When summer arrives, we gravitate to the water—and for good reason. Studies show that people living near water generally report better mental health and overall wellbeing. If that’s the case, then imagine how you would feel being on the water. In this article, I’ll look at water sports and boating gear for this summer. I’ll examine how action cameras & camcorders can capture your water adventures. Finally, I’ll consider the different types of waterproof portable Bluetooth speakers for summer fun outdoors.
Having fun on the water
Out of all the sport and recreation activities, water sports and boating are limited to the summer months. Kids and adults can enjoy the tranquillity of being on the water. It’s a great way to become attuned to nature. Furthermore, adventure seekers can even venture underwater with swimming goggles and diving masks.
On or in water, there’s a variety of fun things to try. Here are some water activities to consider.
Paddleboards
Paddleboarding is one of the most popular water sports. It delivers a full-body workout and allows people to explore or meditate on the water. The most popular type of paddleboard today is inflatable SUP boards (stand-up paddle). These boards are made from heavy-duty PVC with drop-stitch technology to create an air core. When inflated with a pump, it should feel rigid and stable.
Inflatable SUP boards are portable, durable, and they can handle rough water environments. To store, simply deflate it, roll it up, and stow it away. That makes it a great choice for people with limited storage space.
Surfboards
Humans have been surfing since the 12th century. Body surfing is therefore the oldest type of wave-catching. Surfing is generally assumed to be standing on a surfboard and riding a wave. However, it can be used as a general term to refer to standing or lying on a board and riding a wave.
Bodyboarding is a water sport where the surfer rides a bodyboard on the crest, face, and curl of a wave. In most cases, it’s surfacing on one’s belly. They are distinct from modern stand-up surfboards in that they have no fin. Therefore, that’s the easiest way to tell them apart.
Bodyboards are shaped to the rider’s specific needs and preferences. This can range from height, weight, and form of riding. The three basic forms of bodyboarding include prone, drop knee, and stand-up.
Wakeboards
If you have access to a motorboat, wakeboarding is another fun summer water activity. With wakeboarding, a rider stands on a wakeboard and is towed behind a motorboat by holding a wakeboard rope. The wakeboard itself is a shortboard with foot bindings that is usually constructed from an outer layer of fiberglass and resin. This achieves a sturdy, durable finish.
Wakeboarding is a combination of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing techniques. The natural summer water areas are rivers and open lakes. Essentially, it’s an alternative water sport for surfers when the sea is calm.
Inflatable boats
If you want to share water experiences with others, inflatable boats are for you. An inflatable boat is lightweight and constructed with flexible tubes containing pressurized gas. The tubes are made of rubberized synthetic fabrics such as PVC and polyurethane.
Inflatable boats are designed for recreational use and easy storage. They are typically not seaworthy. This makes them a great choice for campers and RV owners for summer lake recreation and river voyages.
Life jackets & PFDs
Summer water activities are safe provided you have the proper life jackets and PFDs. PFD stands for a personal flotation device. They are designed to keep people afloat. Child, youth, and adult sizes are available.
It’s important that both life jackets and PFDs be fitted to the size of the person wearing the device, pets included. It’s a good idea to get them in different sizes so you always have them readily available for kids and adults.
Action cameras & camcorders for water sports
The only thing better than summer water activities is capturing those moments with action cameras and camcorders. These are small digital cameras purposefully designed to record the action.
This is typically done from the point of view of the shooter by wearing or mounting the camera to a hat helmet or chest. They can be sometimes used alongside a second action camera attached to a riding device. This camera looks back onto the rider and records their action.
When choosing a waterproof action camera for water activities, look out for video quality/frame rates, durability, and accessories. Top action cameras have 4K resolution and frame rates that exceed 30fps. More frames allow for crisper, overall image quality. Furthermore, the extra frame rates help smooth your slow-motion action shots.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers
There are no shortages of portable Bluetooth speakers, but waterproof portable Bluetooth speakers are made for summer fun on the water. These speakers have an IP67 water resistance rating. This means it is waterproof up to 1.5m.
If it falls into the water, no big deal. It’s perfect poolside, on the beach, or in the rain.
There are a wide variety of waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker designs. Some are small and compact while others provide full 360 degrees sound. This means it doesn’t matter where you place it. The sound will travel everywhere.
Some people may want to wear a Bluetooth speaker while on the water. Some designs feature hooks and integrated carabiner clips so you can clip it on your waist. As fun as summer water activities are, it only gets better with a waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
Having fun on the water
As we’ve seen, there’s no shortage of ways to have fun on the water this summer. Paddleboards, surfboards, and wakeboards are three ways to ride the water. Inflatable boats are a portable solution perfect for summer camping trips to the river or lake. Finally, with action cameras, you can capture epic water moments in 4K and share it with friends and family over social media.
No matter what activity you choose to do in the water this summer, rest assured Best Buy has you covered for all your watersports and boating needs.
