Swimming, SUP & Co.: News and trends on the subject of water sports

Although swimming is no longer as much in the spotlight as it was in the days of Franziska van Almsick, swimming is still a central topic. After all, swimming is the prerequisite for being able to pursue any water sport at all. That's why we also provide information about ways and means to become a better swimmer - or simply about current swimwear trends.

Blue sea, wide beaches and a board under your feet. Whether on the Eisbach wave in the middle of Munich or Teahupo'o in Tahiti, the trend sport on the water is passion and freedom for many surfers. A hundred years ago, it seemed impossible for most people to be able to ride a wave. Today, surfing has long ceased to be considered a trend sport, but is an established sport - even with its thoroughly organized associations and competitions. Boards are no longer only used for surfing, but also as sports equipment for stand-up paddling or kite surfing. Wave, paddle, wind or even motor - there seems to be no limit to the propulsion either.

Anyone who catches sight of a foiling water sportsman for the first time can't help but be amazed. A hydrofoil lets people float over the water at a certain speed. This is a trend that has fully taken hold of the water sports of sailing, windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing. Foiling fans report a unique feeling, and the sports industry is responding with constant product developments.

The best example: stand-up paddling (SUP). A small trend, born in the USA, has now become a mass phenomenon: There is no lake in Germany where you can't see a person on a SUP board during warmer temperatures. To people who are grumbling about the growing community of SUP fans, let me tell you: stand-up paddling is simply fun. It trains balance and concentration and is simply a nice balance to everyday life. Whereby SUP can now also be practiced in white water and as a competitive sport. A typical water sport: Nothing is impossible.

Standing, lying, sitting. You can see them floating on the water everywhere - the booth paddlers. Stand Up Paddling (SUP) has rapidly developed from a small niche sport to a popular sport trend. Discover with ispo.com the right equipment for the hot days and get out on the water!

The still largely unexplored world under water is also captivating thousands of sports enthusiasts: diving is booming. Despite not inconsiderable costs, they set off on diving tours far from the coasts, exploring the reefs, caves and wrecks. Every 20th German over the age of 14 goes diving regularly. The numbers have been stable for years. Countless other water sports enthusiasts join in, and snorkeling whets their appetite for more.

In view of the manifold possibilities for practicing water sports, canoeing and kayaking seem to fade into the background a bit. The development at the German Canoe Association (DKV) speaks a different language: The number of members has recently grown to almost 120,000. And even outside of organized water sports, it is noticeable that many people enjoy gliding across the water on rivers and lakes (some also on the sea) in a canoe or kayak and enjoying nature. For canoe tours lasting several days, there have long been perfectly designed boats that offer plenty of storage space and safety.