Relax & Unwind: Finding Your Zen on the Water

Wake sports are a fantastic way to satisfy your thirst for adventure—but they can also be just what you need for relaxing and de-stressing, too.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to enjoy a more peaceful 2019, try starting on your trusty board or a pair of skis! Discovering your “zen”—that place where you feel most tranquil and clear-headed—might be easier than you thought. Just read on for a few of our top tips.

Enjoy off-peak hours

One of the best ways to enjoy an even more peaceful ride? Hit the water during off-peak hours! For most bodies of water, that works out to the hours closest to sunrise and sunset, with the majority of action happening around midday. Get up early, ride, and spend the rest of your afternoon soaking up some fun with friends—or, if you prefer, sleep in and catch golden hour rays reflect on the water’s surface. No matter how you do it, the simple switch to earlier or later ride times can help you discover a more reflective experience. During the stillness of sunrise or sunset, the water is smoother; birds awaken or drift off to dinner; and the sky glows in a swirl of vivid color. It’s impossible not to feel more relaxed and in-tune with nature in an environment like this!

Opt for a long, easygoing ride

The best place for a boater (or the boarder riding behind them) to find their zen? Circular bodies of water or those with long, winding curves—shapes that allow for an effortless, almost never-ending ride, uninterrupted by busy marinas or tight spaces that can disrupt your flow.

If you’re out for a leisurely cruise, you can also set your Vortex to Cruise Mode to set a maximum speed, helping you maintain a pace that’s right for you. It’s just one less thing you need to think about while enjoying the water!

Take less photos

While this may seem counterintuitive to the modern on-the-water experience, taking fewer photos and opting to “live in the moment” might help you ground yourself in the here-and-now—the beautiful sights and familiar scents and sounds of being on a boat, or riding behind one. It’s easy to miss the little things when we try to capture the big ones! While you can certainly still capture those treasured, keepsake moments, stow away your phone for the rest of the time so that you can plug into the world around you without worrying about the time, incoming emails and other land-bound distractions.

Soak up the view…

After a great session on the water, it’s time to sit back and relax. Dig your toes in the sand, if you stumble across a quiet beach or island on your travels, and admire the view! You can even pack a picnic for ultimate unwinding.

Why should you work simple sightseeing into your on-the-water routine? Studies have shown that the blue hue of the water is naturally calming to the senses—so even if you’re cruising the “same old” waterway you’ve been to a million times, it’s still well worth it to enjoy the view!

… and listen, too

Our sense of sound, too, is lulled to relaxation by the gentle sound of water—whether it’s ocean waves, a babbling brook or even the splashing spray of your Vortex. Take some time to enjoy the sounds of nature that serve as the ready-made soundtrack to your cruising adventure.

Who says water sports can’t be peaceful and exciting at the same time? We hope that these tips help you enjoy relaxing runs on your favorite body of water!