Bring on the season of sweat. Summer is out in full force, and so is the sauna-like weather. Time Out picks the best water sports to beat the heat this fortnight. By Chinmoy Lad and Matt Scowcroft

Surfing
Plagued by dirty water, busy line-ups and, most importantly, insufficient waves, Hong Kong is hardly a surfing mecca. Nevertheless, given patience, a bit of luck and a strong immune system, surfing in the region can still hit the spot. A cheeky typhoon warning never goes amiss either. Check http://www.magicseaweed.com for surf reports before heading out to the water.

Where to go: The line-up at Big Wave Bay can be lengthy and the waves flat in summer. Instead head to Tai Long Wan or Cheung Sha for more reliable breaks.
Cost: Longcoast Sports – $80/hr, $240/4hrs; Palm Beach – $50-80/hr, $150-240/4hrs; X Game – $50-80/hr for board hire, $500/3hr lesson.
Certifications: None.
Difficulty: 3/5

Kitesurfing
Combining surfing, wakeboarding and windsurfing with a casual power kite thrown in for good measure, kitesurfing has really begun to take off in Hong Kong. While a significantly improved health and safety record over recent years and excellent conditions at beaches such as Lung Kwu Tan and Shui Hau Wan are both bonuses, the sport’s success in Hong Kong may simply be down to the fact that it just makes people look pretty damn cool.

Where to go: Lung Kwu Tau, Shui Hau Wan, Cheung Sha.
Cost: X Game – $4,500/8hr course; Kiteboarding Hong Kong – $2,300/4hr course, $3,000/6-8hr course; Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre – $300/1hr intro lesson.
Certifications: Introductory training is a must.
Difficulty: 4/5

Diving
Pollution and overfishing may have taken its toll on Hong Kong’s diving scene, but the benefits of beach clean-up schemes, fishing bans and projects such as the artificial reef at Hoi Ha Wan are showing through. Underwater visibility rarely exceeds 10 metres, but coral is growing again, marine life is returning and there are plenty of good dive spots, particularly around the Sai Kung peninsula.

Where to go: Sai Kung.
Cost: Splash Hong Kong –$150 gear hire, $480/trip, $3,700/PADI Open Water course; Diving Express –$150 gear hire, $340/trip, $3,500/PADI Open Water course; Project X – from $150/gear hire and trip.
Certifications: Must be certified to go for a solo dive, PADI course highly recommended.
Difficulty: 3/5

Windsurfing
Windsurfing always comes across as surfing’s slightly awkward older brother. Surfers get the babes, while windsurfers get a slightly chilly wind-swept trip round the South China Sea. Prevailing south-westerly winds make the summer months ideal for both beginners and intermediates alike, and those wishing to spend their summer on a board and sail are spoilt for choice. Those living on the island will find Stanley a good place to start whilst the stunning beach of Cheung Sha and the Sai Kung peninsula offer other excellent alternatives. For those wishing to look further afield, Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre run two day kids’ courses throughout the summer.

Where to go: Stanley, Cheung Chau, Cheung Sha, Sai Kung.
Cost: Long Coast Sports – $120-170/hr hire, $500/90min lesson, $1,400/2-day course (8 hrs total), $1,600/3-day kids’ course; Palm Beach Watersports Centre – $170-$220/hr, $510-$660 /4hr hire; Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre – $90-$150/hr hire, $2,800/2-day kids’ course.
Certifications: None.
Difficulty: 3/5

Kayaking and Canoeing
You may not be negotiating raging rapids, but island hopping between Hong Kong’s archipelagos by paddling in an oblong dinghy is a decent workout for your upper core and arms. Kayaking and canoeing in the open sea are activities that are as challenging as you choose and are equally as easy for kids and beginners to pick up for the first time. If you’re keen to get both your feet and your paddles moving, check out www.kayak-and-hike.com.

Where to go: Sai Sha, Cheung Sha, Leisure and Cultural Services Department centres for certified training courses.
Cost: LCSD – $40-$90/day; Sai Sha Water Sports – from $65/hr to $135/hr; Long Coast Seasport and Palm Beach – from $70/hr to $420/4hrs.
Certifications: None except for advanced LCSD courses.
Difficulty: 1/5

Sailing
Over the years this sport has become associated with extravagant country clubs but at its heart it’s one of the earliest forms of transportation and exploration. Luckily, you needn’t be a member of an elitist club to enjoy a pleasant sail as the LCSD offers courses for amateurs.

Where to go: Cheung Sha, LCSD centres.
Cost: LCSD – $40-$200/day; Long Coast Seasport – $200-$600/hr
Certifications: None except for advanced LCSD courses.
Difficulty: 3/5

Wakeboarding and Waterskiing
Show off your jumps, 360s and twirls, or just learn how to balance in the water while a high speed motorboat whizzes you around. Wakeboarding and waterskiing are already popular in Hong Kong and if your jumps and twists are up to snuff, you may find yourself competing at the 2011 Wakefest in Hong Kong, looming just around the corner on July 23-24.

Where to go: Lamma Island,
Cheung Sha.
Cost: Sai Sha Water Sports – $700-$800/hr; Long Coast Seasport – $900/hr (min. 2hrs).
Certifications: None.
Difficulty: 3/5