10 Most Popular Water Sports

Amazingly, the 10 most popular water sports aren’t that hard to enjoy. They’re expensive and tough to get into though.

Surfing

As one of the sports that’s been around for a while (1950s), it’s a lot of fun to watch, not to mention practice if you have the inclination. In the world of water sports though it is insanely competitive.

Rowing

Out of all the things brought from across the pond, rowing is an English tradition that people picked upon. It’s not as easy as it looks, but it’s definitely impressive.

Swimming

Trying to figure out when swimming first became competitive is kind of tough. After all, humans have been doing this for quite some time.

Water Polo

Speaking of tough to get into, this English sport made its way across the Atlantic in the late 1900s. It’s not the easiest sport in the world, but it is entertaining.

Wakeboarding

Still relatively young by comparison to many sports, wakeboarding saw a rise in the 80s and 90s. It looks fun, but the first time you crash, well, ouch.

Sailing

Trying to pin down a moment in time when sailing wasn’t a necessity is tougher than trying to determine when it became a sport. In 1896 it was recognized as a true sport, and it’s been one of the most popular water sports ever since.

Windsurfing

Another sport seen to rise in the 80s, one doesn’t see windsurfing as much these days. But it’s still a fun time when engaging in water sports.

Hydrofoil

This type of sport has actually been around a lot longer than people realize, or at least the technology has. While it’s not heard of as much, it’s still a popular sport.

Water skiing

As a sport, water skiing has been a sport since the late 1930s. As a form of enjoyment, well, that’s another story.

Parasailing

Some folks might debate whether this is a sport or not, but it does combine two extreme sports, so yeah, it is. But it’s not for the faint of heart, that’s for certain.