Awesome Water

The FreeStyle Cruiser is an inflatable vinyl water slide. It’s meant to be attached to yachts or other watercraft, but it can also be installed to other structures. Head to its website to order.

A fishing boat off the coast of British Columbia encounters an unexpected visit from a humpback whale, as it goes flying into the air just feet from the side of their boat. Photo: Matthew Thornton.

Rope swing not enough for you? Perhaps an entire inflatable water park will suffice. Wibit’s Sports Park 60 is over 130ft long, 105 ft wide and about 10ft high and can accommodate up to 60 people.

Rave Sports’ floating rope swing lets you pull off flips on water – or at least try to – on any body of water at least 10′ deep. It can be set up on its own or attached to other Rave Sports platforms.

Our attempts to skip stones across the water usually result in a splash or two – maybe three on a really good day. But check out this guy and his epic stone skipping skills (and his magical beard.)

A modular system to replace wooden docks, these floating blocks can be interlocked to make any shape you can think of, and can float over breaking waves. You can even land a helicopter on them.

The Seabreacher Y uses the same 255hp engine as the X Sharkboat, but it is modeled on killer whales and has a panoramic canopy. Goes up to 50mph on the surface and 25mph underwater.

Raise your hand if you knew that devil rays were capable of leaping from the water and flying through the air. Nope, us neither. But these ones in the Sea of Cortez seem ready to evolve into birds.

Combining awe-inspiring and humbling footage of massive waves with the dubstep remix of Clint Mansell’s dramatic Lux Aeterna, you’ll want to dim the lights and hit full screen mode for this one.

Located at the Seaham Hall Spa outside of Newcastle, UK, this awe-inspiring fountain by William Pye has a continuously spinning vortex in the middle of it, which can be viewed from the side or above.

Sawyer’s Squeeze filters are light and very easy to use – fill up the pouch, screw the filter on to the pouch and then squeeze the water out of the pouch. Comes with 12oz, 16oz and 32oz pouches.

Andre Magarao’s video of Alex Pastor kiteboarding in Uruau, Brazil not only captures some cool moves by the athlete but also a tiny, compelling glimpse into what life is like in a remote, 100 person town.

Alloy Yachts’ Vertigo 220 vessel was designed by a naval architect and combines the best of contemporary living with oceanic luxury, with sweeping teak floors and Christian Liaigre interiors.

Craig Pulsifier’s cool video shows the Lowepro DryZone 200 Camera Backpack protecting and keeping his gear dry in the great outdoors, while traversing waist high water and waterfalls.

Who says you need a friend with a boat to go water skiing? Hammacher Schlemmer certainly doesn’t think you do – offering up this remote-controlled boat that can pull you along at up to 40MPH.

Buck up and huck it – that’s exactly what Tyler Bradt did (with minor injuries) to make the insane 189′ world record waterfall descent at Palouse Falls. The drama begins at 2:30. (Thanks Nash!)

(NSFW: Language) This week, we learned that nature is awesome. Here’s more proof, as the Ammonoosuc river transforms from a still, peaceful thing to a rushing river of ice in minutes.

The EGO is a small electric boat that floats on the water, piloted from a see-through cabin that rides just beneath the surface, allowing a clear view of underwater life without getting wet – or the bends.

The Wavegarden is a safe surfing environment perfect for people of all ages, fitness levels, and skills and is ideal for introducing the sport of surfing to those who do not have access to waves.

Just in time for the post-blizzard: Gambo Design’s electric Beach Boy concept vehicle is designed for warm coastal regions; dropping the top transforms the car into a roomy deck. (Thanks Kevin!)

The Neptune MM2 is a 2 seater sport micro submersible with a 750′ max dive depth; the dry sealed cabin with full life support is accessed through a heavy power enhanced lock down hatch.

This intrepid (or insane) bus driver in Nicaragua has got a serious pair of huevos on him – watch as he decides to navigate the raging flood waters on the road instead of waiting for them to recede.

Mark Visser, with specially engineered LED lighting built into his buoyancy vest and board, became the first to night surf at Jaws off Maui, mainly on feel, in a surreal 2 am session. (Thanks Jonathan!)