Stepping outside and communing with nature is growing in popularity, but you are all-in already. Depending on your preferred sport there is specific gear and sportswear to keep you safer and more comfortable.
- Freediving is a sport that has accelerated in growth in recent years. The colourful and patterned options in freediving suits are captivating and help with underwater visibility. These suits are far less dense than scuba diving suits. In this type of water sport, you are not looking for buoyancy. The thin suits have smaller air bubbles inside. This helps you dive faster. Grab your snorkel set, weight belt, fins, and a friend to head out in safety. Check out brands like Mares, Beuchat, and Cressi for kit and Garmin for a dive computer.
- The kit for surfing is just a board. All outerwear is up to your comfort in the climate and the water. Take your skill level into consideration when picking your board. Are you planning to hit big-wave, longboard, or flash-angle tricks? Each user and rider can have a better board design. Measure up your needs with brands like Apex, California Boards, or Creatures Surf Boards.
- You may want a wetsuit when finswimming as it will assist with buoyancy and resistance. A swim cap will reduce drag in the water. Don’t forget goggles and nose/ear plugs to control water ingress. Arena Powerfin, Phantom Aquatics, or Cressi are brands to shop.
- Kayak, rowing, or canoeing will get you on the water and not in it as much. The hull and oar designs vary drastically for each sport. Check out Dagger and Delta kayaks, or Nova Craft and Enigma canoes.
- Paddleboarding has also exploded in market reach in recent years. This isn’t any old surfboard or paddle. Proper kit will help make the sport more enjoyable. SUPs from Ala Rado, iRocker, and Kokopelli will suit your needs.
- The most important piece of gear you can wear when sailing is gloves. Grab hold of one line under tension without gloves and you could lose the flesh from your hands. This sport has you out of the water, hopefully. Auto-inflating life vests are low profile and inflate the moment they are under a small amount of water without the wearer’s input. Get a good-fitting set of gloves from Harken or Sealskinz.
- Wind Surfing or foiling enthusiasts also wear a wetsuit. Depending on your skill and abilities a helmet is recommended for reaching high speeds. You can impact at any speed. Determine what is safe for you. Life vests are also appropriate for heavy. Boards from Axis and Armstrong while Duotone and Grantmac make your sail.
To up your skill by seeking instruction. Local enthusiasts can help. There are government training options like Surfing Australia. They offer surf courses for primary and secondary-aged children. They offer short courses for flexible school schedules. Get trained in accident recoveries, first-aid, and core skills, and develop your surf skills for a fun safe hobby.
