There’s nothing quite as special as being near the ocean, a lake, river or even a pond when the hot and humid days of summer start taking over. An iconic vision of a sweet summer day can be anything from sitting on the porch with a cocktail overlooking a picturesque lake to surfing your way into shore at the beach. No matter where you live – if it’s near a body of water – you’re in luck. If you live close to the water you’re probably pretty familiar with all the great things it has to offer – from swimming to boating and even simply dipping your toes in at the end of a long day. But if you’re a newbie when it comes to coastal life, take a look at this list of fun things to do if you live near water.
1. Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) – This mellow sport is the thing to do right now, not only for its zen-like qualities but because it’s a pretty kick-butt core workout. After a few initial spills in the water, you’ll get the hang of this pretty quick – and you’ll probably fall in love.
2. Swim – From simply paddling around slowly and steadily to using everything you’ve got to make swimming your go-to workout, it’s a great sport for working the body from head to toe. Totally relaxing and gentle on joints, swimming is one of the favorite pastimes of summer. Don’t know how? Take some swim lessons – if you live by the water, safety first!
3. Kayak – Paddling around a lake (or even the ocean!) in a kayak is an incredibly relaxing experience that gives you the chance to stop and look around. Take in all the sights while working that upper body and learning a little bit about the boating world too. Again – if you’re not sure about this one – take a lesson first to learn all the tricks of the trade.
4. Snorkel – Believe it or not, snorkeling and water exploration isn’t just for the ocean – there’s a whole heap of things to discover in fresh water too. If you know how to swim, you’ll catch on to this one pretty fast; just go ahead, throw on a mask and start checking out the underwater world.
5. Build a Tire Swing – Sounds a bit archaic, but who cares? A tire swing is so much fun. If you have the perfect spot – like a big tree leaning over the lake – the perfect swing gives you enough room to swing over the water and jump in to cool off.
6. Relax – There’s nothing as wonderful as laying on the sand in warm summer sun, simply listening to the waves roll in. If you live by a lake or river – the same relaxation can be found lying in the grass or on a warm, flat rock. Pull out your favorite summer book and spend some time enjoying the quiet and just being present in all the beauty life by the water has to offer.
7. Build Sand Castles – Sounds like something only a kid should do, right? Guess again! Building sand castles is a great way to let your creative spirit soar all while getting to soak up the great weather of the season. Find treasures like sticks, stones and feathers to build natural sculptures and creations.
8. Enjoy the View – Getting to spend time by the sea or other bodies of water is a real treat – no matter what time of year, but warm weather months are especially relaxing. Mix up your favorite cocktail for happy hour or grab a cup of coffee early in the morning and simply take it all in.
How about you? Do you live or have you ever lived by the water? What are your favorite coastal activities?
