Float Your Boat

Try kayaking for some fun on the water

Here’s a summer idea: Why not enjoy the great outdoors by going kayaking? And while paddling your way alongside the scenic banks of the state’s pristine parks, take note of the unexpected workout you’re receiving: The water sport, similar to canoeing, is a bona fide calorie buster (it burns 300 to 500 an hour, depending on water conditions and your speed and body weight), provides low-impact upper-body conditioning (requiring about 500 paddle strokes per mile) and is an eco-friendly way to sightsee and explore.

Where to Buy or Borrow

Visit these resources:

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports brms.com

Dover Sports doversport.com

Pelican Sport Center pelicanshops.com

Ramsey Outdoor ramseyoutdoor.com

Choose your own adventure:

Here are several places in and around our state to embark.

Romantic Outing- Monksville Reservoir in Ringwood. Day trip Hudson River at Memorial Park in Nyack, N.Y.; Long Island Sound off the Thimble Islands in Branford, Conn.

Sightseeing- Hudson River at Liberty State Park, where you can spot the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline (The park’s Nature Interpretive Center offers kayaking eco-tours. Call 201.915.3409 for details.)

White-Water Experience- The Delaware River at various points: Travel north to Kittatinny Canoes in Barryville, N.Y., (kittatinny.com) or south to Paddle Creek in Frenchtown (paddlecreekfrenchtown.com).

For the Kids- Sunrise Lake in Lewis Morris County Park rents Wibit kayaks (inflatable boats designed for children) for $5 per 30 minutes.

Related Read: Local Outdoor Activity Groups