Swimming

What is it? Back stroke, front crawl, butterfly or freestyle - basically doing lengths up and down a swimming pool, in tight unflattering clothing and slap-head hats!

Benefits: Tones all your body without causing stress to your joints. It is a great way for those with sports injuries or recovering from surgery to exercise as the water takes the strain of your body weight. Swimming has a burning potential of 350-420 calories per hour. Plus being able to swim is an essential life skill, as in it could save yours.

Drawbacks: Wetness, verucas, children pissing in the pool

What will you need? 
Swimming costume/ trunks, goggles, swimming hat, towel, access to a pool.

Water Polo

What is it? A sport played in water with two teams of seven players. Each team is aiming to get a ball in the opposing team's goal. Matches are in quarters, each lasting seven minutes.

Benefits: All those of swimming plus those of team sport, plus there are around 300 clubs across the UK.

Drawbacks: You need to be a confident, competent swimmer to take part, and even then it can take six months to master the moves and build your strength.

What will you need? Swimming costume/ trunks and goggles. When you start playing in competitions you'll need team hats and trunks and match fees.

Windsurfing

What is it? Like surfing but with a big sail, windsurfers are often spotted falling off their boards in lakes or the sea. Good for those of you who live near water but where the surf is pathetic. The best way to get started is to take a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) beginner course in enclosed water (lakes).

Benefits: The feeling of freedom and invigoration, stimulation for body and mind, fun.

Drawbacks: Initially it can cause tiredness, bruises and much falling in to the water. It's expensive too.

What will you need?  Wetsuit and boots; a board, the rig (sail, mast, boom and mast foot), roof rack, car, insurance, buoyancy aid.  

Waterskiing

What is it? Skiing in water basically; the water skier stands on two skis and get towed across a lake or bay by a speedboat. Think bad action movies shots.

Benefits: Strengthens upper body, improves balance and posture.

Drawbacks: Falling in/ off all the time at the start, facing the elements, bruises and tiredness at the start. It is a summer sport so you'll have to find an alternative in the winter months and on foul weather days.

What will you need? A wetsuit, a boat, someone to pilot it and fish you from the water.

Updated: 19/10/2008