Are you spending a day out on the water? Then you can, of course, do much more than just stand at the helm or sit on deck. The water invites you to undertake all sorts of activities. Here are 7 fun and sporty activities you can do when you're out on the water for a day.
Swimming in open water
When you're out on the water, you have water everywhere at your disposal. A refreshing dip from your boat is therefore certainly an obvious choice on a warm day. Swimming in open water gives you a feeling of freedom. However, be careful! In many places, it is not allowed to just go into the water. If you want to enjoy optimally and swim safely in clean water, choose an officially designated swimming water location.
Snorkeling
Do you want to do more than just swim? Then you can also go snorkeling. Put on a diving mask with a snorkel and a world will open up to you. You will be amazed at what there is to see under the surface of the Dutch lakes and ponds. So you really don't have to go to an exotic destination to snorkel. There are plenty of snorkeling spots in the Netherlands that are worth discovering. A good tip: the Leukermeer. You will encounter pike, perch and freshwater sponges, among other things.
SUPing
SUPing is done on a Stand Up Paddle board (SUP board). Paddle surfing, as this fun, sporty activity is called in good Dutch, is very trendy. Standing on your SUP board, you paddle around calmly. That's also good for your body, because you use all your muscles. With SUP-Yoga you can challenge yourself even more by doing all kinds of exercises on your SUP board that are aimed at maintaining your balance. Standing on one leg is really not easy, but practice makes perfect.
Wakeboarding and Flyboarding
Wakeboarding and flyboarding are also sports activities that are rapidly gaining popularity. With wakeboarding, you let yourself be pulled by a boat or cable car and skim across the water. Once you've mastered this new way of water skiing, you can try various tricks. Before you know it, you'll be flying 360 degrees in circles. You'll definitely fly with a flyboard too. With the help of a jet ski that generates two powerful water jets, you'll feel as mighty as Superman and float spectacularly through the air.
Fierljeppen in Friesland
Do you prefer something a bit more traditional? Then you should definitely try fierljeppen in Friesland. Fierljeppen or pole vaulting is an age-old custom in this water-rich province. While it was originally a practical activity to get from one pasture to another, nowadays it is a real sport rooted in Frisian culture. Fierljeppen, by the way, means 'far jumping' in Frisian. How far will you jump? Tie your boat to the shore and take a leap across the ditch.
Sport fishing
Fishing is also a traditional activity that is still quite popular in the Low Countries. More than 1.5 million Dutch people cast a fishing rod at least once a year. Fishing from the waterfront is fun, but from your own boat it gets an extra dimension. On the rippling water you can quietly wait until your float goes under and you hook a fish. It is useful to purchase a VISpas. This allows you to sport fish in over 90 percent of Dutch surface waters.
Cooking with fish
If you've caught a fish, why not put it on the grill? Just clean the fish and your catch is ready to be prepared. Cooking with fish is of course a very appropriate activity with so much water around you. A fish dish will certainly not look out of place on your menu, even if it's not a self-caught fish. You can also bring tasty products from the supermarket and prepare or grill them. Enjoying fish on your own boat is a perfect way to end a day full of activities.
