Soaring above the sea or speeding across the water’s surface isn’t just for superheroes. Here’s a look at three trending water sports designed to get your heart pumping.

Kite foiling surged in popularity since making its Olympics debut in Paris. Though similar to kitesurfing, kite foiling offers a smoother ride because the board doesn’t make as much contact with the water, and participants can pick up lots of speed, even in light winds. A specialized board fitted with a hydrofoil — a wing-like structure with a mast underneath — pushes against the water, lifting the board. Hovering above the water means it’s easier to glide than on a kitesurfing board. Balancing on a hydrofoil board takes practice and is easier to learn in calm, deep waters where the
mast won’t get stuck.

Where to try it: Cabarete, Dominican Republic; Dream Spot, Sri Lanka; Dakhla, Morocco

Combining elements of jet skiing, wakeboarding and snowboarding, flyboarding offers an exhilarating experience allowing riders to soar up to 45 feet above the water. Participants stand on a flyboard, a jetpack-like device attached to their feet. A long hose connected to a watercraft (usually a jet ski) provides the power to lift riders, giving them the traction and stability to perform flips, stunts or dives. Riders use a handheld throttle to control their direction in the air. While physically demanding, flyboarding is safe and fun; just make sure a trained operator controls the jet ski.

Where to try it: Santoríni, Greece; Cancún, Mexico; Costa Blanca, Spain

A cross between skateboarding and wakeboarding, wakeskating involves a smaller, wider, lighter board than a wakeboard that’s easier to maneuver for tricks. There are no bindings; riders use grip tape or wakeskate shoes to stay planted on the board. Wakeskating has a steeper learning curve than wakeboarding and requires more balancing skills than most other water sports due to the lack of bindings. Beginners who have a background in skateboarding will find this sport uses similar technical skills.

Where to try it: Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada; Lake Champlain, New York and Vermont; Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri