Summer is the best time to get your kids to enjoy the outdoors. And what better way to connect them with nature than by engaging in water sports?
It’s no secret that most children love to be in the water. Once they get over that certain level of fear of being in the lake or pool, the next challenge is to get them out of the water. But aside from swimming, what are the other water sports that your kids can engage in?
Here are some of the best examples:
Kids at least 6 years old
1. Surfing
While you’re getting jet ski rental services at the Pineview Reservoir for the adults, for example, why not rent a little surfboard for your kid? Learning how to surf can be tricky, but children are the perfect students for a sport like this. Aside from developing their strength and balance, surfing also teaches young kids how to persevere despite failed wave after failed wave. If they can’t get it right the first, second, or even fiftieth time, your kids will learn the value of trying again and again.
2. Swimming
Swimming is a great sport for people of all ages. If your child doesn’t know how to swim yet, sign them up for lessons for the coming summer. Not only is swimming a life-saving skill, but it’s also one of the best forms of full-body exercise.
Kids at least 8 years old
1. Kayaking/canoeing
Kids love adventure, which is why kayaking/canoeing is an excellent water activity that you and your child can do together. If your kid knows how to swim already, rent a kayak or canoe the next time you head to the lake or reservoir.
2. Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is similar to surfing but instead of the waves pushing the board, a paddleboarder uses a paddle to propel themself forward on the water. For kids, paddleboarding is a fun yet relatively challenging water sport that will develop their core strength and stamina.
Kids at least 10 years old
1. Water skiing
If you’ve already rented a jet ski, why not get some water skis for your children to enjoy? If you don’t know what water skiing is, it’s essentially skiing on the water as you would on snow, but instead of a slope, boats or drives are used to propel skiers through the water.
2. Windsurfing/kitesurfing
Both of these water activities take a little bit of practice to stay on top of the board for longer than a minute. Nevertheless, kids enjoy windsurfing and kitesurfing because of the thrill of the wind’s uncertainty, added to the constant challenge of trying to keep themselves upright.
Kids at least 13 years old and above
1. Jet skiing
For most teens, riding on a jet ski is a summer dream. Give them the chance to engage in this exciting water sport by renting a jet ski at your chosen destination.
2. Diving
Diving is definitely outside of most people’s comfort zone, but it’s definitely worth giving a try. Sign your kids up for a pool diving session before you take them to a real diving location. Aside from basic diving and swimming skills, kids will get to learn other important techniques such as breathing and maintaining composure underwater.
If you’re a parent, you’ll know how important summer vacation is for children. Make their summer extra special by letting them engage in these age-appropriate water activities, but with the proper safety measures and adult supervision, of course.
