As the world decks up for the best parties every year irrespective of season, know that Indians will be safe at home placing all their bets on Goa. You know all the usual deal about Goa, right? Parties, nightlife, lights, music, good alcohol and a great shoreline. So what does a shoreline guarantee to Gen Y? Exotic water sports, of course! Goa is the ultimate adrenaline junkie’s dream come true when we talk about water sports, as it offers excellent facilities for everything under the sun from yacht cruising to kayaking. So from something you’ve read in a novel to something Hollywood is making waves with at this moment, pack your bags and set sail!
1. Yachts and Cruises
Let’s begin at leisure with a laid back one. Yachts and Cruises, although a bit expensive, will take you gliding along the waters with zero effort on your part. You can hire yachts on rental service, and go cruising on beaches like the Palolem and Candolim. You can party on the yacht, or fish or sun bathe.
2. Parasailing
Parasailing is a sibling to the famous paragliding that is enthralling adventurers all over the world nowadays. This one’s as much a sight to see as to indulge in as you remain fixed to a tugging boat even as a colourful sail pulls you across the sky.
3. Flyboarding
Flyboarding is like an advanced level of water adventure sport, and an airy version of parasailing. Here the support system is under instead of above you, and that is a pretty powerful jet ski connected to a jet pack. Indulge at your own risk.
4. Banana Tube Boat Ride
Banana Tube Boat Ride is an activity you can take part in and enjoy along with your friend group. All of you sit inside a water craft that’s shaped like a banana and attempt to row together as you battle the tides in a bid to keep from turning over with your boat in tow.
5. White Water Rafting
This water sport needs little introduction. White Water Rafting has become a by name internationally for adventure sport, and was practiced as early as when Mark Twain wrote Huckelberry Finn. This is also a team venture, and as you navigate your raft together, you can talk, laugh, click and have a good time.
6. Scuba Diving
This one’s equally popular- ah, now we’re coming to the good ones. Scuba Diving requires going underwater wearing a waterproof ventilated suit with breathing apparatus and staying there for some time. Once below, you can watch the fishes pass by, the other sea creatures, rocks and wildlife and feel the picture like quality of it all. Can be done in groups or solo.
7. Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is highly popular with tourists thronging to Goa, and requires some level of fitness to indulge in. You are propelled on a board across the waters and have a power system following you. Generally done solo, ideal time is from November to May each year.
8. Jet Skiing
This is another very innovative sport option. Jet Skiing requires you to navigate a small motor like object across the water, which is propelled on power. You need to propel it in the right direction and you are advised to be wearing life jackets.
9. Kneeboarding
Kneeboarding is halfway to surfing through the waves on a surfboard, which requires considerable fitness and physical prowess. Instead, on this one, you can sit with your knees bent on it and be propelled forward with the board by a motor driven power source going forward from you. Best time is from October to June.
10. Kayaking
This one was the one I was speaking of when I mentioned sports that were global in appeal. Beginning with a laid back one, we finish with one of the kind too, and in kayaking, you can glide in backwaters, lakes or any navigable water reserve through paddling your craft at suitable speeds. You can watch and photograph the surroundings, done in daytime, and the best time is around December.
Goa is known for its very happening tourism scene, and the newest addition to the list of attractions are adventurous water sports. From gliding through waves to gliding in the sky, you take a pick for all fitness and danger levels, perfect for vacays. So strap on your life jackets and return with stories to tell!
