Maybe try smoking a joint or smoking a blunt. Shouldn't burn your throat as bad but I started out on a water bong and always loved the high. If you don't like it at all then maybe it's just not your thing. Or maybe you're getting some bad bud and not getting the full experience. My suggestion is smoke a joint of the best shit you can get your hands on and if you still don't like it then just drop it all. That's the only advice I see worth giving.

Best of luck to you.