Filming Watersports in 360°: Best Cameras & Mounts for Sailing, SUP, and Surf
Capturing watersports on film has always been a challenge. Dinghy sailing, yacht racing, paddle boarding, or surfing all happen in a dynamic environment where equipment needs to be waterproof, lightweight, and rugged. Drones are great, but they’re impractical on the water for most everyday use.
For immersive third-person perspective shots — the kind where the camera seems to hover just behind or above you — the best solution today is 360° cameras paired with invisible selfie sticks and mounts. These setups make it possible to create cinematic footage without external cameramen or drones.
In this post, we’ll explore the best 360° cameras for watersports, compare their features and costs, look at mounting solutions for different activities, and finish with ready-to-go starter kits.
🎥 Why 360° Cameras Are Perfect for Watersports
Invisible Selfie Stick Effect: When using a 360° camera with a properly aligned selfie stick, the stick vanishes in editing, leaving a smooth “floating camera” effect.
Waterproofing: Most leading 360° cameras are IPX8-rated — safe for splashes, spray, and short submersions.
Versatility: You can reframe the footage after the fact — zoom in on yourself, the wave, or the sails — all from the same recording.
Compact & Lightweight: Easy to mount on a mast, boom, paddleboard, or even a surfboard nose.
📸 The Best 360° Cameras for Watersports
Here are the leading waterproof 360° cameras for invisible-stick style filming:
| Camera | Waterproof Rating | Price (approx) | Notable Features | Included Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insta360 X3 | 10m (IPX8) | $399 / £429 | Best all-rounder, 5.7K 360 video, strong stabilisation | Standard mount adapter, USB-C cable, protective pouch |
| Insta360 X4 | 10m (IPX8) | $499 / £499 | Latest model, 8K 360 video, improved battery life | Standard mount adapter, lens guards, pouch |
| GoPro Max | 5m (IPX7) | $499 / £479 | 5.6K 360 video, robust GoPro ecosystem | Adhesive mounts, rechargeable battery, USB-C cable |
👉 Best balance of price & performance: Insta360 X3 Buy Now.
👉 Best future-proofing: Insta360 X4 Buy Now.
👉 Best for GoPro users with existing mounts: GoPro Max Buy Now.
⚓ Mounting Options for Boats, Boards & Waves
A good camera is only half the equation — the magic comes from how you mount it. Here’s what works best:
On a Dinghy or Yacht
- Mast / Boom Mounts: Secure a selfie stick to the mast or boom using clamps like the RAM Tough-Claw or Flymount Aero-40. Ideal for overhead or trailing shots.
- Ball-Joint Clamps: Adjust the camera angle precisely — point down into the cockpit, along the boom, or back at the sails for dynamic perspectives.
On a Paddleboard
– Surfboard Adhesive Mounts (GoPro or Insta360 versions): Stick to the nose or tail of the board, tethered for safety.
– Rail/D-ring Clamps: If your SUP has bungee tie-downs, you can attach there for stability.
On a Surfboard
– Surfboard Mount Kits: Strong 3M adhesive mounts + safety tethers. Best placed on the nose (rear-facing) or tail (forward-facing).
– Always use a tether line — wipeouts can rip off even the strongest adhesive mounts.
On Windsurf/Kite Harnesses
– SailVideoSystem 3rdPersonView Harness Mount: A rig that sits behind you on a pole for spectacular floating shots — like having your own cameraman flying alongside.
🛠️ Recommended Gear Checklist
| Gear Item | Best For | Compatible Cameras | Price (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insta360 Invisible Selfie Stick | Invisible stick shots | Insta360 X3/X4, (GoPro w/ adapter) | $25 |
| RAM Tough-Claw Clamp | Mast/boom clamping | All 360 cams (adapter may be needed) | £55 |
| Flymount Aero-40 / Original | Booms, masts, SUP paddles | GoPro native, Insta360 w/ adapter | £60–£70 |
| GoPro Surfboard Mount Kit | Surfboards & SUPs | GoPro native, Insta360 w/ adapter | £20 |
| SailVideoSystem 3rdPersonView Harness | Windsurf/kitesurf | GoPro native, Insta360 w/ adapter | ~€229 |
🎒 Starter Kit Recommendations
✅ For Insta360 X3/X4 Users (Sailing / Dinghy / SUP)
- Insta360 X3 or X4
- Insta360 Invisible Selfie Stick
- RAM Tough-Claw clamp (for mast/boom)
- GoPro Surfboard Mount kit (for SUP/surf use)
- Safety tethers
👉 Ideal for versatile water filming with invisible-stick shots.
✅ For GoPro Max Users (Surf / SUP Focused)
- GoPro Max
- GoPro Surfboard Mount kit (includes adhesive mounts + tethers)
- Flymount Aero-40 clamp (for paddle/boom)
- Tripod adapter to connect to selfie sticks/clamps
- Optional: RAM Tough-Claw for yacht/dinghy rigging
👉 Best if you’re already in the GoPro ecosystem with accessories.
✅ For Windsurf / Kitesurf Riders
- Insta360 X3/X4 or GoPro Max
- SailVideoSystem 3rdPersonView Harness mount
- Flymount Aero-40 (for additional boom shots)
- Extra tether lines
👉 Delivers the most dynamic third-person POV shots without a drone.
Pro Tips for Success
- Always double up with safety tethers — even the best mounts can fail in heavy wipeouts.
- Keep mounts aligned with the camera for a clean invisible-stick effect.
- Mount lower on masts or paddles to reduce vibration.
- Carry microfiber cloths — water spots on lenses can ruin an otherwise epic shot.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Filming watersports doesn’t need drones or complex rigs anymore. With a waterproof 360° action camera and the right mounting gear, you can capture cinematic, drone-like shots entirely on your own.
- Insta360 X3/X4 deliver the cleanest invisible-stick third-person shots.
- GoPro Max is a strong option if you already own GoPro gear.
- Mounts like Flymount and RAM Tough-Claw make it possible to attach these cameras anywhere — masts, booms, boards, or harnesses.
The result? Footage that feels like you have your own chase boat or camera crew — without ever leaving the water.
Your Ad Here
