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water 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

Royal at Sea

The Top 8 Most Popular Water Sports In The World

by Royal Holiday June 28, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Here in Royal Holiday Cruises, we like helping you make the most out of your vacation getaways by giving you the best tips for going on holiday, telling you about the most exclusive destinations you must see and finally giving you all the insider information about the things to do and to enjoy while you are there.

Water sports are a great activity to do on holiday

especially because they are activities that usually not readily available unless you are in the ocean, because there is just something about scuba diving in your backyard pool that just doesn’t sound right.

Here we present to you, some of the most popular water sports in the world, so you can make sure to be ready to enjoy them, next time you decide to visit one of our wonderful destinations around the globe.

Banana Boat

The Banana Boat is a timeless classic that continues to be popular all over the world, especially in tropical areas where the water temperature requires no wetsuits since getting wet is pretty much guaranteed. For those unfamiliar with this awesome craft, the banana boat is an unpowered, inflatable recreational boat meant for towing. The sled can accommodate from 3 to about 10 riders depending on the model and the power of the boat that’s being used for towing.

Wakeboarding

Wake boarding is another tow and surface water sport, which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing techniques. The level of skill required is variable and can be easily enjoyed by first-timers as well as by experts in other type of surface sports.

Image courtesy of Shayne Thomas at Flickr.com

River Rafting

Also known as White Water River Rafting, this is a truly extreme sport that takes a lot of stamina and courage to perform. At the same time, beginners in the right conditions can do it since not all courses are as fast and dangerous. River Rafting can be done using large rafts especially designed to carry a team of riders, or individually in smaller kayaks.

Scuba Diving

The word SCUBA is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, a term coined by its inventor, Major Christian Lambertsen. The system is very popular amongst vacationers that want to explore the depths in some of the most beautiful underwater destinations all over the world. The only disadvantage of SCUBA diving is the fact that it takes a lot of training to be able to do it without a guide. However, most destinations offer quick courses that cover all the basics and with the help of a guide and instructor, will have you breathing underwater and living a one in a lifetime experience.

Cable Skiing

Cable skiing is a new take on the traditional water ski or wakeboard where the water-skier is pulled by an electrically powered cable instead of a motorboat. The electric motor of the cable is quiet, clean and energy-efficient, making this activity a lot more environmentally friendly than regular water skiing. Cable Skiing is very popular in Europe but has been gaining momentum in the United States where it has become very popular in recent years.

Jet Skiing

Another great and popular choice for adrenaline lovers. A jet ski is a motor powered watercraft, similar to a scooter or a motorbike that can carry one of two riders at great speeds on the surface of the water. Jet skiing is not recommended for children due to being dangerous because of the high speeds that can be reached.

Parasailing

Also known as parakiting or parascending, is a recreational activity where a person attached to a parachute or kite, is towed by a boat and carried up into the air. Parasailing is a great activity that requires no training since the person attached to the sail does not control it. Parasailing is not really a water sport, is considered more of a fun ride that will provide you with the greatest view possible of your location.

Snorkeling

According to Wikipedia, snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually fins. This is one of the most popular sports in the entire world, mainly because of how accessible it is to anyone and how little skill it requires you to have in order to get started.

The Caribbean is one of the greatest places to get started in snorkeling or to visit if you are already an initiate of this wonderful activity. Snorkeling is a great activity to bond with your loved ones, to practice as a family or with your partner that will not take up a lot of time nor your budget with expensive or cumbersome equipment.

June 28, 2016 0 comments

Go extreme in the water on the most beautiful beaches in the world

by Royal Holiday June 16, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Following up on my previous blog on New Exciting Extreme Aquatic Sports there are some new ones out there worth mentioning. Of course, there are some water sports that have even become quite common like surfing, kayaking, rafting, and even kitesurfing and windsurfing is becoming quite popular. Although there are some new ones that will blow you away and if you are an adventurous spirit, you’ll find your way to a beach to give it a try.

Water scooters

If you’re a huge fan of being in the water, but are not big on swimming, well you’ve got to consider getting on some kind of motorized vehicle to make your life a lot easier. Water scooters is definitely one of the ways to go! With a water scooter you can dive deeper and faster with the personal water propulsion device that you carry with you. And to top it off, it’s actually very easy to learn how to use. It can be tons of fun and there are lots of beaches that are now renting them.

Hydro flying

If you are interested in using motorized devices that make your activities in the water more enjoyable, but not necessarily under the water, this is another option for you. The jet-pack could be an option, but this one does take a lot more practice. It is recommended to take lessons, which can run from $50 to $100 per session. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, it can definitely be fun for those who love doing tricks as you hover over the water.

Flyboarding

Similarly, to the hydro flying, it takes time to master. Flyboarding was inspired in the Back to the Future hover board. It has two water jets attached to the board allowing it to hover over the water. Learning how to use it may take a few more lessons, but will be well worth it when you feel yourself hovering over the water!

Flybiking

Although, it is quite similar to the previous ones mentioned, in this one you’re seated. The fact that you’re sitting does make the learning curve a lot faster, and lets you glide over the water and control your movements a lot easier than flyboarding and hydro flying.

Cage diving

Image courtesy of Ben Robinson at Flickr.com

If you ever dreamed of exploring the ocean without having to worry about the incoming sharks, or any other dangerous sea creatures, cage diving can make your dreams come true. Cage diving is basically when you are lowered into the ocean inside of a steel cage to protect you from all of the animals you may encounter.

Open water swimming

Any open body of water like an ocean, lake or even river can be the place to go open water swimming. The objective of open water swimming is to swim in open bodies of water with target distance or location. The first ever recorded open water swimming was in 1810 when Lord Byron swam several miles to cross the Hellespont, which is now known as the Dardanelles from Europe to Asia.

Jet boarding/surfing

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ued-lMSNkow

HAWAII – JET SURF – NEW EXTREME SPORT

Image courtesy of XTreme Video at YouTube.com

Jet boarding or surfing is something completely new, where there is no need to chase the waves to surf. It’s basically a board that has jets attached and allows you to similar surfing on any type of water surface even if there are no waves. Check out the video of some awesome jet surfers in Hawaii.

Hawaii is one of the most amazing destinations you could go to try any of these new water sports, and Royal Holiday can get you one step closer. You can even read more on the Best Extreme Sports to Practice in Hawaii in our previous post.

When checking out the different destinations, be sure to check out these three fabulous Royal Holiday resorts located in Hawaii.

The Cliffs Club

Located in Kauai, The Cliffs Club is part of the 22-acre Princeville Resort which is simply breathtaking with its tropical garden and view of the North Pacific. You can find two tennis course, children’s playground, pool, spa and two nearby golf courses and a casino. Hawaii will prove to be a paradise, especially while you stay at The Cliffs Club with its activities whether it be an exciting helicopter ride over the mountains, or simply quietly enjoying the sunset. Besides practicing water sports, you can can enjoy trekking, hiking and cycling in and around the resort.

Mauna Kai

The romantic spot is considered a paradise by most of its visitors. You can enjoy the walkways with waterfalls, gardens and ponds that are simply amazing decorations around the pool. The suites are simply amazing and perfect for a romantic getaway, and have all of the amenities that you’ll need while staying on the island.

Kona Coast Resort

Finally, any of the suites can offer either mountain or ocean view. You will find fully-equipped kitchens, washers and dryers in every suite, along with TV in the living room and every bedroom. The resort facilities include a poolside restaurant, shuffleboard, swimming pools, spas, tennis court, weight and aerobic room, as well as a jogging path. The view will almost not make you want to leave the resort, but you’ll go once you remember the tons of water sports you can practice down at the beach.

June 16, 2016 0 comments

Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Holiday

Keeping life fun in the water with Waboba

by Royal Holiday February 28, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Waboba, short for WAter BOuncing BAll, is a new ball designed in 2005 which is be able to bounce on water and promises to Keep Life Fun, like its slogan says. This internationally patented ball has even evolved from only being a fun toy to a full out sport. It has since come out with many additional land and water accessories and toys, but is still known for the original Waboba.

Some of you might say: All balls can bounce on water, so what’s the big deal. Well, that’s only partially true. All balls CAN bounce on water but only in the right conditions, which is when it’s thrown at a shallow angle with enough speed to let it bounce off the surface. This is true even for large solid steel balls. This principle was put into practice during WW2 when the inventor of the “bouncing bomb”, Barnes Wallace, used it in a raid in the Ruhr District dams. He deciphered the physics behind making marbles and any sphere bounce on water. Many people attempted to create and commercialize some kind of sphere that could bounce on water similar to the skipping rock scenario. Jan Von Heland was the first to attempt to perfect the combination of material and composition to make a ball that could bounce easily on the water and in 2004 patented the Waboba. There were other similar balls such as skidderball, but lack of background check and investigation has maybe led to a little confusion with regards to its competition and the ball’s history, so this made for misleading publicity.

Image courtesy of Waboba Channel at Youtube.com

CLICK VIDEO

You must throw the ball on the water like you would a pebble on a lake, so you can have fun with this high bouncing ball. It doesn’t bounce on land since it is especially designed for being used on the water. Afterwards, there have been continuous modifications and now there are in total 6 styles: pro, extreme, surf, blast, big kahuna, and fetch. The Pro Waboba is special for athletic uses where control and accuracy are the key be it in a lake or ocean. The Extreme one is perfect for a lake ocean due to its far, fast and high bounces. The Surf version is specially designed for beginners and it’s very easy to play with it be it in the ocean or a lake. The Big Kahuna is the biggest Waboba ball and is also the most multipurpose ball being able to be used in lakes, oceans and pools. The Blast ball is perfect to play in a pool and will guarantee tons of fun. Finally, the Fetch version is great for dogs. All of these versions are designed to give you great fun with a ball that bounces on water!

The Waboba Ball sold for two years in Sweden before branching out to Europe, United States and Australia in 2007. The following year it expanded once again to other markets like Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom and the following Brazil, China Singapur, among other countries in Asia and Europe. The expansion continues until in 2013 Waboba has presence in absolutely all European countries and continents with the exception of Antartica.

Once the ball opened the doors to playing sports and other leisure activities with it, other water accessories came out for use in the water like: Catch, which is a glove paired with Waboba Pro, and Waboba Lacrosse used with the Waboba Extreme ball to play water lacrosse. There were also some for land such as Moon (a super high bouncing land ball), Street (unpredictable bouncing ball) and Flyer (an oversized shuttlecock so you can hit with hands, feet, racket or knees)

How to play the game?

This game is usually described as mix between ultimate Frisbee and water polo. This is a team sport played with teams of 4 in the water with a Waboba Pro ball. The official Match game consists of 3 players on each team passing each other the ball, with only one bounce, until they are able to bounce the ball into the goal and score by getting it past the fourth player, the goalkeeper.

The rules for this sport are quite simple. First of all, the game begins once the goalkeeper has passed the ball along to a member of his team. When making passes these should bounce at least one and must be made in the first five seconds of receiving the ball. If you don’t the aforementioned or it bounces out of the pool the referee will let the opposing goalkeeper start again with a new ball. When defending tackling or holding an opponent is not allowed. For the point to count, the ball must bounce before entering the goal. Finally if the referee considers that any of the rules have not been complied with he can give a penalty for delaying the game and the ball is automatically given to the other team.

February 28, 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

Before you cruise Destination Tips Royal at Sea Royal Holiday

The 3 most exciting watersports to try out on an island

by Royal Holiday January 8, 2016

written by Royal Holiday

Whenever you ask someone what the best vacation would be, a big percentage of the answers will include, warm weather, sun and a beach. Of course there will always be different opinions and points of view, because not everyone has the same tastes and interests, but the beach with the blue water, the sunshine and probably the idea of an island will most likely be everyone´s favorite. The whole idea of taking a vacation in a place like that, in an island like that is all about relaxing and having fun, which is why a place with those specific insights will always be a synonym of vacations. It´s hard to understand how people can live and work in a place where all you want to do is relax. And relaxing means doing what you like, when you like to, with the people you like to. Islands do that to people, and that is the magic about it. Especially Islands where you feel kind of “forced”, in a good way, to enjoy, disconnect from the real world, and why not, get a nice tan. While you do that, you will find that there are many activities that are just perfect for that specific place you chose to get some tropical energy. Tropical islands are the right place to practice and to explore a great variety of watersports that you probably didn’t imagine you would try out some day. These watersports will make your stay in any island so much exciting, entertaining and challenging. You will not only have fun, but you will find new things about yourself that maybe you didn’t know. You will be able to get rid of silly fears you thought you had with water and find a genuine and undiscovered passion for a watersport you had never tried out.

Here is a list of the 3 most exciting watersports you can tryout on an island. In case of deciding to try one of these watersports out, make sure you do it with responsible schools and instructors, especially if it is the first time. Just because it’s fun it doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful. Watersports require a lot of physical and mental control and concentration. Most of them require some ability and skills. The good news is that just like any other activity, the more you practice it, the better you get at it, and you could even become a “pro” at it.

Surfing

Surfing is one of the most fascinating water sports. It has origins in Polynesia, where this practice was part of its culture. Others say that the first surfers were found in Tahiti and in Samoa, almost three centuries ago. The magic of surfing is that you learn to ride on the wave. Since it is a surface water sport it is very important to know the wind and currents and to know what the exact moment is to get on the board after seeking for a wave. There are many surf schools on inlands. Experimented surfers and instructors are available to teach visitors techniques and tips to find out what it really is to enjoy the waves.

Scuba Diving

The world would only have one version if it wasn’t for scuba diving. The world underwater is certainly something amazing that was able to be explored in detail and individually, because of all the technology that has been developed for scuba diving. The term scuba is an acronym for “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus”. Some say that scuba diving feels like flying, only without the fear of falling. The sensation of freedom and the astonishment you will experience once you are able to see so many animals, so close, so free, so calm, is such a breathtaking experience that you will only want to live the experience over and over again. Scuba diving schools are also always available on islands, especially if they have beautiful diving sites in the area. There are different dive courses you can take. Each one of them will give you a certificate that will be required every time you decide to dive somewhere. Make sure you take it with you.

Image courtesy of Pedro Paulo Cunha at Flickr.com

Kitesurfing

As another surface water sport, kitesurfing differs a bit from the traditional surfing. Kitesurfing includes one more element that is essential to the existence and the uniqueness of this water sport. The Kite is what makes it so special, because it allows the rider to take full advantage of the wind, in order to move forward and to make movements that are the ones that give this sort all the excitement. It combines aspects from different sports such as skateboarding, windsurfing, snowboarding and even paragliding, among others. There are courses available for people who are interested in learning how this sport works and most people easily fall in love with it.

Image courtesy of Cristian Viarisio at Flickr.com

January 8, 2016 0 comments