There are plenty of different types of water sports that you can try throughout your life, either for recreation or sport. It is always important to make sure you stay safe when trying these sports, and there are plenty of courses or classes you can take with experts to make sure you are doing them properly. From sailing to paddleboarding, here are just five popular types of water sports.
Sailing
Boats are one of the oldest and most popular forms of transport, with the earliest example of a sailboat possibly originating from ancient Egypt, where structures were made out of reeds. Nowadays, there are numerous types of boats for different uses, from trawlers to luxury yachts. Depending on your location, you may need certifications or licenses, such as this one from https://www.ilearntoboat.com/pennsylvania/, so make sure you do your research.
Water skiing
Another popular watersport is water skiing, in which you are pulled across a body of water by a boat or cable ski installation and have to ski as you would if you were on a slope. This requires a lot of upper and lower body strength, so it is a full-body workout.
Surfing
As well as regular surfing, there are many variations, including surf skiing and even horse surfing. Regular surfing involves riding a wave towards the shore while standing or lying on a surfboard and can be done recreationally or as a sport.
Jet skiing
A jet ski actually refers to a specific make of PWC, or personal watercraft, but is commonly used to refer to the activity of riding a PWC. It is a common recreational water sport and can help develop your balance and leg muscles.
Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding, or stand-up paddleboarding, involves standing on a board on the waterand using a paddle to move yourself and the board across the water. You can stand, kneel, or sit, and some people even do yoga. Paddleboarding is another full-body workout that also helps develop your balance.
General benefits of water sports
- One of the benefits of water sports is that it can reduce the impact on your joints. Some sports, such as running, can put a lot of strain on your joints, such as your knees. In the sea, the water can take your weight and loosen your muscles, which is why hydrotherapy is a common recovery method for injury.
- Water sports can also be great ways to boost your physical strength as they can be a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Many water sports involve your whole body and can also help improve your balance.
- Water sports such as rowing can help to develop your teamwork skills and are great opportunities to meet other people and exercise with your friends.
- Any type of exercise can help boost your mood through the production of endorphins, which are a type of hormone produced and stored in the pituitary gland.
