Beginner to Pro: Water Sports to Try This Summer

Summer is here, and there’s no better way to embrace the season than diving into exciting and refreshing water sports. 

Whether you’re looking for a burst of adrenaline or a peaceful time floating across a lake, sports in water provide a wide variety of experiences to match any mood or skill level. 

With options for beginners and thrill-seekers alike, you can explore new adventures and stay active while enjoying nature. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the most popular and accessible water sports to try this summer across the U.S. and Canada. 

From laid-back tubing to high-energy whitewater rafting, we’ve got something for everyone. Ready to discover your next favorite activity? Keep reading!

Water sports options for beginners

If you’re just getting started with sports in water, it’s important to choose options that are both fun and beginner-friendly. 

These activities don’t require extensive training or physical preparation and are suitable for people of all ages. 

They’re ideal for families, groups of friends, or anyone looking to dip their toes into aquatic adventures for the first time.

Tubing

Tubing is an incredibly accessible and thrilling way to get started with water sports. It involves riding on an inflatable tube pulled by a boat, often across a lake or calm body of water. 

Riders can sit or lie down on the tube and enjoy the sensation of speed, splashes, and occasional jumps over boat wakes. 

Because tubing doesn’t require any balance or technique, it’s one of the safest and most inclusive water sports available. 

It’s perfect for kids, beginners, and even those who may be a little nervous about trying something new. 

With minimal gear and maximum fun, tubing is a must-try for anyone easing into summer water activities.

Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding offers a mix of thrill and control, making it an exciting introduction to board-based water sports. 

It involves standing on a wakeboard while being pulled behind a boat, skimming across the water and occasionally launching off waves. 

Though it may seem intimidating, most beginners can get the hang of it with some instruction and a few practice attempts. 

Wakeboarding helps build balance, coordination, and confidence on the water. As a bonus, it provides a solid core workout. 

Because of its popularity in Canadian lakes and American coastal areas, it’s easy to find rentals and beginner lessons throughout the summer.

Wakesurfing

Wakesurfing puts a unique spin on traditional surfing by allowing you to ride a wave created by a boat. 

After starting with a tow-rope, the rider eventually lets go and surfs the boat’s wake. It’s done at slower speeds than wakeboarding, making it a smoother and often safer experience for beginners. 

Wakesurf boards are shorter and more buoyant than surfboards, allowing for easier balance and maneuvering. 

This sport is ideal for those who want the feeling of surfing without needing ocean waves. 

Popular in both Canadian lakes and U.S. waterways, wakesurfing has quickly become a favorite among families and watersport enthusiasts alike.

Water Skiing

Water skiing has long been a favorite among water sports lovers, and for good reason. This activity involves standing on two skis and being pulled by a boat, gliding across the water’s surface at various speeds. 

For beginners, there are trainer skis and adjustable tow speeds that make learning much more approachable. 

Most people are able to stand up and ski within a few tries with the help of an instructor. Water skiing improves balance, strengthens your legs and core, and offers an exhilarating sense of speed and control. 

It’s a fantastic introduction to sports in water that can grow with you as you develop more confidence and skill.

Water sports to try to have adventures in

Once you’ve built up some comfort on the water, it might be time to explore more challenging and adventurous options. 

These water sports offer more physical activity, skill development, and heart-pounding excitement. 

They’re perfect for anyone looking to push their limits and enjoy summer to the fullest.

Canoeing

Canoeing is a classic water sport that combines physical endurance with the peaceful beauty of nature.

It involves paddling a narrow boat using a single-blade paddle, often across lakes, rivers, or even calm coastal waters. 

While the motion is repetitive, canoeing requires coordination, strength, and an understanding of water currents. 

It can be a tranquil experience when done on still lakes, or more demanding when navigating moving rivers. 

Canoeing is excellent for long-distance exploration and is often used for camping and wildlife viewing. 

With numerous parks and outfitters across Canada and the U.S. offering rentals and tours, it’s one of the most versatile sports in water.

Stand-Up Paddle boarding (SUP)

Stand-up paddle boarding, commonly known as SUP, has become one of the fastest-growing water sports in North America. 

This activity involves standing on a large, stable board and using a paddle to move across calm waters. 

It’s a great way to build core strength, improve balance, and get a full-body workout while enjoying scenic views. 

While it may take a bit of practice to find your footing, paddle boarding is beginner-friendly and extremely rewarding. 

It’s popular on lakes, bays, and even gentle rivers, making it accessible no matter where you live. 

SUP also offers flexibility you can paddle standing, kneeling, or even sitting, depending on your comfort level.

Snorkeling

If you’re interested in exploring underwater life without the need for scuba gear, snorkeling is a fantastic option. 

With a mask, snorkel, and fins, you can swim just below the surface and observe colorful fish, coral reefs, and marine ecosystems. 

Ideal for shallow, clear waters, snorkeling is one of the most approachable and family-friendly water sports. 

It requires only basic swimming skills and offers unforgettable views of the underwater world. 

Snorkeling is particularly popular in marine reserves and coastal parks across the U.S. and Canada, such as Florida’s reefs or British Columbia’s kelp forests. It’s an easy yet enriching activity perfect for vacationers and nature lovers.

Surfing

Surfing is the ultimate challenge among water sports, combining athleticism, timing, and a deep connection to the ocean. 

It involves paddling out into the surf, catching a wave, and riding it back toward shore on a surfboard. 

While surfing can take time to master, the rewards are immense. It provides an intense physical workout while also offering mental clarity and focus. 

Popular surf destinations in North America like Tofino in British Columbia or Huntington Beach in California offer lessons and beginner-friendly waves for those starting out. 

Surfing is ideal for adventurous individuals who enjoy being in tune with the natural rhythm of the ocean and don’t mind a few wipeouts along the way.

Water Skiing (Intermediate to Advanced)

For those who’ve already tried beginner water skiing, levelling up to more advanced techniques is a great way to keep things interesting. 

Intermediate and advanced water skiing may involve higher speeds, navigating slalom courses, or performing tricks like jumps and spins. 

These variations require better control, strength, and balance, but also provide a thrilling experience that’s hard to match. 

Many summer camps and water sports schools in North America offer advanced training, allowing enthusiasts to refine their skills and compete if they wish. 

As one of the foundational sports in water, skiing continues to evolve and inspire generations of athletes and hobbyists alike.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting delivers unmatched excitement and teamwork as you navigate river rapids in an inflatable raft. 

Guided by professionals, groups work together to steer and paddle through fast-moving water, often encountering rocks, drops, and swirling currents along the way. 

The difficulty of whitewater rafting is measured by class levels, with Class I being gentle and Class V being extreme. 

Beginners often start with Class II or III rapids, which are thrilling but manageable. Whitewater rafting is especially popular in mountainous regions such as Colorado, British Columbia, and West Virginia. 

It’s one of the most intense water sports and perfect for groups seeking a wild, unforgettable experience.

With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to dive into a new adventure and discover the best water sports for your lifestyle and interests. 

From easygoing activities like tubing and paddle boarding to more challenging experiences like surfing and rafting, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of the warm weather. 

Whether you’re exploring peaceful lakes or riding wild river rapids, these sports in water offer a fun, healthy, and memorable way to enjoy the season.

Keep checking back as We Recommend for more expert tips, recommendations, and guides to help you get the most out of every summer. Let the water be your playground, your next adventure is only a splash away!

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