Roundup: Boston Water Sports
Better than the gym, right? Kayaking photo via Shutterstock
Now that the weather’s finally gorgeous and warm, it can feel painful to be stuck inside on a machine at the gym. But the idea of going for a run in sticky 90-degree heat isn’t super appealing, either. Luckily, the pool isn’t your only option for a cool, water-based workout this summer—you can try one of these water sports, too.
Charles River Canoe & Kayak. Kayaking photo via Facebook
Charles River Canoe & Kayak
See the city from a new angle, enjoy a day on the water, and get ripped arms all at once with a kayak or canoe trip. Those up for a challenge can take a trip into the Boston Harbor, but beginners also have the option of doing one-way or round-trip journeys down the current-less river. Single-person kayaks are $15 for an hour or $60 for a day, and canoes are $17 for an hour or $68 for a day.
Multiple locations; paddleboston.com.
Boston Rowing Center. Rowing photo via Facebook
Boston Rowing Center
If the rowing machine at the gym isn’t cutting it, rent a classic sculling (row) boat or multi-person boat with a coxswain from Boston Rowing Center and hit the water. And don’t worry if you’re a novice—each rower gets a 15-minute lesson before departing.
First three sessions are free, then yearly membership is $200. Sleeper Street, Boston, 617-443-1900; bostonrowingcenter.org.
Courageous Sailing. Sailing photo via Facebook
Courageous Sailing
The company’s Jamaica Pond location (there’s another in Charlestown) rents rowboats, kayaks, and sailboats on an hourly basis ($10, $12, and $15, respectively) and offers private sailing lessons for sea-loving beginners for $45 an hour.
507 Jamaica Way, Jamaica Plain, 617-522-5061; courageoussailing.org.
Boating in Boston. Kayaks photo via Facebook
Boating in Boston
In partnership with UMass Boston, this fun-loving water sports company rents a huge range of kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and pedal boats (check the website for prices) for use on the Boston Harbor. They also run summer camps at Hopkinton State Park and Middlesex Fells Reservation for kids ages 8 to 15.
100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, 617-299-3392; boatinginboston.com.
Surfari. Paddleboarding photo via Facebook
Surfari
Thanks to Manchester-by-the-Sea’s Surfari, your surfing dreams are only a commuter rail ride away. The company rents surf boards for $15 for an hour and stand-up paddleboards for $25 for an hour, with lessons available for both.
26 Central St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, 978-704-9051; standuppaddlesurfari.com.
Boston Scuba Academy. Scuba photo via Facebook
Boston Scuba Academy
Take your workout underwater with Boston Scuba Academy, which has classes for beginners and experienced divers alike, all taught by a diver with more than 40 years of experience. It’s a bit of an investment at $360 for the beginners’ course, which consists of six three-and-a-half hour lessons, but it’s an unforgettable experience.
340 Beech St., Roslindale, 781-444-3483; bostonscuba.net.
REI Outdoor School. Paddleboarding photo via Facebook
REI Outdoor School
Outdoor equipment store REI offers a few different water activity classes, including coastal kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, beginner kayaking lessons, and scenic kayak tours. Prices range from $90 to $140, and prices are lower for members.
Locations vary based on class; for more information, visit rei.com/outdoorschool.
