The Best Kids Water Sports in Clearwater, FL
The town of Clearwater Beach, Florida is one of the best spots for a family vacation, especially if you have young kids or teens. Clearwater Beach is blessed with great weather and abundant sunshine. The beach is clean and beautiful. There are plenty of things for everyone, including the kids, to do. With so much to offer, it is easy to see why Clearwater Beach has become such a family-friendly paradise.
Clearwater Beach is on the water, and it makes sense that many of its activities take place on the water as well. Water sports are big here, and it is not just the adults who are having fun. When you bring your kids to Clearwater Beach, you can enjoy an abundance of kid-friendly water sports, and some of the best are outlined below.
Surfing
Surfing is a highlight of any Clearwater Beach vacation, and there is no reason the kids cannot join in. There is plenty of big wave action here, but there are also smaller and gentler waves the kids can use to learn the ropes. While prices vary, you can expect to pay around $100 to $150 for surfing lessons. Depending on where you go, you may find that the cost of a private lesson is just as affordable as a group lesson, with much more instructor interaction.
If you want to take your kids surfing, you should connect with a professional operator and buy a pack of lessons. There are plenty of surf instructors throughout the Clearwater Beach area, so finding a great teacher should not be a problem. Surfing is a lot of fun, but you should always put safety first.
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding has been described as a combination of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing, and if that sounds fun, you are right. Wakeboarding is another water sport that is perfect for the whole family, and you will see plenty of kids out on the waves.
Wakeboarding involves riding a board across the waves, and the skills it requires are easily transferrable to other types of water sports. Once the kids learn to surf, they can transfer the balance and coordination they have learned to their wakeboard. Once again, safety and skill are essential, so seek out lessons the little ones will enjoy. Some Clearwater Beach outfitters offer free lessons for first-time wakeboarders, but you may want to pay for a private lesson before you head out. You should expect to pay about $130 for an hour of wakeboard instruction, but the money will buy you extra peace of mind.
Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is another excellent water sport, and it is a good place to start for kids who have limited experience on the water. If your kids know how to swim but have never tried surfing or wakeboarding, you might want to start them off with some paddleboard lessons.
Paddleboarders lie, kneel or stand on specially made boards, propelling themselves through the water with their arms and legs. This water sport is lots of fun, and it is a particular hit with the younger crowd. Parents should expect to spend between $50 and $75 on basic paddleboard instruction for their kids.
Skim Board
Skim boarding, or skimming, involves riding a small finless board into on an oncoming wave, meeting that wave and then riding the water back to shore. It is a big hit with people of all ages, and a highlight of any trip to Clearwater Beach.
Skim boarding is relatively easy to learn, but some previous surfing or wakeboarding experience will be a big help. There are plenty of lessons offered throughout the Clearwater Beach area, so it should be easy for you and your kids to learn. Many skim board rental agencies offer free lessons, while others charge a small fee for the service.
Jet Skiing
If you are coming to Clearwater Beach, you must try jet skiing at some point. Jet skis are everywhere on the waters of Clearwater Beach, and once you try it, you will see how much fun they can be.
Jet skiing is fun for the whole family, but you might want to bring the little kids along on your jet ski rather than let them take the controls on their own. Older kids and teens should be able to handle their jet skis, but once again, lessons are in order. Be sure to wear your safety gear, including a floatation vest, every time you head out on your jet ski. Rates vary, but you can expect to spend about $100 to $150 for a jet ski rental.
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is considered an extreme sport, but you can make it as gentle or outrageous as you wish. Kiteboarding combines the skills needed for wakeboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, and gymnastics, as revelers ride across the water and enjoy the fresh salt breeze.
Since kiteboarding is considered a more advanced sport, it is best suited for those with some experience. While there are plenty of kiteboarding lessons, you will get more out of them if you already have experience with surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding or similar sports. Kiteboarding is probably not a good idea for elementary school-age children, but middle schoolers and high schoolers should be able to enjoy it safely.
Splash Harbour Water Park
Clearwater Beach Florida is home to amazing water sports, and plenty of family-friendly and kid-friendly attractions. Chief among them is the Splash Harbour Water Park, a beautiful playground for parents and kids of all ages.
Thrill seekers are sure to enjoy the Pirate's Plunge, a fantastic water slide with twisting turns, winding curves and a spectacular final drop. If you love the water, you are sure to enjoy this water slide.
When you are done with the excitement of the water slides at Splash Harbour Water Park, you can take a turn on the Great White Lazy River, a relaxing ride down a 600-foot long body of water. Along the way, you will encounter incredible waterfalls, water sprays, and mists to keep you cool on those hot days.
The Great White Lazy River is perfect for all ages, so feel free to bring the kids. Whether you want to relax after a long day on the water or just enjoy time with the family, this ride is sure to be a favorite.
The Splash Harbour Water Park also includes a special place just for the kids - the Treasure Cove Splash Zone. This combination of water slides, interactive water-based activities, and a dumping bucket is sure to have the kids coming back again and again.
For the parents, there is the extra large sundeck, the perfect spot for relaxing and watching the kids play. The sundeck is adorned with comfortable lounge chairs, so you can read, grab a drink or just relax and sunbathe.
Indian Rocks Beach
A visit to Clearwater Beach is all about the water, and Indian Rocks Beach is one of its main attractions. This unspoiled strip of three miles of beach is a favorite with locals and tourists alike, and it is sure to delight your kids - and you.
Indian Rock Beach consists of nearly three miles of beautiful beachfront, set along the glittering coast of the Gulf of Mexico. When you visit Indian Rocks Beach, you will understand why you came to Clearwater in the first place.
On your visit to Indian Rocks Beach, you will probably encounter people from all over the world. Clearwater Beach is indeed a tourist magnet, and it attracts water lovers from around the world. With 27 beach access points, getting from the road to the sand is easy enough, and once you are in the water, you will surely want to stay.
A Walk Along the Beach
There are plenty of exciting things to do in Clearwater Beach, including extreme sports like kiteboarding, fun activities like paddleboarding and the timeless appeal of surfing. Sometimes, though, the best way to enjoy the water is to walk along it.
A walk along the beach is always a great way to relax, and you will find plenty of beachfront in Clearwater Beach. Indian Rock Beach is still a great place to start, but there are plenty of other beaches to explore as well.
Beachcombing is always a fun activity for the kids, so get them each a plastic bucket and a shovel and let them go to town. Whether they pick up shells or build a sandcastle on the shore, they are sure to have a great time.
River Rafting and Tubing
There is plenty of water in the Clearwater Beach area, and not all water sports take place on the open ocean. There are also lots of great rivers, and you can enjoy them with river rafting and tubing adventures.
There are lots of river rafting, and tubing operators throughout the Clearwater Beach area, ranging from whitewater trips for the thrill seeker to gentler rides and tube floats for those who merely want to relax. No matter what you are looking for, you can find it in Clearwater Beach.
Rafting and tubing are perfect water sports for the little ones, but there is enough excitement for the older kids and teens as well. From elementary school through high school, there is something here for everyone.
Indoor Surfing
If you have always wanted to try surfing but are unsure of your skills, Clearwater Beach offers indoor surfing. This unique surfing experience is a great way to learn and have fun, without the uncertainty or potential danger of surfing in the open ocean.
Indoor surfing uses the Flowrider system to generate a series of waves, from gentle breakers to more massive waves that are sure to challenge even the experienced surfer. If your kids long to surf, but you worry about their safety, the indoor surfing experience could be a great place to start.
Renting the Gear You Need
Chances are you will not arrive for your Clearwater Beach adventure with a jet ski in your checked baggage or a surfboard by your side. If you want to enjoy all the fantastic water sports and activities the Clearwater Beach area offers, you will need to rent the gear you need.
The cost of gear rental varies, and you will want to shop around for the best price and value. You will also want to look for an outfitter that is kid friendly, one that provides lessons for the little ones and all the safety gear they need. Here are some of the most kid-friendly outfitters and gear rental companies in the Clearwater Beach area:
• Gulfside Jet Ski Rentals
• Clearwater Beach Scooter and Bike Rentals
• Fin's Jet Ski Tours & Pontoons
• Makin Waves Water Sports Rentals
• Clearwater Paddleboard Company
• Jet Surfboards
• Paddle out Adventures
• Surf-Style Flowrider Indoor Surfing Wave Machine
Water sports are all the rage in Clearwater Beach, Florida, and for a good reason. Clearwater Beach is right on the water, and the people who live there grew up surfing, swimming, paddleboarding and enjoying the beauty of nature. To those natives, water sports are second nature, and they are always anxious to share their experience with visitors. The people of Clearwater Beach are known for their friendly and helpful nature, so finding advice on everything from surfing to sand castle building should not be a problem.
Once you are ready to dip your toe in the water and try your hand at water sports, you will find plenty of options in and around the Clearwater Beach area. Best of all, most of the gear rental agencies and outfitters in the area are incredibly kid-friendly, always willing to lend a hand and teach your little ones how to stay safe on the water. Whether your kids are already experienced water warriors or just getting started, they are sure to have a great time on their next trip to Clearwater Beach. From the fun of Indian Rocks Beach to a relaxing jet ski tour along the Gulf of Mexico, every member of the family is sure to have a great time.