Enjoying Water Activities at the Lake, Even in No-Wake Zones

Lakefront property is always a wise investment. Having a wonderful little hideaway with beach access is the perfect nectar for attracting all your friends and family to a relaxing weekend of fresh air, delicious food, and all the water activities you could enjoy.

Before you hop on your boat, prepare the charcuterie, and get out on the water skis, you should know a few rules for enjoying your time on the lake. With the value of beachfront and lakeside property only growing, you’ll want to get the most out of the various activities you love without disturbing your neighbors or fellow landowners.

Let’s review some of the more well-known water activities you can enjoy, followed by a few suggestions for treating the property well—including in no-wake zones.

Why is Lake Lifestyle so Popular?

There is nothing quite as relaxing as the fresh blue water of a lake. Studies have shown people visiting lakeside properties often have feelings of improved mood and are less likely to experience anxiety and depression.

However, boosting contentment isn’t the only reason so many visitors flock to the lake on the weekends. They also get a much-needed break from the speed of urban living. Instead of loud vehicles and busy sidewalks, they can reconnect with nature and sit back to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Best of all, you can get out on the water. This is a chance to feel like a child again, building sandcastles on the beach, exploring new trails with unique creatures, or drifting happily in your boat as you perfect your tan.

Fun Water Activities at the Lake

When the sunny weather hits, and it’s time to head to your lakefront property, ensure it is prepared with all the accessories and toys possible for water activities. Some of the more popular things you can enjoy include:

• Kayaking/Canoeing: Explore all aspects of your lake, from hidden coves to relaxing shorelines. Just be sure to bring an extra paddle and life jacket to ensure your safety.
• Sailing: The most common sailboats on a lake are Sunfish. These are roughly 13 feet long and fit 1-3 people with a single sail that is easy to control.
• Swimming: Be sure you have plenty of towels and a warm space inside your lakefront property for all visiting people wishing for a way to cool down on a hot day.
• Paddleboarding: Paddleboarding is an incredibly popular trending activity. It involves standing or sitting on a longboard and using a single paddle to propel you forward.
• Snorkeling/Learning Scuba: Use snorkeling gear to get closer to the various lake creatures and plants. Many people begin their scuba careers by learning in a safe and shallow lake.
• Boating/Waterskiing: Owning a boat on the lake is a big responsibility, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences, as it allows you to escape the world and feel the fresh air on your face as you ride.
• Fishing: You’ll want to learn your local regulations, but fishing on a lake can be an excellent way to catch your dinner or teach your grandchildren how to learn a new skill.
• Waterfront Relaxation: From tanning to enjoying a cold drink with friends, lazy days on your beach, even in colder weather, make you feel far more relaxed.
• Hanging with Friends: Bring out the BBQ, enjoy some volleyball, or make new memories with a beautiful lake as a backdrop for your experiences with friends.
• Bird & People Watching: The lake is a collection of unique animal species that you can easily document, as well as vibrant human connections between tourists and locals.

Of course, the diversity of water activities in and around your lakefront property is practically endless. This is an excellent place to help you get started, but enjoying the lake lifestyle is all based on what you want to get out of it. Maybe you prefer a more relaxing stroll on a nearby trail or are an outdoor enthusiast eager to go parasailing. It is entirely up to you!

Respecting the Lake Lifestyle: No-Wake Zones

While you’re out on the lake, remember to carry out all your trash and leave the space cleaner than how you found it. Respect the natural world around you and be a good neighbor. Part of this philosophy includes honoring a no-wake zone.

Inside a no-wake zone, you are not allowed to move your boat fast enough to kick up a “wake” or the wave you generate as you use your engine. The reason for this is the safety of people enjoying their own water activities and minimizing the risk of property damage to other boats, marinas, or waterfront properties.

While every lake is different, some standard no-wake zone rules would include:

• Remaining under a certain speed where a wake isn’t possible (Idle Speed).
• Keeping a safe distance from the shoreline if you do have a wake.
• Respecting any local signage that indicates where a no-wake zone ends or begins.
• Extreme awareness of other swimmers and smaller watercraft.
• Understanding where some lake ecosystems can be harmed by a wake.
• Reducing your noise output in areas where people don’t want loud boats.

While it may seem fun to rev your engine and give your passengers an incredible boat ride, you want to respect the lakeside community around you. There will be plenty of space to enjoy all the water activities you can imagine but in more appropriate spaces away from others.

Wrapping Up

Water activities are a significant reason many investors seek out lakefront and beach access real estate. Being able to sit back in an Adirondack chair on the beach while enjoying the sun and having a cool drink is often the dream for a more relaxing lifestyle.

As long as you are respectful of others around you and any lake no-wake zones, you should have an enriching experience out on the blue water, breathing in fresh air far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.