Water sports

Water sports are no longer reserved for summer holidays at the beach. More and more people in Ireland are diving into everything from paddleboarding and snorkeling to winter swimming and open water swimming – and we totally get it. Whether you're into fresh air and speed, or peace and immersion beneath the surface, there's a water sport that suits you.

At Watery.ie, we've gathered all the gear you need for your water activities – whether you're a beginner or experienced. Dive into equipment for:

• Paddleboarding (SUP) – perfect for both exercise and relaxation

• Winter swimming – requires the right warm and safe equipment

• Water aerobics – gentle training with great effect

• Snorkeling – for both kids and adults who want to explore life beneath the water's surface

• Open water swimming and swimrun – requires special focus on safety and comfort

Of course, you'll also find everything for competitive swimming, where the right equipment can make the difference between seconds and success.

👉 Click through to all our water sports categories here, and get inspired – we're happy to guide you to the right choice.

Popular water sports in Ireland – and what you need for them

Whether you prefer calm trips on the lake, endurance in the sea, or high intensity in the pool, there's a water sport that matches your needs and level. Here's a brief introduction to some of the most popular water sports in Ireland – and what you typically need to get started well.

1. Paddleboarding (SUP)

SUP is one of the most beginner-friendly forms of water sports – but it requires the right equipment for a good experience. You need a stable paddleboard, a life jacket (which is actually mandatory in Ireland), and preferably a wetsuit for SUP if you're paddling in cooler waters.

2. Winter swimming

More than 150,000 people in Ireland enjoy winter swimming – and for good reason. However, it requires thoughtfulness and the right accessories. You should always have swim shoes, a warm robe or poncho, and possibly neoprene gloves to keep the cold from your fingers.

3. Open water swimming and swimrun

Open water swimming and swimrun require extra focus on both buoyancy and visibility. We always recommend a wetsuit of at least 3 mm, a swim buoy, and a swim cap in a signal color. If you're new, start with short distances close to the shore.

4. Snorkeling

Snorkeling is perfect for holidays, coastal areas, or just curiosity beneath the surface. With a complete snorkel set – consisting of a mask, snorkel, and fins – you'll go far. Optionally add a diving suit or swim shoes for extra comfort and protection.

5. Water aerobics and water fitness

For water aerobics, the most important thing is to have freely movable and comfortable products. Here we recommend a snug swimsuit and possibly aqua shoes with non-slip soles.

Never compromise on water sports equipment

It's obviously important to have the right equipment for the different types of water sports. Especially when it comes to safety, but also in terms of user experience. With the right accessories, you're sure to get the most out of all forms of water sports.

One of the biggest challenges of practicing water sports in Ireland is often the weather and temperatures. Additionally, there are various water sports that are almost impossible to practice without, for example, a wetsuit. This is especially true for open water swimming and SUP, if you're spending a long time on the water.

Moreover, you must of course also ensure safety, especially in water sports, as a life jacket is often a legal requirement. This applies to both kayaking and the very popular water sport SUP.

Consider comfort in relation to the right equipment

When practicing water sports, you often spend a long time in the water, so it's important to make it as comfortable as possible for yourself. This applies to clothing, where there's a big difference depending on whether it's open water swimming, swimrun, or a more general swimming sport you're practicing.

Especially in water sports where you have your head underwater a lot, it can be a great advantage to use earplugs and nose clips. Others perform their sport best with music in their ears and will therefore benefit from waterproof MP3 players.

All in all, whatever you're missing, you'll find it here. Even the things you didn't know you needed.

Buy all your equipment for water sports at Watery

We're ready to help you on your water sports adventure and are happy to share our water sports experience and expertise. Additionally, you get a range of benefits when you buy your equipment and accessories at watery.ie:

• 3 - 5 days delivery, on weekdays.
• Free shipping on purchases over €79.
• Customer support from 08:00 - 22:00 on weekdays
• 100 % price match so you can get the best at the best price

You get everything at the lowest prices and with our price match, you're guaranteed the best price on all our water sports products.