Most people love spending their beach time chilling and working on their tan, with frequent breaks to go for a plunge or a game of water volley with friends. There is nothing wrong with using your relaxation time to relax, but not everybody is all about that life. Plenty of people would rather go wild in their free time. And the beach is a spectacular setting for a number of exciting sports and activities.
Riding a Horse
There is something inherently exciting about riding a horse, especially along a beach. The strong ocean wind in your hair, the smell of sea salt in your nostrils, little drops of water gently hitting your face… The experience is as powerful as it sounds. If you find yourself somewhere in the Eastern Mediterranean or in Australia, you can even try riding a camel. Just ask around for horseback treks near the beach, and book the evening.
4WD Madness
In its essence, driving a 4WD vehicle on a beach is very similar to riding a horse, but it caters the people who would rather feel horse-power than a live horse. Not everybody can get their Mad Max experience in a North African or Australian desert, but there are beaches around the world where swimming is not permitted, so tour operators have resorted to 4WD adventures to give their guests an adrenaline fix.
Barefoot Running
Of course, you may simply want to ditch both horses and horse power, and see how fast you can run across the beach barefoot. In the end, this is the healthiest, and the safest way to run (so long as the beach is not littered), so if you’re on a beach vacation, and you need to lose your breath and lose some weight as well, this is the activity for you. Keep in mind that this is safe only if you are already accustomed to barefoot running and the beach is perfectly clean. In any other scenario, pack barefoot shoes in your trunk. It’s the same experience, but you won’t end up in the ER.
Snorkeling
More exciting than swimming and just shy of being full-blown diving, snorkeling is the perfect activity for people who want to bridge this gap, and enjoy underwater life without investing in heavy and expensive diving equipment. Just as there are legitimate diving locations, there are also legitimate snorkeling locations, so ask around for directions to the most worthwhile plunge.
Diving
Alternatively, you can just go the full distance. Book courses with the local diving school, and rent out their equipment, and see if it really is better down where it’s wetter. Marine life is one of this planet’s final frontiers, and you deserve to try out how it feels to be a real pioneer!
Surfing
Surfing is the undisputed king of all beach sports, and also the most desirable skill to list on Tinder, apparently. If you invest some time and effort and stay on the board you will be rewarded with the most beloved beach experience. If horseback riding on the beach invokes your inner Lawrence of Arabia, surfing will most definitely be your Point Break.
Kitesurfing
Equally as exciting, and a bit more expensive, kitesurfing is the next level of surfing. It should be mentioned that kitesurfing has become a legitimate sport, and if you’ve mastered the board, then try to test your limits against other kitesurfers as well!
Water Skiing
If your heart beats faster when you hear words adrenaline, rush, and speed, water skiing might just be the thing for you. It is not a piece of cake, but it takes less practice to get hold off than some of the above mentioned sports, which makes it a perfect stress relief after a long day at work, or during a short summer break.
Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is in its very essence very laid back and relaxing, but if you want, it can also become very exhausting and challenging. That makes it the perfect pastime for calm waters. It has also been the absolute favorite activity among celebrities and mortals alike during 2015 and 2016. Paddleboarding is truly a hobby on the rise.
Canoe Polo
If these two words sound weird when put together, that would probably be because they are, but canoe polo is a very fun, chaotic, exhausting, and surprisingly addictive activity. Until you learn to navigate the rules without wreaking too much havoc on yourself and the other team, and score some points, you’ll