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Water Sports – Tracing The Origins Of The Four Most Popular Ones

Water sports: they’re fun to watch, exciting to participate in, and they’ve been enjoyed for ages! We’ve been trying to dominate water since the time we stood up as humanoids. We try to take air beneath the surface, we build crafts to skim across the surface, and we use the power of its resistance to build strength in our bodies.

Water sets the stage for some of the most unique, and yet some of the most common events in the world. Covering 75% of our Earth’s surface, and making up over 90% of our bodies, it doesn’t make you wonder why water has played such a huge role in our personal and professional lives. Let’s dive in!

Swimming:

Swimming is the most popular of the water sports because it is easily accessible and inexpensive. In several of the earliest stories of classical literature, it’s portrayed as a symbol of heroism and religion. The first known documentation of the various swimming methods is Nicolas Wynman’s Dialogue Concerning the Art of Swimming, originally published in 1538. (Historians are still trying to figure out who he was having that dialogue with.)

With the development of swimming pools as we know them today, it became easier and safer for average people all over the world to learn to swim and master it. Swimming was made an Olympic event for the first time in 1896. The most publicized swimming events are the insanely ambitious attempts at swimming across the English Channel. It is a feat that requires strength, endurance – for both the distance and the notoriously frigid waters – and a lot of determination and courage.

The first man ever to swim across the English Channel was Matthew Webb of England who did so in 1875. In 1926, Gertrude Ederle from the United States became the first woman to cross the channel. From speed, to endurance, to form – the different styles of swimming are continuously evolving.

Snorkeling:

Snorkeling is a very thrilling water sport that involves viewing exotic fish and aquamarine life. It’s like jumping into a painting where the views can range from extreme tranquility to paralyzing fright. Humans are definitely land mammals, and snorkeling is how we can enter a world that was not made for us. Long ago, snorkels were made out of hollow reeds.

After swimming, snorkeling is the next oldest water sport. There is a reference to it made by Pliny the Elder in first century Rome. Leonardo Da Vinci, the world-renowned painter and lesser-known inventor, created a more modern snorkel at the command of the Venetian senat. Da Vinci’s snorkel was a tube attached to leather helmets used by divers. Most agreed that his invention was indeed better than a reed. Modern day snorkels are J shaped tubes, usually made of rubber, that open at one end and attach to a mouthpiece at the other end. The average length of the tube is 2 ft (61cm).

Surfing:

Surfing is reported to have first appeared NOT in Hawaii as many people mistakenly believe. Archaeology indicates that Peruvians (people from Peru) were “hanging ten” as early as 200B.C.E. Their boats were made from reeds, and even today, the local fisherman can be seen riding their “little reed horses.”

Surfing really gained popularity in America, mostly in California, in the 1920s. By the 1960s, it was a highly popular sport among young people. When surfing first emerged as a water sport, the best surfers were long, handcrafted wooden boards. They were heavy and cumbersome to maneuver on the water.

Modern surfboards are made of lighter synthetic materials, and they’re shaped in different aerodynamic fashions that allow more maneuverability and movement on the waves than was originally possible. International Surfing Championships are held all over the world including Australia, California, and of course – Hawaii.

Water Polo:

A water sport that originated in England in the 1870s is water polo. It began as a form of rugby played in the rivers and lakes. The name comes from the English pronunciation of the Balti word for ball, pulu. Americans started playing it in the early twentieth century. Today there are several college teams and clubs for this sport.

For a while, Americans tried their own version of water polo that used a soft rubber ball and a larger pool. This game came to be known as softball water polo. However, due to a high incidence of violent behavior and rough play, this variation was abandoned. Men’s water polo became an Olympic event in 1900 and women’s water polo was added in 2000.

These are only a few water sports. There are many others that are equally thrilling, like white water rafting, water skiing, underwater hockey, diving, etc.

Whether you are participating or just watching, water sports are amazingly fun. If you want to take a cool break from the traditional sports like football and basketball, give your body the unique experience of water sports.

Summary:

Water sports have excited and energized people all through the ages. This article takes a look at the origins of four of the popular variety – Swimming, Snorkeling, Surfing and Water Polo.

The Three Main Categories of Water Sports Explored

Water sports have always been among man’s favorite and most challenging sports. Whether it is on the water, in the water or under the water, water sports have always fascinated the adventurer and sports lover. What is it that distinguishes these types of sports from other sports? What are their advantages? In addition, what are the different kinds of water sports? Read on as we tell you more…

Advantages of Water Sports:

Why are they so special? “The sheer fun of being in water,” says 28-year-old Natalie, a water sports lover. According to her, some of the major benefits include:

*They set the stage for excellent fitness exercises that stretch your muscles and build strength in unique ways.
*Unlike other sports, you aren’t sweating as you do them, so even though you’re working hard, your body temp stays cool.
*Since they are so different from other sports, competing in the water, an element we were not built for is a fantastic challenge.
*Especially for those sports, which require holding one’s breath, the athlete must develop larger lungs, capable of holding more air, thus staying beneath the surface for a longer period of time. The natural benefit of larger lungs and the ability to breath in more air is a healthier body. Like water, the more oxygen we can get into our bodies, the more efficiently our bodies work.

There are a large number of sports that involve water. They can be classified into these categories: In the water, under the water, and on the water.

In the Water:

The most popular is, of course, swimming. The human race mastered this skill long ago. Swimming forms an interesting component of several other major sports or activities that include:

*The Triathlon: This is a combination of swimming, cycling, and running.
*Modern Pentathlon: It includes epee fencing, pistol shooting, swimming, show-horse jumping, and cross country running.
*Rescue Swimming: Swimming with a mission to rescue other swimmers. As a water sport, it helps develop a variety of key attributes. Strength, Leadership, and staying calm in high-pressure situations are necessary abilities, which are also great life skills to possess.
*Snorkeling is a very popular water activity. It is the practice of swimming on the surface of the water equipped with a mask and short tube known as a snorkel.

There are several group sports that are played in water. These include:

*Water Basketball: A team, ball, basket, water. It’s very similar to basketball in water.
*Water Polo: A physical team sport that requires strength for hard throwing, endurance, and extremely fast reflexes for defense.
*Synchronized Swimming: A hybrid of swimming, gymnastics, and ballet. Endurance, Awareness, and Flexibility are the hallmarks of this sport.
*Surf Lifesaving is a competitive sport that evolved from the training activities of lifeguards at surf beaches.

Underwater Sports:

These include various forms of diving. Among the most popular underwater sports are:

*Scuba Diving is an adventure unto itself. Each person is required to take professional lessons to learn it after which the person becomes a Certified Diver. With mask, wet suit (body suit) fins for the feet, and a Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA)- you’re ready to enter a world you never knew existed beneath the surface.
*Free Diving: The aim of the diver is to dive in and swim down to the maximum depth without a breathing apparatus. Necessary tools are great lungs, and the ability to equalize the water pressure, which builds on the ears as one travels deeper.

Underwater group sports include:

*Underwater Rugby that is played with a ball that is naturally buoyant. Here breathing is done through a snorkel and tackling is only allowed if you have the ball or are tackling the one holding it.
*Underwater Hockey is played under water with short wooden curved sticks and a heavy puck. In this game, players wear diving masks, snorkels, and fins and must surface to breathe while teammates continue the game on the pool bottom.

Water sports that take place ON the surface are a special breed. They’re usually extremely fast-past, requiring the participant to be fully aware at all times, and can be some of the more dangerous sports.

Surface Sports Include:

*Boating: Races are held every year in different parts of the world. Like car racing, the boats are sometimes made from extremely light, fragile material and the danger level rises with the speeds.
*Canoe polo: Playing polo using a canoe
*Body boarding: This sport is similar to surfing. However, the board is smaller and the person lies on the board.
*Surface Skimming: These types of sports include traditional surfing, water skiing, kneeboarding, and wake boarding. They require great footwork, and excellent balance.

There are excellent water sports associations that offer training, organized expeditions, and adventure sports in thrilling destinations all over the world. The Internet, as always, has the most up-to-date information on how you can get involved. Keep checking regularly, and in the meantime pick your favorite sport and dive in!

Summary:

There are a large number of sports that involve water. They can be classified into these categories: In the water, under the water, and on the water.

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Smart Maternity Swim Suits

Whoever announces that pregnant ladies can’t use swim wear during their pregnancy is mistaken. Today, there are maternity swim suits or swimming gear specifically built to cater the requirements of pregnant women. With the creation of swimming gear for moms-to-be, ladies can now hit the beach, wear the newest fashion in bikinis and show that baby bump during summer escapades. Before, some pregnant girls had to suffer watching folk in enjoying the cool waters. Actually, these pregnant ladies just read books or prepared the food during a family outing.

Swimming in pregnancy is a very effective form of exercise because the water supports your bump and takes away the pressure from your back, particularly in the latter stages. But do women need maternity swim suits for pregnancy or could they make do with their standard swimsuits?

Actually, my aunt is sort of a water nymph for she loves water so much. However, the difficulty was that she had no swim-wear that fitted her. We all know that most beaches have a rule that requires swim wear for men and women.

Some girls like to show off their exposed bump while others like to keep the bump under wraps.

During her 2nd pregnancy, she was happy to discover that a lot of boutiques are selling plus size swim wear. She suspected, “Why not use a plus size? It fits me, so I will use it.” When we went to the beach, her plus size swim wear is not basically good for her body, since it makes her swim uncomfortably as if the swim wear does not fit her. In terms of size, and size swim wear can be constant but on the actual use, it’s not.

Another good style is the “baby doll” which hangs loose and covers your bump whilst the briefs are far more fitted.

The EQ maternity swim wear by Brazilian Bikini is inspired by Harmony Maternity Swim Suits. But for those who desire it plain and straightforward, black color is available too. This means that it can raise curves that does not make the wearers look like mascots.

The development of swim wear or bikinis for ladies with baby bumps is truly profitable not just for sporty pregnant ladies but to all *pregnant women*. Swimming helps exercise and relax bodies of pregnant ladies. Occasionally, there are pregnancy trainings that need women to dip in the water while practicing delivery of the baby.

Today, girls, like my aunt, do not have to watch enviously at the sidelines while others are having fun in the water ; different motherhood swim-wear are here to make swimming possible for them.

Whatever style you opt for it is worth paying that bit more for a high quality swimming suit just because more attention will have been paid to design and comfort. Halter neck styles are great because they are able to be easily changed for additional support and styles that offer support around the bust are great for when your boobs start growing and becoming heavy. A good swimming suit should come with lined cups for restraint and if buying a style with separate shorts, then ones with tie sides are a good selection because they can be changed easily as you grow. Also choose a swimsuit that contains at least 20% spandex or lycra as this will give added support and help the costume maintain its shape in the water.

If you are going to be swimming on a regular basis then it’s a good idea to invest in a proper maternity swim suits as they are so much more content than a traditional swimming costume and some can be employed after the birth.

Tankinis work just as well as swimsuits for pregnancy and offer great versatility as normally the tops and bottoms can be acquired separately, so you have the option of mix and match. Another good style is the “baby doll” which hangs loose and covers your bump while the briefs are way more fitted.

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