It might seem like the summer is a long way off right now, (unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere) but nothing is stopping you from taking a break somewhere tropical this winter, or thinking about what you might get up to next year.

As a result, we decided to put together some of the best sporting activities you can do at the beach. They’re fun, and most of them will help with the beer belly.

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

Wikipedia

Stand-up paddle boarding, also known as SUPing, has gained in popularity, mostly because you don’t have to be some sort of trapeze artist with superhuman balancing abilities, like you do on a surfboard. What looks to the outside observer like a mix between kayaking and surfing, paddle boarding is actually a lot easier to master than most people think. Paddle boarders look for surf as it rolls in from the ocean, and then catch a wave, riding it to shore, using the paddle to guide them in the right direction. There are plenty of opportunities across the US – either Atlantic or Pacific Oceans will do.

Jet Subwinging

Move over jet skiing, there’s a new sport in town. It’s called, for want of a better term, jet subwinging. It’s a lot like jet skiing, in the sense that you’re being pulled along by a boat. But the difference is that you’re underwater, holding on to something that looks a lot like a fin. The fin, combined with the speed of the boat, give you the sensation that you’re flying underwater – which, in a sense, you are. You’ll need a few water sports accessories to have a good experience. But once you’ve got the kit, it’s a heck of a lot of fun.

Sailing

Wikipedia

Is sailing a sport? Well, if you count sitting out in the sun, drinking a cool beer a sport, then yes, it is. If you don’t have your own boat – after all, why would you – there are plenty of opportunities to go out on somebody else’s as part of a tour. Here, you’ll get to enjoy stunning coastlines, but just be careful. Weather at sea can be dangerous so plan well in advance.

Kiteboarding

It seems that the variations on regular surfing know no bounds. One of the most exciting and fastest growing alternative is kiteboarding. Not only is it easier to keep your balance on a kite board than it is a regular surf board, it’s also more exciting because of the fact that you’re able to take giant leaps into the air, perform tricks and generally have a thrilling time, all thanks to the big kite flying above you.

Wikimedia Commons

Kiteboarding relies on the power of the wind and the presence of water, and now people are doing this sport anywhere that hosts both. Just make sure that you do your 40 foot jumps over water and not over land. Otherwise, you’re fun times might suddenly come to an end, thanks to a broken leg or two. See a coach before you get started for maximum benefits.