Breathtaking Water Sports to Try and the Health Benefits They Offer

Summer’s just around the corner, so why not embrace new hobbies or try new sports while you’re at it! Maximizing your free time is all about trying out new things, seeking new adventures, building new hobbies, and slowly creating a lifestyle that works better for you.

Since summer’s off to an early start, let’s talk about the activity we usually do during this season—swimming. Whether you prefer hitting the beach or just dipping in swimming pools, swimming has always been the first activity we think of when we talk about summer. But to make the most of this activity, you should not limit yourself to the recreational form of swimming.

Here are a few watersports you should try during your next summer vacation to enjoy all the benefits being one with the water offers.

Top Watersports and the Best Location to Try Them

Scuba diving

If you’re looking for something that is usually done underwater that will also help you understand its biome, scuba diving is the sport for you.

Going underwater to marvel at the sight of coral reefs and different kinds of fish is truly amazing. If you’re planning to take on this activity, you can visit the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in the Sulu Sea, which is a famous diving spot for scuba divers as it houses a wide variety of coral. It is also spacious, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck or destroying homes. You can dive right into the Apo Reef in Coron, Palawan, see the sardine run in Moalboal, or have a look at the thresher sharks in Malapascua.

There are also smaller but just as great diving spots scattered throughout the country, such as in Anilao, Batangas; Puerto Galera, Mindoro; and Anda, Bohol, that you can visit if you’re worried about big crowds. 

Freediving

This watersport is almost the same as scuba diving, except you dive underwater without an oxygen tank or other equipment that is heavy. A swimsuit, some flippers, and goggles usually do the trick. Freediving is best done right at sundown because you get to see a whole new different lighting, a different vantage point.

If you want to try this watersport and you’re driving from Manila, the best place to be is Mabini, Batangas. The scuba diving sites mentioned earlier are also good spots for freedivers. You can also fly over to Romblon to visit the Blue Hole on Tablas Island.

Surfing

One of the most famous watersports is surfing. There are dozens of beaches and coasts in the country that make a great surfing spot, which is why more and more people are now considering trying out the sport and experience the thrill of catching the waves.

If it’s surfing that you want to try next, Siargao, the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, is your best option. But if you are looking for someplace near the metro, you can drive to San Juan, La Union, another favorite surfing destination. You can also visit Baler, Aurora; San Antonio, Zambales; Real, Quezon; or Guiuan, Samar. 

Kayaking

This water sport is also common and very well-loved by tourists. There are fun and quick ways to get yourself into kayaking since many beach resorts offer this activity; however, if you’re looking for a really nice place for kayaking, head over to El Nido, Palawan. El Nido is home to scenic coves, cliffs, and other breathtaking spots that make kayaking one for the books. You can also visit nearby islands such as Cadlao. Just make sure you’re ready to paddle back and forth since navigating these places will put you through a strength and stamina test. 

Whitewater rafting

Another one of the many forms of watersports is whitewater rafting, which is perfect for those looking to experience that adrenaline rush. Take your family or your friends on a tour and seek the extreme with Whitewater rafting. The best place to go is Cagayan de Oro, as the province is dubbed the Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Philippines. The Cagayan River features nearly dozens of rapids on a 48 km stretch, making it the perfect place to test those skills with people who share the same goal and passion for adventure. But if you want to stay close to the metro,  you can drive to the Chico River in Kalinga.

To take the challenge up a notch, you can include all the watersports listed in the same itinerary! But if you are not ready, it is completely understandable. It pays to know, however, that these activities offers a great deal of benefits.

Here are some:

It enhances your mood and improves your mental health.

Giving yourself the chance to see and take in breathtaking views will boost your mood in an instant. Not only that, it will enhance your overall mental health too. The fun and tranquility plunging underwater offers is something not a lot of activities can give, so if you can, don’t hesitate to go and conquer the seas. 

It is a great form of workout.

Since these activities all require us to swim and paddle, they can be considered a great form of exercise. Kayaking, for one, will have you working those muscles, strengthening your arms, shoulders, back, hips, legs, and core. Going on water adventures helps prep up your body for even more challenging escapades.

It boosts your cardiovascular health.

An improved cardiovascular health is another great benefit of watersports. As it is an activity that requires you to move your entire body, it helps promote oxygenation, enhances metabolic function, and boosts your overall well-being. This lowers the risk of developing diabetes, heart diseases, and chronic illnesses.

How Garmin can help

But to further enjoy and fully experience watersports, it is crucial that you have with you a reliable partner. 

Garmin’s Descent MK2I makes a great fitness buddy, especially if you’re looking to try adrenaline-inducing watersports. Boasting a quality watch-style design and advanced features, you can always trust the Descent MK2I dive computer to stay with you as you catch the waves or plunge underwater. It offers multiple customizable dive modes for your underwater adventures and comes equipped with Surface Multi-GNSS that will guide you as you navigate through an unfamiliar territory and help you find your way back easily. You can enjoy these features for long periods as this device also boasts a long battery life of up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 80 hours in dive mode.

Whatever challenge you want to take on, it pays to do it with a device you can trust. With Garmin, you never have to worry about exploring the outdoors again, may it be atop a mountain or deep in the ocean. With Garmin, you can be stronger than ever and be more ready for anything.