4 Must-Try Activities This Summer

After what seems like the longest winter in living memory, the joy of seeing a blue sky seems more valuable than ever before! With the longer days and rising temperatures, its time to get out and about and celebrate summer, and what better way to do so than to spend your time trying exciting experiences and activities. Here are four must-try activities that are even better in the summer sun!

1. Paintballing

Paintballing is one of those games that you play as an adult and then discover that the child that used to love running about in the woods playing soldiers is still very much alive within you! It’s a game of tactics, bravery and borderline stupidity and you will be guaranteed an amazing day in the great outdoors. Given the notoriously volatile British summer, it’s also great that Paintballing can be played in just about any weather! Paintball is played in mixed teams or individually, and typically from the age of 12, which makes it the ideal summer activity for the whole family to play. You can use HulaHub to find and book local paintballing.

2. Wild Swimming

There is nothing that quite beats the feeling of swimming in free-flowing clean and natural water. It’s quite a different experience to that of swimming in a chlorinated pool; you are connected with nature and get a sense of liberation, and wellbeing that swimming indoors just can’t replicate. You must always do your homework though and check how safe it is to swim in the location. Lakes and river pools can have hidden dangers and currents, so never assume that it is safe and follow these simple rules:

• Never swim in urban rivers or canals
• Never swim alone
• Never jump into water you haven’t checked for hidden obstructions
• Always know your entry and exit points

3. Hiking

What better way to enjoy the summer than to get outdoors and explore the countryside. The UK is blessed with some spectacular landscapes that are easily accessible to the public via well-marked trails. There is very rarely any need for advanced map reading skills, but you should always take a map with you so that you are aware of your location in case of an emergency and so you can identify natural landmarks you pass.

Hiking in a natural environment is great for your soul. It can be a form of walking meditation that allows you to heighten your senses and general awareness. There is nothing quite as humbling as being reminded how great and vast the natural environment is and how small and temporary we are.

4. Fishing

Fishing is the ideal antidote to the hectic and busy lives that we often lead today. It requires stillness and patience that is an under-utilised skill in today’s culture and society. Historically a male pastime, there are a growing number of women who are taking up this leisure activity, and why not? It’s a perfect opportunity to get out of the house, switch off from work and family demands and have time to focus on thinking about you. There is also the fishermen’s rumours that women are more successful at fishing because of their pheromones. Whether this is true or perhaps just a response to the shock of being beaten by a woman, remains to be seen!

Having had a long enforced winter hibernation, now that summer is on its way, it is time to get outside and get active. Whatever your preferences, there is always something that you can do in the great outdoors: paintballing, wild swimming, hiking and fishing are just a few of the options that you have. Get online and researching, and you’ll have the best summer ever!