Top Water Activities in New York

New York can be overwhelming with the continuous buzz of people on the crowded sidewalks and the towering skyscrapers giving you an overall disconnect with nature. Why not reconnect and recharge with your natural surroundings by spending a day out on the water trying out these different water activities! These fun options will help you get in a workout while seeing the city from a different point of view and will help you become more in-tune with nature.

Sailing is a favourite past-time of many. There’s nothing quite like feeling the wind in your face as the sails fill up and you begin to keel. You must be in-tune with your surroundings and weather patterns as well as the mechanics behind this invigorating pastime. The Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) offers an intro class into sailing which teaches how to control sails, steer and other essentials empowering people to create their own memories on the water.

Stand up paddleboarding is not only a fun water sport, it’s also a great way to get in a workout outside on those hot summer days. It takes major core strength and serious balancing skills to float on this extra-large surfboard, but once you get the hang of it you’ll never want to get down! There are plenty of companies who offer rentals and lessons for the day such as Kostal Paddle located in Port Washington Manorhaven and Long Island SUP, a company who is authentic in their love of water sports and who has been teaching SUP lessons since 2016.

SUP yoga is a growing fad that presents new challenges to the practice of yoga while connecting people with the outdoors. There are plenty of benefits when trying out this new practice such as challenging the same muscles groups in a completely new  way as you try to stabilize yourself on the board. It will help to refine your technique and make you better at your practice on land.

Take a trip and explore Wreck Valley city, an underwater city of shipwrecks that is inhabited by underwater creatures. You can get to this magical place by taking a three-hour boat ride from Brooklyn and spend a hot summer day in the cool waters of the Big Apple. There are hundreds of shipwrecks to discover in a 60-mile zone stretching north to south from the coast of Long Island through Brooklyn’s shores to the waters of northern New Jersey. The most impressive wrecks you’ll see scuba diving are the Algol, the Lizzie D, the Yankee and the Stolt Dagali.

This is a great way to spend a day in New York; out on the water, under the sun, paddle in hand. Manhattan Kayak is a great place to start whether you’re a novice or a pro, there is something for everyone here, from the basic classes to day trips. Kayaking is the perfect way to feel connected to the nature around you as you sit just above the water line, with the rhythmic stroke of the paddle slicing through the water with every pull. Thinking of purchasing your own kayak but not sure where to start? Here’s a great Buyers Guide from Floating Authority to get you pointed in the right direction.

Flyboarding is the closest thing you can get to walking on water. The board is attached to a 60 ft hose that is connected to a PWC. The PWC throttle controls all the power that goes through to the hose by pushing water through a pipe to the nozzle of the flyboard. Most people are up and flying within the first five minutes, and it helps if you’ve had previous experience with a sport that requires balance. Try out Hampton Flyboard in Long Island.

Kiteboarding combines elements of windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing, paragliding and gymnastics… talk about an extreme water sport! You will need to take a beginner course for this one which you can do at NYC Kite Club in Brooklyn or Long Island locations. The course begins on the beach where you will learn to control and steer a kite in different formations, learn about the wind and weather, how to pick the right location and setup a 4-line inflatable water kite before heading out onto the water for the next 3 hours to practice. The most valuable skill on a kiteboard is how to come to a controlled stop which this company promises to teach you how to master in their beginner course.   These outdoor water activities are a perfect way to spend the day in New York, away from the busy city, recharging with each stroke of the paddle, reconnecting with the wind in your sail and finding inspiration with each new adventure. There’s a whole other world out on the water waiting for you to explore and discover.