Who says you need to own a boat to have fun on the water in Northeast Ohio? WKYC’s Alexa Lee zipped up her life jacket and checked out two water sports that guarantee fun for all ages!
Alexa’s first stop was at Hinckley Lake Boathouse where every day of the week they rent out rowboats, canoes, kayaks, paddle-boards and even pontoons. The gorgeous lake that encompasses 90 acres is a serene spot to spend the day trying something new.
And speaking of new, Alexa decided to make her first attempt at paddle-boarding! Thankfully, she had the help of Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreation Manager, Rachel Nagle, who gave her a crash course in paddling, steering and standing. Alexa was feeling the burn with the full body workout but after many close calls, she managed to stay dry and have a blast! There are tons of programs and classes that Hinckley Lake Boathouse offers to get you out on the water this summer with a beautiful nature view!
But for those of you looking to capture the water view with the city skyline, Alexa headed down to the historic coastguard station on Whiskey Island to visit with The Foundry and check out Cleveland's first community sailing center.
She found out that this student oriented non-profit focuses on the sport of sailing and rowing. So, Alexa hopped on board with The Foundry Sailing Coach and Programs Coordinator, Colin McDowell, who gave Alexa a quick lesson on how to be a true sailor. She learned how to raise the main sail, steer and how to jump the jib! Colin had Alexa feeling like an expert in only a couple hours! The best part is that The Foundry offers classes for kids of all ages that teach leadership, responsibility, teamwork and perseverance. Sounds pretty good, right mom and dad?!
Here’s to learning a new water sport and enjoying the lakes that help make northeast Ohio a beautiful place to live!