New to Water Sports? Best Activities to Help You Acclimatize

Water sports are the best way to spend lakeside vacations. Your first time out on the water will involve lots of falling, swimming, laughing and fun. Before you head out onto the water, you’ll want to acclimate your body for hours of physical activity for your safety and to ensure you get the most out of your trip. 

You can do this by spending more time in water and getting physically active leading up to your trip. Here are some of the best ways to help you acclimate. 

Getting out on the water 

Before getting into water sports, you’ve got to get out onto the water. Depending on the sport, you’ll most likely be out on a boat. The best way to acclimatize to long days out on the water is to spend some time on a boat. You’ll soon find out if you handle the ebb and flow or you succumb to seasickness easily. 

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Swimming laps 

Starting any water sport requires you to be a strong swimmer. You’ll be spending a lot of time on and in the water so you need to be able to swim and swim well. A full day of lake activities or high-tide in the ocean can make for rough waters. So, you’ll need to be able to handle long stints inside wavy waters to stay afloat. 

Swimming laps in your pool is the best way to acclimatize to long periods in water. You’ll also build up your strength for the water, improve your swimming and increase your lung capacity. The more time you spend in the water, the better you’ll be able to combat the fatigue that is inevitable with water-based activities. 

Wearing a life-vest 

You will most likely be wearing a life jacket for most water sports activities. By law, you are required to wear one at all times for your safety inside and outside the water. It may seem uncomfortable at first, but it’s an important part of the fun. And if you’re renting any kind of equipment, you’ll be required to wear one as well. 

So, to get used to wearing one, you should try it out when swimming your laps. This will help you practice swimming with a life-vest but it can also help you get used to its weight while participating in various activities. 

Spend lots of time in the water 

If you have access to a swimming pool or lake, use it frequently before you attempt water sports. If you’re not sure what to expect after long days in the water, this is the best way to help you. Your fingers will prune, you will be cold, thirsty, and exhausted. These are all the most common symptoms of a fun day on the water. 

Swimming is the best way to acclimate to water sports. Try different bodies of water, like lakes, swimming pools, and rivers. Lake water can get weird and it is where most water sports take place, so brace yourself for toe-sucking fish. Spend time in cold water, which is good practice, especially if the weather is anything but sunny on your trip.  

Limber up 

It is your first time trying out water sports, which is a lot of fun. But before you get out there, it is crucial to practice stretching. Yes, you will have tons of fun, but your fun can come to a grinding halt if you develop a cramp or stitch, especially when you’re inside the water and constantly moving. 

You will be jumping, swimming and hitting the water a lot. The best thing to do before starting your day on the water is to do some full-body stretches. Ensure that your neck, arms, legs, back, and hips are well stretched and warmed up before you put on your life-vest. Stretch your body again when you get out of the water to avoid stiffness after a full day of physical activity.