Water Activities
Archive
Jeff Maassen began harvesting sea urchins from the waters surrounding the Channel Islands of Santa Barbara, California, more than three decades ago, and if he has his way, he'll never stop.
The San Joaquin is Central California’s largest river, but runs “bone-dry” in stretches due to dams, levees, and excessive water diversions, threatening the habitats, agriculture, and communities that are dependent on the river. In Walt, from Justin Clifton and American Rivers,…
Flowing along the southern border of the rugged Kalmiopsis Wilderness, the North Fork of the Smith River is one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the U.S.—and one of the most endangered. Proposed nickel mining in the headwaters of the Smith River threatens its…
The third annual International Ocean Film Tour brings water sports and environmental films back to the big screen. The tour kicks off on March 12 in Hamburg, Germany. You can follow tour updates on Facebook here.
The iconic shoes, now made to be worn in the rain and snow
Two weeks ago, Kelly Slater proved man-made waves are no longer just for waterparks
Long breath-holds put beginner freedivers at risk of abnormal cardiac rhythms
The 21-year-old stumbled on photography just a few years ago through his mom’s 1990’s DSLR. Since then, he’s developed a speciality in capturing simplistic, outdoor scenes around much of the American South.
Because aerial footage is so passé
A stately machine that’s fit for a king—or a conniving president
We want one of these on our wall. Stat.
On Sunday, the world's greatest freediver—a 13-year veteran of the sport, holder of 41 world records—descended to a modest depth of about 130 feet. She hasn't been seen since.
Plus, 5 tips to avoid a close encounter
Makers of this crowdsourced device say it can save you from drowning
The six swim trunks you should be wearing this summer
First there was an algae-based surfboard. Now we have El Portobello—a sustainable board you can grow yourself.
The stigma is gone. For years, canned beers were derided for their metallic taste. Worse, the options were limited—few breweries canned beer that you’d want to sample, let alone drink 12 ounces of. Then, Oskar Blues started canning its flagship Dale’s Pale Ale in 2002. And everything changed.
Business-ready in and out of the water.
A self-inflating SUP that offers extra zip
You’ll recognize at least a few of the names on American Rivers’ annual Endangered Rivers list—but what will you do to ensure they remain pristine?
Michael Phelps and Killian Journet are both amazing athletes, but they occupy opposite ends of the spectrum. Where do you fall?
Don't plan any vacations before reading this year's Best of Travel winners.
These adventure geniuses will make your next trip the one you never, ever forget.
This year, go beyond Daytona Beach to surf Puerto Rico, fish the Bahamas, or explore an Ecuadorean rainforest. (Don't worry, skiers—there's neck-deep powder here for you, too.)
Ready to race? Check out these 20 events, carefully curated to provide intrepid newbie skiers, rock climbers, and trail runners a thrilling and welcoming competitive experience.
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a droplet of water cascading off of a cliff? If you try waterfall jumping, you might just find out.
After a day in the snow, melt into one of these six natural hot springs.
Former reality-show skipper Chris Fischer has revolutionized shark science—with a daring system for catching the beasts alive and a radical new research-funding model. During an expedition off the coast of Chile that was interrupted by an undersea earthquake, our man wonders if this guy is the next Cousteau or a corporate-sponsored hype machine.
If lingering holiday malaise and winter's cold, short days are knocking you off your game, look no further. One of these trips is sure to recharge you.
If you've never been to India, go with a company that knows the ropes, even in a well-traveled state like Kerala. Here's how to do it right.
That's what they call the southern Indian state of Kerala, a laid-back tropical paradise where you can paddle hidden backwaters, trek the rugged Western Ghats, look for tigers, indulge in Ayurvedic treatments, and chill out on unspoiled beaches. Just leave your manic Western self behind.
A nonprofit aims to publicize never-before-seen footage of marine life in its natural, undisturbed habitat. The goal? Develop the ultimate marine observation tool.
More pain quest than workout, misogi is the secret, punishing ritual that has revolutionized Atlanta Hawks supershooter Kyle Korver's game. You have time for this—if it doesn't kill you first.
Erika Bergman turned her career as a submarine pilot into an international engineering and exploration curriculum. The goal: to get more young women outside and involved in the sciences.
A group of friends built the houseboat we never knew we needed. Even better: It's available for rent.
Lightweight, durable, and comfy, this gear finds its way into Chris Solomon's pack every time he heads out the front door.
Forest Woodward has an enviable travel schedule. In the last year, the climber, surfer, and pro photographer has visited half a dozen countries, including Spain and Peru, and about 20 states in the U.S. Here are a few of the best shots he's taken over the past year. Don't be too jealous: Woodward's images have a way of bringing you along for the ride.
There are many threats to the 50-year-old Wilderness Act. But the most dangerous, Kenneth Brower says, comes from those who are chipping away at the very idea of wilderness itself.
The short answer: Absolutely. For a detailed breakdown of inexpensive, beginner-friendly fly-fishing gear, I contacted my friend Ryan Allred, owner of Jefferson Flywater. Allred’s worked as a guide for 20 years and holds a master’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on fisheries. Here’s the gear…
Come for the solitude on the island's unpeopled parts and check out the dedicated ex-pat community if you decide you never want to leave.
From nearby to far-flung and exotic, we've got seven islands to cure your winter wanderlust. Turns out one of the most spectacular is right around the corner.
The company is growing up fast—and it's not all about action sports anymore.
It may be the oldest emotion. Before happiness, before sorrow, before exhilaration, and way, way before the urge to climb mountains and bomb down steeps, there was fear. Now scientists are finding new ways to help us conquer our deepest anxieties—and use them to perform even better.
Five business icons share how they flipped the switch on their careers—and how you can follow in their footsteps.
In October, 12 women will compete in one of the world's oldest male-dominated sports. The race? A 38,000-mile monster through pirate-infested waters and rough seas.
Do cell phones, satellite messengers, and personal locator beacons create more false alarms in the backcountry?
Who says you have to chose between land or water?
Anxiety, depression, obesity—kids are increasingly becoming unhappy and unhealthy. But there is a pill-free solution: outdoor play.
Think you're ready for the world's longest stand-up paddleboard race? We'll be the judge.
Some plan trips in advance; others let the current carry them. For Amy Ragsdale, traveling with risk takers like herself has helped her trust the process of exploring without a full map, rather than fight it.
We can boat the same backyard river with our family a dozen or more times, and it will never get old—because rivers, like our children, are constantly changing.
Surf icon Dave Kalama is still winning a year shy of his 50th birthday. But he has new competition: Kai Lenny, the 21-year-old rising star. What happens when the prodigy faces the man who taught him almost everything he knows about paddleboarding?
It's summer's most casual shoe, but there are flip-flops and then there are flip-flops. Keep your feet happy with our favorites.
Tech to ensure you thrive on the sand and in the water this summer.
Summer's best timepieces play hard, no matter what you throw at them.
Three plane fuselages in a Montana river might seem like a problem, but there’s more to the accident than meets the eye.
Gear that plays well when wet, whether it’s at the beach, in the river, or around town
It's not easy to swim with sperm whales: they're hard to find, hard to reach without adequate diving experience, and they just might swallow you up if you get too close. But how else are we going to crack their complicated language system? A group of rogue freedivers takes the plunge.
Stand-up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. And because SUP doesn't discriminate when it comes to water—it can be still or rushing—you can find classes and meet-ups just about everywhere. But if you've never done it before, here's Kristin Artz from the…
The drive from Eureka, California, to Coos Bay, Oregon has dunes, salmon, and Jurassic Park-worthy greenery—but no crowds. It'll be our little secret.
There's nothing more American than hitting the open road with the windows down, the music up, and a cooler full of beer in the backseat (you know, for later). Sure, the game has changed a little—smartphones have all but rendered guidebooks and crumpled maps obsolete—but one essential question remains: where to go? Look no further. We hand-picked the ten best, most adventure-packed road trips in the country.
This Olympic Peninsula loop in Washington is a water-lover's dream—take your pick of waterfalls, rivers, beaches, and lakes. And don't forget the seafood.
Take it to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula and find some of the best fishing, paddling, and moonshine-sampling of your life.
This road trip from New Orleans to Florida featuring lazy days feasting on the freshest seafood, sandy camping, and pristine paddling.