Whether on the coast or in domestic climes: In summer, cool water is the order of the day. All about different water sports, from fishing to surfing. Water refreshes. But it has many other advantages. Because various bodies of water from sea, river, lake to swimming pool offer countless recreational sports opportunities that are not only fun, but also keep you fit. There is something for young and old as well as for every budget. If you feel like trying something new, you’ll get plenty of tips and info here about 9 sports on, in, on or under the water.
1. windsurfing
One of the classic trend sports at the seaside is windsurfing. This is because it can be done anywhere there is a fresh breeze. It uses pretty much all the muscles of the body and thus trains not only strength, but also heart and circulation. The risk of injury is low, as long as you surf technically correct. However, this is not easy, because the movement sequences in windsurfing are complicated.
Beginners should therefore definitely take a course of at least 12 lessons. Unlike most other speed sports, body mass does not necessarily have a negative effect in windsurfing.
Windsurfing equipment consists of a board, which for beginners – for the purpose of stabilization on the water – should have as much volume as possible (well over 200 kilos), and the sail rig, to which the surfer holds on. Useful sets are already available from 1,000 euros. However, the equipment can usually be rented by the day or hour.
2. diving or snorkeling
When diving or snorkeling, the fun of exploring the underwater world is the main focus. However, recreational diving at greater depths carries the risk of decompression, often referred to as “diver’s disease,” in which gas bubbles form in the blood vessels as a result of surfacing too quickly. This happens up to 1,000 times a year in Germany alone. And it can be life-threatening.
It is therefore essential to attend a diving course, preferably at a school that works according to the guidelines of the Association of German Sports Divers. The course costs about 400 euros. By the way, besides classic diving resorts in Egypt and Spain, there are also diving courses in swimming pools. A complete diving equipment with neoprene suit, bottle, glasses fins and further accessories costs new over 1,500 euro. Snorkeling with mask, snorkel and fins, on the other hand, can be purchased for as little as about 50 euros.
3. swimming – not only in the swimming pool.
Hardly any other sport is said to have similarly beneficial effects on health as swimming. It is recommended especially to overweight people and patients with musculoskeletal complaints, because in the weightlessness of the water, lower forces act on bones and joints.
However, breaststroke causes hyperextension of the cervical spine, which is why some sports physicians recommend backstroke. If this is not possible in a crowded pool, experts recommend exhaling in the water to maintain a neutral posture at least during this phase.
4. high diving
Children often find especially great fun in the pool jumping from the diving board and tower. Classic high diving not only trains coordination, concentration and agility, but also the constructive handling of one’s own fears. The risk of injury is low – even if the water can be quite hard if you dive in the wrong way. The place to go for high diving is the swimming club.
5. aqua jogging
Aquajogging is even more gentle on the musculoskeletal system, because here not only is gravity suspended, but also the foot, knee and hip joints are moved in the linear directions of running. As basic equipment the “water runner” needs only a life jacket made of the plastic polyurethane and a swimming pool with at least 180 centimeters of water depth.
Courses for aquajogging are now offered in many swimming pools. They should have no more than ten members so that the exercise instructor has the opportunity for individual control. Especially recommended for those who are overweight or have joint problems.
