For those of us who earn an average income, swimming, body surfing, and canoeing on the weekends are about as close to water sports as we get.
It is a different story altogether for wealthy people who can afford every luxury the world has to offer. Yes, the rich lead very different lives to us common folk, from sailing on luxury yachts to owning a garage of jet skis.
Here we will be taking a look at some of the water sports that are practiced and loved by wealthy people.
Sailing/Yachting
Why take a cruise with a bunch of strangers when you can sail in your own private luxury yacht? Most larger yachts come with a captain and full crew, so you don’t need to have any experience to sail the open waters.
But, while you may not need experience, you do need a big bank account if you plan to charter a private yacht, as renting one costs $5,000 per day or more. Or maybe you don’t want to rent and prefer to buy. That will set you back close to $50 million!
What Can You Do When Sailing?
Those who take part in this activity can enjoy relaxing on the deck, catching a tan, having drinks and meals served overlooking the ocean, and waking up to the smell of the open water under the blue sky.
And as yachties say – sailing is more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle.
Scuba Diving
This is another expensive water sport that only the wealthy can afford to do regularly. The cost of a scuba diving certificate and equipment is around $500, which doesn’t sound too bad, right?
The price rises considerably once you add lodging and transportation to the best locations in the world, such as Egypt (Ras Mohammed National Park), Papua New Guinea (Kimbe Bay), and Australia (Great Barrier Reef).
Why Is Scuba Diving Great?
This water sport offers you access to the underwater world in a way that nothing else can. Seeing things from this perspective can give you a new outlook on life. It’s easy to see why the wealthy like to spend time under the sea.
Paddleboarding
Unwinding doesn’t have to be boring – in fact, it can be fun for the whole family! By renting (or buying) a paddleboard or two, you can catch a tan while exploring the area around you, making it a double win. And that’s why rich people love it!
The best part about paddleboarding is that it is easy and enjoyable, so anyone of any fitness can do it. Buying a paddleboard will set you back anywhere from $800 – $2,000, but you can rent one for a full day in resort areas for around $60 for the whole day.
Different Types of Paddle Boarding
Traditionally, paddleboarding is done on your knees, but over the last few years, standing paddleboarding has gained popularity. It is a bit more demanding, requiring some strength and balance, but you can freshen up by jumping in the water!
Kitesurfing
Have you ever dreamed of combining sailing, wakeboarding, and windsurfing into one water sport? Then kitesurfing is what you are looking at, and it is one of the most popular water activities done by wealthy people.
While the gear needed for this sport is quite simple – you only need the kite and the board – it can cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Lessons will cost between $400 to $800. You can also rent the gear for around $80 per day.
You use the gear to propel yourself (and the board) across the water by harnessing wind power with the kite.
Why Is Kitesurfing So Fun?
Unlike most other water activities, it is easy to learn how to kitesurf, and once you are steady on your feet, you can learn tricks to perform to make it even more fun.
You don’t need to chase any waves or haul heavy gear – all you need is gentle wind and light equipment!
Parasailing
Imagine a boat pulling a kite in the sky. Now, replace the kite with a parachute-like canopy with a person attached. This is parasailing. You soar high above the ocean, taking in views of the surroundings. Some of the canopies can accommodate as many as 3 people.
This water activity is not the cheapest to do, coming in at anywhere from $80 per person in Australia to $150 per person in Florida – and this is for a 10 to 15-minute ride! It is easy to see why this is a water activity suited to the wealthy.
How High Can You Go?
Parasail riders can go as high as 600 to 1200 feet in the air, allowing you to feel like a bird in the sky. So you can see why parasailing is a favorite activity amongst the rich and famous – can you imagine the sea/sky selfies?!
Jet Skiing
Known as quad bikes for water, a jet ski is a powerful watercraft. It has a similar output to many boat engines while accelerating like a motorbike. So it makes perfect sense that those adventurous souls out there would be attracted to this water transport.
Anyone thinking about riding jet skis should prepare themselves to have an amazing experience… for a price. The rich buy their own, often keeping them at holiday homes, and can range from $5,000 to $20,000 per jet ski! But you can rent one for $500 for the day.
What Makes It Special?
You can look a full 360 degrees around you without hindrance, which is quite amazing. Plus, jet skis are great for adrenaline junkies who want to ride around at top speed while skimming the water – the perfect sense of freedom!
Flyboarding
When the rich get tired of jet skis, the next thing they move on to is flyboarding. Let’s be honest – who wouldn’t love flying around with a water jetpack – it is what we have all dreamed of since we were kids!
While you don’t need anything but the flyboard to hover around, you need to ensure you have the correct safety equipment – a helmet and lifejacket. Flyboarding costs anywhere from $150 for half an hour, so it helps the wealthy maintain exclusivity.
How Does Flyboarding Work?
Basically, exactly like a jetpack! The board is connected to 2 jet nozzles that force water out to propel you up to 50 feet in the air or up to 8 feet under the water.
It is the perfect fit for adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies who no longer get a kick from jet skiing.
Rowing/Crew
Much like lacrosse, rowing is a sport that naturally attracts the wealthy. Why? Because it is one of the most popular sports done in private schools and universities in the US and UK. And if you look at rowers, you can just about smell their money.
The boats and oars don’t come cheap, costing anything from $7,000 upward. In addition to that, you need a boathouse, and if you don’t live near an urban river, a trailer to transport the boat.
Additionally, you need training gear and, depending on where you live, a permit.
Why Choose Rowing?
Besides being a lot of fun, rowing allows you to enjoy the sun while getting a full-body workout. Also, depending on the boat you have, it can be a great way to explore the waterways in your area with friends and family… if you can afford it, of course!
Kayaking
This sport is the complete opposite of water skiing and wakeboarding in that it is much calmer and more serene than these adrenaline-fueled activities. Kayaking is great for people of all ages, as long as you have a bit of upper body strength to paddle.
Kayaks are relatively pricey to buy, starting at around $1,000 for a single-seater sea kayak. But you can rent them from $60 per day and enjoy exploring the coastlines of many tropical destinations.
Plus, in resort areas, you can do a guided tour for even more fun!
What Else Can You Do with a Kayak?
Wealthy people enjoy taking kayaks to a snorkeling site and jumping off into the crystal clear water to enjoy what swims below the surface. This allows for combining two fun water activities and makes an enjoyable trip for the whole family.
Big Game/Sports Fishing
So you aren’t all that big on adrenaline activities, but you still want a fun day out on the water? Then big game fishing (or sports fishing) is the answer! It is a popular water activity in most tropical destinations and can be done by the whole family, for a price!
This water activity can carry a price tag of $1,200 or more per person, including the license, permit, and boat hire. But this allows you to get up close with exotic fish that you can grill for dinner or return to the sea after having a good look.
Fishing with a Twist
Before heading out, make sure that you know which fish are in the surrounding waters and what bait is best to attract them. You can also combine deep-sea fishing with another water sport like parasailing to add some adrenaline into your day.
Summary
And there you have it – the water sports that the rich of the world love to do with their friends and family.
As you can see, some carry quite a hefty price tag, but if you rent instead of buy, you can fake it till you make it!
