Summer is synonymous with refreshing water activities and camping with your favorite people. Nothing brings you back to childhood like the cool relief of jumping into a lake, pool, ocean or river and the bliss of eating gooey s’mores around a campfire.
Watersports are one of the best ways to stay cool while camping, and no day is too hot when you have a place to take a dip. In celebration of the fun days ahead, consider hitting the water for an unforgettable summer. Whether swimming laps, waterskiing or kiteboarding, you can try something new and have a blast with your loved ones.
Exhilarating Camping Water Activities
Camping near water or staying at a campground with a pool are fantastic ways to pack your next vacation with endless fun. Try these camping watersports and activities with your family this summer.
1. Waterskiing
Anyone who has finally gotten up on water skis knows the feeling of exhilaration and accomplishment that you feel. Waterskiing is a full-body workout, from gripping the tow rope to keeping your legs underneath you. Being at standing height, with your skis cutting the water as it zips underneath you, is a unique joy.
Once you get your balance down on two skis, it is worth it to try dropping a ski and slaloming. Doing so is akin to taking the training wheels off your bike. You can turn on a dime, jump the boat’s wake and send up walls of spray.
The key to getting up on either one or two skis is this — keep your skis directly in front of you with your knees tucked up against your chest. The farther you extend your knees, the harder it is to get up. Staying crouched lets you pop out of the water more quickly and with less effort.
2. Wakeboarding
If you enjoy snowboarding in the winter or have ever wanted to try it, wakeboarding will be a blast. It is easier to get up on a wakeboard than water skis, largely due to the greater surface area of the board. You start with the board directly in front of you and your feet at equal heights. As the boat pulls you forward via a tow rope, you will naturally swivel to let your leading leg go forward.
Wakeboarding is an exhilarating watersport that allows you to try jumps and flips on the boat’s wake. The wake’s slope acts as a ramp that you can use to launch yourself into the air. Shifting your body weight and controlling the edge of the board determines how much air you get, and you can stay “grounded” on the water if you prefer.
3. Kneeboarding
Kneeboarding is another towed watersport, but many find it easier than waterskiing and wakeboarding. This sport involves resting on your knees on a teardrop-shaped board, with a strap over your thighs to keep you secure. As with skiing and wakeboarding, you hold a tow rope and go back and forth over the boat’s wake. Kneeling naturally lowers your center of gravity compared to standing on a wakeboard, increasing your stability for easier balancing.
You can also catch air on a kneeboard if you feel adventurous, but be mindful of your knees since they are locked onto the board. With less shock absorption, you can handle the landing one of two ways — by landing tail-first at an angle to absorb some of the impact, or by clearing the wake completely and nailing the transition on the other side.
Feeling adventurous? Try doing a 360-degree turn on a kneeboard.
Kneeboarding is easy to pick up and is an absolute blast for anyone looking to rip around the water behind a boat. Compared with waterskiing and wakeboarding, it is by far the easiest tow watersport to pick up.
4. Surfing
Surfing has been around for thousands of years and has made an appearance in many cultures. From South America to Polynesia, there is evidence of people catching waves both for fun and for fishing since prehistory.
If you are near the ocean, there is no time like the present to try surfing for the first time. It involves long stretches of waiting for the right wave, but when that wave comes, there is no feeling quite like it. You eye it as it rises behind you. You paddle along with it, giving a few more paddle strokes than you think you need, and voila — your board locks in. Away you go, riding the force of the wind and tide toward the shore.
Surfing is fun for the whole family, as long as the children are big enough to ride a board and the waves are not too big for them.
5. Bodyboarding
Bodyboarding is a fantastic surfing alternative if you want a milder option. Like surfing, it involves catching waves, but it requires you to lean forward on a board rather than standing on a solid board. All you need to do is wait for a wave that is just about to break, paddle toward it and then ride it all the way to shore.
Bodyboarding is also great because it requires a very small investment in equipment, and it is perfect for all ages. Rentals are cheaper than surfboards, and buying one will not cost you more than $20 to $30. You can also really ride the waves with a bodyboard. By digging in your elbows and leaning to either side, you can cut side-to-side and move along the wave as you would with a surfboard.
6. Body Surfing
Body surfing combines the relaxation of swimming and the excitement of catching waves, all without the need for a board. It takes a little more effort to catch a wave while body surfing because your body has a smaller surface area than a board, but do not let the extra effort dissuade you. There is something undeniably elegant and beautiful about catching a wave with nothing but your body. It is a fun pastime that requires no additional equipment and gives you and your family an excuse to spend some extra time in the water.
7. Canoeing and Kayaking
Embark on a relaxing adventure in a canoe or kayak, paddling around to see what you can find. Kayaking and canoeing are peaceful ways to enjoy the water. You can listen to the sound of your paddles lapping the water as you make your way through lakes, rivers, inlets, and more.
In some areas, you can explore hidden coves, see unique aquatic animals and wildlife, and make fun stops along the way. Make your trip extra special by packing a picnic lunch.
8. Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding has become a popular activity for its ease and versatility. Stand-up paddleboards are more buoyant than surfboards, making them incredibly stable and easy to paddle in lakes, rivers or oceans. This stability also makes them versatile because you can stand or sit on them depending on your comfort level. Pack some snacks or a picnic lunch in a waterproof container to enjoy while floating on your paddleboard.
9. Fishing
Fishing is a favorite pastime for many. Whether you are fishing to eat or to catch and release, there is something enchanting and rustic about casting a line into the water and seeing what nibbles.
Each type of fishing has its own techniques and equipment. Anglers of all ages can engage in pond, river, ocean and reservoir fishing. Fishing in rivers and lakes is considered one of the most relaxing forms of fishing because it requires minimal gear. You can cast your reel from shore or fish from a canoe or kayak for extra fun. Before fishing, check local fishing authorities to ensure you have the necessary licenses and permits.
10. Windsurfing
Windsurfing is an exciting watersport if you are up for a challenge. It involves a sail-propelled board you maneuver by shifting the sail and your body weight based on the wind’s direction. Windsurfing is a fantastic way to practice balance and coordination while getting in shape, and it is never boring because the wind and water are always changing.
11. Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding, or kitesurfing, may sound similar to windsurfing, but these two watersports are vastly different. When you kitesurf, you stand on a lightweight board and manipulate a kite in the air using a tow bar. With the right wind gusts, you can glide across the water or catch some waves.
12. Sailing
Sailing is not exclusive to large, extravagant boats. You can also sail on a catamaran, which combines two pontoons and a sail to create a small boat. Many companies rent catamarans to encourage families to spend time out on the water. Taking a course on sailing is a fantastic option if you have never tried it before, and learning this skill creates a great sense of accomplishment.
13. Jet Skiing
A Jet Ski is the motorcycle of the open waters. Depending on which state you are in, you’ll need to look into what license is required to drive one. Once that is taken care of, prepare for an unforgettable good time.
Jet Skis allow you to jump waves, turn on a dime, go for spontaneous swims and explore water that is too shallow for boats with propellers. A Jet Ski’s speed on the water feels twice as fast as it actually is. Jet Ski rentals are popular and readily available for rent in many places.
14. Parasailing
Parasailing is something that everyone should try at least once. You get to sit in a small plastic vessel, strapped in as if you are about to go on a car ride. This vessel is attached to the back of a powerful boat by a retractable line on a winch. As the boat takes off, a giant parachute behind your vessel catches the wind and begins to lift you into the air.
You owe it to yourself to experience the sensation of soaring through the sky, hundreds of feet above the water. Much like being in an airplane, but far more fun, it provides an incredible view over the world below. Parasailing is exhilarating but not scary, and you can expect a slow, gentle ride through the air.
15. Skimboarding
If you find yourself near the ocean, skimboarding — also called “sandskimming” — is a great sport to try. The board is much smaller than a surfboard, and there is little in the way of hazards other than the risk of falling in the sand a few times. Luckily, you can fall on soft, wet sand under shallow water.
To skimboard, find a relatively flat beach and wait for a wave to come in and begin to roll out. You will need a thin layer of water on the surface. If it is too deep, the board will not skim properly. Run parallel to the beach, drop the board on the water, and “run” onto it. Try to avoid jumping and instead step onto it with the intention of evenly distributing your weight. Bend your knees and ride it out.
You can also skim on waves, which involves jumping on your board and heading out toward a wave that is about to crash. Turn around sharply on the wave and surf it as if you are on a surfboard.
16. Swimming Laps
Swimming laps lets you maintain an elevated heart rate while minimizing impact. It is a full-body exercise with numerous health benefits and very little downside as long as you do not mind getting wet. Whether you are swimming laps in a beautiful pool or doing so in a lake or ocean, you will love the effect it has on your body.
Swimming increases your endurance, your musculature and your heart health. It is a fantastic weight loss exercise that builds cardiovascular strength while boosting lung capacity. Your muscles will quickly get toned. Because you are using your arms, back, core and legs, you will find an equal distribution of toning all over your body.
17. Pool Games
If you grew up going to the pool in the summers, you were probably part of a world that revolved around pool games such as Sharks and Minnows, Categories, Marco Polo and Fire on the Wall. Starting one of these old-time games at the pool is fun for both kids and adults. Relive your childhood and share traditions with your kids as you race for the far wall or bob about trying to tag others.
18. Snorkeling
The ocean is full of wonders just below the waves. There are intricate and brightly colored coral reefs, schools of beautiful fish and rock formations that predate the continent. You can buy or rent a set of flippers, some good goggles and a snorkel for an unforgettable underwater adventure.
This is one of the best watersports for kids and families. Remember to put sunscreen on your back, because floating around just under the surface of the water can actually magnify the sun’s rays.
19. Scuba Diving
Scuba diving requires a class and a certificate, but this incredible skill allows you to explore the hidden world beneath the waves. At times, scuba diving feels like exploring another planet, and it is a wonderful family activity. You can explore coral reefs while marveling at marine life like barracudas and manta rays. Different bodies of water offer different types of scuba diving. While freshwater diving is available in some places, most are based in saltwater.
20. Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is something your family can try together if you camp near the mountains. This guided experience promotes bonding, teamwork, hard work and unbelievable fun. If you are looking to stay cool while camping, whitewater rafting is an exhilarating and unforgettable way to do it.
Splash, Explore and Stay Cool at Kampgrounds of America
If you are looking for a vacation idea, few options beat camping. Camping connects you to the great outdoors, offering endless opportunities for relaxation and excitement. When you choose to stay at KOA, that does not mean you’ll lack conveniences, though — KOA offers a number of convenient amenities and fun recreational activities for a memorable stay.
Many KOA campgrounds offer pools or are conveniently located near bodies of water, such as beaches, lakes, rivers and ponds. Check specific campgrounds and their surrounding areas to see what new water adventures you and your family could try on your next camping trip.
KOA is dedicated to making your family’s next camping trip one they will remember for years to come. Reserve your next stay today.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
