TWENTY EIGHT lakes that are available for a variety of activities like fishing, motor boating, waterskiing, jet skiing, camping, kayaking, canoeing, SUP and more! We also have several rivers in the Triad, includ- ing the Haw, Dan, Mayo, Smith, Yadkin, Uwharrie, Deep, and their streams and tributaries. We have small reservoirs all the way to huge lakes that can provide sig- nificant wind and waves. So, in what ways can YOU go have some fun and connect to the life-giving water we are so fortunate to have? We are focusing on getting on the water in natural ways here, so we'll focus on kayaking/canoeing and SUP’ing, sail- ing, rowing, johnboats with no motors and pedal boats. Nothing against motor boats; after all you cannot ski behind a kayak, but for this article, we are focusing on a natural approach to recreate in or at the water.


Let’s start with kayaks. The number one concern most have about kayaking is “they don’t want to get stuck” in the craft. Well, today’s recreational kayaks offer large cockpit openings and you will not be wearing a “skirt” designed to keep the paddler in, so you will fall out and the water will displace you. Since you have a life jacket on (always), it really is a pleasant experience once you’ve done it and real- ize, it’s just water. As long as the water isn’t cold - that is another article on cold water safety, but for now we are talking about warm water in warmer months. The second concern about kayaks is that they are tippy. That is a common mis- conception, today’s recreational kayaks especially wider boats or sit on tops are VERY stable and quite difficult to turn over. As long as you learn the correct technique for getting in and out, then the kayak is quite stable, much more stable than ca- noes.


Another major concern about kayaks


is that people are afraid they have to know how to roll the kayak. (This is sometimes confused with capsizing; they are two dif- ferent things—capsizing is falling out of the kayak, rolling is the high level maneu- ver to stay inside the kayak while rolling over and rolling back up without coming out). You DO NOT have to know how to roll a kayak to enjoy a lifetime of kayaking in an open cockpit boat. You should take instruction, however, on how to fall out and get back in, in deep water. That is a simple technique that all kayakers should know how to do. Also, understanding the


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role of the wind and waves and weather are important considerations for kayakers. So, now that your initial fears may be


assuaged, and perhaps your interest has been piqued, why would you want to kayak? Well, if you like water and nature, you will LOVE kayaking. Kayaks are made to glide through the water with utmost efficiency. With proper paddle technique, they are completely silent so you can sneak up (respectfully) on wildlife and take fantastic photos or just gaze upon the bald eagle, great egret, owl, osprey, or deer lapping water on the shore. Perhaps you are into flora? Kayaking is a wonderful vehicle to view plants, flowers and trees from the bank. You can also fish from a kayak and get to places a boat with a mo- tor cannot get to (under low bridges etc.) and there is a huge movement of kayak fishing tournaments and clubs as well as organizations for disabled veterans. Kayaking is a low impact way to ex-


ercise and can be done with a paddle or foot pedal propel. A note about paddling rivers: rivers inherently have additional considerations like speed of flow (espe- cially after rains), height of the river and strainers (trees and debris that are very dangerous), so you do want to contact


local outfitters, reference local guide- books, talk to locals and/or hire a guide when dealing with rivers especially. We have some flat stretches of rivers in the Triad that unless at flood stage are very appropriate for beginners. We also have more exciting (read into that can be more dangerous) stretches of rivers as well. Please, know you limits and limitations in skill/technique before you head out. So let’s move on to another exciting


and wildly popular water vessel, the Stand Up Paddleboard. SUP is the fastest grow- ing outdoor sport in North America and for good reason. It is FUN and a great workout. People are usually concerned about the SUP being unstable. Well, there are super narrow race boards but there are also wide SUPs that are designed for stability. You may be shocked at how easy it is. The secret is to keep a relaxed posture and relax the knees. SUP originates way back to Africa but


modern SUP that we are familiar with originated in Hawaii. They are propelled by a long, single blade and you can paddle them leisurely for recreation, you can use them to tour and cover more distance or you can choose to race them. There are even SUP’s for running whitewater on riv-


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