Water Sports to Challenge Your Inner Adrenaline Junkie

by LBTAdmin

If you’re on the lookout for a new adventure, take advantage of the country’s 210km of coastline and give these water sports a try.

 

Photos: Dany Faddoul

SCUBA DIVING

The best way to enjoy Lebanon’s underwater treasures is to go scuba diving. Not only can you get up close and personal with marine life including sharks and stingrays, you can also explore some epic shipwrecks off the coast, like the famous vertically positioned HMS Victoria.

How to get started
Nasser Saidi from the National Institute of Scuba Diving in Lebanon says: “When you’re starting out, you need to take a few courses. First, we go over the basics of how to dive, what equipment is necessary and how it functions. Then, we move on to practical courses and end with an exam. Passing the exam provides you with a diploma. If you do not wish to go through this process however, you can opt to dive with an instructor.”

Equipment
There’s no need to purchase any equipment as the facility provides everything you need, namely a mask, fins, a wetsuit and a diving tank.

Where to go
One of the most popular diving sites is Tyre, thanks to its glorious reefs and rich marine life. Sea turtles are common in the area.
Other diving facilities can be found further north, reaching as far as Tripoli.

National Institute for Scuba Diving in Lebanon (01 739203/03 959385)
Dive the Med Club, San Stefano Resort, Batroun (03 119002)

 

WINDSURFING

This sport involves two key elements: wind and waves. Windsurfing combines a board and a sail. The sail is used to control the board on the water in accordance with the wind. Malek Daou from Batroun Water Sports says: “Windsurfing, especially for beginners, requires a minimum of winds blowing at five kilometers per hour. This means you can windsurf practically all year round.”

How to get started
Sign up for a course at a windsurfing center like Batroun Water Sports, where an instructor will show you what to do and how to maneuver your board. Malek says: “Practice and dedication are crucial to mastering this sport. You need to practice at least three to four hours a week and enjoy being at the beach, because you’re going to be there quite a lot!”

Equipment
You’ll just need to grab your swimsuit and a towel as the windsurfing facilities will provide the rest.

Where to go
For most of the year, the winds that blow over the country are westerly, hitting the shore more profoundly the further north you go. This makes almost any spot from Byblos onwards suitable for windsurfing.
Batroun Water Sports, Batroun (03 156402)

 

SURFING

Lebanon’s surfing community has grown and a few facilities offering instruction have opened up over recent years. Ali Al Amine, owner of Surf Lebanon, says: “When we think of surfing, we tend to picture a tropical island with huge waves, but this is far from accurate. Over the last six years, surfing has gained traction in Lebanon and there are some great surfing spots up and down the coast.”

How to get started
Take a lesson to learn the basics with a center like Surf Lebanon, certified by the ISA (International Surfing Association). It’s important that you practice in different weather conditions in order to understand the way the sea changes and how to read the water.

Ali says: “Get comfortable swimming around currents and waves. Core strength is crucial so burpees and pushups go a long way. A valuable tip I give is that when in doubt, don’t paddle out. If you feel you are not ready to go further out to sea, then don’t – it’s not worth the risk.”

Equipment
Surf centers will provide you with everything you need to hit those waves, but if you prefer to get your own gear you will require a surfboard (of course!), a wetsuit (for surfing in winter), a surf leash (for safety in case you fall off your board), surfing wax (for a better grip on your board), earplugs (to protect you from surfer’s ear), sunscreen and sunglasses (for summer).

Where to go
Batroun, Jiyeh and Byblos are popular destinations for surfers. The stronger winds are found around the northern town of Batroun, making it a good option for wind related water sports like windsurfing. Towards the south, winds tend to lose strength.
Surf Lebanon, Jiyeh (71 900322)
Board’n’Surf, Byblos (03 734601/03 283413)

Loading

You may also like

Leave a Comment