Water sports as the name suggests are the sports performed in the water. It includes boating, SUP, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling and a lot more.
This sport set your adventure in the water, and lets you explore the beautiful nature away from the modern town.
The alluring nature shots we see on Instagram is enough to make anyone fall for water sports. The coral reef while snorkelling or sunset while kayaking becomes a life goal for many.
But not many can fulfil it! Reason? Most people are non-swimmers, and are afraid of drowning, which makes them ignore it for most of their lives.
Thankfully not everyone is like them.
There are some brave non-swimmers like you, who take a deep breathe and decide to just do it.
But being brave doesn’t mean ignoring the risk. You still can’t swim, so there are some things you must do to ensure a safe journey.
And I will talk about them in detail, so without further ado, let’s get started.
Don’t be Panic
This is a general yet effective guideline most non-swimmers seem to ignore. So, what do I really mean?
Well, non-swimmers know if they go in the water, they will sink like a rock, so they have a strong phobia in or around the water.
They may act like the strongest person alive, but deep inside they still had that little fear. I have known some people who fear water since childhood after some mishap happened in a pool or beach.
Their past accident or their phobia can make them panic when doing some water sports, especially snorkelling where they are completely “in” water.
So, the first rule is – Don’t panic whatsoever. Don’t panic when you are around the water, and especially when you are in it.
If you are on the water, like in a boat, or kayak, then also you need to be as calm as ever. Not only will it help you focus, but also help you survive when needed.
See, panicking isn’t the solution. Of course, it’s natural to panic, but controlling over your emotions and fear is way too important if you want to go long term.
If it’s your first trip, then it’s way too important that you be calm and make it memorable, otherwise, you may end up making some mistake and ruining your trip.
Wear Life Jacket
Safety First. No matter if the water is calm, shallow, neutral, etc. you must always wear a life jacket. Not only you, but anyone going in the water must wear one.
It’s in the law that there must be a life vest present for everyone on-board.
Now, they didn’t specifically say you must wear it, so technically if you just keep it under your seats, you are fine(expect kids).
But since you are a non-swimmers, I will recommend wearing it in/around the water, no matter what.
You may have some excuses like your friend isn’t wearing, or when time comes you will wear, etc.
But the truth is, all the water-accidents happen in seconds and most people can never even imagine that it’s gonna happen.
Even if you do, then also the first thought wouldn’t be to wear a vest, so it’s pretty smart wearing it every time. So, what does a life jacket do?
Alright, some of you may have this query. Well, a life jacket provides you additional buoyancy to keep you afloat in the water.
Most life jackets offer more than enough buoyancy, so you are safe if you wore one. Remember, you must customize it for proper fit, otherwise, it may just slip off in the water.
By customize I mean adjust it to fit you properly because only a proper fit gives maximum protection. Now, the final question you may have – Which one to buy.
Now, this is a hard one since a non-swimmer can’t just buy any he finds in the market. You have to find the one that’s balanced. Like less weight, more buoyancy, more mobility, etc.
Since I don’t recommend getting any vest, I also won’t suggest any from my side as everybody is different. However, you can check best life jacket for non swimmers to get the best one for “you.”
Remember, if you are going for snorkelling then the list changes as snorkelling requires a different mechanism. So, here are some snorkel vests recommenced for non-swimmers.
Follow Instructions properly
Before you get on a water sports, Jet ski for example, you will be given some safety instructions like the speed, etc.
These instructions should be properly listened to and followed.
They can include things like what to do when something happens, like, what to do if you fall off the ski, or what if the ski rolls over, etc.
These instructions can be a life saver when a situation arrives, so having them in your brain is crucial.
If you are on a big boat, the instructions can be more as well, like how to evacuate, etc. It may bore you enough to ignore it(like we do to airplane instructions), but listen to it.
Have additional gear
Since you are a newbie, everything is welcome. Take some safety gear for what-if type situations. You can take a loud whistle, a rescue knife, maybe sunglasses(for focus, not style), etc.
If you are taking some electronics, like a mobile or small camera then get a waterproof pouch or case to protect it. Remember, the life jacket’s pocket isn’t waterproof, so don’t rely on it.
Be together
If you are going with friends(or family), then always be close to each other in/around the water.
It can be possible that your friends are also non-swimmers, but being closer helps a lot.
Firstly, it prevents panic since you will feel a sense of protection when somebody you know is close. Second, in case some mishap occurs, your group can help each other.
Believe it, it’s really effective and can save a life. Its importance increases when you are going in water, like in snorkeling.
If you are alone however, just be close to anyone on-board, maybe a stranger, the person paddling or any other sapien.
The rule of thumb is – Not to be alone.
Conclusion
I talked about some things a non-swimmer must know before setting their foot in the water. I hope these tips help keep you safe in the water. If you like it, do share it with your friends and family. And happy sports.
