Water sports are some of the most popular activities for people of all ages. They’re also among the most dangerous, with an alarming number of injuries and deaths occurring every year.
That being said, there are a lot of amazing water sports out there that we’ve ranked from safest to riskiest. From snorkelling to scuba diving.
What is a Dangerous Water Sport?
These activities are dangerous because of the high risk of injury or death. If you’re thinking of trying one of these activities, but aren’t sure if it’s dangerous enough for you, read this article first.
In some cases, even experienced swimmers have been killed while participating in various water sports. Even if you’ve done most of these activities before, it’s important to understand the risks involved. If you’re not sure if an activity is dangerous, don’t do it!
Scuba Diving
Diving underwater is one of the most popular water sports out there. It’s also one of the most dangerous, especially if you’re not properly trained. Divers should undergo extensive training before participating in scuba diving. Most importantly, divers should be aware of their ability to handle the high risk of injury.
Accidents happen all the time, even in experienced hands. The scuba diving industry records an average of 18 diving-related deaths per year. Most of those deaths are a result of inadequate training, equipment, or both.
Spearfishing
Spearfishing is surprisingly not a dangerous sport by any measure. Spearfishing is one of the oldest sports out there, dating back to the Mesolithic period. This ancient practice is still practised today, mostly in parts of Africa and Asia. Regardless of when it was first introduced, spearfishing is a very safe activity.
The main risk is the risk of injury while fishing. It’s important to be careful while fishing, especially when you have a spear. Spearfishing is also a great way to introduce beginners to the sport. It’s highly accessible and requires little in the way of equipment.
Kayaking/Canoeing
Kayaking and canoeing are extremely accessible sports. That’s part of their appeal to so many people. This accessibility coupled with ease of entry has made kayaking and canoeing two of the most common dangerous water sports out there.
One of the reasons these sports are so dangerous is that a large number of injuries are also caused by the equipment itself. As with scuba diving, a large number of injuries are a result of improper training or equipment.
Snorkelling (aka. “Skinny-Dipping”)
Snorkelling is one of the most popular and dangerous water sports in the world. It’s a great way to explore underwater landscapes and wildlife. Unfortunately, it can also be very dangerous.
A large number of deaths and injuries occur while snorkelling. A primary cause of these injuries is the extremely shallow depths at which snorkelling takes place. The risk of drowning while snorkelling is very high.
Surfing
Surfing is one of the most versatile sports out there. You can perform surfing on almost any body of flowing water. The only real limitation is the size of the wave.
Shorter waves may not be able to support surfing. Fortunately, most rivers and lakes have enough wave action to facilitate surfing. Surfing is also one of the safest dangerous water sports. Most injuries occur when surfers fail to properly assess their ability to handle the risks.
Swimming
Swimming is probably the safest dangerous water sport out there. It’s also a very accessible sport, which makes it even safer. One of the main reasons swimming is so safe is because of the low risk of drowning.
Drowning is one of the most common causes of death in dangerous water sports. Swimming is extremely accessible and requires little in the way of equipment. It’s also a very accomplished skill, which makes it even safer.
Rafting/River Jumping
Rafting and river jumping are among the most dangerous water sports. They’re also one of the most extreme forms of activity. Most rafting accidents involve an inexperienced rafter and a dangerous rapid.
River jumping is a similar story, with most incidents involving someone attempting to jump a river. A large number of deaths and injuries occur while participating in these activities. This is because they pose a high risk of injury.
Conclusion
The great thing about water sports is that you don’t need to be big and strong to enjoy them. Swimming and snorkelling are great for people of all ages and experience levels. But, be careful out there! A little readiness and caution can go a long way. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you set foot in the water. Your safety is important, so don’t skip these safety tips!
