Illustrated Water Sports and Leisure Activities
Here is an illustrated AZ list of various water related sports and leisure activities.
Some of them are active and arduous, others are more passive. There are solo pursuits, family days out and team-building corporate activities.
Whichever type it is - the water in sea, river or pool offers many opportunities for sport, relaxation and fun.
Some benefits of water over land are these.
Water enables a complete range of activities for sport and leisure. It also supports commercial transportation, travel, fishing and exploration.
This page is a growing collection in AZ order.
Some of them are active and arduous, others are more passive. There are solo pursuits, family days out and team-building corporate activities.
Whichever type it is - the water in sea, river or pool offers many opportunities for sport, relaxation and fun.
Some benefits of water over land are these.
- The water hurts less than land if you fall on it
- The buoyancy supports you allowing a low impact way to exercise
- You can dive, swim, sail and fish in it
- It is fun!
Water enables a complete range of activities for sport and leisure. It also supports commercial transportation, travel, fishing and exploration.
This page is a growing collection in AZ order.
Airboat
A swamp boat or airboat travels across shallow water - propelled by an aircraft engine and propeller mounted at the rear.
There is nothing under the surface to snag in the shallows.
This is noisy fun on the water! Banjo, fishing rod, gun and dungarees are optional. Watch out for alligators.
There is nothing under the surface to snag in the shallows.
This is noisy fun on the water! Banjo, fishing rod, gun and dungarees are optional. Watch out for alligators.
Airboat Stickman Gifts >>
Canoeing
Canoeing uses a single paddle to propel the craft through the water. A quiet peaceful way to travel the waters at low speed for enjoyment and recreation.
The main differences with kayaking seem to be the use of a double paddle in kayaking, and the more relaxed sitting, kneeling posture in a traditional canoe.
The main differences with kayaking seem to be the use of a double paddle in kayaking, and the more relaxed sitting, kneeling posture in a traditional canoe.
Canoeing Gifts >>
Coarse Fishing
There are all sorts of fishing from extreme, dangerous and record-chasing to the more tranquil type that involves little more than sitting by a river bank for hours on end.
This is one of the most popular recreational sporting activities that does not feature in the Olympics. From a spectator point of view it lacks a little excitement.
The marketers clean up with all the equipment that the average angler requires.
This is one of the most popular recreational sporting activities that does not feature in the Olympics. From a spectator point of view it lacks a little excitement.
The marketers clean up with all the equipment that the average angler requires.
Angling Gifts >>
Dinghy
The picture of a rubber dinghy or inflatable boat with outboard motor sums up elements of the water to me.
Water is for messing around on. Relaxing, having fun, chilling and passing the time on a nice day.
With sports and pastimes it is easy to turn them into work which is supposed to be the thing you are escaping from. The water can reset your speed dial down a few notches.
Take it easy and go nowhere in particular.
Water is for messing around on. Relaxing, having fun, chilling and passing the time on a nice day.
With sports and pastimes it is easy to turn them into work which is supposed to be the thing you are escaping from. The water can reset your speed dial down a few notches.
Take it easy and go nowhere in particular.
Inflatable Rubber Dinghy Gifts >>
Diving
Jumping into water in a variety of ways - mostly head first. In the river or sea you need to watch out for rocks and looking a bit stupid. That is why dive-bombing is so popular.
In competition there are points awarded for style and execution. There are terms to learn like half-pike and twist.
Someone climbs up a ladder next to the pool, does some concentrating and posing, and then falls in the water. They don't even bother with a swim after that. Just climb back out and shiver while the judges work out what points to award based on the contents of some little brown envelopes.
"Ten points to Russia". Well that is a surprise.
In competition there are points awarded for style and execution. There are terms to learn like half-pike and twist.
Someone climbs up a ladder next to the pool, does some concentrating and posing, and then falls in the water. They don't even bother with a swim after that. Just climb back out and shiver while the judges work out what points to award based on the contents of some little brown envelopes.
"Ten points to Russia". Well that is a surprise.
Springboard Diving Gifts >>
Dragon Boat Racing
Involves teams of up to twenty people who paddle a craft in time to the beat of a drum.
Originated in China and is spreading as people enjoy the fun and social competitive nature of the sport.
Ideal for a corporate day out or team building exercise.
Originated in China and is spreading as people enjoy the fun and social competitive nature of the sport.
Ideal for a corporate day out or team building exercise.
Dragon Boat Gifts >>
eFoil Surfing
Mark Zuckerberg is regularly pictured on an eFoil Surfboard. This is a surfboard with a keel for stability and lift plus an electric motor for thrust creating something akin to a hoverboard on the water.
Looks great fun and is reassuringly expensive enough for the most demanding of billionaires.
Other names for this are Hydrofoil Surfboard or Foilboard.
Looks great fun and is reassuringly expensive enough for the most demanding of billionaires.
Other names for this are Hydrofoil Surfboard or Foilboard.
eFoil Surfing Gifts >>
Fishing
Fishing is perhaps an oddity for a Water Sports collection. It's hardly rowing or jet skiing for example. But I don't, yet, want to have a hunting, shooting and fishing page. Google wouldn't like it anyway.
Fishing people don't care what page it's on. They're more than happy with their rod, line and some peace and space away from the world. Sod Google.
Fishing Stickman Gifts >>
Fly Fishing
Fishing style where a light line and a fly are used to catch fish like trout and salmon.
The idea is to float a fly on the water surface and be ready to strike when the fish takes the bait.
Fly fishing is a more active fishing method than sitting by a riverbank snoozing and waiting for the float to bob down.
The idea is to float a fly on the water surface and be ready to strike when the fish takes the bait.
Fly fishing is a more active fishing method than sitting by a riverbank snoozing and waiting for the float to bob down.
Fly Fishing Gifts >>
Jet Ski
A motorbike on the water. Powerful engine in the back, steer with handlebars, ride astride - the whole biking experience.
Not only off road but off land as well!
Noisy, fast and great fun.
Has the added benefit of irritating other people who came to the water to get some peace and quiet.
Not only off road but off land as well!
Noisy, fast and great fun.
Has the added benefit of irritating other people who came to the water to get some peace and quiet.
Jet Ski Stickman Gifts >>
Jetboard
Oh my goodness, these look fun.
A powered surfboard. Rechargeable batteries, remote controller, relatively easy to operate. No paddling, swimming, wind or waves required - just enjoy blatting about on the water.
I want one.
Jetboard Stickman Gifts >>
Kayaking
Like a canoe but with double paddles.
White-water kayaking is the event, the object being to stay upright and get to the end.
Originally invented by the Eskimos or Inuit to go silently hunting, paddling a kayak is a popular water sports activity and Olympic competition.
White-water kayaking is the event, the object being to stay upright and get to the end.
Originally invented by the Eskimos or Inuit to go silently hunting, paddling a kayak is a popular water sports activity and Olympic competition.
Kayaking Stickman Gifts >>
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is like surfing, paragliding and windsurfing rolled into one.
Use a board to ride the waves and get movement from the kite.
Kitesurfing is one of the disciplines in kiteboarding.
Use a board to ride the waves and get movement from the kite.
Kitesurfing is one of the disciplines in kiteboarding.
Kiteboarding Stickman Gifts >>
Narrowboats
As a former houseboat dweller I can personally confirm the joy of living on and piloting a narrowboat.
Canal boats are a way to be away from it all and feel at one with the harmony of the river.
Life ebbing and flowing at a gentler pace.
There are a few downsides to living in what is not far removed from a watery caravan but the picture is about the enjoyment of navigating the waterways at four knots per hour.
Canal boats are a way to be away from it all and feel at one with the harmony of the river.
Life ebbing and flowing at a gentler pace.
There are a few downsides to living in what is not far removed from a watery caravan but the picture is about the enjoyment of navigating the waterways at four knots per hour.
Narrowboat Gifts >>
Here is a single narrowboat being piloted by an expert river navigator with ships dog for company.
Narrowboat Gifts >>
Paddleboard
Like a large surfboard or flat kayak - the paddleboard is designed to support a person standing, laying or sitting on it. A fun piece of kit for messing about on the water.
Lay forward and use arms as paddles or try to remain standing and paddling with a long pole style paddle.
Ideal for flat water on a calm sunny day somewhere warm.
Lay forward and use arms as paddles or try to remain standing and paddling with a long pole style paddle.
Ideal for flat water on a calm sunny day somewhere warm.
Paddleboard Stickman Gifts >>
Pedalo
Also called a pedal or paddle boat. Popular craft to hire on holiday, often in the most hideous colours and shapes possible from plastic and fibreglass construction.
You appear relaxed but in order to get anywhere you need to pedal quite hard.
The pedals propel the boat and you bake in the hot holiday sun which heats the plastic boat up to egg frying temperatures.
You appear relaxed but in order to get anywhere you need to pedal quite hard.
The pedals propel the boat and you bake in the hot holiday sun which heats the plastic boat up to egg frying temperatures.
Pedalo Tourist Paddle Boat Gifts >>
Punting
Associated with Oxford and Cambridge universities - punting is a flat bottomed boat that uses a pole to push the boat along the river.
Let the pole slip through your hands into the water and reach the bottom. Once it has touched the bottom of the river use a little power to propel the punt forwards. Aim to keep the punt moving in the correct direction with the push. Make minor corrections by using the pole as a rudder. Lift out of the water and repeat.
A perfect example of messing around on the river on a summer day.
Let the pole slip through your hands into the water and reach the bottom. Once it has touched the bottom of the river use a little power to propel the punt forwards. Aim to keep the punt moving in the correct direction with the push. Make minor corrections by using the pole as a rudder. Lift out of the water and repeat.
A perfect example of messing around on the river on a summer day.
Punting Gifts >>
Rowing
Rowing is a wonderful activity to take part in. Not only do you get a muscular work out but you can be out on the Thames on a beautiful morning listening to the swish of the oars and feeling the rhythm of the team. Or you can row along quietly with just your thoughts and the ducks for company.
As a spectator sport it leaves a fair amount to be desired - like excitement for instance. The Oxford-Cambridge boat race is a fairly dull event in my opinion.
It is also accused of being elitist. Not many people can afford a boat or attend one of the top rowing universities.
Britain's Sir Steve Redgrave won gold in the rowing in FIVE consecutive Olympics. That is a record for any endurance sport!
The guy pictured is a serious competitive rower in a single scull boat. That is where you perch on top of the boat and it is all about speed, effort, skill and rowing. This is not messing about - it is getting from A to B as quickly as possible.
As a spectator sport it leaves a fair amount to be desired - like excitement for instance. The Oxford-Cambridge boat race is a fairly dull event in my opinion.
It is also accused of being elitist. Not many people can afford a boat or attend one of the top rowing universities.
Britain's Sir Steve Redgrave won gold in the rowing in FIVE consecutive Olympics. That is a record for any endurance sport!
The guy pictured is a serious competitive rower in a single scull boat. That is where you perch on top of the boat and it is all about speed, effort, skill and rowing. This is not messing about - it is getting from A to B as quickly as possible.
Rowing Stickman Gifts >>
Sailing
Sailing involves a boat without an engine and varying numbers of crew. The two man, the solo and so on. It is one of the more elite sports which makes it ideal for common people to look at.
The America's Cup involves billionaires showing how much money they got by designing and building insanely expensive yachts.
At the other end are amateur sailors who take a dinghy out at the weekend and try to stay out of the water.
The America's Cup involves billionaires showing how much money they got by designing and building insanely expensive yachts.
At the other end are amateur sailors who take a dinghy out at the weekend and try to stay out of the water.
Sailing Dinghy Race Gifts >>
Scuba Diving
A scuba diver uses a compressed air gas cylinder as a portable breathing supply and is free to swim for longer periods under water.
In the right environment - other than a swimming pool or a cold bleak sea - it is a fun way to swim and explore the world beneath the water.
Frogmen sometimes work for the police searching spaces of water, for the military, or for businesses such as sea oil exploration. Or even diving for golf balls in water hazards at the local golf centre.
In the right environment - other than a swimming pool or a cold bleak sea - it is a fun way to swim and explore the world beneath the water.
Frogmen sometimes work for the police searching spaces of water, for the military, or for businesses such as sea oil exploration. Or even diving for golf balls in water hazards at the local golf centre.
Scuba Diving Stickman Gifts >>
Snorkeling
You need a breathing tube, goggles and a pair of flippers. A warm blue sea is preferable - not the cold grey travesty that is the UK waters. Mediterranean is good. A snorkel helps.
Swim out breathing through tube. Look at wonderful fish and corals and things under the water. Dive down to collect precious pearls and decide to stay on holiday forever.
Swim out breathing through tube. Look at wonderful fish and corals and things under the water. Dive down to collect precious pearls and decide to stay on holiday forever.
Snorkeling Gifts >>
Stand Up Jet Ski SuperJet
A suggestion from a reader prompted the creation of this design. Thanks to them!
The Stand Up Jet Ski is similar to a normal jet ski but requires more skill and is great exercise.
It looks fun. I haven't checked the price of them yet.
The Stand Up Jet Ski is similar to a normal jet ski but requires more skill and is great exercise.
It looks fun. I haven't checked the price of them yet.
Stand Up Jet Ski SuperJet Gifts >>
Submarine
The submarine graphic is on this page because I have nowhere else to sensibly put it.
Submarine Gifts >>
Surfing
Surfing is great if you live near water that has waves in a warm climate. Otherwise it is a pastime for hardy souls.
Think of Australian beaches, bronzed hunks and the occasional shark. Aussies call surfboards shark biscuits.
Surfing is fantastically photogenic. My stickman isn't too fussed about that. He's just trying to stay on the board.
"Surf's up dude!" is what they used to say.
Maybe they still do.
Surfing Stickman Gifts >>
Swimming
Picture is of Olympic swimmer or would-be doing a front crawl.
Head kept low in the water - tilted to the side to take on air.
A simple graphic for a great sport to participate in - even if it is just floating on your back somewhere in a warm blue sea.
Head kept low in the water - tilted to the side to take on air.
A simple graphic for a great sport to participate in - even if it is just floating on your back somewhere in a warm blue sea.
Swimming Gifts >>
Synchronised Swimming
"Say what?" we all said when it was first introduced to the Olympics. "What the hell is that?"
It seems to be dancers in the water doing one of those stylised routines straight out of forties Hollywood. Choreographed moves in the Olympic pool.
Now fair enough, I couldn't hold my breath AND keep smiling that long so perhaps it is as valid as pumping yourself full of steroids and running the hundred metres.
It seems to be dancers in the water doing one of those stylised routines straight out of forties Hollywood. Choreographed moves in the Olympic pool.
Now fair enough, I couldn't hold my breath AND keep smiling that long so perhaps it is as valid as pumping yourself full of steroids and running the hundred metres.
Synchro Swimming Gifts >>
Wakeboarding
Like the cooler younger version of water skiing - wakeboarding is the water borne equivalent of snowboarding.
Often towed behind a boat using a single board to catch the wake for jumps and tricks.
Often towed behind a boat using a single board to catch the wake for jumps and tricks.
Wakeboarding Gifts >>
Water Skiing
The ultimate water sport perhaps?
You need a fast boat, a tight rope and a pair of skis or a single ski to race across the water. The boat being required because water doesn't have a slope like skiing on snow.
There are variations such as skiboarding and wakeboarding.
In Australia there are over one million waterskiers!
You need a fast boat, a tight rope and a pair of skis or a single ski to race across the water. The boat being required because water doesn't have a slope like skiing on snow.
There are variations such as skiboarding and wakeboarding.
In Australia there are over one million waterskiers!
Water Skiing Stickman Gifts >>
White Water Rafting
Groups of people in an inflatable raft travelling down fast flowing or white water.
The white water description comes from the foam generated as water crashes against rocks and obstacles, and falls down the rapids.
Exhilarating fun with the certainty of ending wetter than when you started. The typical set up seems to be an expert at the rear of the craft - steering and navigating - and the thrill seekers further forward with paddles and helmets.
The white water description comes from the foam generated as water crashes against rocks and obstacles, and falls down the rapids.
Exhilarating fun with the certainty of ending wetter than when you started. The typical set up seems to be an expert at the rear of the craft - steering and navigating - and the thrill seekers further forward with paddles and helmets.
Windsurfing
Take a surfboard and attach a sail to it. Try to stand upright and catch the wind.
This sport is less about catching the big waves and more about the wind.
Although experts do both and get airborne for a while.
This sport is less about catching the big waves and more about the wind.
Although experts do both and get airborne for a while.
Windsurfing Gifts >>
Wing Foiling
The hydrofoil board is not powered like an efoil surfing board. Instead, the user has a large hand-held wing to use the wind as a power source. The wind blows, the board lifts, and the fun commences.
Wing Foiling Stickman Gifts >>
End of Page
Those are all the water sport designs currently available.
It is a fairly slow process to add new ones. They will float into view every few months or so.
Thanks for dipping your toe in the water.
Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: February 1, 2026.