Cruising & Sailing Information

The History of Water Sports


Swimming is noted in many of the classics as relating to heroism and religion. Nicolas Wynman's Dialogue Concerning the Art of Swimming (1538) is the first recorded written document on swimming methods. Swimming first appeared in the Olympics in 1896, paralleled to the development of the swimming pool. Swimming the English Channel is the most publicized non-Olympic event. It proves excellence in strength and endurance. Matthew Webb from England was the first man to cross the English Channel in 1875, and later Gertrude Ederle of the Unites States of America became the first woman to cross in 1926.

Snorkeling to view exotic fish and aquamarine life is a much-loved vacation adventure. In ancient times snorkels were crafted from hollow reeds found in lakes and marshes. Pliny the Elder, a first century A.D. Roman makes reference to the snorkel, so the activity holds rank as one of the oldest recorded water sports. Loenardo da Vinci created a more modern snorkel when the Venetian senate summonsed him to do so. Divers attached this hollow tube to leather helmets The present-day diver's snorkel is typically a J-shaped tube that is open at the top and has a mouthpiece at the other end, usually no more than 2 ft (61 cm) long.

American West-coasters go wild riding the waves on a wooden plank known as a surfboard. Originally, surfing developed in Hawaii in the nineteenth century. It became popular in California in the 1920s, and became a hit youth sport in the 1960s.

Surfers originally used long, cumbersome wooden boards but now ride lightweight synthetic boards that allow a greater degree of maneuverability. Hawaii holds annual international surfing championships.

Water polo originated in England in 1870, and American joined the bandwagon in the early 1900s. Many club and college teams exist for this rigorous sport. Americans gave the game a twist by using a softer rubber ball in a larger pool, a game known as softball water polo. Violence and rough play ended this faction of the sport, and today only the hardball version continues to be played worldwide.Men began Olympic level water polo in 1900, and women first played in the Olympics in 2000.

Diving, another favorite Olympic sport, initiated competition in 1871 off the London Bridge.Diving is now a popular sport at the high school and collegiate level, and is an amazing display of strength, control and agility.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher offering advice on inflatable boats and sail boats for sale

  


MORE RESOURCES:

Washington Post

Cruising 101: Raise The Jib, Hold the Rib-Eyes
Washington Post, United States - Sep 2, 2008
I didn't know then that she had grown up sailing on a succession of her dad's boats. Jane didn't want to spend a fortune on some fancy yacht, ...


The Sun

Ask Zoe - travel problems solved
The Sun, UK - Sep 4, 2008
Send your travel queries to askzoe@the-sun.co.uk I want to take my husband away on a cruise for his 50th birthday. One of his hobbies is sailing and so we ...


International Sailing Federation

Big wind and big waves
Yachting World, UK - 2 hours ago
Yesterday was the allotted day for the Mini Maxis to sail two windward/leeward races - one 8.8nm and the other 10.8nm. Meanwhile, Cruising, Racing and Wally ...
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2008 International Sailing Federation
all 2 news articles


Sail World

Townsville boats aim to keep the Prizes
Sail World, Australia - 17 hours ago
Wes Bailey, the Sailing captain of Townsville Cruising Yacht Club will be on mast. Mick Guinea who has just flown back from the F18 Catamaran world titles ...
Mooloolaba’s White Pearl back to Magnetic Island Sail World
all 4 news articles


Stop dreaming of a luxury cruise in the Mediterranean and make it ...
e-Travel Blackboard (press release), Australia - Sep 3, 2008
If you’ve dreamt of cruising the Mediterranean, sailing the Greek Islands or visiting European cities by cruise ship, then it’s time to act with amazing ...


Late travel deals: September 3
Times Online, UK - Sep 3, 2008
0845 3676767 Book now for a good-value cruise sailing from Palma, Majorca, for the western Mediterranean on October 14. The week's voyage visits Sardinia ...


Autumn River Escapes on Majestic America Line
MarketWatch - Sep 2, 2008
Majestic America Line also offers 7-night roundtrip cruises from Portland on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The October 11 sailing on Columbia Queen and the ...


Ellsworth American

Morris Yachts Launches 57-footer
Ellsworth American, ME - Sep 3, 2008
Before commissioning the design for the new boat, he cruised extensively, sailing an Alden 54 for 18 years and, before that, a 44-footer. ...


Make your maiden cruise a short venture to discover your sailing ...
TMCnet - Aug 31, 2008
"The important thing to remember is that the 'traditional' cruise experience will exist on other sizes of ships still sailing. "Nothing says you have to ...


Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2008 Race Day 2
Superyacht Times, Netherlands - 23 hours ago
Three hours later, the Cruising and Mini Maxis had completed a 17 nautical mile course that took them to a windward mark, before reaching back west towards ...

cruising sailing - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.