Fun at the Lake

Watching a waterskier drop from two skis down to one used to be one of the more exciting things beachgoers would see from shore. Faster boats have made tubing more of a rush, and the ever increasing popularity of wakeboarding allows riders to jump, spin, and flip over waves which at one time were never thought possible. As you look out from City Beach today you’ll notice more innovations in water sports, many of which just about anyone can do.

SUP – Stand-up Paddleboarding

Perhaps the fastest growing water sport in our area, the popularity of Stand-up Paddleboards has exploded over the past few summers. The board is similarly shaped to a surfboard and is typically 10 to 12 feet long. It takes a bit to find your balance, but once you do you’re able to explore the lakeshore without having to swim for miles. Stand-up paddleboards are great for practicing your balance, and there are several instructors in the area who even teach yoga classes on the boards. The sport is expensive as you’re likely looking at over $1,000 for a board and paddle, but there are several places in town you can rent from including Kayak Coeur d’Alene, ROW Adventures, and Coeur d’Alene Paddleboard Company.

Wake-Surfing

It used to be learning how to surf meant a trip to the ocean, but now surfers are riding never ending waves across area lakes. Wake Surfing is kind of a cross between paddleboarding and wakeboarding. Riders have a short surfboard (typically about 5 feet) and are able to ease out behind a slow moving boat and surf the wake that’s created. To get on the wave, the boat starts by slowly pulling the surfer into the wake. As the wake size increases, the surfer drops the rope and lets the board do the rest of the work.

Flyboarding

With this crazy new invention you can literally fly. Using high-pressure water, users are able to lift themselves up to forty feet in the air. Water pressure is sent up a long hose and pushed through openings from underneath your feet and two additional controls strapped to your arms. While it may sound challenging, most instructors say you’ll have the basic movements down in just 5-10 minutes. Check out Flyboard Idaho’s website for more information (www.fbiws.com). To watch videos of all these water sports, head to www.cdaliving.com and click on the water sports story.

#sports #lifecommunity #adventure #local