you have it, our top 15 picks for the best water sports to try this summer! Whether you are looking to get the blood pumping or want a fun day out with the family or a cruisy day out on the water, give one of these exciting water sports activities a go! Make sure you have everything you need by exploring our entire range of water sports equipment, gear and supplies at Anaconda, and check out our Adventure Centre for helpful tips on preparing for your next adventure on the water, such as:
