This winter, however, plan the perfect getaway to one of the destinations below, or dream about the hundreds of opportunities for water sports they have to offer. The destinations featured are arguably the best locations for water sports on Earth, in the summer or winter.

Spain. When it comes to the perfect kite surfing destination, the coasts of numerous Spanish Islands near Africa have the best conditions. The islands of Tarifa and Tenerife in the Canary Islands have long been known for their clear beaches, incredible surf, massive waves, continuous sunshine, and extremely strong trade winds. See my recent article about the island of Lanzarote for more information.

Cumbuco, Brazil. Another great location for kite surfing and windsurfing is the village of Cumbuco on the Atlantic coast of Brazil. It has long been known as the best location for water sports in South America, due to its constant winds, clear water, wonderful weather, and sparsely crowded beaches. The beach is lined with towering tropical palm trees, and many local companies offer kite surfing rentals and lessons for low prices.

Cape Town area, South Africa. South Africa may not be the first place that pops into you mind when thinking about water sports, but the location of Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape province is by far one of the most famous surfing locations in the world. International surfing competitions are held in the city regularly, and the waves are incredibly huge. The surf break in the bay is regarded as one of the best in the world, with some waves riding for as long as one kilometer. For those looking for relaxation, the beaches are impeccable and the crowds die down during the South African winter months of May to September.

Costa Rica. Costa Rica is one of the newest up and coming tourism destinations. With eco-tourists flocking to its tropical rainforests, water sport enthusiasts are heading to its coasts in just as large numbers. Costa Rica has coastline on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, making it the perfect place for literally all water sports imaginable. Arenal Lake, an interior lake is known for its impeccable wind surfing conditions, due to the constant breezes and scenic views of an active nearby volcano. For water sports at any time during the year, Costa Rica is affordable and accessible to American vacationers.

United States Gulf Coast. Many have seen the recent television commercials, but America’s Gulf Coast, stretching from Ft. Myers, Florida to Brownsville, Texas is the perfect place for water sports all year round. On top of that, the unmistakably Southern hospitality and affordable accommodations have kept the area a popular destination even after the BP Gulf Oil Spill.

The island of Lanzarote is the eastern most of the Canary Islands, located in the warm waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, about 100 miles off the coast of Morocco. With the water temperature never dipping below 66 degrees Fahrenheit, Lanzarote is famous for the multitude of winter water sports that it has to offer.

The south coast of the island is known for its swimming, diving, snorkeling, and boat excursions. Several boat excursions give the option of big game fishing, and even dolphin and whale-watching tours. Visitors who wish for a more relaxing time in the water will find the south side of the island to be paradise – with its several white, sandy beaches and warm, crystal clear waters. Lifeguards are present on most of the popular beaches, and are held to European lifeguarding standards. These beaches are perfect for building sand castles with kids, or going for a distance swim to get the full ocean experience.

The north side of the island is the place for those seeking the thrills of water sports. No experience in the water sports of sailing, surfing, and wind surfing is needed at these beaches. The trade winds provide a constant, strong breeze, which makes the perfectly warm water appropriate for water sports of all kinds. Even in January, opportunities to get on the water are everywhere.

Many locations along the coast allow tourists to charter yachts for the day, and even offer lessons and comprehensive courses. For those who just wish to enjoy a sail without any experience, companies also hire sailors to take tourists out on the water, allowing the visitors to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sea breezes.

Windsurfing has strong roots in the beach communities of Tias, Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca, and La Santa. In Costa Teguise and especially Las Cucharas, the wind picks up considerably in the afternoons, making the beaches only open to expert wind surfers. Beginners may take lessons in the morning when the winds are calmer. Champion wind surfers visit these beaches year-round, especially in the winter to train.

Surfing is also incredibly popular on the north side of the island. The waves at Lanzarote are ranked only behind those of Hawaii, and skilled surfers claim that they are by far the best surfing locations in Europe. The beaches of Jameos del Agua are a notorious challenge for professional surfers, as the waves are extremely turbulent and the wave sections break over volcanic rock.

Whether you are looking for a great swimming location, a world-class windsurfing destination, or some of the best surfing on Earth, Lanzarote is the perfect destination, especially during the frigid months of the American winter.

Panama City Beach, Florida is well known as a local getaway for city dwellers of the South, but beginning in December, it promotes holiday attractions. If you are looking for a location that has water sports even in December, as well as a decidedly Christmas atmosphere, Panama City Beach is the place to go. Below is a list of some of the major water attractions.

Santa’s Beach House. Located just a few steps off of the sandy, white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico is the famous Santa’s Beach House at the Pier Park shopping district. Santa Claus takes a break from the surf to get pictures and meet and greet kids of all ages. This is a perfect place to go swimming, as well as get into the holiday spirit.

Santa’s Beach House Village. The Shipwreck Island Waterpark located near the Gulf is transformed during the month of December into a tropical Christmas wonderland. Lighted displays featuring elves, live reindeer, and other Christmasy touches surround water slides, wave pools, and several other aquatic activities. To remind you that you are still in Florida, lighted dolphins, seahorses, turtles, and fish greet visitors to the park.

Christmas Under the Sea. The 1,500-foot Miller County Pier is completely covered with twinkling holiday lights and several animated displays that reflect on the waves of the Gulf below. If you like adventure, go for a night swim to get the best views of the lights.

The Last Local Beach Club. This is where Santa rings in the New Year. The club puts on an annual dance party on the beaches of the Gulf. Celebrate the New Year with a midnight swim!

Panama City Beach is the perfect place this winter to enjoy the attractions the Gulf of Mexico has to offer, without sacrificing the holiday flair. You can swim or enjoy a relaxing boat ride, and still be warm in December!

Swimming. Many large cities in recent years have constructed recreational facilities that make it possible to enjoy your favorite pool activities all year round, for little to nothing. In 2008, the city of New York constructed the Corona Park complex in Flushing Meadows, a section of Queens. Aside from an NHL standard ice rink for a quick hockey game, the complex houses a 110,000-square-foot indoor public pool. This is the perfect place to get in a swim, play water polo, or take the kids for a nice leisurely afternoon out of the cold. Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and even Minneapolis have similar facilities.

Spa Services. In Japan, hot springs are extremely popular at all times of the year, but especially in the winter. Many of these style spas have been constructed in the United States in the past few years, including a major one in Flushing, New York. Their services usually range from a large hot spring pool, to an indoor swimming pool, and other spa services. These are a great place to relax in the winter, and the hot temperatures of the water make it a great place to do simple exercises. Although this may not be the sportiest of options, it is a great way to keep happy and healthy during the dark of winter.

Indoor Water Parks. Mainly a feature of resort towns, indoor water parks have established a permanent and serious place in American recreation. Yes, there are thousands of water slides, indoor wave pools, and even buckets that dump hundreds of gallons of water on you, but they are surprisingly a wonderful place to stay happy and fit this winter. Swimming in a wave pool can be a great way to tone your abs, and release all of the energy from being inside for days on end. Some notable indoor water park locations include Wisconsin Dells, WI, Sandusky, OH, and the Niagara area of New York.

Surfing. Believe it or not, many locations have begun to offer one of the most quintessential water sports, surfing, indoors. A foam back supports a massive wave on which visitors can get the true experience of surfing. Save yourself a trip to the coast, and just go to your nearest indoor surfing location for the ultimate water sport experience in the winter. Indoor surfing can be found from Wisconsin, to New York, and even to Utah, and is often a cheap entertainment option.

Aren’t you glad that you can still participate in some of your favorite water sports indoors?

Below, I have compiled a list of the absolute most beautiful places to ice skate in the world. Be sure to do yourself a favor and image search these locations, as words can hardly do them justice.

Somerset House, London. This prestigious ice rick is located in the heart of London. Located within an 18th-century palatial home, this rink is framed by beautiful neo-classical English architecture, and a 40-foot Tiffany Christmas tree. This is, by far, one of the most elegant and romantic locations to ice skate in the world.

Rockefeller Center, New York City. The best place I have ever skated, the Rockefeller Center ice rink, is nothing short of iconic. Featured in nearly every Christmas movie set in New York, Rockefeller Center is delightfully placed beneath the mammoth skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan. No visit to New York between the months of October and April is complete without at least a viewing of the rink and the golden statue of Prometheus that watches over it. Thousands of twinkling lights, and of course, the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, further accent the rink.

Yosemite National Park, California. Perhaps the most rugged location on the list, Yosemite, is the absolute perfect place for a nature lover to skate. The Half Dome and El Capitan loom over the ice skating rink with striking beauty. The park in itself is gorgeous, but ice skating takes the beauty of it to a whole new level. Since the 1930s, ice skating has been a regular tradition here for either a romantic skate, or a competitive speed skate.

Potsdamer Platz, Berlin, Germany. Each year, the center of Berlin turns into a winter paradise put on by Winter Welt Berlin. Potsdamer Platz, the most important public square in Berlin, is turned into a wonderland each season from October to January. Not only is there a 40m long ice rink, visitors can also enjoy an Alpine ski hut, a 70m ski slope, and a wide range of competitions to enter. This takes the idea of winter water sports to unique level.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. I recently stumbled upon this landmark ice rink. Located literally on the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower, skaters can enjoy the breathtaking views of Paris while skating on this small ice rink. Placed between two of the tower’s massive steel legs, this rink is not for the faint of heart. There is no better way to enjoy the City of Lights than to skate on this gorgeous rink.

Where is your favorite place to ice skate?

This idea of ice swimming is said to have originated in northern European countries such as Finland, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Many believe it is directly connected with the sauna tradition that warms the body after such a horrifically icy plunge. In Finland, this practice became so popular, that people started establishing Avantouinti Societies, or societies that maintain the ice swimming holes, as well as provide a group of people to take your swim with.

This tradition made its way to the United States in the early 1900s with the formation of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, in which New Yorkers started to hold an annual polar plunge into the Atlantic Ocean every New Year’s Day. On top of this, the members have grown to love it so much, that they swim every Sunday from November until April.

Over time, Polar Bear Plunge events have begun to be held all around the nation, and at all times during the winter months. Many times, these events are connected with charities and are conducted as fundraisers. The national organization, Special Olympics, holds an annual swim in nearly every major, northern city. The largest of these charitable plunges is usually held at Sandy Point State Park in Maryland. This event, known as the Plungapalooza, usually attracts around 7,400-12,000 participants, and it raises nearly $2.5 million. A smaller, yet still significant event, is held in Madison, Wisconsin.  The event in 2011 had 2,176 participants and raised $500,000.

In Canada, the Polar Bear Swim has become something of a New Year’s Day tradition. Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and even Yellowknife, all have plunges for charitable causes.

If you are looking for an exhilarating water sport, forget about sailing or paragliding. Take the opportunity this winter to plunge into the icy shallows of your nearest body of water and help raise money for a great cause.

Because of this, those who participate in water sports need to make safety a priority. And, although it is not peak water sport season, it is always important to keep safety in mind. That way, when the time comes to get back out on the water, you will be well informed of the most up-to-date and important safety tips. Here is a brief list of the most important things to keep in mind.

Weather. Always check the weather before going out on the water. Also, once out on your water craft, wind shifts, lightning flashes, and waves all can be signs that a dangerous storm is imminent. If you are caught on the water, make sure to head to the nearest dock or shore if a storm is approaching.

Gear. Always be prepared with enough gear for yourself, and all of those out on the water with you – for example, a flashlight, batteries, matches, maps, flares, sunscreen, a well-equipped first aid kit, and sunglasses.

Check your boat. Make sure the boat has enough fuel and supplies before leaving shore. And before each season begins, make sure all of the boat’s mechanicals are in order.  (One boater I knew was stuck on a local river for hours, as the steering mechanism in his craft broke).

Drinking Alcohol. Although it is a common practice to drink while out on the water, according to the American Red Cross, “more than 50% of drownings result from boating accidents involving alcohol.” Although it may be tempting, refrain from drinking alcohol, as you have your own life, as well as the lives of others in your control. It is the same principle as drunk driving. Be aware too, that law enforcement does include water patrol.

Life Jackets. No matter what water sport you are doing, save swimming, you should wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket. In the event of a crash, this greatly lessens the chances of injury. Make sure there are enough life jackets for everyone on board.

Lessons. Another important step to take before going out onto the water is to take lessons in the sport you will be participating in. If you do not know how to sailboard, SCUBA dive, or surf, do not try to teach yourself. There are plenty of qualified individuals who can show you the proper, and safe ways to perform these sports. A small investment of time and money is worth your life.

Always remember that your safety, and the safety of others comes first and foremost. Remembering these tips will help ensure a safer boating experience for all. You do not want to become a statistic.

What has become a Northeast tradition, the Pumpkin Sail is the perfect opportunity to take your friends or family out on the water one last time before winter, and get a taste for all of the quintessential fall activities. A typical Pumpkin Sail involves a boat being docked in the harbor of a town. The boat is then packed with fall activities, like pumpkin carving, seasonal foods, storytelling, and even sailing demonstrations. One of the biggest Pumpkin Sails is organized on the sloop, Clearwater, on the Hudson River of New York state. During the month of October, Clearwater will be making its way down the river with stops in Poughkeepsie, Rensselear, Hudson, Kingston, Beacon, and finally the West Harlem Piers in New York City. At each of these cities there will also be a small festival around the pier commemorating the fall season. Simply do a search online to find out if a Pumpkin Sail is happening near your town!

Another form of the Pumpkin Sail is also carried out in the Northeast around Halloween. Children and adults alike take their carved pumpkins to the water and set them afloat in a large, glowing flotilla. The most famous example is the Central Park Halloween Sail, on October 26, in which participants bring their pumpkins and let them float on the Harlem Meer pond. It creates a visually striking sight, as the brightly colored trees of the park frame the scene, with buildings lit up in the background. It is a true New York City experience, with the opportunity to play in and around the water one last time. On Echo Lake in Mountainside, New Jersey, there is a similar event that is so popular it frequently sells out.

Pumpkins and gourds also make surprisingly good boats, if they are big enough. Each fall, there are a few locations around the country where pumpkin regattas are part of the local tradition. Recently featured in Sports Illustrated, competitors literally race gigantic pumpkins. Each year, these competitions take place on Lake Champlain in Vermont, Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin, and Lake Pesaquid in Windsor, Nova Scotia. If you are looking for a truly fall harvest themed water sport, the pumpkin regatta is for you.

Even though the temperatures have changed, and the water is slowly becoming too frigid for a nice boat ride, there are many options to get onto the water. And who knows, in a few weeks you may find yourself paddling across a lake in a giant pumpkin!

The day was perfect, it had finally gotten below 90 degrees, the breeze was warm and strong, and to my surprise, the local kitesurfing shop was giving lessons and rentals.

To begin, kitesurfing is an activity which is a cross between surfing and parasailing. The rider’s feet are strapped into the actual kiteboard, a small composite board, and then they are safety harnessed to the actual power kite with a vast array of safety harnesses and devices for extra protection. Then it is time for take off. The kite will catch a strong breeze and pull you along the shore. You can control the steering, but you are at the mercy of the wind.

Once you start to get the hang of it, you can begin to do tricks, such as controlled flying and jumping. Keep in mind that this does take lots of practice, but once it occurs, the feeling is said to be absolutely magical. It is a complete release of inhibitions, and it really gives you the feeling of flight. Almost nothing can be better than kitesurfing in a warm breeze, on a perfect autumn day. Even in the heat of the summer, or the cold of the winter, kitesurfing is still just as rewarding.

In many vacation locations, as well as anywhere there is a kitesurfing community, die-hard kitesurfers can be seen out on the beach at all times during the year. In the south in particular, the first few cold fronts of fall provide the perfect amount of wind, and for the slow cooling of the horrendous heat. Kitesurfing is done all around the world. From Israel to California to Louisiana to England, kitesurfing is a versatile and extreme water sport, that can manifest just about anywhere there is water and wind.

The only down side of kitesurfing is that lessons and renting equipment can be on the expensive side, especially in places like Florida or California that raise the price for tourists. My local kitesurfing community in Slidell, Louisiana, holds annual shows and even attempts to kitesurf the 24 miles across Lake Pontchartrain.

No matter who you are, as long as you are in good shape and craving adventure, it is necessary that you try kitesurfing if ever given the opportunity. Invigorating, terrifying, and heart stopping – can all describe this one of a kind water sport. So go out and look for your nearest kitesurfing location today!

Boston Harbor Islands National Park. Head into the Massachusetts Bay for a beautiful view of the city skyline and the fall foliage. Take the ferry out to some of Boston’s harbor islands before they shut down to for the winter on October 10. Go see the beautiful lighthouses. The cool breezes of fall blowing through your hair while aboard the ferry will be a great farewell to boating season.

Peaks Island, Maine. Catch the ferry out of Portland for the 15 minute ride in the stunningly beautiful Casco Bay to the vacation destination of Peaks Island. The ferry ride provides the quintessential Maine oceanic experience, and Peaks Island is home to many restaurants, shops, and of course, Maine’s world-renowned fall foliage. One thing to check out is the Umbrella Cover Museum. One of Maine’s lesser known treasures, it is definitely worth the visit.

As mentioned in one of my previous articles, urban kayaking has taken off in the major metropolises of the United States. From New York City, to Pittsburgh, to Chicago, and even to Seattle, the fall is one of the best times to kayak America’s greatest urban waterways. Lined with towering glass skyscrapers and burnt orange and red trees, kayaking in the fall will give you the last little taste of summer water sport, with a distinctive fall tone. Be sure to book soon, as many places stop kayak rentals after October 15.

If you find yourself in California or Cleveland, the surfing scene is still thriving throughout fall and winter. Many surfers brave the harsh winter temperatures to get their fix. Surf shops stay open during the fall, and would be more than happy to outfit you with supplies and even discounted surfing lessons. If you are feeling adventurous this fall, or simply love surfing, this is great water sport all year round.

Autumn in the South, including Florida, does not inhibit water sports activity in the least. The balmy, sometimes scorching temperatures of late-August to mid-October provide the perfect haven for all who still want to try their hand at parasailing or scuba diving this fall. The benefits of heading to the Gulf Coast or Atlantic seaboard this fall are many. Kids are back in school, the amount of visitors drops off tremendously, so many beach areas have great discounts!

No matter which water sport you try to this fall, just remember that just because the first frost has arrived, or the pumpkin patches are opening does not mean there is not time for just one more day out to enjoy the water.