We’ve seen some great weather the past few weekends. And, this weekend’s forecast is shaping up to be beautiful. If you’re looking for a fun way to get out and enjoy the sunshine, pack up the family and go canoeing. We looked up a few nearby canoe rentals and here’s what we found:
- Scenic River Excursions offers tours along the Little Miami River. Terrell’s Short Trip is 2.1 miles long (ideal for families with younger children), but they also have 6- and 9-mile trips with plenty of places to stop and “beach” along the way. The short trip is $17/person, and the longer trips are $21 and $27 respectively.
- A little further north, the Loveland Canoe & Kayak, Inc. has 5- and 10-mile trips on the Little Miami River. The Castle Adventure 5-mile trip costs $41 for a canoe (two adults) or $25 for a kayak. The Seven Bridges Excursion 10-mile trip is $52 for a canoe, $30 for a regular kayak or $52 for a tandem kayak. There are group discounts available for both trips.
- In Waynesville, Ohio, RiversEdge Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Livery offers a popular 3.5-mile trip, a 9- and a 13-mile trip. Prices vary for each trip, but there are canoes and kayaks available for all of them, and rafts available for the 3.5-mile trip.
If paddling is less your style, but you still want to get out on the water, check out the BB Riverboats’ upcoming cruises.
The water can be fun, especially in the summer heat, but it can also be dangerous. Most canoe liveries recommend only taking children over age 3 (and/or larger than 30 pounds). Here are a few more tips to keep in mind so you and your family stay safe out there:
- Wear your life jacket. It won’t do you any good if you don’t have it on when you need it.
- Make sure you’re wearing your life jacket properly and check children’s jackets to be sure they’re on tight.
- Take plenty of water and other fluids (except alcohol, which should be avoided).
- Pack essentials with you, but be aware the items you have could very easily get wet.
- Don’t dump trash or other items into the river.
- Learn basic maneuvers before you reach rough water. In a canoe, remember the person in the back is steering. You may also want to practice getting into the canoe from the water (good to know if you tip over).
- Never stand up in your boat or purposely try to tip your boat. It may seem funny, but it will be less so when you have trouble flipping it back over or getting back into it (see above).
- Don’t get out of your boat on private property unless it’s an emergency, and make sure your boat won’t float away once you do get out in public spaces.
- Don’t jump off of overhanging edges or rocks or rope swings. Rivers change daily and you never know what may be lurking underneath or how shallow the water really is.
- Be wary of other hazards in the river (fallen trees, sharp rocks, etc.) and avoid them. If you get out of your boat, wear shoes to avoid stepping on the things you can’t see.
- Consider the length of your trip and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Thirteen miles really is as long as it sounds and you could be in trouble if you tire out halfway through your trip.
- Don’t separate yourself from your group (and avoid going alone). If you are in trouble, you will want a partner there to help you recover your boat, paddle and belongings, even if you are a strong swimmer (and especially if you are not).
