Water Summer Vacation Tips

Whether you plan on canoeing, kayaking, or tubing on the river or a lake, there are 6 quick tips that will ensure that you have fun and have everything that you need. These summer vacation tips will ensure that your day on the lake goes smoothly.

Summer Vacation Tip #1 - Don't forget the sunscreen.

This simply can't be stressed enough. Nothing ruins a vacation easier than a sunburn. Not only will you want to put on a lot of sunscreen half an hour before you leave for your trip, bring it with you. You will want to reapply it before you feel as though you are getting burned. Remember, you can get the worst burns on the cloudiest days. In addition, as you will be out on the water, make sure to purchase a water proof sun block. You will still have to reapply every hour or two. It can be especially trying to get children to wear sunscreen. However, if you tell them that the alternative is not to go out on the water, things should go much more smoothly.

Summer Vacation Tip #2 - Pack two coolers - one iced for drinks and the other dry for food.

If you have at least three people, you will want to bring two coolers (unless, of course, you are only planning to be out on the water for an hour or two). It is a great idea to pack one cooler full of ice and drinks. The other cooler will be your dry cooler. In it you will want to pack food, your sunscreen, and anything else you do not want to get wet. If you have a large group that includes both adults and kids, you may want to include two drink coolers, one that contains only adult beverages and another that includes pop, juice, and water. Never bring glass containers. No only is the broken glass a danger to wildlife and the environment, it is also a danger to humans. A lot of people forget or refuse to wear shoes on the water only to find that they find pieces of glass with their feet. You don't want to be responsible for sending someone to the emergency room.

Summer Vacation Tip #3 - Always wear shoes.

You never know what could be at the bottom of the river or the lake. No matter how much you discourage people from bringing glass on the rivers and lakes, inevitably people will bring it. However, you don't need water-shoes per se. An old pair of tennis shoes works great. Avoid flip-flops as they are easy to lose. It isn't uncommon for people wading or swimming in a river or lake without shoes to cut their feet on rocks or glass. In addition, in rivers, streams, and lakes that are conducive to fishing, you might just find yourself with a fishhook in your foot. Again, no matter what it is, a trip to the emergency room can ruin a fun day on the water. It is very easy to prevent this type of injury and imperative that you take this simple step to do so.

Summer Vacation Tip #4 - Don't bring towels.

As tempting as it may be, don't take towels out on the water. They will just get wet and then you will nothing to dry off with when you get back from your trip. Instead, make sure that you have towels and dry clothes (and a shower) waiting for you when you return. When you are out on the water, you can dry out in the sun.

Summer Vacation Tip #5 - Never bring expensive sunglasses, keys, or wallets.

You would be surprised at how many people bring expensive sunglasses, keys, and wallets on a canoe trip. Never take anything on the river that you aren't prepared to lose. You don't want to have to call a locksmith at the end of your trip. If you feel as though you will need money on your trip, only bring exactly what you think that you will need - $10 at most. By taking a few minutes to secure your valuables before you go and making the proper arrangements, you will prevent yourself from having to call a locksmith and/or losing your wallet. Many canoe liveries and boat rentals will hold your car keys for you and have measures set up to do so in a safe manner. If you do find yourself needing a locksmith, many canoe liveries and boat rentals will be able to provide you with names and phone numbers. However, it is best to avoid the situation all together.

Summer Vacation Tip #6 - Always be prepared to get wet.

Some people go canoeing, kayaking, or rafting without thinking that he or she will get wet. You will get wet. If you happen to get to the end of your trip and are still completely dry, consider yourself lucky. You would be surprised what some people wear for a day spent on the river or lake. If possible, avoid wearing blue jeans as they are extremely uncomfortable when wet. If you don't want to wear a bathing suit per se, you can always wear athletic shorts and a t-shirt. They aren't that uncomfortable when wet and it might just feel great if it is a hot summer day.

With a little planning, you will be prepared for just about anything out on the water, and you will have memories to last a lifetime. Incidentally, if you want to take pictures, it is recommended that you purchase an underwater disposable camera. All too many people have taken their new cameras only to lose them in the river or lake. An underwater camera allows you to take pictures without jeopardizing higher end camera equipment or functionality.

These summer vacation tips should help things go a bit more smoothly on the water. Common sense goes a long way. Unfortunately, with many of the items mentioned above, no one thinks about it until it is too late. While it is true that a summer day spent on the river or lake takes a little planning, it is well worth the effort.