The basic game consists of the players sprinting up and down the length of the pool for an hour while trying to throw the polo ball into the goal. Furthermore players are not allowed to use the bottom of the pool to their advantage and hence most players simply choose to tread water the entire game instead of risking a penalty.

Because half of the game is taking place underwater the high level of contact in the sport can get out of hand quickly. It is not uncommon to be guarding another player who is kicking you underwater during the entire duration of the game. Also there are many common tactics that most coaches encourage that involving pushing off your opponents or twisting their arm in such a manner as to gain an edge in sprinting away from them.

After taking several blows to the stomach or groin even the most even tempered player will begin to look for opportunities to elbow their opponent in the face. This is one of the easiest hits to get away with as it looks very similar to a basic arm stroke if done correctly.

There is one position that gets particularly physical and that is the Hole-Set and the opposing Hole-Set defender. The Hole-Set is positioned right in front of the goal, similar to a center position in basketball. With their close proximity to the goal the opposing team guards this player closely. Not only are they close to the goal, but they are the key playmaker.

Lastly, the game gets vicious when shots are taken on the goalie. Goalies must have exceptional treading water skills because they must be able to remain out of the water from waist up for a period of several seconds. If they are unable to tread waist high out of the water for several seconds they will sink back down into the pool and at that time the shooter will have a wide open opportunity to score. The goalies often do not have enough time to get their hands out of the water if a unsuspected shot is taken, and as a result it is not uncommon for goalies to get hit in the face.

2. Barcelona – This city is situated along the Catalan coast, and has seven beaches and 4.5 kilometres of coastline. The proximity to the beach has encouraged the development of water based events and activities here and the city boasts many diving schools, water sport centres and boat chartering agencies. In Barcelona, people can enjoy a variety of water sports, ranging from sailing to jet skiing.

3. Florida – This state is known for its beaches and it is no surprise that people come here from all around America and the world, to participate in water sport activities. With the famous Florida Keys, the Miami Beach, West Palms, Fort Myers Beach and many other stretches of beach area that play host to a number of water sport activities, Florida is the ideal destination for people who like water sports.

4. Cuba – Tourists and people looking for qualified diving training can enjoy a trip to Cuba, where tourists can find a number of excellent locations for a wide choice of water sports and water related activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, yachting, surfing, sailing, water skiing and jet skiing. Locations such as Varadero have diving schools and some of the best teachers from around the world come to teach in the warm Caribbean waters.

5. Thailand – The south of Thailand boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, along with some of the best dive locations. The Phuket Island, Krabi and the neighbouring islands offer many facilities for tourists to indulge in a number of activities. The most common activities in this area are rafting, canoeing, diving and snorkelling.

In addition to snorkeling vests, diving gloves are often ignored, but can really come in handy (no pun intended). Once again, items like coral or other sharp objects below the water can be extremely painful if you knock into them or have to touch them. There may also be other things that you dont necessarily want to touch with your hands, but do want to explore. Diving gloves are the perfect way to keep your hands safe but still give you full access to see and do everything you want. Whether the situation is unpleasant or detrimental, diving gloves are an asset. They will allow you to clear obstacles and avoid dangerous situations.

The last item, a thermal wrap can keep you warm if you decide to go to a lower depth where it may be cooler than on the surface. Remember, being prepared is the best way to ensure a safe and fun snorkeling experience.

Windsurfing board bags are available in various patterns and specifications. One of the most commonly used windsurfing bags is the travel bag which comprises of good padded sidewalls for better protection. These bags also comprise of internal straps that hold the board safely in place. It is recommended that you opt for good foam-padded windsurfing board bags that offer double protection for your surf boards, especially from dings and daily wear and tear.

While purchasing a board bag, it is recommended to opt for bags with white bottoms. This avoids over-heating of the surf boards and keeps them away from dust and dirt. While purchasing windsurfing bags opt for bags that have zippers made of nylon reinforced polyester zippers. These zippers are corrosion-free and highly durable, especially if you frequent beaches for surfing. You can also choose bags that have retractable shoulder straps and are easy to adjust.

There are surf board bags available which comprises of protective features like vinyl-inforced ends, solar reflective cover and fin slots. The reflective solar covers ensure that the boards are protected from intense heat. Most bags available these days not just accommodate the surf board but also other parts like sails, masts and booms. A medium sized board bag is usually capable of carrying only one surf board, a maximum of 3 sails and 2 masts. There are several bigger board bags available that can even accommodate up to 4 surf boards. These bags comprise of several internal compartments and straps that can accommodate the other parts safely.

In the 1930s, the sport of surfing was experiencing a Renaissance. Tom Blake, founder of the Pacific Coast Surf Championships that ended with the onset of war in 1941, was the first man to photograph surfing from the water. Another photographer and surfer named Doc Ball published California Surfriders 1946, which depicts the pristine coastal beaches and good-time, relaxed atmosphere of surf living. Surfing, although curtailed in the aftermath of WWII, revived as always by the 1950s. Bud Browne, an accomplished surfer and waterman, created the first ‘surf movie’ with his 1953 “Hawaiian Surfing Movie”. This inspired many photographers, filmmakers and surfers to continue documenting the sport, culminating with is arguably the best surf movie of all time, 1963′s “Endless Summer” by Bruce Brown. The film opened up the genre of the surf movie and the art of surfing to non-surfing people, accumulating fans and inspiring neophytes.

Although surfing was a male-dominated sport, adventurous women surfers can be seen all the way back to the times of the Polynesian Queens. Two notable ‘surfer girls’ were Eve Fletcher and Anona Napolean. Eve Fletcher was a California-born animator for Walt Disney and Anona Napolean was the daughter of a respected Hawaiian surfing family. The two pioneered the sport for modern women, winning surfing competitions up and down the California coast at the end of the 50s and into the 60s. Hollywood was quick to be on the scene and with the 1959 film “Gidget”, surfing was flung far out into the mainstream, never to return to its humble, ritualistic beginnings. “Gidget” inspired a slew of “Beach Blanket Bingo” movies that brought surfing to a new generation of teens and inspiring a new genre of ‘surf music’ that accompanied films and made The Beach Boys more famous than Elvis in the 60s.