By Christine R. Walsh

We love summer! Sure, just like anything else, it has its downsides ~ the flip-flops that melt when they hit hot tar, sand in nooks and crannies you never knew you had, attempting to squeeze into last season’s bathing suit, burning your buns on the hot car seat. But for the most part, it’s filled with fun, sun and tanned, half-naked hotties running around playing volleyball and Frisbee. It’s a time of year when hopping into the car for an hour or so with the sunroof open or the top down is well worth it to get to the best part of summer, WATER. You can be near it, on it, under it, calmed by it, lightly sprayed by it, or totally soaked by it. So while the days are long and hot, get out there and GET WET!

Beaches

You can’t go wrong with everybody’s favorite day trip. Just grab some friends and a cooler and head for the water. These beaches are the perfect destination for a day (or weekend…or whole week, if you’re lucky!) of fun in the sun.

Hampton Beach, Ocean Blvd., Hampton, NH, www.hamptonbeach.org

No matter what your crowd is interested in, they’ll find it here.Its white, sloping sands stretch for about 3 miles, giving surf worshippers plenty of room to stretch out those beach blankets. Swimming and boogie boarding are given, but delight in some of Hampton’s special summer features. On Wed. nights from June 28 to Sept. 9 enjoy amazing fireworks displays right from the dunes. And for the bold and the beautiful, register for the Hampton Beach Idol Competition from Aug. 25-27. Sing your beach bum heart out for cash prizes. Or skip the vocals and take a relaxing cruise around the harbor or sign up for a deep sea fishing trip and try to catch dinner.

Salisbury Beach , Beach Rd. Rte. 1A, Salisbury, MA, (978) 462-4481, www.salisburybeach.com/

This hot spot offers just under 4 miles of sandy shoreline goodness. The sand is white and firm and the Atlantic water never ceases to please the visitors. There are boardwalks so you and a sweetheart can walk out over the dunes and enjoy the ocean view ~ and for those of you who feel the need for speed, Salisbury Beach also offers a number of boating opportunities. Stuff that inflatable row boat into the car and paddle out to sea (just make sure you can get back!). And for a snack after a long, hard day of goofing around, the Beach Center has snack shacks where you can grab a slice of pizza, a puff of cotton candy or a slab of fried dough.

Cape Ann, 33 Commercial St, Gloucester, MA , (978) 283-1601; 800-321-0133, www.capeannvacations.com

Cape Ann stretches across four different communities, providing even the pickiest visitor with the perfect beach. Want to enjoy some scenery? Head to Crane Beach. Need a little privacy? Cape Hedge Beach is waiting with open dunes. Stuck with the little nieces and nephews? Wingaersheek Beach’s gentle waters are perfect for kids. With over 25 miles of shoreline and so many beaches to choose from, visitors can fish, sign up for a kayaking lesson or go for a whale watch. If you need a break from the waves, head to Rockport and stop by the Bearskin Neck community. Spend a few hours drifting in and out of the many artisan shops and galleries…and do NOT leave without sampling and taking home of Rockport’s world-famous fudge!

Water Parks

Maybe the beaches are a little too passive for your taste and you need some active fun in the H2O. If the idea of sunbathing doesn’t do much for you, maybe a water park will suit your needs. The flume rides, the wading pools, the outrageous water slides are all calling your name. So go ahead, suit up and try these explosions of water entertainment.

Bousquet Park, 101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield MA, (413) 442 – 8316, www.bousquets.com

Bousquet Park is home to The Giant Slide, a slippery slope that measures 285 feet and allows visitors to coast all the way down to a pool that’s four feet deep. The park also offers an Activity Pool, Mini-Golf, go-kart rides for $5.00 each and a scenic chairlift ride for $3.50. It’s open daily from 10am – 6pm and there’s lots of fun inside the gates!

Breezy Picnic Ground Waterslides, 520 Northwest Breezy 508-476-2664, www.breezysummer.com

You don’t need to travel all the way to Cape Cod to enjoy the water. Breezy Picnics Ground Waterslides is close-by and provides water-filled fun to folks of all ages. It’s a beautiful place with lush picnic grounds, a gentle beach that’s perfect for reading and relaxing and three huge waterslides. The water slides are all 300 ft. in length and twist all the way down to a huge, crystal clear pool. Lifeguards are always on duty at both the beaches and the slides in case anyone has a brain freeze from a Slushie and forgets how to doggie paddle. The park is open daily from 9am – 6:30pm and the waterslides open at 10am and close at 6pm. Admittance is $16.99 per person or $13.50 per person if you arrive after 3pm.

Water Wizz, 3031 Cranberry Hwy, Wareham, MA, (508) 295-3255, www.waterwizz.com

Pools, slides and miniature golf make WW a natural choice for the summer months. Hurricane Park is a great place to start your day ~ the ride is over 50 ft. high and filled with unpredictable twists and dips that will make you scream all the way down into the pool. Or try the Herring River Run for a calmer ride ~ on this one, you grab a big tube and ease on down the river. The park is open from 10am – 6pm or 6:30pm each day so call ahead and double check the hours of operation. Admission is $28 per person, $18 after 3:30pm, or $10 after 4pm.

Canobie Lake Park, 5 N. Policy St., Salem, NH, (603) 893-3506, www.canobie.com

Here’s another NE theme park that keeps us coming back time after time. It’s located in NH but is close enough to the MA border that you won’t feel as if you’re driving forever to get to its great water rides. Canobie Lake was THE theme park for school field trips back in the day ~ it was fun then and it’s still fun now. Start small. Head over to the Log Flume, hop into a “log,” and coast down some simple twists and turns and get a little wet. This ride is perfect if you forgot your bathing suit and don’t feel like ruining an outfit. But if you brought that change of clothes, definitely head to the Boston Tea Party ride ~ a much bigger flume ride that will soak you to the bone. During July and Aug. the park is open daily from 11am–10pm. An all-day pass is $27, but come after 5pm and admission is $17.

Six Flags New England, Rte. 159, 1623 Main St, Agawam, MA, (413) 786-9300, www.sixflags.com

That’s right, who could forget the mother of all New England theme parks? Six Flags draws crowds from all across the state and is a hub of summer energy and activity. In fact, after a day trip to Six Flags, you might need a vacation! This is the largest theme and water park in NE and is well worth the trip. When you need a break from the water, it has roller coasters for those with iron stomachs and bumper cars and twisting tea cups for those impervious to motion sickness. But the water rides are the best when the sun is beating down. Try Splash Water Falls. Ride a raft down a spiraled water drop with 6 of your closest friends (or newest acquaintances). Or go to Ship Wreck Falls and jump into a boat, then plunge down a huge flume and get completely soaked! And this summer, Six Flags has Hurricane Harbor ~ a water park with a huge wave pool and over a dozen water slides. Admission to HH is free when you pay general admission ($49.99) to SFNE. Go online and order your tix and pay only $39.99. Kids under 36 inches are free, The park is open each day from 10am – 10pm.

Scuba Diving

You’ve had enough of twisting and turning. Your bathing suit reeks of chlorine and your highlights are turning green. The fried dough is making you queasy and you’re ready to try some different types of fun in the water. Leave the colors, the noise, and the high-calorie snacks behind and challenge yourself with a little underwater exploration? Scuba diving is a great way to take an up-close and personal look at the fish, scenery and even some of the local ship wrecks on the bottom of the Atlantic. The depths of the ocean might seem foreboding, but with a tank strapped to your back and a trusty scuba guide by your side, you’ll be diving in no time. And you know you look good in a wet suit, so it’s time to learn how to take the ultimate plunge…

Mass Diving, Inc., 247 West Central St., Natick, MA,(508) 651-0698, www.massdiving.com

Not only is MD a diving supply store with a friendly and helpful staff, but it’s also a great place to for a bunch of crazy services and classes that are guaranteed to pique your underwater interest. Take a Try Scuba class and learn the basics of scuba diving before you decide that its your new life’s calling. Or if you’re an old pro at diving, sign up for one of their ice diving or night diving classes. While your friends are boasting about jumping off the diving board into the deep end of the pool, you can brag that you know how to navigate around glaciers. Hours: Mon, Tues., Wed, Sat. 9am-6pm; Thurs. and Fri.9am-9pm; Sun. 12 – 5pm. Call Mass Diving, Inc. for pricing information.

Northeast Scuba, 120 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford, MA, (978) 256-2300, www.northeastscuba.com/

From Regulators to Rebreathers, you can find all sorts of diving and snorkeling goodies in this Chelmsford store. But the different classes that are offered at Northeast Scuba are a huge pull as well. Their diving and snorkeling experts understand a person’s busy schedule and offer diving classes during weeknights or weekends. They offer executive, semi-private and group lessons, depending on your personal level of comfort. Continue on with the classes to become a diving instructor or a first emergency responder. Call for prices. Mon. – Fri. 10am – 7pm; Sat. 9am – 7pm; closed on Sundays

East Coast Divers, 280 Worcester Rd. (Rt. 9), Framingham, MA, (508) 620-1176, www.ecdivers.com

Here’s a store where the staff tests the diving equipment to make certain it is quality. You can find just about anything in this store and while you’re there shopping for flippers, look into some of the classes. They offer Basic Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Stress and Rescue Diver, Specialty Diving. They’ll also teach you to become a Dive Control Specialist or an Open Water Scuba Instructor. Mon. – Fri 10am – 7pm; Sat 10am – 6pm; closed on Sundays. Give them a call to find out more about the flexible instruction schedules and the prices for their courses.

Kayaking

Perhaps you watched the movie Jaws too many times as a kid or maybe snorkeling and scuba diving are just not for you. Don’t just hang out on the dunes as your friends run for the waves. Try a guided kayak tour. You can be in control of the kayak ~ and that means you can paddle like heck for shore should you see any suspicious fins making their way toward you. You could run to the sports store, drop coin on a new kayak and then try to figure out how to paddle. Or perhaps an instructional course, like the ones offered here, would be a better choice. All tours and instructional courses are weather permitting.

Discovery Adventures, 1077 Washington St., Lanesville, MA, (978) 283-3320, www.discoadventures.com

Guided kayaking tours are perfect for both first time and seasoned kayakers. If you are new to this kind of sea travel, sign up for an Introductory Paddle class at DA. The staff will guide you and stay by your side as you explore this newfound love. For a mere $40, it’s quite the boating bonus. Or, if you know your way around the kayak, take a date out on a Sunset Tour. These tours are also $40 and last for two hours. You depart from shore just in time to see the beautiful colors of the sunset as it slips below the horizon line over Ipswich Bay. Call DA to reserve rentals and confirm instruction times.

Essex River Basin Adventures,1 Main St. Essex, MA, (978) 768-3722, www.erba.com

These folks have thought of everything for the wanna-be-kayaking fool. They offer a number of courses that will suit the most experienced and the most inexperienced open water paddlers. If you decide to train to become a kayak guide, the course will cost you $375 per person ~ and it’s well worth the money. After 40 hrs. of training both in and out of the water, you can consider yourself a pro. ERBA also offers a “Soup to Nuts Basic Kayak Training” course for $250. Over four days, you learn all about kayaking equipment, techniques and paddling maneuvers, rescues, navigation and many other necessary skills. For the skittish kayaker who may be fearful of practicing on the open seas, ERBA also offers pool clinics at the YMCA where you can learn all about kayaking in the safety of a pool. These classes run about 2 hours and cost $70 per person.

North Shore Kayak Outdoor Ctr., 9 Tuna Wharf Rockport, MA, (978)546-5050, www.northshorekayak.com

This store has a wide variety of every item that makes up the perfect active summer. It has hiking, biking, and paddling equipment available for purchase (and they even carry kites!). But most importantly for our purposes, the kayaking tours run from Memorial Day to Mid-September and leave daily. Try the 10am tour and paddle around the beautiful Rockport Harbor for two hours. The tour costs $35 and includes a guide, a touring kayak, a personal floatation device, a spray skirt and of course a paddle. Or be adventurous and try the Thatcher Island Over Camping Trip. Gather a group of ten or more people, hit the water and kayak to Thatcher Island and spend the night there. Tours run on a daily basis and depart at 10am, 1:30pm, 2:00pm (on Saturdays and Sundays) and Sunset Tours begin at 5:30pm

Whale Watching

Shiver me timbers, Matey! So you say you don’t want no kayak. You want yourself a real boat and a real chance to see some of the monsters of the deep! Step right up on the gang plank and board your little butt onto the deck of a Whale Watch boat. Some may think that whale watches are for the patient people of the world ~ you travel all the way out to the middle of the ocean and hope that you will see some amorphous lump in the distance that you can take a picture of and call a whale. But many of the whale watches in Massachusetts actually guarantee that you will see a whale during your journey. Just don’t forget to bring the Dramamine. Nobody likes a green-faced puker or a restroom hog.

Captain John Boats, 10 Town Wharf Plymouth, MA, (508) 746-2643, www.captjohn.com

During the summer of 2006 (June 19 – September 3) Captain John Boats will be departing from Plymouth and heading out to the Cape Cod Bay and the Stellwagen Bank. The boats depart daily at 9am, 11am and 2pm. Each tour is about four hours long and good ol’ Captain John promises that you will see a whale while you’re on his ship. Each boat has a professional marine biologist on board who can give you information on the whales you see. You are welcome to hang out on the sunny decks as you wait for those big blue mammals or you can head into the climate-controlled cabin and grab a snack from the galley. The first departure of the day leaves at 9am. The last departure returns to dock at 6pm. Tours run daily. Tickets cost $34 per adult and are subject to fuel charges.

7 Seas Whale Watch, 7 Seas Wharf on Rte. 127, Gloucester, MA, (978) 283-8000, www.7seas-whalewatch.com

7 Seas Whale Watch is dedicated to its customers and boasts that it is one of the original whale watching companies in the area. Its experienced staff of naturalists provides serious whale seekers with volumes of in-depth information…and sightings are always guaranteed. Their boats are new, modern and the perfect place to be when spending time out on the briny sea. The tours run from April through October and departure times vary per month so call ahead for more information. Each ocean trip is about 4 hours long. Tours are $40 per adult. Don’t forget your college ID ~ it’ll get you a $4 discount! During June, July and August, the boats depart from the wharf at 8:30am and 1:30pm. Tours run daily.

Yankee Whale Watching and Deep Sea Fishing
75 Essex Avenue Gloucester, MA
(800) 942-5464, www.yankeefleet.com

The folks at Yankee Whale Watching and Deep Sea Fishing have a time-tested routine that definitely raises the chance of seeing a whale during a tour. The company has both whale watching and deep sea fishing opportunities and the deep sea fishers go out to sea much earlier than the whale watchers do. So instead of putting around searching for the monsters of the deep, the crew of the whale watch boats check in with the deep sea fisherman to find out where the exactly where whales have been hanging out on a particular day. Admission is $40 for an adult and each tour is about four hours long. The first tour of the day departs at 8:30am and the last tour returns at 5:30pm. Tours run daily.

Row Boating

Row boating is a different kind of boating ~ It’s really more of a kind of “floating” than boating. Leave the cell phone in the car and don’t even think about those emails that await you on your laptop. With a row boat, it’s always time to chill.

Charles River Canoe and Kayak,
Lake Cochituate, 93 Commonwealth Rd. Natick, MA (508) 647-1700, www.ski-paddle.com

Renting a row boat couldn’t be an easier, pleasanter experience. The Charles River Canoe and Kayak has 3 locations ~ Natick, Allston and Newton. The location in Newton is right on Lake Cochituate, known for its beautiful scenery, inviting picnic areas and wonderful fishing. The lake had beaches where people can swim and they’re staffed with lifeguards during the summer season. Patrons are charged per boat per half hour, with a minimum rental time period of one hour. A rowboat, which can fit 1-4 adults, is $16 per hour or $64 for the entire day. Weekends 10am – 7pm; Weekdays noon – 7pm during the summer months.

Tubing

Tubing, tubing, tubing down a river! Imagine yourself clinging to a big yellow donut for dear life and loving every minute of it as you travel downstream with the fishes. Tubing is the perfect group activity. Even though the rules are usually strict ~ one person per tube ~ that doesn’t mean you can’t get a bunch of friends together and link arms as you coast through the water. The tubes might not be a sturdy as a boat or kayak, but they are tons of fun.

Pemi-Baker River Adventures
www.pbriveradventures.com
33 Sanborn Rd Plymouth, NH

Pemi-Baker River Adventures has access to some amazing waterways. There’s the Baker River, the Pemigewasset River and the Winnipesaukee River. The company first began in 1995 and it started out with 6 kayaks, 2 canoes and a pickup truck. It was only open on weekends and holidays. Today, they are open 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. To rent a river tube takes but $12. Then you can tube to your heart’s desire. The rate is always the same, no matter how long or how short the rental. So make the most out your dollar and your day. There are three trips to the river per day: 9am, 11am, 1pm.

Windsurfing

Oh, to be at one with both the elements of water and wind at the same time! It’s possible through the sport of windsurfing. But, you’re whining to yourself, I don’t think I can balance on that thin little board as the wind is whipping me around some choppy lake. Fear not. There are instructional courses available for low prices that can turn you into the windsurfer you always wanted to be.

AMC Boston Chapter, www.amcboston.org/windsurf/index.html

Windsurfing can be liberating and empowering. But it can also be frustrating if you don’t know what you’re doing. So take an instructional windsurfing course from the AMC Boston Chapter. There’s no experience necessary and the equipment is provided if you take the Beginner’s Instruction Course. For $45 per person, you get the chance to spend some time at a local lake, learning how to windsurf with the best of them. After a day of learning the ins and outs of this water sport, the group goes to dinner at a local restaurant and simply hangs out and socializes. These instructional courses and dinners typically end by 8pm. Check the website for other locations in RI and MA.

Sail World, Cape Cod, 139 Main St., Buzzards Bay MA,(508) 759-6559, www.sailworld.com/

OK, you’ve been bitten by the windsurfing bug and, believe it or not, you aren’t that bad at the sport. It’s time to buy some your own board. Head over to Sail World and choose from a number of fine boards and windsurfing equipment. Some of the equipment had been previously owned and used but is in terrific condition and can be sold at a discounted price. They also rent equipment if you aren’t ready to make the full commitment and hand over your credit card.

Body Boarding

This isn’t some sort of sadomasochistic event that only weirdos enjoy. When you body board, you are constantly in motion ~ running,, catching some waves, searching for your board and then starting all over again. It’s the ultimate beach workout. And it’s pretty easy once you get the hang (ten)of it. So grab that board, hold on tight and hit those waves with all your might.

Wear and Tear, 528 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA, (781) 925.3666, www.wear-tear.com/BSURF.html

The Wear & Tear Surf Shop is the spot for all of your boarding and swimwear needs. They have shelves stuffed with sunglasses, the hottest new swimwear and wetsuits and one of the best selections of boards you’ve ever seen. And because they don’t want their customers doing a face plant in the sand during their first attempts at boarding, they offer classes. Try out three surfing lessons for $135 and learn the basics of balance on a board. Don’t have your own surfboard? Not a problem. Wear & Tear offers a rental package (wet suit and surfboard for one full day) for $35. Mon – Fri, 10am – 6pm; Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun.10am – 4pm


Jetskiing

The wind whipping through your hair, the waves splashing against your legs, the salty sea scent invading your nostrils ~ all great benefits to jetskiing. And that rush of adrenaline as you’re skimming the water at 30 mph is a great perk as well. Jetskiing is a perfect way to pass the day at a lake, but it’s not as easy as it looks. Before hopping onto one of those bad boys, take a few jet skiing classes and get a feel for just how quickly the skis can move. Make sure to check the rules of the lake, pond, or beach you’ll be jetskiing on and respect the safety guidelines. Once you’ve done the (minimal) research, go ahead and look sexy as you fly over the water.

Nipmuc Water Ski Club, Webster, MA, 508.425.6776, www.nipmucskiclub.org

The Nipmuc Water Ski Club is looking for new members to join them as they ski across the waters of Webster Lake. The club is open to all ages and all levels of experience and has a fun, relaxed, but-still-professional way of developing the skills of each skier. Besides skiing, they offer knee boarding, trick skiing and jumping. Memberships start at $60 per individual and $30 for each additional family member. Bring a group of friends or your entire family and learn how to ski like a pro. Ryan@LakotaDenProductions.com for more information.

Dockside Whaler & Jet Ski Rentals, 12 Circuit Ave. Ext.., Oak Bluffs, MA. 02540, 508-693-8476

Oak Bluffs, located on Martha’s Vineyard, offers all sorts of water sports and gives you a good excuse to go away for a three-day weekend. At Dockside Whaler & Jet Ski Rentals, you fulfill your need for speed and rent a jet ski. If you’re on your own, expect to spend $115 per hour. It’s $130 for couples. Get a quick instructional briefing and hit the open waters of Ink Well Beach. You will be fully supervised throughout the rental period so if you take an unexpected dip, you’ll be in good hands. During the summer, Dockside is open daily from 8am ‘til sunset.

Water Skiing

Water skiing ~ you either love it or you hate it. You hate it because sometimes it’s just darn difficult to actually stand up on your skis and stay up. As soon as that boat starts speeding along, your butt suddenly becomes 800 lbs. heavier and it’s impossible to straighten those legs. But if you’re one of those people who has mastered the art, then congratulations. You have the ability to strut your skiing stuff out on the water and not look like a fool.

The CT River, 413.772.2020, www.ctriver.org

The CT River offers a variety of fun summer opportunities. It starts at the top of MA and winds its way down the state towards the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the colleges of Central MA use the river for their crew teams and rowing clubs. Folks are drawn to the river because they can enjoy row boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. As the river heads south, there are a number of marinas where people can ride their jet skis or try out their powerboats. The river welcomes all lovers of water sports.
Go Jump in a Lake

Need a quick break? Head to one of the nearby lakes and spend the day relaxing in a comfortable and convenient environment. You don’t need to travel miles away in order to enjoy summer.

Webster Lake, Webster, MA
www.colapcentral.org/webster-lake.htm

Webster Lake, or Lake CHARGOGGAGOGGMANCHAUGGAUGGAGOGGCHAUBUNAGUNGAMAUGG, is a quick car ride away and is a hidden jewel of Central Massachusetts. The lake is five miles long and offers terrific fishing, swimming, water skiing and boating. There are three restaurants located on the lake and they all have docks. So grab a patch of sand and take some time out for yourself .

Lake Quinsigamond, 10 North Lake Ave., Worcester, 508.755.6880
www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/quin

Located in Quinsigamond State Park, this lake offers fun for all ages as well as a great location for swimming, sailing, rowing and fishing. There are also tennis courts and a picnic area for the whole family to enjoy. Lake Quinsigamond offers peace and quiet and an escape from the demands of the rat race. Or if you can’t seem to steal away from the office for more than an hour, head over to the lake on your lunch break and munch away as the waves lap up against the shore.

So there you have it. So much to do this summer and only about 2 months left do it. There’s no time to waste, get out there and start worshipping the water!