With summer just around the corner (well, not really, but it pays to be optimistic!), you might be wondering what you will get up to during your summer vacation. Will you go on a cultural city tour, taking in the sights and smells of a locality far removed from your own? Or will you err on the side of adventure and find somewhere near water to get the adrenaline fix so sorely missed during the cold winter months?
Seeing as this post is about watersports, it would be wise to talk about the latter! This post will cover four highly-exciting water sports that you should try on your next vacation that will not only replace any waning level of adrenaline but are fantastic to do on your own or with your friends and family.
1. Crack Out The Kayak And Float Downstream
Kayaking is one of those interesting activities that everyone knows about, but not many have actually done it before. This is a great shame because kayaking is one of the more exciting water sports out there and enables you to see the most amazing things from a new perspective.
Furthermore, you have loads of options when it comes to the specific type of kayaking you want to do. For example, you can choose to have a standard day trip, go kayak fishing, or even make a multi-day camping excursion whereby you throw your gear into the kayak and paddle somewhere interesting to set up camp.
Whatever you choose, you can be assured that you will have fun, but if you are a complete novice, there are some things that you should be aware of before heading out. For insurance, it isn’t the case that you can simply rent one out and jump in without any training.
If you want to give kayaking a try, you will have to find a location that rents them out and provides you and your companions with the correct gear and at least some cursory training. Regarding your equipment, there are only really a few absolutely necessary things:
- Helmet: No matter where you will go, be it a river, a lake, or the open seas, a helmet is crucial. You never know what will happen, and it only takes a small bump on your head to knock you out and ultimately cause you to drown. Don’t be a dunce and always wear a helmet; all the cool kids do it!
- Personal flotation device (PFD): A PFD or lifejacket, as it is known to some, will be the difference between life and death. That might sound hyperbolic, but the truth is that it doesn’t take a lot to drown, and a PFD can help you avoid an untimely death if you do end up capsizing. The even cooler kids wear these, so make sure you follow the peer pressure and wear one like everyone else.
- Drybag: There is nothing quite like dropping your phone and passport into the briny deep to ruin a perfectly lovely holiday. This is where a dry bag will become your savior by keeping your precious belongings safe no matter how clumsy you might be.
- Paddle: If you want to move anywhere, you need a paddle. Not much else to say about that, really.
2. Catch Some Air With Kitesurfing
Have you ever heard of kitesurfing before? If so, lucky you, but if not, you are in for a real treat. Essentially, if you know what a kite is and what a surfboard is, you might already have cottoned on to what happens when you combine them. If you can find somewhere that offers this as an activity, you should drop everything else you’re doing and head over; you won’t regret it.
Essentially, you have a smaller version of a surfboard (think wakeboard), and you are attached to a large kite. How large is the kite? Well, large enough to get you up to some serious speeds and enough to hurt more than your ego if you faceplant the water.
Nonetheless, it is extremely fun, and with a bit of instruction, you should be able to catch some serious air as long as you have the intestinal fortitude to go for it! If you are a complete beginner, it will be best to get a feel for it on a calm day.
However, once you have had some practice, you can head out when the seas are a bit rougher and the wind a bit stronger and see what moves you can pull. Obviously, as a novice, those moves will likely involve at least some wipeouts, but you will have a blast in the process!
3. Take A More Serene Approach With Sailing
Sailing is often thought of as a sport for those with a few bucks to throw at their hobbies. However, this is far from reality as many places will allow you to take out a sailboat for a nominal fee. Because sailing takes some time to master, you will probably have an expert to accompany you on the boat, but you should be able to have a go once you get out into the open and away from the general public and other hazards.
There is nothing quite like having the wind through your hair as you speed along, fueled only by the natural forces of the earth. You will feel like a million bucks as you cut through the waves, hoist the jib, and throw three sheets to the wind and say all the other nautical terms that you might already know.
4. Attempt To Find Somewhere That Offers Flyboarding
If you thought kitesurfing looked cool, just wait until you google this one. It is the closest you will probably ever get to using a jetpack as it uses intense jets of water to propel you upwards at incredible velocity.
If you are having trouble visualizing it, imagine strapping a jet ski motor to your feet facing down and pressing the go button. This is because you are strapped to a board and pushed upwards by a hose attached to a jet ski. Pretty thrilling stuff if you are adventurous enough.
So there you have four exciting activities you can get up to when on vacation this summer. As long as you have an adventurous bent and don’t mind falling flat on your face at least once or twice, you’re probably going to have a good time.
Keep being AllDayChic!
