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Benefits of board sports -

Practicing board sports delivers a double dose of benefits, both physically and mentally. These action-packed activities are designed to push your skills and endurance to the limit, all while promoting an active, healthy lifestyle.

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Improved balance and coordination -

One of the biggest perks of board sports? Better balance, coordination, and stamina. By hitting the board, you're constantly challenging your muscles and nervous system to adapt to all sorts of situations. It's a full-body workout that keeps you on your toes—literally!

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Muscle strengthening -

Board sports are fantastic for building overall body strength. Each type of board sport targets different muscle groups, giving you a comprehensive workout. This full-body strengthening not only helps prevent injuries, but also boosts your performance in other physical activities and sports.

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Stress reduction -

The magic of board sports lies in the deep connection with nature and the rush of endorphins that come with every maneuver. This combo is a stress-buster like no other, offering a perfect escape from daily routine. It’s no wonder that board sports are a go-to for anyone looking to unwind and recharge.

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Surfing -

The OG of all board sports originated in ancient Polynesia and then spread across the world. It mostly happens out in the ocean, where surfers harness the waves' energy to glide across the water. It demands perfect balance, admirable physical shape, and, most importantly, a profound respect for Mother Nature.

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Surfing -

Surfing thrives in countries with prime wave conditions like the US, Australia, and Brazil. The World Surf League (WSL) hosts the annual Championship Tour, showcasing the best of the best. The sport made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, officially riding into the big leagues.

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Paddle surfing/standup paddleboarding (SUP) -

Paddle surfing, or standup paddleboarding (SUP), has become a sensation, thanks to its easy accessibility. SUP board enthusiasts paddle while standing, sitting, or kneeling on a paddle board, turning every body of water into a playground. The sport offers a perfect mix of fun and fitness, helping you build strength and balance while you enjoy the aquatic surroundings.

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Paddle surfing/standup paddleboarding (SUP) -

SUP is making a splash everywhere: from exotic coastal beaches, to serene lakes and winding rivers. Start with some core-strengthening exercises and add a dash of balance activities, like SUP yoga, to your routine. Keep in mind that you can always bring your family, your friends, or even your pet!

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Wakeboarding -

Born in the 1980s, wakeboarding brings together waterskiing, snowboarding, and surfing into one adrenaline-pumping experience. Riders carve the waves on a board, towed behind motorboats at speeds of around 50 km/h (30 mph). Whether it's a competitive sport or a leisurely ride has been debated, but its proposed Olympic entry speaks volumes.

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Wakeboarding -

Getting the boat speed just right is essential for smooth gliding and easy maneuvering. Depending on your shape and motivation, learning to jump in the boat's wake could be an exciting goal, as it allows for performing tricks in the air.

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Bodyboarding -

Surf historians trace the origins of this exhilarating water sport to the Pacific Islands. Polynesians were the pioneers, gliding over waves on paipo boards while lying down. Over time, this ancient tradition of wave riding evolved into standup surfing, suggesting that bodyboarding might actually predate modern surfing.

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Bodyboarding -

Bodyboards are a budget-friendly alternative to surfboards, making it easy for anyone to dive into the fun, whether in tropical or chilly waters. Although it was once frowned upon by surfers, bodyboarding has risen to the top as one of the most popular and accessible board sports on the planet.

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Kiteboarding -

Kiteboarding has taken the world by storm as an exhilarating sport. In just three decades, it has become the fastest-growing board sport globally. This thrilling activity blends the finesse of sailing, the wave-riding skills of surfing, and the gravity-defying stunts of acrobatics.

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Kiteboarding -

In kiteboarding, riders control the kite with their arms as they glide across the water. This wind-powered sport is incredibly versatile, whether in oceans, rivers, lakes, gulfs, or harbors. But the fun doesn't stop there; kiteboarding is also gaining popularity inland with land kiting, and on snowy slopes with snowkiting.

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Windsurfing -

Windsurfing is a dynamic board sport that blends the best of surfing and sailing, and was invented in the late 1960s by Californians Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer. Practiced on a board with a sail, it lets you harness the wind's power to glide smoothly across the water.

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Windsurfing -

If you’re considering mastering the art of windsurfing, it's best to start in the summer and in locations known for reliable wind, as choosing the right spot is key to fully enjoying windsurfing. It’s very popular in locations with reliable winds like the Canary Islands, Tarifa in Spain, and Lefkada and Rhodes in Greece.

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Skimboarding -

Skimboarding originated in the 1920s in Southern California, where lifeguards used wooden planks to glide across the shore's water surface. Today, modern skimboarding involves riding a sleek, flat board on a thin layer of water, and, in the case of skilled riders, catching breaking waves in coastal areas with shallow waters or tidal pools.

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Skimboarding -

In skimboarding, you transition from running straight to standing on the board—no paddling needed! Skimboards are thinner, narrower, and shorter than surfboards, and unlike surfboards, they don't have fins. Since it takes place at the meeting point of sand and water, it is considered more dangerous than traditional surfing.

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Skateboarding -

By the early 1950s, surfing laid the groundwork for skateboarding in two key locations: California and Hawaii. Some ingenious surfers decided to bring the sensation of riding waves to the streets during calmer days. These trailblazers earned the appropriate nickname "asphalt surfers," and their vision materialized into a new board sport.

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Skateboarding -

Nowadays, skateboarding enjoys global popularity, with millions of fans around the world. The sport made its Olympic debut in 2021 at the Tokyo Games, and continues to be one of the most popular urban board sports catering to its unique subculture.

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Snowboarding -

Snowboarding is a breathtaking sport that merges elements of skateboarding, surfing, and skiing as riders carve down snow-covered slopes. In the 1920s, the sport evolved from humble beginnings using plywood and wooden planks with ropes, clotheslines, and horse reins as makeshift equipment.

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Snowboarding -

The best way to learn snowboarding is by taking a course at a winter sports center or ski resort. If you can't make it to those places right away, you can start with skateboarding or surfing to practice balancing. Like surfing, snowboarding requires good core strength and stability, so it's also important to work on your physical fitness.

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Sandboarding -

Though never quite recognized as an official board sport, sandboarding is typically enjoyed on steep coastal dunes and in hot deserts where water is merely a mirage. This practice actually dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians, who used wooden planks to slide down dunes and transport heavy cargo.

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Sandboarding -

The quality of your ride depends on both the steepness of the dune and the type of sand. In some cases, sandboarding can disrupt fragile ecosystems and change the dynamics of sand movement in an area. Fortunately, many of the world's top sandboarding spots are in regions where nature remains unharmed.

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Mountainboarding -

Initially created to enjoy the appeal of snowboarding all year round, mountainboarding has evolved into its own full-fledged sport. While snowboarding can be pricey due to travel costs to snow resorts that require ski passes, mountainboarding offers a more accessible alternative, as it can be practiced almost anywhere.

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Mountainboarding -

This board sport combines the thrill of snowboarding, skateboarding, and off-road biking. It involves riding a versatile, off-road board with air-inflated tires on rough terrains like hills, grass, or gravel. Learning to mountainboard is relatively easy, and most people are up and gliding comfortably within their first hour.

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Longboarding -

Also known as downhill skateboarding, longboarding originated in the early 1950s in California and appeals to those with a passion for speed. This discipline focuses on riding at high speeds while maintaining control of the board, and, yes, it’s as crazy and dangerous as it sounds!

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Longboarding -

Downhill longboards are specially designed and allow skaters to achieve speeds exceeding 80 mph (over 125 km/h). In these almost surreal high-speed races, a maximum of four athletes compete per round. Starting uphill, they race down a road course as fast as possible, with paramedics on standby to ensure safety.

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Skysurfing -

Skysurfing is a sublime board sport that combines the elements of skydiving and surfing, as riders jump from planes performing stunts as they descend to the ground. Mastering skysurfing demands extensive practice, with over 250 skydives needed to achieve the optimal skill level to be allowed to jump from a plane.

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Skysurfing -

Despite being a recognized competitive sport in the 1990s and early 2000s, skysurfing's popularity has declined due to safety concerns and the high costs associated with planning each jump. If you still decide to give it a go, remember that each session comes with significant risks, putting your life on the line.

Sources: (Sports Brief) (Sports Foundation) (Red Bull) (SurferToday.com) 

See also: 30 adventure destinations for thrill-seekers

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