When you head out for a day on Lake Travis or Lake Austin, you really have your pick of what to do.
A lot of Austinites first explore Lake Travis’ waters with a powerboat, which is a perfect way to take in the large serpentine-like reservoir any time of the year. However, some of the best ways to enjoy the finer details and coves of Lake Travis come by way of kayaks and stand up paddle boards — or SUP’s.
Modern day kayaks and stand up paddle boards are spacious and some are even pet-friendly, so if you have a swimming buddy make sure you bring them for a day out on the lake.
Relying more on upper and lower body strength to propel you past native shorelines and tree-shaded coves, you get quite the work out while experiencing the lake on a much deeper level than you ever could on a powerboat.
With more and more eco-friendly ways to cruise area lakes, why not start local with a kayak or stand up paddle board rental?
Austin has over a dozen local rental shops if you’re looking to tour the lakes using paddle power. A quick search will send you in the right direction if you’re interested in renting one. It’s a good idea to pick a shop that is in the same area that you plan on exploring, so that transporting doesn’t become a problem — especially if your car isn’t equipped to carry these things.
Exploring Lake Travis
A lot of the choice locations to drop in a kayak or stand up paddle board are on Lake Travis’ north shore at Volente, where you can spend the day taking in the scenery that surrounds the Highland Lake.
Take a drive over to Viking Ship Kayak Rentals. You’ll find a collection of kayaks and boards that will take you out to the depths of Lake Travis and around Sometimes Island, or stay closer to the shore and explore historic limestone cliffs.
The only limit to your adventure is how far your want to go — just remember you have to paddle your way back, so save some energy for the trip home.
Exploring Lake Austin
There’s a large collection of establishments on Lake Austin that rent out the waterway vehicles, from ROVE Supply near Emma Long Metropolitan Park, to SUP ATX in East Austin, to Steiner Ranch SUP.
Lake Austin offers a little more protection from the wind and large waves that can whip up on Lake Travis. And you can start by paddling against the current and in the direction of Mansfield Dam. You’ll have an easier time when you turn around and make your way downstream back to your starting point.
Chances are pretty good that you’ll get your heart rate up and fall in the water a few times. Don’t forget to bring ample drinking water, sunscreen, a bag for trash and waterproof bags for personal items — which can be a life saver if you happen to lose your balance and take that unexpected dip in the lake.
Image courtesy of Viking Ship Kayak Rentals
