Recreation in the water has long been a part of human activities. Evidence of recreational swimming dates back thousands of years before written records. So it’s no surprise that people still enjoy sports and games which are performed in or around water. Some of the most popular water sports are even central parts of the Olympic Games. For anyone looking for a way to improve their health, excel as an athlete, or just find a fun pastime, water sports can provide some of the best options. One of the most popular water sports is competitive swimming. These races often take place in an artificial swimming pool, although they can take place in natural bodies of water such as lakes.
Paddle boarding has become a widely known and popular sport being one of the fastest growing water sports. It seems that everyone from celebrities to political figures are figuring how fun and beneficial this sport is for the body. A well known review site that reviews all the popular paddle boards is Globo Surf over at https://www.globosurf.com/
These swimmers attempt to break personal or world records while completing the course faster than their opponents. Swimming can be an individual sport, or teams can compete in relay races. Swimming is also a good sport for people looking to lose weight. Health officials report that swimming is a low impact way to improve fitness, and provides an effective all-body workout. A variation on competitive swimming is where, instead of completing a course in a set time, swimmers perform acrobatic feats in the water with uniform timing.
This is called “synchronized swimming.” Swimmers, either in teams or solo, perform routines of acrobatic and gymnastic moves while in the water, occasionally set to music and incorporating elements of dance. Rather than athletic power and speed, this form of swimming emphasizes grace, endurance, and artistry. It can be a fun way to exercise in the water while having an opportunity to express yourself creatively. Diving is also a widely-practiced water sport that requires a great deal of acrobatic skill. It requires similar levels of dexterity and flexibility as traditional gymnastics.
Competitive divers will attempt to fall gracefully, incorporating elegant turns and twists, while landing in the water as softly as possible. They are scored by a panel of judges on their dive on factors of approach, flight, and entry. Approach is how the diver begins the dive on the board, and can include carefully-practiced tumbles and hand-stands. Flight is the time the diver spends in the air, with height, distance, position, and number of rotations all being considered in issuing a score. And the entry is when the diver makes contact with the water. They should attempt to enter the water without any angle and little splash.