For those seeking adventure and chasing adrenalin, the excitement doesn’t end when the land does. The water offers heaps of fun for those that are willing to step out of their comfort zone and into a world of adrenalin-fuelled sports!
The coastal and inland waterways spread throughout the world offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for tranquil relaxation in a canoe on a slow flowing river or fast-paced fun on whitewater, there’s a sport on the water for you. However, in this article, we’ll be looking at seven water-based activities that get your heart working and your blood pumping.
This read is certainly not for the faint hearted. Rather, it’s for those that chase adventure, adrenalin, and are constantly searching for the next extreme sport to scare their socks off…
Windsurfing combines both surfing and sailing. Windsurfers stand on a windsurfing board that has a large triangular sail attached. The sail is used to propel the surfer forward across the water using the surfboard to skim the surface and ride the waves.
Wind surfing can be done on large lakes, coastal waters, estuaries, and broad rivers. For many, wind surfing is an exciting sport that involves skill, balance, and fitness. The sport offers adrenalin-fuelled excitement, the potential for ambitious exploration, and a demand for physical fitness.
This makes wind surfing the perfect sport for those that enjoy fast-paced water sports that require skill and physical fitness. Wind surfing provides a full body workout and will give you the drive to get out in nature on the water surfing in areas that before seemed inaccessible.
Wake boarding is another fast-paced water sport that requires skill, physical fitness, and some adventurous ambition. Similar to wind surfing, users stand on a board similar to a surfboard to skim across the surface of the water at great speeds.
Wake boarding can be done at cable parks where an expanse of conveyer belt cable pulls a line and handle around a course full of obstacles, ramps, and rails. These parks are usually situated on lakes. The wake boarder holds the handle while standing on the board to provide propulsion to skim across the water. Once you’ve developed some skill, jumps over ramps, power slides, and grinds on rails can be achieved, adding even more excitement to the sport.
The more traditional form of wake boarding is done by pulling a cable and handle behind a speed boat. The wake boarder sits in the water holding the handle and the boat pulls him or her forward in the same way that the conveyer at a cable park does. This form of wake boarding provides more excitement and a higher level of adventure. You can do it anywhere, providing you can get the boat in the water and build enough speed without putting other water users at risk.
Kite surfing brings together surfing, wind surfing, and wake boarding with the delightful addition of a large power kite. Kite surfers use a board similar to a wake board to skim across the water while controlling the large kite that provides the propulsion.
The kite also provides lift when used correctly which allows you to perform immense jumps getting air of over 30 feet at times. This is certainly not a sport for the faint hearted and if you begin your kite surfing journey don’t expect to come out of it unscathed. This sport is dangerous but incredibly rewarding!
Kite surfing doesn’t have to end when the water does either. You can use a kite in conjunction with a snowboard in the winter or a land board when the water is just out of reach. Kite surfing is an extreme hobby for the extreme adrenaline junky.
White water rafting is done in groups and basically involves taking an inflatable raft full of crazy people down some, quite frankly, terrifying rapids. Yep, you definitely have to have certain body parts made of steel for this one…
The large rafts are made from heavy duty materials and the group of people wear protective helmets, pads, and life preservers to ensure they stay as safe as possible during the venture. This is an adrenalin-fuelled watersport for people that love experiencing nature in its rawest form. If you love the power of nature and want to “jump in at the deep end”, whitewater rafting is a sport for you.
White water rafting can be done in groups with an experienced guide in locations around the world. You can expect a trip to be filled with fast-paced action, heart-stopping drops down waterfalls, and nerve-racking navigation through tight fast-flowing gorges.
Gorge Walking is the exploration of canyons and gorges. It involves rock climbing, rock hopping, scrambling, and jumping into the water. You can expect steep climbs and tight scrambles with the aid of ropes through gorges full of drop offs and intense fast-flowing water.
Gorge walking is available in some locations in Ireland and the UK in some of the most untouched parts of nature. Similar to white water rafting, this activity isn’t for the faint hearted. Instead, it’s for those that want to experience nature in its rawest form.
If you’re an adrenalin junky and keen adventurer, you’ll love scrambling across water falls and jumping from heights into deep pools.
Gorge walking can be arranged with many outdoor activity centres around the world. Always go with a guided group as this activity is dangerous without the correct knowledge and guidance.
The water jet pack is an epic activity that can be done in the summer months in tourist destinations on the coast worldwide. This activity is becoming increasingly popular and more common. It uses water jet technology usually from a jet ski to feed water at high pressure through a pipe and out of a “jetpack”.
The user wears the pack that has simple forward, backward, left, and right controls. When the pressure is cranked up and the water jets out from the bottom of the pack the person gets propelled into the air. Once you get the hang of it you can glide 30 feet above the water’s surface for as long as you desire.
If you get really good, you’ll be able to start experimenting with aerial acrobatics. The only fear is hitting the water below, which isn’t a big deal if you don’t mind getting wet. This activity can be arranged on the coast by activity centres. We’re unsure whether this is currently possible in Ireland, but if you’re out in Spain, Greece, Cypress, and other places in Europe you’re bound to find somewhere to do it near your resort.
The subwing is a device that can be self-propelled using a turbine or more commonly, pulled using a boat. The wing is divided into two blades that are connected via a twisting coupling. Both wings can be moved independently to adjust how the water hits them. Depending on how the wings are adjusted will affect the attack angle of which the subwing surfs at. This makes it possible to dive deeper, raise to the surface, and twist and turn underwater.
Subwings are a lot of fun when out in clear water in a warm climate. There are numerous videos online of people using subwings and although I’ve never used one it’s definitely something I want to try soon. They are available to purchase if you have your own boat and they are also available for rent from several activity centres around the world.
The best places to use subwings are in beautiful marine settings. Hovering above reefs, around shipwrecks, and alongside dolphins in crystal clear waters are some of the more favourable conditions to practice this sport in. But, no matter where you are, you’re sure to get your blood flowing and your heart racing with this water sport.
Leave a comment