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aquatic sports

10 Of The Most Popular Aquatic Sports To Do On Vacation

by Royal Holiday November 16, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Aquatic sports are a great way to spend your time on holiday being active and exercising while you are away from home. What is so great about these activities is that they are extremely fun, very safe in general if done correctly and also extremely exclusive, as they cannot be done anywhere else but out in the open ocean. Warm weather, sunny beaches, and blue waters, are the perfect environment to engage in these amazing sports that can enjoyed by everyone from the youngest members of the family to the most daring and adventurous. Today in Royal Holiday Cruises, we take a break to talk about some of the most fun water sports you can find as you travel with us around the world.

Sailing

Sailing is an activity that requires some experience in order to do alone. It is not difficult to find tours that can take small groups sailing and even teach them a thing or two about how to do the basics. Sailing is all about sing wind propulsion to push a craft through the water but in some situations, it can be done over land or even ice.

Surfing

A very popular sport and probably one of the first ones that come to mind when you think about aquatic activities. Surfing has many different variations depending on the type of board, the size of the waves and the experience of the user. Surfing is a sport that anyone can take up and in most beaches where people practice surfing, you can rent equipment so you don’t have to buy an expensive and cumbersome board in order to get started.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is one of the best aquatic sports to get started. All you really need is a mask and knowing how to swim. Snorkeling is perfect in order to enjoy the beauties of the ocean and the whole family together can enjoy as a great bonding experience.

Scuba Diving

Image courtesy of John at Flickr.com

Scuba diving is the advanced version of snorkeling. With the use of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, you can submerge and enjoy a prolonged stay under the ocean. Scuba is perfect for enjoying the wildlife first-hand and exploring a world that is otherwise unreachable to us. The only drawback to scuba diving is the fact that you do need to be certified to do it, even with a guide. The good news is that some places offer flash courses with just the basics you need to do the equipment and have a guided submersion under the supervision of a qualified guide.

Kite surfing

Kitesurfing if the combination of surfing on a board while holding onto a portable sail that gives you wind propulsion. Experts of kite surfing can do a lot of different tricks and gravity-defying feats under the right wind and water conditions. The sport is also great for those who want to get a good workout and probably fall quite a few times.

Parasailing

This sport has many variations and it can do in many different environments, but when it comes to the aquatic version, it usually requires a boat and a parachute. The person gets strapped into the sail or parachute and attached to the boat by a line. As the boat takes off, you get flown up into the air and follow the trajectory of the boat. One of the best things of parasailing is that you need no experience to enjoy it and the view you get from above is simply beautiful.

Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaking is a beautiful way to sightsee with the whole family. Sea kayaking is great in calm waters as you watch the sunset and enjoy paddling out to different spots. You do not need any special experience and the activity is very safe if done in proper waters. Kayaks can accommodate 2 people or more in it

Standup paddling

Another aquatic sport that is becoming more popular lately and easily available in more places around the world. SUP involves the use of board similar to those used in surfing and a large paddle to row standing up. The sport can be very calm but also extreme if done by a professional who can use waves as ramps to jump up in the air.

Jet Skiing

Jet skiing is a very cool activity to practice but it is not recommended to anyone under the age of 18, as it can be very dangerous. Jet skis can be powerful machines and quite fun to pilot, especially in calmed waters.

Flyboarding

This is one of the newest aquatic sports out there that is making the rounds all over the world. A flyboard is a small board similar to a skateboard that gets strapped to your feet. Under the board, you have a hose that shoots a strong water stream that can shoot you several feet up in the air and allow you to hover and move around freely.

November 16, 2016 0 comments

Destination Tips

As If Anyone Needs More Reasons To Visit Amazing Iceland

by Royal Holiday October 29, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Iceland is a volcanic island located on the Atlantic Ocean, filled with geysers, glaciers and hot springs and the capital of Reykjavik.

Fishing is the main economic activity of Iceland and throughout the years it has ruled the landscape of exports to the world. Products derived from fish come a close second place to fishing as they produce things like fish flour, fish oils and even fertilizers. In order to visit Iceland, the main requirement you must meet is to have enough time to spend there and see everything that it has to offer like it’s beautiful forests, impossibly blue thermal springs, interesting people and amazing landscapes.

Why should you visit Iceland?

Iceland is one of the safest places to visit and to enjoy your vacation time. The crime rate is extremely low and the amount of money spend by government in military defense is extremely low, something that makes room to invest in better infrastructure and providing great facilities for its citizens as well as visitors.
Nature and landscapes of Iceland cannot be compared to anything else nowhere in the world. The environment is clean and pure filled with water in many different forms like glaciers, waterfalls, rivers and ice covered volcanoes located just a few meters away from each other. Another beautiful sight of Iceland is the possibility to see the whales as they pass by seasonally and the hot springs that have made Iceland famous all over the world for their natural spas.
Food in Iceland is also one of the reasons why people keep coming back every year as well as their vibrant and inclusive nightlife.

Where should you go in Iceland?

One of the main spots you have to visit is the capital city of Reykjavik, that with only 18.000 inhabitants, open its doors every year to welcome all visitors to its beautiful streets filled with museums, galleries, shops, bars, nightclubs and top notch restaurants. Some of the best places to visit are the Perlan, the Hallgrímskirkja church, the thermal beach of Nauhólsvík, the National Museum, the Kjarvalsstadir Gallery and the Reykjavík boardwalk amongst others.
After seeing the capital, another strong recommendation is to visit the Blue Lagoon, another thermal spa that is very popular and specially fitted to relax in an amazing pool of blue water perfectly acclimatized for your enjoyment.
The Golden Circle tour is another great trip in Iceland that you can take on horseback visiting many places of interest. Before you undertake the journey, you are fitted with the right gear to withstand the cold and asked about your prior experience on horseback so you can be paired with the right companion. After a long road of snow and rocks, you can reach the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can witness the spot where the two continents are divided and also to see the beautiful ice mountains and tour around the ice caps. The second stop is the Geysir and Strokkur hot springs and lastly the Gullfoss Waterfall, a 32-meter drop and one of Iceland’s most famous bodies of water.
Before ending your trip on Iceland, you must take the time to visit the southern coast and enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful beaches located just a few meters away from the Skogafoss Falls. Both of these places are great locations to bring your family and loved ones.

As If Anyone Needs More Reasons To Visit Amazing Iceland

Courtesy of Moyan Brenn at flickr.com

Traditional Icelandic Food

Food in Iceland is mainly extracted from the ocean and some examples of this are trout, cod, salmon and in some cases even whale. However, lamb is also quite popular and ubiquitous through the region. Due to Iceland’s weather and being remotely located from many other countries, people through history have implemented many ways to prepare their food through smoking, drying and pickling some of its dishes. There are plates here that are not recommended to the squeamish or weak of stomach, like the hakarl for example; a delicacy made of shark meat that has been buried for over a month in a process of fermentation and then dried and served straight to your plate. Another example of a strong-flavored dish is the hrútspungur, a type of meatball made with the nether regions of a ram.

During the months of January and February, people in Iceland celebrate a festival that allows you to get a real taste of what the country has to offer in terms of culinary choices. The festival of Porramatur is the perfect place to find a large combination of traditional Icelandic food like Svio, which is the head of lamb cut in half, singed and boiled: another popular choice is the traditional dried fish, different cuts of meat, radish puree, hardfiskur, sheep liver sausages, breads, marinated fish and more. The traditional alcoholic beverage of Iceland is the brennivin, a result of the fermentation of potatoes. Another popular product of Iceland is the skyr, a dairy product similar to cheese that is used in the preparation of many dishes or simply eaten straight up.

If you want to explore more cold islands in your next holiday, make sure you check out of blog at Royal Holiday Cruises for ideas and the best information when choosing your next destination.

October 29, 2016 0 comments

Cruise Tips

The Best 10 Things To Do On A Cruise

by Royal Holiday September 26, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Opting to traveling in a cruise line is one of the best decisions you can make your holiday choices as well as a great investment for spending time with your loved ones. One of the things everyone loves about cruise ships is the comfort of having it all there within reach and not have to worry about anything in the world; all of it while this amazing fortress of a boat travels the oceans on its way to your next wonderful destination. Here at Royal Holiday Cruises, we give you always the best information on how to make the best out of your time while cruising. Today we want to talk about some of the best activities of onboard entertainment you can enjoy, so you can be sure to have a great time the next time you stay with us.

Diner and a Show

The diner and a show routine are becoming more and more popular every year, with cruise lines like Carnival showing great performances by the dancing waiters that put on shows that include something for everyone, from classic tunes loved by all, to the best Bollywood hits. “Cirque Dreams & Dinner” onboard Norwegian Epic and “Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy” aboard Norwegian Breakaway are two great examples of some of the best interactive entertainment you can see in all the seven seas.

Live Music

Original music, as well as some of the coolest covers that go from Jazz and Blues to the latest hit on the top 40 charts, are here just for you. These shows can take place pretty much at all hours of the way and can be small and intimate through the different bars and dining areas of the ship, to large performances and shows for all the guests traveling in the boat.

Comedy shows

Comedy is geared towards the whole family, with some of the funniest adult content presents later in the evening. Great comedians are always present and in the case of Carnival, they have George Lopez himself to be their “curator of comedy” and handpick the talent that will have the task of entertaining the lucky guests. Be sure that comedy crews are some of the funniest in the world to be chosen to be here.

Hitting the Gym

Gyms inside cruise lines have some of the most modern equipment and well maintain facilities available. It is important to take care of your health while traveling and exercising a little bit is not a bad idea. People have a tendency to overeat or forget about their workout routines while traveling, but if you like to stay focused and be disciplined with your fitness goals, the gyms are there for you. Most of them have specialized classes that can make the whole experience be a lot of fun, so be sure to check them out to see if there is anything you like.

Activities for Children

Your kids can find paradise when they travel in a cruise. Most lines have a whole separate entertainment programing section just for children, which is great for them and wonderful for you as well. Kids can join onboard “camps” where they can be guided by counselors in many organized activities, sports and just all kinds of opportunities to have fun. Some cruises even have more specialized programs designed specifically for children, so check them out before you book so you can make the best choice thinking about the whole family.

Aquatic Sports

Aquatic sports are very popular in cruises traveling through the warm waters of the Caribbean for example, where you can engage in scuba diving, snorkeling, wakeboarding, sailing, water-skiing, wind surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Some ships also have an inflatable water trampoline, giving you a destination to swim to.

Image courtesy of Connie Ma at Flickr.com

Destination-themed activities

Princess Cruises, for example, offer a great and wide variety of destination-themed entertainment depending on where you are traveling. Some examples are:

The chance to meet Alaskan lumberjacks with North to Alaska, Hula dancing and ukulele lessons in Hawaii, street pan drum lessons in the Caribbean, mariachis on deck in Mexico, traditional Maori performance in New Zealand and even Brazilian samba dancers in South America just to name a few.

Romantic Diner

With all the great available choices to dine on board, you will for sure find a way to escape the rest of your group for the evening and enjoy a wonderful romantic dinner with your significant other. Just imagine the soft breeze and the perfect weather to accompany you in an unforgettable experience.

For those curious about the machine in which you are traveling, you can take a guided tour and explore the engine control room, medical center, galley, laundry operations and many other areas of the ship. It is unlike anything you have ever seen for you.

Get off the boat

Don’t miss your chance to get off the ship and see the world for yourself. There is a reason why locations are picked so carefully and is so you can make the most out of your journey.

September 26, 2016 0 comments

Royal at Sea

An Overview Of The Beautiful Islands Of Thailand

by Royal Holiday August 7, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Thailand is filled with hundreds of islands complete with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. These tiny paradises are visited constantly due to all the great activities you can take up and also because of its amazing landscapes, perfect for a long holiday. These small tropical heavens are what make Thailand one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. The diversity of activity going on within the beaches is never-ending, but one of the most popular things to do is to engage in aquatic sports, mostly due to the tall waves and the fast currents available at these places.

Bangkok is Thailand’s most populous city and also the most visited destination for those who want to see the country. Starting from Bangkok there are two main directions you can travel towards to see the islands and beaches. Due south, you can find the islands Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Koa o, Ko Phi Phi, Phuket, Ko Lanta, The Kabri Province and Railay Beach; and to the east you can find the city of Pattaya and Koh Samet. Make sure you do your research when it comes to the weather and the activities you can find at these different destinations before taking off from Bangkok towards your destination.

Islands to party and find a lively atmosphere

Ko phangan and Koh Phi Phi are some of the best options for those looking for nightlife, beach parties, loud music, firework displays and strong cocktails and drinks. The parties at Koh Phangan are much bigger than those Ko Phi Phi but they both have amazing nightly event to entertain and draw tourists. This has become a tradition on this area so the islands are known for their lively atmosphere and their big celebrations. Ko Chang is also known for Lonely Beach and the great events they hold here, of the them is celebrated on full moon on Haad Rin and is considered one of the most popular beach parties in the world, gathering between 10,000 and 30,000 people in the past few years. Backpackers, campers and all type of travelers frequent the area due to the great places you can find here to pitch a tent and spend the night surrounded by beautiful scenery. Wake up to some of the most amazing mornings with the sun coming up of the waters.

Islands for quiet vacationing and a soothing atmosphere

The best islands for quiet tourism are known for having secluded and lonely beach areas. Ko Phangan can also be included in this category in spite of being host to one of the world biggest full moon party, because with that one exception, the place is very quiet otherwise and filled with caves and secluded areas perfect for relaxation.

If you are looking for a completely isolated island with few tourists and no nightlife, then you have to visit Koh Nang Yuan. This amazing place is actually made up of three islands connected by a beautiful beach.

Another beach known for its peace and quiet that we cannot leave out is Koh Similan and its sister islands. This island is a lot bigger and is part of the national park; it’s famous for its rocky formations specially Sailboat Rock, known for its shape and size.

Ko Kood Island is another great peaceful destination located in the southeast of Thailand. The island is perfect to rest and getaway from everything, mostly due to the fact that it hasn’t been explored nor promoted in excess so it is still considered new territory compared to its neighboring islands.

Image courtesy of Rushen at Flickr.com

Islands known for aquatic sports

Thai islands are famous for their strong water currents, perfect for all kinds of aquatic sports. Amongst the most visited islands by sports enthusiasts you can find Koh Tao, located in the gulf of Thailand, measuring just 7,5 kilometers in length. The island is a favorite amongst lovers of SCUBA diving and snorkeling so the place has been adapted with the right infrastructure to accommodate this activity. Thailand is considered to be one of the best destinations for underwater exploring, for having some of the biggest biodiversity in the planet, millions of marine species, coral reefs and species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Snorkeling in Thailand is perfect. The temperatures are adequate to spend long hours underwater without being fatigued and to see a great variety of fish and marine life. Phuket is another great destination for active explorers who want to take up snorkeling since the price of introductory courses is not high and this is one of the best places for people of all ages to be introduced to this amazing activity.

For more articles about the best islands to visit, the coolest things to do and the most amazing cruises to board check out our blog at Royal Holiday Cruises today.

August 7, 2016 0 comments

Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

The Best Aquatic Sports In Paradise

by Royal Holiday May 29, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

The Caribbean possesses wonderful marvels like its turquoise waters and soft sandy beaches, matched by its diversity in foods and cultures that make this place such special destination. The Caribbean is known for its breath-taking landscapes, but mainly for its amazing islands that allow partaking in a great number of aquatic sports, perfect for all lovers of these activities and those who want to experiment them for the first time.

The warm temperatures of the waters make it so much easier to spend the entire day engaged in a wide array of aquatic activities like snorkeling and scuba diving, which seem to be the visitors’ favorites.

Scuba Diving

Having bottles of compressed air strapped to your body as you discover the depths is definitely the ideal way to go about this type of underwater exploration. However, due to the number of risks and the training requirements of this activity, scuba diving must be done only by those who are certified or accompanied by a proper guide during immersions.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling or free diving is a low-tech version of scuba diving that doesn’t really require any equipment but instead it does call for being in great shape. Even though the immersions are shorter in durations, they require less technical handling of equipment and therefore allow you to enjoy the views much better.

Other sports.

Underwater sports are not the only options of course, one may also enjoy kite surfing, kayaking, fishing and surfing amongst many others.

Places in the Caribbean to enjoy water sports.

Cabarete Beach

Cabarete is found on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. There are many hotels, exquisite restaurants, bars and tourism in this small coastal island. Wonderful mountains, lagoons and amazing landscapes, surround the place. Its beaches are privileged by white sands and clear waters where people engage in windsurfing and kitesurfing. The PWA windsurfing tour has taken place there before.

Image courtesy of Guillaume P. Boppe at Flickr.com

Isla Margarita

This island belongs to the province of New Spain in Venezuela and is known and the pearl of the Caribbean. Its tropical weather allows sports like wind and kitesurfing, and sights of beautiful coral reefs for those into scuba diving. The area constitutes of four important islands called Virgen Gorda. Tortola, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Flyboarding is a common activity in the area, due to the clarity of the water and the depth that allows to “fly” while underwater and also when coming up with ease. Flyboarding is an amazing experience you must try. Yaque beach is perfect destination for this sports but only for those advanced practitioners.

Granada

Nicknamed the Spice of the Caribbean. This place is great for relaxing in beaches were more passive activities take place. Sailboating, fishing as well as cycling and trekking are quite common here. Those into scuba diving will be delighted to visit aquatic park Molinere where they will find underwater statues very deep down in the water. Granada’s three main islands are Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Aruba

Known for its amazing weather and quiet beaches, Aruba offers adventure so much in sea as in land. Exquisite foods from all over the world and a vibrant nightlife with many places that will for sure entertain its visitors.

If you are into aquatic sports, the winds you’ll find in Aruba’s beaches will keep you hooked to wind and kitesurfing, jetskiing, parasailing, snorkeling and many, many more.

Seabob

This type of scooter is an underwater propulsion vehicle that allows a passage to travel fast and smoothly underwater.

Kayaking

Mangroves and hidden caves are everywhere to be seen and waiting to be explored as you watch the sunset in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.

Underwater Walking

This is not your regular entertainment. Underwater walking allows you to explore the sea bottom with the help of a special helmet and feed the fish by your own hand. It requires no prior experience and everyone can enjoy it as long as a trained guide accompanies them. One of the coolest experiences about this activity is visiting a sunken airplane and watching all the creatures that inhabit the place today.

Diving

Aruba is famous for scuba diving due to its amazing formations of coral and the sunken SS Antilles measuring more than 400 feet in length.

Atlantis Submarine

Atlantis is an underwater adventure like no other. Being in Aruba is the perfect opportunity to take place in this amazing underwater ride and visit places like the coral reef, Barcadera and to witness with your own eyes the mysterious sunken airplane.

Check out our deals and don’t miss a great opportunity to visit all of these locations and engage in all of the great activities they offer. Visit our website and find more information here.

May 29, 2016 0 comments

Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

These are the best places for aquatic sports

by Royal Holiday March 29, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Water sports all those that are related to -you guessed it- water, from diving deep coasts to gaining momentum with our windsurf board. Activities that combine these sports with days of white sand and exotic cocktails in lounges symbolize the quintessential traveler’s leisure. Take a deep breath, pack your equipment and get ready to enjoy these top destinations for aquatic sports.

Tarifa (Spain)

The Atlantic coasts of Morocco, Spain or Portugal are known for their surf friendly nature, but if we have to choose a place we’d stay with Tarifa, the surfing mecca in the Costa de la Luz. This is where the city of Tarifa, windswept during practically the whole year, hosts numerous followers of surfing and kite surfing, schools welcome newbies and beaches such as Bologna become the best water playground during any season. Then nothing better than to continue the day with a glass of fine wine at any little beach bar in the area.

Fernando de Noronha (Brazil)

Located about 400 kilometers away from the Brazilian coast and near the Ecuador is one of the best islands in the world, limited to a few visitors who have access in order to preserve its wild beaches and marine species such as dolphins, hosts who populate the bay of the same name in which a snorkeling session is obligatory. If you seek more variety you can go to Baia do Sudeste, where you can swim with turtles, stingrays, sharks, goldfish and even talk to biologists who are still studying a unique, UNESCO world heritage ecosystem.

Everglades (United States)

After making your way through the clubs and beaches of Miami, surely you will feel thankful after spending a day in the tropical zone of the United States: The Florida Everglades are a mangrove system consisting of 10,000 islands where camping trips are enlivened with relaxed paddleboarding sessions, canoeing, kayaking and even fishing. A perfect place to practice any of these water sports in a more dynamic way, or a particularly relaxed one if we want to enjoy the swamps, palm groves and tropical birds in their best form.

Coruh River (Turkey)

Going through the rugged mountains of Kackar, in northeastern Turkey, the Coruh River has become one of the busiest and most suitable streams for rafting, especially in the months of May and June, when the melting of the ice on the mountains increases the river flow considerably. A wildlife ranging from bears to mountain goats, mountains full of pine trees and a trip that takes you under the bridges and ruins of Byzantine origins make up one of the great meccas in the world for rafting lovers.

Townsville (Australia)

In 1911, the SS Yongala departed from Melbourne to Cairns, on the coast of Queensland, northern Australia. It was during this journey that a hurricane sank the ship, killing its 122 passengers. More than a century later, Townsville companies, the village closest to the wreckage, have turned their seas into one of the best destinations for wreck diving, a type of diving that allows you to go through shipwrecks in which the past merges with colorful fish, rays, corals and sharks.

Image courtesy of DJ Spark at Flickr.com

Puerto Vallarta (México)

This is one of the most recommended places for those who enjoy water sports. There we can find many unspoilt beaches; hidden, rocky or sandy coves, ideal for practicing many activities like snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, fishing or even bungee jumping over the Pacific. A complete adrenaline rush! Puerto Vallarta is a priority destination for risk and adventure sports lovers.

Bunaken Marine Park (Indonesia)

One of the most beautiful places in the world for diving, snorkeling and diving, it features beaches of extraordinary beauty, coral reefs with a high ecological value and not in vain: this area is one of the best for sports immersion, not just in Asia, but worldwide. However, it is recommended that we go always accompanied by local guides, as currents and eddies in the area are common, which could be very dangerous not only for inexperienced divers, but for anyone who is not familiar with the environment.

Miramar (Buenos Aires)

This is a good place to go fishing in Argentina, although during the summer season this can only be done at night. It is customary to venture to the edge itself in an SUV, but if you prefer to walk you can get to the nursery following a path that leads to El Remanso. In addition to the beach in Miramar you can practice sport fishing at the fisherman’s wharf or the breakwaters or jetties, from where you can fish without any swimmers around and make pitches in zones of greater depth.

These destinations for aquatic sports harbor all kinds of activities according to the tastes of different kinds of people. Here we have the energetic rafting or the almost meditative character of any snorkeling practice in warm lands; hobbies that make up the best vacation under high temperatures, in front of rivers and coastlines that are waiting to be explored.

March 29, 2016 0 comments

Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

Unusual aquatic sports that will amaze you

by Royal Holiday February 3, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

If you plan to go to the beach, or a place with a lake, a canal, or a river for your next vacation, you will be probably thinking about what kind of aquatic sports you could enjoy while having a good time in your destination. You would perhaps think of some popular sports. For example, if you like to practice some sports in the water, you would probably go for swimming, diving off springboards or platforms, snorkeling, or even water polo. If your preference is more on the side of sports on the water, you will probably go for some sport related to skiing, boating, surfing, canoeing, fishing, parasailing, rafting, and so on. Or if your preference is to go underwater, you will indeed want to try other kinds of sports such as diving or finswimming.

But even though they can be a lot of fun to practice, these sports are but the most popular ones, and do not really give you a clear idea of the many options that you have at hand to enjoy your time when you travel to destinies where you have access to good bodies of water. And in fact there are plenty of options to practice some other aquatic sports during your vacation. Maybe you will enjoy that new sport so much that you will even become more serious about it, and start practicing it in a regular way when you are back home.

The following two sports may give you an idea of some unusual sports that you can take into account when you plan your next vacation. They take place in destinations that you will surely enjoy after you devote some hours to practice them.

Bog snorkeling

Bogs are not usually considered as specially good attractions for tourists when they travel around the world. After all, what could one want to see in a bog? Probably not much, most people would think. However, a group of Welsh friends thought otherwise in 1976, when they started talking about the possibility of practicing snorkeling not in the sea, in a lake, or in a river, as most people would do, but in a bog. Yes, that is right, in a bog. Since those early days, bog snorkeling has grown up so much that the World Bog Snorkeling Championship began to be held annually since 1986 near Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales, United Kingdom, the birthplace of bog snorkeling.

The main idea behind bog snorkeling is that, in the shortest possible time, competitors be able to complete two consecutive lengths of a water-filled trench. The trick, however, is that this trench, with a length of 60 yards (55 m), has been cut through a peat bog. To complete it, competitors must rely on flipper power exclusively, so conventional swimming strokes are not allowed. Wetsuits are not compulsory, but competitors are required to wear snorkels and flippers.

Image courtesy of Ethreon at Flickr.com

Bug snorkeling is practiced mainly in Wales, but some events also take place in Australia, Ireland, and Sweden.

Fierljeppen

For sure, you have seen different events of pole vaulting at some point in your life. After all, it is one of the four major jumping events in athletics, and a regular sport in the Olympics. But pole vaulting is no fun at all if you do not practice it on the water, or at least that is what the Frisian people, in the Dutch province of Friesland, have thought for centuries.

Netherlands is famous for being located under the sea-level, but one consequence of this is that the country has many waterways. In order to get around these waterways easily, farmers began to use poles to leap over water drainage channels, so they could have access to different plots of land. Thas was the origin of Fierljeppen (from the West-Frisian terms for “far”, fier, and “leaping”, ljeppen), a sport whose first official match took place in 1771, but that was properly structured in 1957.

Image courtesy of bertknot at Flickr.com

To practice this sport, you only need a long pole (between 26 and 43 feet / 8 and 13 meters long) and a body of water. The pole must have a flat round plate at the bottom, which prevents it from sinking into the muddy bottom of the river or the canal. Contrary to pole vaulting, in Fierljeppen you do not run with the pole in your hands. You run towards the pole, which is in the water, jump, grab it, and then climb to its top trying to control its movements over the body of water. You finish by landing on a sand bed located in the side opposite to your starting point.

Fierljeppen is practiced mainly for fun and for the entertainment of tourists in the Netherlands nowadays. However, an official National Fierljeppen Manifestation (NFM) still takes place annually. There are also numerous clubs in the country, and six leagues where championships are contested.

February 3, 2016 0 comments

Royal at Sea Royal Caribbean Royal Holiday

New and exciting extreme aquatic sports

by Royal Holiday January 21, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

The definition of an extreme sport is a type of activity , which is also called action sport, that involves a high level of danger. Stunts and difficult movements are the main idea and the degree of risk, injury or even death is present at all times. The most common extreme sports are aggressive rollerblading, skateboarding, freestyle motocross, bmx and surf. While these are urban sports , there are other new and exciting sports popping up everywhere, especially in the water.

We give you a small guide to understand some water extreme sports that are now being practiced around the world and that someday you can get to try out.

Wakeboarding: it is a sport where you ride a wakeboard over a surface of water. It is a combination of skiing, snowboarding and surfing. The idea is that the rider is towed from a motorboat at speeds of 20 – 30 mph depending on the rider’s need and comfort. The boat creates a wake and this wake is used by the rider to do stunts and jump combinations to make it an extreme sport. As a variation, the boat is not always necessary and cable systems and customized water crafts are often used.

Flyboarding: it consists of a board with a high-octane contraption that sends the rider flying into the air. It has a long pipe which sucks the water supply and leaves a trail behind as the riders burst into the air at full speed. It is designed to reach stability in the air and then dive into the water. The rider can perform tricks as he feels comfortable in the air and do special movements as grabs and spins.

Kitesurfing: it uses a modified surf board and while it is held on to a kite that harnesses the power of the wind to gain speed and air. There are many types of kite surfing including freestyle riding, racing, freeride and jumping and kitesurfing in the waves. It is considered an extreme sport as it involves a huge amount of speed and tricks can be done with it. It is similar to skateboarding and snowboarding and some of the tricks are borrowed from these two sports. Big air jumps, grabs and spins are the basics for this type of sport. Also high speed sailing is common and a lot of world records have been broken, reaching speeds of almost 94 kphs.

Image courtesy of Zach Dischner at Flickr.com

Blob jumping: not considered a sport but more of a water activity or hobby. The idea is to place a giant, partially inflated air bag on the water, also known as a blob, and jumping on it to catapult another person into the air. You will not see any competition of any type, as it is not the most stylish way to reach air, but you can certainly do tricks and spins while you are at it. Flips are very common in this hobby and most water attractions are getting into the trend. It is dangerous and fun at the same time, and if you do it with style you can reach you adrenaline levels very easily.

Subwing: this sport is relatively new. It consists of carbon fibre hydrodynamic wing that is hanging from a boat and the person hangs on to it. It seems dangerous as nobody want to be left behind in the ocean or be trapped in a reef. You can reach speeds of 2 to 4 knots and it has a user manual. You can try to makes some spins while you fly across the water , but be sure to know what you are doing as the water and ocean deserve respect while you are underwater.

Surfing: the most popular and old extreme sport in the world. The rider uses a board to cut through waves. The current trend is to do big wave surfing, which consists of looking for the most amazing and biggest waves to surf and come out clean and alive. Only professionals should attempt this kind of surfing as the strength of the ocean can hit you very hard if you haven’t mastered the skill of surfing at its full. Common competitions are seen in San Francisco, Chile, Mexico, Oregon and Baja California.

Be sure to be on the look for these sports on your next vacation to the ocean. Some of them can be tried by normal human beings with no expertise, but other are better left to be done by the pros and people who know what they are doing. If you are driven to extreme sports, be sure to check with your adrenaline boost and remember to be safe at all times. Don’t go crazy on your new sport as it can bring injuries and even death. That is why they are called extreme water sports

January 21, 2016 0 comments