Water Sport

This stunning national park is a scuba diver's dream. But it's not for the inexperienced.

By Stephanie Vermillion

As summer heats up and starts to sizzle, what could be more fun and refreshing than an inflatable backyard pool of cool? Here's what you need to know before you buy one.

By Laurie L. Dove

Now that summer is here, you're probably itching to hit the pool or water park. But is it safe during the coronavirus pandemic? We've got good news and some not-so-good-news.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Navigating a massive cruise ship through open waters takes a load of technology. We'll show you how it happens.

It's just about vacation and pool season. But do you know exactly what you're swimming in?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa sets the world record for biggest wave ever surfed — and it's huge!

By John Perritano

"Dry drowning" sounds scary, and is all over the news. But is it even a real thing?

By Jesslyn Shields

A quixotic aquatic attempt to traverse the ocean between Florida and Bermuda got the Coast Guard involved, and not for the first time.

By Chris Opfer

The surfboard must be one of the simpler sports accessories, right? All you need is a board to stand on and some gnarly waves. But to get to modern surfing, the surfboard had to undergo lots of changes.

By Brian Boone

For years, people have been discovering the beauty and simplicity of canoe fishing. What's the best way to outfit your canoe without overdoing it -- or capsizing?

By Jane McGrath

Gun. Fish. Leash. Lineup. Fin. Minimal. Goofy foot. Do you know what these words mean in surfer's dialect? You're about to find out.

By Christine Venzon

Ditch the oar! Now you can power your personal watercraft with the power of your lower body. This twist on the classic kayak sounds fun, but is it really better than paddling?

By Jacob Clifton

Do you experience pain in your ears when you fly? Then you've encountered barotrauma. What causes that pain, and will it resolve on its own?

By Jacob Clifton

Kids aren't inherently afraid of water -- their experiences and the attitudes around them inform their opinions. And you're the main role model, so you set the example. Make it a good one.

By Emilie Sennebogen

When summer's finally here, visits to the pool are high on most kids' lists of demands. Whether you're hanging out in the backyard pool or heading over to the local swimming hole, it's important to keep your children safe.

By Christine Venzon

Your family pool may seem like a safe haven in the middle of a hectic and complex world, but the fact is, any water feature can be a serious safety hazard. The Swimming Pool Safety Act is in place to keep the fun in and the fear out.

By Sara Elliott

Rafting or kayaking whitewater rapids is an exhilarating way to spend an afternoon. But have you ever wondered who came up with the ratings for the rapids? Who decides how dangerous a rapid is?

By Patrick J. Kiger

Rivers can seem benign enough -- until their white-water rapids chew you up and spit you out. Which are the most aggressive?

By Garth Sundem

Before submarines, man lowered himself down into the water in a diving bell. How did these contraptions work?

By Charles W. Bryant

We can't breathe underwater, but we still want to see what's down there. When did man first start thinking up ways to explore the sea?

By Charles W. Bryant

People who enjoy board sports often have a need for speed. But many -- especially those who don't have access to hills or ramps -- don't know how to get it. How can a simple bungee cord help solve this problem?

By John Kelly

Hydrospeeding is a popular extreme sport that involves riding torso-length boards down fearsome river rapids. It's fun, but you should do a little research before you hit the water.

By Elizabeth Sprouse

Black water rafting is a new take on both spelunking and tubing. What's it like to tube through a cave?

By Julia Layton

Cliff diving is an extreme sport that involves hurling your body from dangerous heights and freefalling at deadly speeds, so how do cliff divers live to dive another day?

By Heather Kolich

Kayak surfing draws water sport enthusiasts who want to tackle more waves at high speeds. What exactly does this sport entail, and how does it differ from traditional board surfing?

By Sarah Winkler