4 ways to get out on the water this summer

Want to get away this summer? Skip the plane ride or long car trip and get out on the water. Whether it’s an hour after work cruising, a morning of fishing or a weekend of watersports, boating provides all the benefits of vacation at your convenience, close to home. Boating benefits a person’s overall well-being and can be more accessible than many think.

“Boating offers the opportunity to get away from it all without going very far from home, allowing you to disconnect from stress on land, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and have fun with your friends and family,” says Carl Blackwell, president of Discover Boating in the US. “Vacation time doesn’t need to be reserved for long trips — you can enjoy all the benefits of vacation more frequently and close to home when you go boating.” Want to go fishing, sailing, wakesurfing, cruising or ride a personal watercraft? Whether on vacation or staycation, these insider tips provide fun, stress-free ways to get on the water this summer.

Take a class. Sign up for a boating lesson to hone your powerboating, sailing or watersports skills by mastering the basics while having fun along the way.
Rent a boat. Rental options are available on most waterways and provide hourly or daily access to a variety of boat types. Rental outfitters should provide tutorials on operating a boat, share safety instructions and offer suggestions on destinations.
Share the fun. You don’t need to own a boat to join a boat club. Clubs and shared ownership programmes allow you to share a boat with others, split the costs and book your time on the boat online. These clubs and programmes also maintain, clean, insure, and store the boats and many provide on-water training.
Float your own boat. There are no limits to going on vacation when you own a boat.