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Another water-based activity that is relatively easy to pick up is stand up paddle boarding. You jump up on your feet on a large surfboard and propel yourself along. In my first lesson, I was paddling out, and after the inevitable first few falls, it was a case of trying to steady myself on the waves as they brought me back in.

I tried this off West Wittering beach, where the most experienced boarders were paddling out to the Isle of Wight. They looked as if they were walking on water. It’s a cross between surfing and punting, except instead of the large poles that you dig into the river bed, you just gain speed and direction with oar like paddles. It’s become one of the fastest growing water sports in the world, after its rise in Hawaii in the late 1960s. There are now national and international competitions. It’s growth is gathering more momentum thanks to inflatable paddleboards which make them more portable and accessible for lakes, and rivers.

www.standuppaddleboarding.co.uk is the place for more information.