Did you know that the first surfboards date back to before 300 AD, around the time when Polynesians came to the Hawaiian islands? Stranger still, the basic design of the surfboard remained relatively unchanged until the 1920s, when the first 16-foot Alaia was cut in half and led to the first “Plank” surfboard. This started a revolution in design that continues to this day, as surfboards have become lighter, smaller, stronger, faster and more maneuverable. But maybe you’re old school and prefer a longboard, or perhaps you’re just beginning in the sport and want the style that provides the most ease of use. We’re here to help you out with one of the most exciting sports in the world, so please, take a look at our five favorite surfboards on the market today.

Bike helmets: you know you have to wear one to stay safe while riding your bike. When it comes to getting a bike helmet – or perhaps helmets for you and your family – it's better late than never. In some states, helmets are the law, and you could be fined without one. Which type of helmet should you get? How do you choose the best safety features with the coolest design? Well, we have the answers. Read on and you'll find the best five bike helmets on the market today.

If you want to do something active that feels like stepping into a time machine, go ahead and take a ride down the boardwalk on your beach cruiser. The beach cruiser is made for easy, leisurely, simple rides, and it's the perfect bike for trips with your family. A lot has changed since Schwinn introduced the first beach cruiser in 1933, and a lot more brands have elaborated on this classic design. And with advances in modern materials and design, the beach cruiser is more sturdy, comfortable and rugged, too. So, we took a few dozen trips up and down the Strand to bring you our choice of the five best beach cruiser bikes.

If you're looking to get outdoors, what’s a more classic sunshine sport than rollerblading? Crazy as it may sound, the rollerblade design came before roller skates and were created by a Dutch inventor in the early 1700s. Over two centuries later, two brothers from Minnesota thought the in-line design would be best for off-season hockey training, and in 1983, Rollerblade, Inc. was born. Today, there are over 60 inline skate manufacturers, and their output results in hundreds of different products. With so many to choose from, how do you know which is best for you? That’s why we’re here. Check out what we believe are the five best rollerblades on the market today.

So, you've got the boat (and congrats, we're insanely jealous!). What's next? Well, aside from finding your favorite place to cruise along, you've got to stock your boat with some key boat accessories. You likely already know all the top safety items you definitely want onboard your first aid and safety kit. You've likely already got the spot to store all of that, too. Fire extinguisher? Check. Radio? Check. Flares? Check. But what else? Well, when it comes to boat accessories, you might just find that it takes a couple of times out on the water to really pinpoint what it is you need. If you're looking for some suggestions, however, this list is a great place to start.

Wakeboarding, in which a rider stands attached to a board and is towed behind a boat, has taken the world by storm. And it's no wonder, considering the pure adrenaline rush and intense workout you get from it. A little like snowboarding on water, wakeboarding requires strength, stamina, and a good sense of humor (you'll take a ton of tumbles at first). It's all worth it though, as it's a water sport that is loads of fun. If you're dying to try it or have already been a number of times, snagging a quality board is a good next step. So we'll start with the good news: we've got 5 of the top boards right here for you, right now. The bad news? Choosing which one to go with. These are all such great options, you'll want 'em all.

You don’t have to be Michael Phelps to own a great pair of swim goggles. If you’ll be swimming in a pool, you’re going to want to save your eyes from irritating chemicals like chlorine. If you’re more of a beach person, then a good set of swim goggles will keep the salt from burning your pupils. And if you have kids, then you know that swim goggles are mandatory, lest the day be spent whining about the water. But do you need Michael Phelps-caliber swim goggles, or perhaps something slightly less Olympic? We spent a day at the pool, dunking our heads and peering around, in order to bring you the five best swim goggles currently on the market.

When paddle boards first started trending, it was easy to see why. A serene, peaceful water sport, paddle boards are meant to glide on top of the water. The rider can either stand on their feet, kneel, or even just lay and float around. And in recent years, stand up paddle board, or SUP, has combined with yoga for SUP yoga. Before all of this, however, paddle boarding has been a part of water-based cultures for thousands of years. They have been used for everything from fishing to transportation and now, recreation. Regardless of your own use, paddle boards are a ton of fun. In fact, today's paddle boards can come in a variety of materials and can even be inflatable and completely packable...which makes them ideal for backpacking into a high mountain lake for an almost decadent hiking-boarding experience. If you're looking to add a paddle board to your water sport toy box, these 5 paddle boards are a good starting point to finding one that'll work for you.