Which watersport should you try?

In the heat of summer, there’s nothing like spending days cooling off on the water. With so many watersports to choose from, it’s hard to know which one to try. We’re here to help narrow the choice down, so whether you want a family day out or to tackle a new challenge, there’s something for you. Read on and get ready for your next adventure!

Kayaking or paddleboarding

Kayaking is easy to get in to, requiring absolutely no experience, making it perfect if you’re new to watersports. One of the best things about kayaking is that it’s totally up to you to decide the pace of your time on the water. To begin with, you might choose to go for a relaxed paddle along a local river, taking in the sights around you. For an exhilarating day on the water, you could try sea kayaking, and for the ultimate adrenaline-fueled day out, give whitewater kayaking a go.

Paddleboarding is an equally good introductory watersport. Neither kayaking nor paddleboarding require much kit, and both can be done wherever and whenever suits you. Unlike kayaking, paddleboarding requires some core strength to balance.

Kayaking and paddleboarding can be done as a solo activity or as a group. While you might be in different vessels, you can still safely get close enough for a natter. You can even get kayaks with two seats!

Try this if: you’re new to watersports, you want a relaxing day out, you want a group day out.

Sailing

Sailing is great for people who enjoy getting technical with their sports. You’ll have lots of sailing terminology to learn, like names of different parts of the boat, and different types of knots. If you’re the competitive type, there are races around the south that you can enter once you’ve got some experience under your belt.

Generally done solo or in pairs, it’s a good way to get time away from the busyness of everyday life.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is one for the thrill seekers. It’s quite a challenging sport to get to grips with but the rush of adrenaline you’ll feel skimming over the water is worth it. As the name suggests, it relies on the wind, so no two days on the water will be the same. This also means you’ve got plenty of options on location: rivers, lakes, or the sea. It combines elements of surfing and sailing, making it a great choice for experienced sailors and surfers.

It’s important to bear in mind that windsurfing does require some investment, both in kit and in time learning to master the technique.

Interested in trying windsurfing? Visit Calshot for expert tuition on getting on the water.

Try this if: you’re up for a challenge, you want to invest in a new sport.

Winging

Combining elements of kitesurfing and windsurfing, winging is a sport that’s grown in popularity since the 2010s. Using a wing-shaped sail and a board, you let the wind propel you across the water for an experience like no other. It’s quick to master the basics, meaning it won’t be long before you’re gliding along over the water. The equipment is easier to store and transport than windsurfing.

Get to grips with winging with a course at Calshot.

Try this if: you’re a beginner, you want a low-impact sport

Remember, with any watersport, it’s important to make sure you have the correct kit, including a personal floatation device.