Water Madness: Memorial Day Brings Action to Area Lakes

Traditionally Memorial Day marks the beginning of fun at the lake. Hordes of people will load their cars, campers and hook their boat trailers to pick-ups and head for some fun in the sun.

State parks, federal parks and private campgrounds will become the meeting place of friends and family from all over the nation. Families will gather in reunions, students will celebrate the end of the school year whether for the day, the weekend or longer the lakes are bound to be crowded.

If you are planning a camp-out, be sure to make your reservations early. We find a checklist helpful. If you are tent camping you'll need: a tent, stakes, sleeping bags or cots and blankets, flashlight and other lighting, cookware, ice chest, food and storage boxes, insect repellent and sunscreen. If you are going 'primitive' you'll also need a shovel. Always carry out what you carry in.

There are so many new toys made these days for water fun, from the relaxing mesh-bottomed floating chair to wave runners. It's no longer a fill an inner tube float kind of life at the lake. A trip to your sporting goods store can boggle your mind. You will find every imaginable floating device from brightly colored noodles to bathing suits with built in life jackets. And don't forget skis, even they are no longer relegated to two feet. You will find every shape and size imaginable in kneeboards, boogieboards and kickboards. Paddleboats are now available in inflatable styles. You will be able to remember your fun for years to come when you take pictures with your new affordable water safe camera.

Some areas have age limits on drivers of watercraft and it is wise to check for age limits before heading to the lake expecting that your twelve-year-old will be doing the driving. In addition to your area authority, a good resource to get questions answered is http://safetyseal.net/index.asp

Some safety tips to keep in mind are swim with a friend, keep plenty of life jackets in your boat for every passenger, never drink alcohol while driving a boat, if you build a campfire, always be sure it is completely out before leaving your campground, wear plenty of sunscreen and always have lots of fun.

Please be courteous. Remember there is a wide range of lake-lovers around you, from very young children to the elderly grandparents; everyone enjoys a fun-filled day at the lake.