4 Best Water Sports to Try with Your Friends

Water sports are a great way to get outside and enjoy an active lifestyle. With many different activities to choose from, there is seemingly a water sport for everyone to enjoy. While it can be relaxing to engage in these activities by yourself, oftentimes the best part of water sports is the fun that can be had as a group. Group activities, although somewhat limited in 2020, are primed to make a comeback as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few water sports that will be a blast for you to try for the first time in 2021.

 

Grab a Tow Rope

If you are lucky enough to have your own boat or are friends with someone who does, then you are well aware of just how much fun it can be to spend a day out on the water. While simply doing laps around the lake is great, the fun really begins when you toss the tow rope out into the water and try your hand at skiing or wakeboarding. While it certainly takes some practice to master both of these activities, once you get the hang of it, there is no greater feeling than flying across the water while your friends cheer you on from the boat. As with all water sports, especially with these two higher-speed activities, remember to wear your personal floatation device at all times.

Figure 1″Poland, water skiing/Nartywodne w Polsce” by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Pol is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

 

Surfing

We’ve all been on the beach and looked out into the water to see surfers doing their thing. They calmly lie on their boards and paddle into position. As the wave rolls in, the surfer turns around and begins to paddle towards the shoreline. Suddenly, they spring to their feet and ride that wave all the way in. Experienced surfers make it look so easy as they repeat this process over and over again. Surfing can be an intimidating sport, but why not find a few friends and take a class or can visit Globo Surf. Surf instructors can be found at any major beach area and there probably isn’t a more laid-back group of teachers. After a little practice on the beach, you and your friends can head out and give it a try in the open water. Having a few friends along for the ride can make the entire experience a little less intimidating and when you’re done learning, you’ll have your very own surf crew.

Figure 2″Surf” by chausinho is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

 

Kayaking

If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity, kayaking might be your water sport of choice. Whether you take your kayak on a lazy river or the open water, it’s the perfect way to get out and explore. Kayaks can accommodate either one or two people so it’s easy to enjoy your adventure with friends.  With the ability to store some personal belongings (remember your dry bag), kayakers can head out for a trip and then enjoy a picnic on a sandbar or find that remote fishing spot that is inaccessible by land. If you and your friends want to give kayaking a try, but aren’t sure if you’re ready to invest in your own equipment, try renting a kayak from a local outfitter. Many places offer a basic orientation to the sport and guided tours of local waterways.

Figure 3″Kayak Rainbow at KalvebodBolge, Copenhagen” by KristofferTrolle is licensed under CC BY 2.0

 

Standup Paddleboarding

Of all the activities listed above, by far the most versatile is standup paddleboarding. Standup paddleboarding or SUP allows water sport enthusiasts to engage in many types of activities with one simple piece of equipment. While you may not be able to tow your friends behind you as they try to water ski, you are able to do many of the things that each of the other water sports has to offer. What better way to enjoy the sunrise than to do meet up with a few friends for a morning yoga session on your standup paddleboards. If yoga just isn’t your thing, grab your fishing buddy and seek out a hard-to-reach location with your paddleboard. Many of the best fishing spots are difficult to reach by boat, so why not paddle your way to an early morning catch? Your standup paddleboard can take you on adventures all day long. Your more adventurous friends might enjoy exploring a river or inland lake. Your surfing buddies will be amazed at how much fun it can be to catch a wave or two on your standup paddleboard. Once you’re ready to call it a day, you’ll need a place to store your standup paddleboard. Gili Sports has a solution for SUP storage: an inflatable standup paddleboard. Their line of iSUPs has something for everyone, but each of their paddleboards has one thing in common: they can be easily stored and transported in a small bag. That makes iSUPs perfect for a group of friends who want to spend some quality time on the water.

 

Water sports are always more fun in the company of others, so pack your gear and gather your crew. Memories can last a lifetime and there’s no better way to make some memories with your friends than to get out on the water.