Also known as aquatic sports, water sports are those conducted on or in bodies of water and can be categorized according to the degree of immersion by the participants.
Several sports can be classified as water sports and subcategorized based on whether they take place on, in, or under the water.
Sports that take place on the water involve participants who largely remain above the surface. Examples include sailing, rowing, kayaking, yachting, canoeing, rafting, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and jet skiing. Although participants in some of these activities might expect to get wet at some point, the primary activity takes place above the water's surface.
Those that take place in the water are those in which participants are partially or fully immersed. These include diving, swimming, synchronized diving, water aerobics, and water polo.
Water sports that take place under the water involve spending significant time beneath the surface of the water. Examples include scuba diving, deep diving, cave diving, and snorkeling. Traditional sports adapted for underwater play, such as underwater hockey, underwater football, or underwater rugby, might also be included.
There may be overlaps between some water sports that could also fit into another category. For example, we have included wakeboarding in our Extreme Sports section, although it is also a water sport. Additionally, you will find fishing in our Outdoors sports category, although it could also be categorized as a water sport. These sites will be placed in whichever category seems more specific or could be listed in both.
Water sports could also be divided into competitive and recreational categories. Competitive water sports are structured events, usually including rules, regulations, and official competitions. Competitive water sports include Olympic swimming, sailing regattas, and surfing championships. Conversely, recreational water sports are enjoyed for leisure, relaxation, and fitness. These include casual swimming, boating, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, or any other sports listed above that are conducted on a non-competitive basis. Most water sports can be both competitive and recreational, depending on context.
The equipment required for water sports depends on the particular sport, and the venues can range from natural bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers to artificial facilities like swimming pools and water parks.
This part of our guide focuses on water sports. However, retail sales sites should be listed in the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce categories.
Categories
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Recommended Resources
International Water Sports Federation
Formed in Thailand in 2015, the IWSF is a non-profit organization that supports all water sports, whether governmental or private, and caters to practitioners at all levels, from amateurs to professionals. The federation organizes national and international competitions, supports scientific research in water sports, and promotes the culture of water sports. Course registration, application forms, and license renewals are available, and payments may be made online.
https://www.iwsfederation.com/
This is an online resource for topics related to kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayak fishing, and other paddle sports. Detailed reviews of kayaks, canoes, paddles, and other equipment, information on paddling trips, including guided, rental, or self-guided options, a paddling location map, safety tips, and an online discussion forum are included, where paddling enthusiasts can seek and offer advice, learn about wilderness trips, and discuss other topics with fellow paddlers.
https://paddling.com/
The official website of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors provides information for those who wants to learn how to dive such as the cost, gears, great diving places, requirements and other important information and also offers online courses. The website is also a great resource for divers who are seeking for new adventures and for those who wants to be a pro and teach diving. You can also find a PADI center through the website by just selecting a country on the drop down menu.
https://www.padi.com/
Founded as a pay-per-call telephone surf report in 1985, Surfline is a Huntington Beach, California company specializing in surf forecasting and reports, live webcasting, photography, videography, and editorial surfing coverage. The site includes streaming video, surf reports, and forecasts, with more than five hundred streaming cameras of a hundred and fifty surf breaks. Its cams and forecasts may be seen online, along with surfing stories, information about gear, training, swells, and travel.
https://www.surfline.com/
Water Sporting Adventure provides tips, ideas, and guides for various water sports. The website covers such activities as fishing, ice fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, paddleboarding, and snow sports, offering in-depth information to help enthusiasts get started and improve their skills. Whether a visitor to the site is a beginner or an experienced paddler, the website strives to make water sports accessible and more enjoyable. An online contact form is available.
https://watersportingadventure.com/
