Outdoor activities are fun. You can work up a good sweat, plus you can get that much-needed vitamin D from the sun. But, you might still be thinking about which outdoor activity to choose this year. If so, here are the top five you should consider:
Kiteboarding
Perhaps, you’re already choosing between kiteboarding vs wakeboarding. Note that these two outdoor water activities have relatively similar methods. Both sports will involve riding on a board on the water. Furthermore, both kiteboarding and wakeboarding will have an object pulling you as you glide over the water’s surface.
Choosing kiteboarding will have a special kite (as the name of the activity implies) help you catch the wind to pull you in a specific direction. With that in mind, you need the right kite and board for this water sport.
Other than those two items, you’ll also need:
- Seat harness
- Safety leash
- Helmet
- Water shoes
- Wetsuit
Also, consider hiring a trainer to help you practice (and master) the basics. Always keep in mind that you can’t become a master kiteboarder without first understanding the activity’s bare essentials.
Wakeboarding
As mentioned above, wakeboarding is similar to kiteboarding. Instead of a kite, a boat will be the object pulling to help you glide across the water’s surface.
Wakeboarding might look relatively straightforward to the untrained eye. However, you should first know how to maintain proper balance while staying on top of the wakeboard.
Core strength is vital in wakeboarding, as you need to focus on your center to keep yourself on the board. Many people might believe that it’s all about keeping your legs at the board’s center. Yes, staying at the center is an essential component to staying on top of the wakeboard. But, focusing on your core should give you a better chance of avoiding wipeouts.
If you’re a beginner wakeboarder, start your journey by allowing your arms to stay straight while holding the towrope tightly. Then, keep your arms to the side while bending the knees slightly. Place the board in front of you as the boat begins its acceleration. You can signal the boat’s driver to speed up or slow down, depending on your current condition.
Freediving
Freediving, or breath-hold diving, is like scuba diving, but without the scuba tanks. So, it becomes apparent from the start that you need excellent lung capacity before attempting to freedive.
At first, you might think, “What’s the purpose of freediving?” Different people will have different answers to that question. For instance, some freediving enthusiasts do it for the thrill. Others may freedive for competition.
Nonetheless, freediving can be an excellent outdoor activity for you, especially if you like submerging yourself into deep bodies of water. But, you need to understand freediving safety first.
Aim to hold your breath underwater for at least five minutes. You can practice in local swimming pools or at home. Note that you don’t need to submerge yourself underwater to practice holding your breath. Sit on a comfortable chair and calmly breathe for about two minutes. Then, start holding your breath for practice.
Becoming an expert at freediving can take weeks, months, or years of practice. If you want to continue this outdoor sport, you might be bumping fists with the best freedivers over time.
Hiking
Outdoor activities aren’t all about having fun near (or in) bodies of water. If kiteboarding and wakeboarding aren’t your cups of tea, perhaps, you might find hiking more enjoyable.
Like with other outdoor excursions, you need to bring correct and proper gear to ensure safety and avoid risks as you hike. Some of the equipment you need to bring on each hiking journey are:
- Hiking backpack
- Hiking footwear
- Plenty of food and water
- Navigation tools
- First-aid kit
- Knife or multi-tool
Moreover, consider walking on beginner-friendly trails before you travel to more dangerous routes. Talk to locals, ask a hiking expert, or use online trail databases to help you find the best trail for your current skill level.
Running
Running (or jogging) is an outdoor activity aimed at a vast majority of individuals worldwide. Perhaps, all you need to run is a good pair of running shoes.
Run with the correct form, and you can gain health benefits, like:
- Stronger bones and muscles
- Improved overall cardiovascular health
Running for extended periods might seem too much for beginners. If so, you can start with a jog or a brisk walk to build your endurance.
Conclusion
The top outdoor activities mentioned in this article might not be your only choices to try this year. Nonetheless, let these physical undertakings help motivate you to achieve and maintain a healthy physique. Remember, choose an activity that you’d really enjoy. Otherwise, you might find the endeavor to be nothing but a chore.
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