Water sports are a popular holiday activity that combine fun, fitness, and adventure. From surfing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) to kitesurfing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and even foiling, these travel activities offer unique thrills on the water—whether you’re at the beach, on a lake, or exploring remote coastal spots.
Each sport requires specific equipment and comes with its own level of risk, which is why having the right water sports travel insurance is crucial. Some policies offer protection for personal injury, emergency medical costs, or damage to gear like boards, sails, and wetsuits. If you’re taking part in wind-based sports, make sure your cover includes conditions like strong winds or unexpected weather.
Adding extra cover to your travel policy ensures you’re protected while taking part in high-risk water activities. These sports help you make the most of your trip, create lasting memories, and stay safe—even when the waves are high.
Classic Wave Water Sports
1. Surfing
Surfing is one of the most popular water sports, offering a thrilling way to ride waves using a surfboard. Longboards are ideal for beginners, while shortboards allow experienced surfers to perform advanced tricks. This activity requires balance, core strength, and flexibility, making it a great way to stay fit and connect with nature.
Whether you’re surfing during a holiday abroad or at your local beach, the right gear—board, wetsuit, leash—is essential. Regular surfers should consider taking out surfing insurance to protect both their equipment and themselves from injury, accidents, or loss during a trip. With so many types of surfboards and water conditions, having the right cover can offer real peace of mind.
2. Bodyboarding
Bodyboarding is a fun and accessible water sport that involves lying on a soft foam or polycarbonate board while riding waves. It’s a great option for all skill levels, especially beginners or families. Unlike surfing, it requires less strength and balance to get started.
Bodyboarding needs minimal equipment—mainly a board and possibly a wetsuit for colder water. Its affordability and ease make it a popular choice for active holidays. While considered low-risk, travel insurance with water sports cover is still recommended, especially for medical costs or lost baggage.
3. Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing mixes wind and wave power by using a kite to pull the rider across the water on a small board. Some kitesurfers perform tricks in the air, while others ride ocean waves using foil boards. It’s a high-adrenaline sport that demands solid control, knowledge of weather conditions, and experience with the equipment.
Because of the risk of injury or gear damage, having specialist kitesurfing insurance is highly recommended. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude activities like kitesurfing, so always check your cover before heading out. The right insurance policy ensures you can focus on performance, not problems.
Towed Water Sports
1. Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a dynamic water sport where the rider is towed behind a boat while standing on a board, similar to a snowboard. It’s all about strength, agility, and balance, with riders performing jumps and tricks on the boat’s wake. Beginners usually start with wider boards for stability, while more advanced wakeboarders prefer narrow, responsive designs.
This adventure sport requires specific equipment, including bindings, tow rope, and a buoyancy aid. To stay protected from unexpected costs due to accidents or gear damage, it’s wise to consider wakeboarding insurance as part of your travel insurance policy—especially if you’re doing it during a holiday abroad.
2. Water Skiing
Water skiing combines speed and precision. Pulled behind a motorboat, riders use one or two skis designed to glide smoothly on the water. Unlike alpine skis, these are wider and flatter, offering better control on liquid surfaces.
Whether you’re slaloming or simply gliding, water skiing demands solid body control and safety awareness. A life jacket is essential, and beginners may benefit from shorter skis. Since accidents, injuries, or equipment loss can occur, make sure your insurance includes water skiing cover—either as a standard feature or as an added activity option.
3. Wakesurfing
Wakesurfing is a more relaxed version of wakeboarding. Once the rider catches the wave created by the boat, they let go of the rope and surf freely on the wake. It offers a more fluid and playful experience, with less speed and more focus on technique and posture.
Wakesurfers often use shorter, finless boards and need a specially equipped boat with ballast systems to generate a surfable wave. While it’s a gentler sport, you’re still exposed to risks—so it’s smart to add wakesurfing protection to your holiday insurance, especially if you’re travelling with your own gear or booking sessions abroad.
Innovations and Emerging Trends in Water Sports
1. Electric Foiling (eFoil)
Electric hydrofoiling—commonly known as eFoil—is redefining modern water sports. These cutting-edge boards combine an electric motor with a submerged wing (hydrofoil), allowing riders to literally glide above the surface. As your speed increases, the board lifts out of the water, delivering an unmatched sensation of flying.
Thanks to its electric-powered equipment, eFoiling is not only quiet and smooth but also eco-friendly. It’s ideal for travellers seeking low-impact adventure sports. As the technology is still relatively new and the equipment expensive, it’s recommended to check if your travel insurance policy includes optional eFoil cover to protect against theft, damage, or accidents.
2. Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) continues to grow in popularity across UK and European holiday destinations. Easy to learn and suitable for all ages, it offers a full-body workout and a peaceful way to explore lakes, rivers, and coastlines. The latest SUPs are inflatable, lightweight, and easy to pack—perfect for travel.
For those bringing their own board on a trip, consider adding equipment insurance for loss or breakage. SUP may seem low-risk, but unexpected falls, currents, or contact with rocks can lead to injuries. To stay protected, verify that your insurance includes SUP activities, especially if you’re paddling in remote locations or taking guided tours.
3. Flyboarding
Flyboarding is one of the most thrilling and visually striking extreme water sports. Using high-pressure water jets connected to a jet ski, flyboarders can soar several metres above the surface or dive below it like a dolphin. This adrenaline-filled activity demands excellent balance and control—but offers unforgettable views and sensations.
Due to its higher risk level and complex equipment, standard travel insurance often doesn’t include flyboarding by default. You’ll need to check your policy documents carefully and possibly request an extra cover option or sports upgrade. That way, your medical fees, injuries, or equipment damage will be covered, even in the event of an accident.
Get Covered Before You Hit the Water
Whether you’re surfing along the Atlantic coast, paddling across calm lakes, wakeboarding behind a speedboat, or soaring on a kiteboard, water sports offer the perfect mix of freedom, adrenaline, and natural beauty. But like any adventure activity, they also involve risks—from sudden injuries and equipment damage to extreme weather conditions, unexpected medical emergencies, or even trip cancellations.
That’s why having the right travel insurance policy is essential if you plan on taking part in water-based activities. Unlike standard travel insurance, a dedicated water sports travel policy includes the extra protection you need. The best insurance for water sports typically includes medical cover for emergency treatment or hospitalisation, evacuation services, reimbursement for stolen or broken personal equipment such as boards, wetsuits or foils, and liability protection in case you accidentally injure someone or damage property during your activity.
You should also check that your insurance policy covers trip interruption or cancellation due to weather, injury, or transport delays. Just as important is checking what’s included and excluded in your policy—some high-risk sports like scuba diving, surfing, wakeboarding, or kite surfing may require proof of certification, or the use of safety gear to qualify for full cover.
Ready to Insure Your Next Adventure?
At Assure Ton Sport, we help protect thrill-seekers and active travellers with tailored insurance solutions built specifically for water sports. Whether you’re planning a diving holiday, a surfing weekend, or an extended tour packed with multiple high-risk activities, we make it easy to compare quotes, understand what’s covered, and find the best insurance policy for your budget and your gear.
Our policies are fast to set up, fully digital, and designed for individuals, families, or groups taking part in activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, wakesurfing, kayaking, or even the newest innovations like electric foil boards. We cover both casual holiday-goers and seasoned athletes, with optional extras available for equipment protection, trip cancellation, or extended medical emergency coverage.
Don’t let a sprained ankle, lost board, or cancelled session ruin your trip. With Assure Ton Sport, you can enjoy your water-based holiday with confidence—knowing that if something goes wrong, you’re backed by a comprehensive, reliable insurance partner who understands the specific risks of water sports travel.
