Living near a lake means a lot of time out on the water. Since my boys were toddlers they have been spending the long days of summer boating on beautiful Lake Norman.
First things first, they always wear coast guard approved life jackets. Safety should be a top priority when dealing with kids and large bodies of water, plus it is the law. As they’ve gotten older we found that the hyperlite life jackets sold at Costco hold up very well, and our boys don’t complain about their comfort.
A BOGG bag has been clutch in keeping everything needed within view, including my very compactable Dock & Bay quick dry towels, waterproof bandaids and all the sunscreen sprays and sticks I can gather (which is always too many according to my kids.)
A cooler of adult beverages, waters and juice boxes keeps both the big kids and little kids happy. As well as snackle boxes filled with the favorite snacks and candies of the moment to avoid any hangry outbursts.
When we owned our own boat we had a lily pad that helped us feel more comfortable with the littles in the water. They would wear their life jackets and jump on and off the floating mat over and over, playing games like king of the mountain and wrestlemania. Both snorkel and regular goggles are essential to keeping the boys happily swimming in the lake.
Once out on the water, sometimes we would beach the pontoon on an island and spend the day in the North Carolina red clay sand. When Griff and Owen were littles that meant a huge mesh tote of beach toys, shovels that could withstand a forceful amount of digging and buckets to hold the clam shells that had washed ashore. Additionally, a boat spike came in super handy to make sure the North Carolina winds didn’t knock us into another nearby pontoon.
The boys and their friends could spend hours exploring the different islands on LKN. There are tree forts to be made, nature to catalog and sticks to be found that can be used as weapons and tools.
Dog Island has a swing hanging on a tree branch that allows you to soar out over the water. Dead Goose Island has a large sandbar that goes on for days and allows toddlers the freedom to be ten feet out and still in only a foot of water. Mud Butt Island has a slide built into a red clay cliff, where the boys spend hours taking turns turning their bathing suits bright red as they slip into the lake. Unfortunately all of the islands have changed a bit after the hurricane, but our memories of their glory days haven’t faded.
Now that we are part of the amazing Aquaventures family-owned boat club, we have the ability to take out a faster boat and let the boys enjoy a couple of hours tubing. Or if they are feeling like swimming the day away then we take out the double decker pontoon slide boat and anchor at one of LKN’s beloved hot spots.
A trip to Cocktail Cove allows you the opportunity to watch the Trump golfers hit it into the lake on a bad drive. And at Rope Swing Cove there is always a good show. Watching both teenagers and old men (that have had one too many and are trying to reclaim their youth) climb the cliff to hold on tight as they hang on for dear life before falling twenty feet into Lake Norman. The graceful swingers receive a round of applause from the boats below and the unlucky souls, that don’t understand to lock their elbows, hear “ouch” as they plummet under the blue green water.
The essentials list ends with a waterproof bag for dry clothes to ensure the boys don’t complain about being wet on the ride home. Griff and Owen used to fall asleep to the lull of the boat on our trip back to the dock. These days their eyes don’t close, but they still get quiet and peaceful.
Our kids don’t remember a time without Lake Norman, and for that I am grateful. Hopefully these essentials will help you feel prepared to venture out on a lake near you. I promise you won’t regret the memories made.
