Sports Science

Archive for the ‘Water Sports’ Category

For kids, water sports are adventurous and fun filled. But safety has to be given first priority. All kids should compulsorily wear life jackets, even if kids know how to swim. All boats and rafts should also carry extra life jackets, whistle and lifebuoys. Water sports need to be accompanies by an adult who must know how to swim, preferable accompanied by an attentive lifeguard. He should also know what to do during times of emergency and A B Cs of giving first aid. Water sports should always be carried out, when the climate is pleasant. If the climate is sunny, do apply sun screen cream to protect yourself from radiations.

There are different kinds of water sports for children, some are for pleasure and some are very adventurous and exciting. Let’s start with a simple water sport like boating, which is very much enjoyable. In most of the kids and youths camps you’ll find boating and canoeing. Don’t forget to carry your life jackets while you get into the boat. Always you need to follow what your instructor or guide says. Sailing is adventurous when the wind is good. Once you have enough practice, you can begin to participate in your local sailing competitions! If you want an adventurous water sport, then sailing has to be your first choice! Most nature loving kids will choose scuba diving, where kids will be able to learn more about the fascinating world of animals and it also helps them to develop empathy towards animals. If you want to swim with fishes, explore the corals and admire the color of blue, then scuba diving is the best. Scuba diving is also an excellent exercise.

Surfing is an excellent exercise and a superb family sport. Surfing is also a great outdoor sport during a sunny day or during summers. Swimming is the most favorite sport for many children and as well as for adults, it doesn’t matter if you swim in a lake, ocean, river, pool or with any competitive swimmers or friends; swimming is always enjoyable. But make sure the water is clean. If you are a beginner or a learner, then stay away from the depth. Wear goggles, ear plugs and a swim cap while swimming and you need to avoid swimming after heavy food. Apart from these water sports, you can even play water basketball and volleyball which is even more fun and exciting.

A beautiful island full of serene and exotic beaches, the land of surf and sun – this is Mauritius. Welcome to this beach escape destination which is also known for its wide range of water sports and adventure sports. No doubt it is a small island paradise but it has a lot to offer to keen travelers.

Apart from its gorgeous beaches it offers so much variety in adventure sports and water sports. If you are a lover of those adrenaline rushes then this article will feed you with every detail about adventure and water sports in Mauritius. Big mountains, deep gorges and fabulous ravines offer many adventure sports in Mauritius like trekking, mountain biking, hiking and sea-kayaking.

Trekking in Mauritius:

To explore the deep hidden beauty of this island, you need to go on trekking. It will surely be a delight to every nature lover. The most famous place for trekking is the Black River Gorges National Park. It offers you one of the best trekking opportunities, spread over an area of more than 6,754 hectares. This is the most suitable way to come across various endemic birds like the pink pigeon and the Mauritius Echo Parakeet.

Macchabée-Black River track is another challenging track. It leads from Petrin, through the Macchabée forest and down to the end of the riverside track at the kiosk below Plateau Remousse. Some other treks include Black River Peak track, Cascade Cinq Cents Pieds track.

Mountain biking:

Another way to enjoy your stay in Mauritius is mountain biking in Mauritius. Few famous lush green rides include: Chamarel Ride which is an easy ride of 1 hour, around the area of Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths. It is surrounded by sugarcane and pine apple fields. Other scenic routes include Chamarel Down Hill, a ride on the South coast. Here you will see big strong waves washing the beaches.

Diving:

This beautiful island is surrounded by exotic spots for scuba diving. There is a continuous stretch of coral reefs around the island which makes diving a memorable experience. Currently there are 23 diving centres in Mauritius, registered with the Mauritius Scuba Diving Association (MSDA). Mascareignes Plongées or Neptune Diving Centre are most advanced centers and are easily accessible. The Northern part of Mauritius has numerous short and long range dives. In your dives you get to know much about marine fauna like fish species, lobsters, turtles and crabs. Different forms of corals like large fan corals, flat corals and soft corals add to exquisite experience. Popular dive sites include Blue Bay, Le Sirius Wreck, Purple Cave, Colorado and Roches Zozo.

Short range dives:

Some of the world famous and extremely beautiful short range dives include dive at Old Rocks(10-21m), Grand Baie and Pereybere Aquarium (8-14m), Merville Patches (12-15m), Coral Garden (17-19m), Black Forest (40m), Whale Rock (30-40m) and Anchor (12-20m).You can find green coral bushes up to 1 meter high and samples of rare black coral. You can also go for night dives at many dives spots.

Windsurfing:

Windsurfing is very popular with adventure tourists. Mauritius provides almost perfect conditions of water to get the adrenaline rush in surfing. The Bay of Tamarin is top spot in entire Mauritius where waves reach up to 6 feet. Other famous surfing spots include the Le Morne and One-Eye’s and Baie du Cap.

Sailing:

Water sports in Mauritius also include sailing. The conditions in Mauritius are suitable for sailing. Exploring the island on a sailing cruise has become famous worldwide. Grand Baie is the main centre for yachting. Various beach resorts arrange for sailing excursions for the tourists.

Parasailing:

You take off from a pontoon anchored in the middle of the sea then a speedboat pulls you until you have gathered enough speed and altitude. This is ultimate way to enjoy your holiday. In this sport you get to see a bird’s eye view of your surroundings.

Sea Kayaking:

It is another option in adventure sports to enjoy the beauty of this pearl of Indian Ocean. The best way for this sport is kayaking from St Antoine towards Ile d’Ambre, an islet off the North East coast of Mauritius. At the west coast you can visit Tamarin, here you have the opportunity to see spinner dolphins. Warwick bay is another destination for kayaking.

The Caribbean islands are the best place for people who enjoy water sports. Whether your own preference is on the water or below it, Caribbean water sports have something to offer you including swimming, waterskiing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and so on.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is probably the most popular of Caribbean watersports because swimmers of all ages can enjoy it. Going snorkeling means getting personal with the wonderful and colorful marine life found in the Caribbean. Due to the immense popularity of this activity, there are many well-marked snorkeling trails across many islands in the Caribbean. Most of the better resorts and hotels in offer snorkeling equipment as well as instruction.

Board watersports

Windsurfing, surfing, and kiteboarding are all forms of board sports. These Caribbean watersports enjoy a lot of popularity because the trade winds in the Caribbean provide unlimited opportunities for them. Kiteboarding is actually the same as windsurfing except that it uses a relatively smaller board. As to surfing, if you are not going to Hawaii then you had better go to the Caribbean. The water is warm, the surf is good, the bays are sheltered and there is always one trade wind or another making waves, what more could you possibly demand? Due to the combination of ideal conditions, the Caribbean attracts surfers from the world over. Instruction and equipment is available through most hotels or through vendors along the beaches.

Parasailing

If you are not the type for on-water or below-water sports then you have this third option among Caribbean watersports. Facilities for training and equipment are available through your hotel or through vendors along the beach. Going parasailing means getting a unique view of the Caribbean with the whole vista of white beaches, clear waters, blue skies, and the wildlife spread below you as you soar on the wind.

Waterskiing

Waterskiing or jetskiing has become quite popular recently. Jetskiing is especially very convenient with many people renting jetskis for a single rider experience or wave runners that can take on 2-4 riders at one time. As usual, your hotel or the beach front can offer you the vendors for this Caribbean watersport.

Canoeing and Kayaking

There are several guided tours for people who prefer the calm and tranquility of canoeing or kayaking to the other motorized means of traveling on water. The Caribbean is liberally supplied with mangroves and lagoons.

Sailing

Spend a day on a powerboat, catamaran, sailboat, or trimraran and enjoy sailing in the Caribbean. You can opt between bare boat and crewed boats and there are even special charters for people who are interested in learning how to sail.

Scuba Diving

If you wish to go a step beyond snorkeling then go scuba diving and you will see yet another unique perspective of the Caribbean. There are several popular diving spots in the Cayman Islands and Curacao. Go swimming with tamed stingrays in Stingray City. Do not forget the Buck Island Reef National Monument that has 250 species of fish.