Family Fun on the Water

Written by Shawn
August 26th, 2011 — 12:19am

Growing up on the Gulf Coast, I’ve spent many hours on the water. You could say that water has been my playground. I started windsurfing and surfing in middle school and now enjoy kayaking, snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding with my family. Spending time on the water has been a great way for our family to grow together.

Florida has many opportunities for families to get outdoors. A warmer climate means our water time is extended well beyond the summer months. Taking advantage of those extended days is a good choice to make. Maybe it’s time you broke away from the norm and tried something new. Take a look around and see what local activities are available near you and plan some outdoor adventures. Now you don’t have to live on the coast to enjoy many of the activities. I hope to inspire you to get out with your family and begin to enjoy the creation around. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Beach Cleanups
Clean up time doesn’t sound like much fun. Yet, giving back to your community can be a rewarding adventure. Recently, we participated in an event to clean up the beaches and tend the oyster reefs on Deadman’s Island.

We snorkeled to help remove (excess) oyster drills from the reef and we also picked up trash along the shoreline. This may not sound like something your kids would like to do, but you might be surprised. While cleaning up trash my son said, “This is actually kind of fun.” This event allowed us to get outdoors, to explore new places and to give back to the community.

Paddleboarding
The sport of paddleboarding is an emerging sport that has been gaining popularity from coast to coast. What started as a surfer sport has gone beyond the boundaries of surfing to be enjoyed by people of all ages. This sport is enjoyed by those who enjoy exploring lakes, rivers, and oceans. There is even a competitive branch where people have paddle races. My wife and I started paddling a couple years ago and now our kids can even stand and paddle. In the Gulf Coast region there are many paddling groups, events, camps, and more

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Kayaking
There are many types of kayaks that range from sea kayaks to whitewater river kayaks. Kayaks may be purchased or rented from many outfitters. Some state parks such as Big Lagoon State Park in Florida have both kayak and paddleboard rentals at responsible prices. Kayaks sit low on the water and without the noise of a motor you are able to get up and close to nature. It’s amazing the wildlife  you can see while kayaking.

Walk on the Beach
For those who live near the coast, a walk on the beach can be a nice family experience. It’s a good place to get away from the stresses of life and take in the natural surroundings. The kids will have fun playing in the water and looking for seashells.

Snorkeling
Grab the masks and snorkels and take a look at the underwater world. In Pensacola, there are a few reefs built just for snorkeling. These man-made reefs attract sea life you would not see exploring a sandy bottom. If you are not close to the beach, many lakes and springs around the country have places to snorkel. Check your local community sites for snorkeling opportunities.

Surfing and Windsurfing
I grew up surfing and windsurfing. I’d say it was windsurfing that rooted me in Florida. For years I can remember getting home from school and sailing out on my windsurfer. I enjoyed sailing and it was great exercise.

Many local surf shops offer lessons to people of all ages. If you live in a coastal area or maybe visiting the coast look up the local surf shop and inquire about lessons. Both surfing and windsurfing are great aerobic exercise.

When families travel they often spend money on amusement activities such as amusement parks, go-carts, mini golf etc. Those are all fun activities, but maybe you would also have fun trying a new activity with the opportunity to explore and experience of outdoor fun. Trying those things that seem a bit challenging to you may be a good personal growth opportunity for you and your family.

About Shawn
Shawn Brown resides in Pensacola, Florida. He and his family are outdoor enthusiasts who own and operate a local outdoor website called Outdoor Gulf Coast. They write and photograph their adventures to inspire others to get outside and explore.