| Water sports have always been among man's | | | | * Synchronized Swimming: A hybrid of |
| favorite and most challenging sports. Whether | | | | swimming, gymnastics, and ballet. Endurance, |
| it is on the water, in the water or under the | | | | Awareness, and Flexibility are the hallmarks |
| water, water sports have always fascinated | | | | of this sport. |
| the adventurer and sports lover. What is it | | | | |
| that distinguishes these types of sports from | | | | * Surf Lifesaving is a competitive sport that |
| other sports? What are their advantages? In | | | | evolved from the training activities of |
| addition, what are the different kinds of | | | | lifeguards at surf beaches. |
| water sports? Read on as we tell you more... | | | | |
| | | | Underwater Sports: |
| Advantages of Water Sports: | | | | |
| | | | These include various forms of diving. Among |
| Why are they so special? "The sheer fun of | | | | the most popular underwater sports are: |
| being in water," says 28-year-old Natalie, a | | | | |
| water sports lover. According to her, some of | | | | * Scuba Diving is an adventure unto itself. |
| the major benefits include: | | | | Each person is required to take professional |
| | | | lessons to learn it after which the person |
| * They set the stage for excellent fitness | | | | becomes a Certified Diver. With mask, wet |
| exercises that stretch your muscles and build | | | | suit (body suit) fins for the feet, and a |
| strength in unique ways. | | | | Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus |
| | | | (SCUBA)- you're ready to enter a world you |
| * Unlike other sports, you aren't sweating as | | | | never knew existed beneath the surface. |
| you do them, so even though you're working | | | | |
| hard, your body temp stays cool. | | | | * Free Diving: The aim of the diver is to |
| | | | dive in and swim down to the maximum depth |
| * Since they are so different from other | | | | without a breathing apparatus. Necessary |
| sports, competing in the water, an element we | | | | tools are great lungs, and the ability to |
| were not built for is a fantastic challenge. | | | | equalize the water pressure, which builds on |
| | | | the ears as one travels deeper. |
| * Especially for those sports, which require | | | | |
| holding one's breath, the athlete must | | | | Underwater group sports include: |
| develop larger lungs, capable of holding more | | | | |
| air, thus staying beneath the surface for a | | | | * Underwater Rugby that is played with a ball |
| longer period of time. The natural benefit of | | | | that is naturally buoyant. Here breathing is |
| larger lungs and the ability to breath in | | | | done through a snorkel and tackling is only |
| more air is a healthier body. Like water, the | | | | allowed if you have the ball or are tackling |
| more oxygen we can get into our bodies, the | | | | the one holding it. |
| more efficiently our bodies work. | | | | |
| | | | * Underwater Hockey is played under water |
| There are a large number of sports that | | | | with short wooden curved sticks and a heavy |
| involve water. They can be classified into | | | | puck. In this game, players wear diving |
| these categories: In the water, under the | | | | masks, snorkels, and fins and must surface to |
| water, and on the water. | | | | breathe while teammates continue the game on |
| | | | the pool bottom. |
| In the Water: | | | | |
| | | | Water sports that take place ON the surface |
| The most popular is, of course, swimming. The | | | | are a special breed. They're usually |
| human race mastered this skill long ago. | | | | extremely fast-past, requiring the |
| Swimming forms an interesting component of | | | | participant to be fully aware at all times, |
| several other major sports or activities that | | | | and can be some of the more dangerous sports. |
| include: | | | | |
| | | | Surface Sports Include: |
| * The Triathlon: This is a combination of | | | | |
| swimming, cycling, and running. | | | | * Boating: Races are held every year in |
| | | | different parts of the world. Like car |
| * Modern Pentathlon: It includes epee | | | | racing, the boats are sometimes made from |
| fencing, pistol shooting, swimming, | | | | extremely light, fragile material and the |
| show-horse jumping, and cross country | | | | danger level rises with the speeds. |
| running. | | | | |
| | | | * Canoe polo: Playing polo using a canoe |
| * Rescue Swimming: Swimming with a mission to | | | | |
| rescue other swimmers. As a water sport, it | | | | * Body boarding: This sport is similar to |
| helps develop a variety of key attributes. | | | | surfing. However, the board is smaller and |
| Strength, Leadership, and staying calm in | | | | the person lies on the board. |
| high-pressure situations are necessary | | | | |
| abilities, which are also great life skills | | | | * Surface Skimming: These types of sports |
| to possess. | | | | include traditional surfing, water skiing, |
| | | | kneeboarding, and wake boarding. They require |
| * Snorkeling is a very popular water | | | | great footwork, and excellent balance. |
| activity. It is the practice of swimming on | | | | |
| the surface of the water equipped with a mask | | | | There are excellent water sports associations |
| and short tube known as a snorkel. | | | | that offer training, organized expeditions, |
| | | | and adventure sports in thrilling |
| There are several group sports that are | | | | destinations all over the world. The |
| played in water. These include: | | | | Internet, as always, has the most up-to-date |
| | | | information on how you can get involved. Keep |
| * Water Basketball: A team, ball, basket, | | | | checking regularly, and in the meantime pick |
| water. It's very similar to basketball in | | | | your favorite sport and dive in! |
| water. | | | | |
| | | | Summary: |
| * Water Polo: A physical team sport that | | | | |
| requires strength for hard throwing, | | | | There are a large number of sports that |
| endurance, and extremely fast reflexes for | | | | involve water. They can be classified into |
| defense. | | | | these categories: In the water, under the |
| | | | water, and on the water. |