The Top Ten Most Dangerous Watersports

Watersports are any pastime that involves spending a lot of time in bodies of water. They can be extremely fun because they allow you to enjoy the water, catch some sun, and hang with friends while doing other activities as well. However, not all watersports are equally easy to do, and not all watersports have the same levels of safety. Some sports such as water polo or aqua jogging are relatively tame, and not life-threatening.

However, some water sports are quite extreme, and if you don’t know how to do them properly, you might end up getting hurt. So before you try out watersports, you should know the dangers that go along with these aquatic adventures.

Here are the top ten most dangerous water sports:

Photo by Greg James

 

Surfing

When it comes to watersports, the most iconic is unarguably surfing. The main aim of this very famous watersport is to ride the tallest waves, using a 6 to a 7-foot tall surfboard. It is an enjoyable and dangerous water sport. The most significant risk factor in surfing is that the waves can get too tall and powerful, and there is a risk that you’ll accidentally hit your head on your board. The worst-case scenario is that the waves smash you onto the rocks and coral reefs. 

Surfing is an innately dangerous watersport, and your primary defence against getting hurt is experience. You should master the basics first, and know your limitations as a surfer. You should wear a leash always so that in case you get wiped out you can still grab onto your board.

 

Jet Skiing

Jet skiing may look glamorous and fun. However, if you don’t know how to use it properly, you can injure yourself and other people. So it would help if you took the time to learn proper jet ski etiquette.

When it comes to jetskiing, the best precaution is to master all of its controls. You should also make sure that you have a good quality floating dock to store it on. Floating docks are usually made of buoyant plastic, and they are handy for keeping your jet ski safe. If you want to know how to choose a floating dock, you should check out Hiseadock. It is a company that specialises in creating quality and affordable floating docks.

 

Kayaking

Kayaking entails you to use kayaks to float through bodies of water. Kayaking can be a dangerous watersport, because individual bodies of water are very unpredictable, and you can run onto currents and jutting rocks that can capsize your kayak. As a precaution, you should always outfit yourself with the right tools such as helmets, elbow pads, and floating vests. 

 

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is an exhilarating water sport because it allows you to swim to the deepest points of the seas and oceans. However, it can also be dangerous the deeper you go. The deeper you swim, the more oxygen you will have to use, and you run the risk of suffering from asphyxia if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The most important precaution for scuba divers is that you should double-check all of your equipment before you dive into the water. The more thorough you are, the less the chances you will have of having an accident. 

 

Parasailing

Parasailing is an exhilarating sport that uses a speedboat to pull you, as you wear a parachute-like device. The speed of the vessel will propel the parasailer at incredible speeds, and it is a truly freeing experience. However, it can be quite dangerous if your parachute lines are faulty or frayed.

You might get blown out into the open sea at incredible speeds. The parachute can also fall on top of you, and cause you to drown. So before you take up parasailing, you should make sure that your equipment is well-maintained, and that you wear a floating vest in case of emergencies.

 

Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding is somewhat similar to parasailing because you are using a parachute-like device. However, instead of using a speedboat, you are using the wind and shorty board to move you through the water. Kiteboarding is a very exciting pastime. However, it could also be quite dangerous because you will be moving at extreme speeds, and an error on your part can have you colliding with other vessels.

As a precaution, you should make sure that you master the basics, and wear a floating vest for emergencies. It would help if you also did your kiteboarding in away from other kiteboarders and vessels, to lessen the risk of collision.

 

Cave Diving

Cave diving is an offshoot of scuba diving, and it is quite similar to the latter. However, instead of diving in the open seas, you dive through vast underwater caves. Cave diving is a fascinating aquatic pastime because you’ll get to see all sorts of beautiful sights.

However, there is the ever-present danger of getting stuck in tight spots or running out of energy. So as a precaution, you should make sure to check your equipment and dive with a partner. That way, help will always be close at hand.

 

Parasailing

Parasailing combines the speed of sailing with the manoeuvrability of surfing. With the sail’s help, you can ride the waves with much more speed than ever.

However, this speed can also make the activity more dangerous. As a precaution, you should make sure to wear a floating vest. Aside from your equipment, you should make sure that you are as proficient as possible before you sail out.

 

Cliff Diving

Cliff Diving is by far the most dangerous water sport you can take up because it entails you to jump off a cliff into a body of water. Although experienced cliff divers have shown that it is possible and even enjoyable to do, there is still a great deal of unpredictability involved. 

 

So if you are going to try out cliff diving, you should make sure that you are well-conditioned, you know the basics, and that you have companions with you in case of emergency. 

 

Shark Cage Diving

Although shark watching can be terrifying, there is a certain charm to seeing sharks in their natural habitats. However, if you don’t come prepared there is a chance you may get attacked by these underwater creatures.

So you should make sure that you have the right tools. Make sure that the cages are well-maintained and the link of the chain and the boat are as sturdy as possible. 

 

 

Water sports are a great pastime because you get to combine swimming, sunbathing, with other sports. However, not all water sports are easy, and some of them can be quite dangerous. So before you even think of taking up any form of watersport, you should know their key characteristics and their danger level. With this list of the most dangerous water sports, you’ll know which ones you should be very careful with.

 

 

Jessica Alexander

Jessica Alexander

I've always loved to write, but I'd never want to be famous. So, I write as Jessica A. over here at ADDICTED. You can think of my like Carmen Sandiego, you trust me, but where in the world am I?
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