If you are like me, I am ready for a much-needed escape from normal, everyday life and time to spend enjoying the outdoors. As a busy mom with a full time job and a farm I find myself in a daily 5:00 a.m. fitness rut walking the treadmill and lifting the same old weights– blah.
Longer days and the warmer weather of summer re-energize the motivation to go outside and test the muscles. Over the years I have found taking time to enjoy outdoor sports is well worth it.
My favorite outdoor sport is kayaking. Being on the water provides a stress-busting atmosphere for relaxation, while being physical challenge, too. Some fear kayaking, as their only impression is from TV watching professionals battling through whitewater and rolling through the rapids. My personal form of kayaking is paddling local lakes or scenic (slow flow) rivers of Nebraska. Kayaking provides a unique upper body strength and aerobic workout that nothing you can do at home can match. All while being in the great outdoors. Kayaking has become a popular sport over the years among females of all ages.
Never paddled before? Beginners are encouraged to take a course to learn basic paddling skills, safety procedures, and gear essentials. Nebraska’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Kayaking workshop is designed for the beginners in mind. This particular workshop was my baby step into a kayak and now as a certified instructor, I am teaching the course. The next workshop will be Saturday, July 23 at Lake Wanahoo. For the experienced female paddlers, join us for a kayaking trip down the Niobrara and Missouri River July 15 – 17. Register online for both workshops at NebraskaBOW.com.
Understanding water sports is not for everyone, there are many other means of outdoor fitness; biking, running, hunting, fishing or hiking. BOW in partnership with UNL Adventure Club will be hosting an overnight backpacking workshop June 18 & 19 at Indian Cave State Park. What a great opportunity to enjoy a workout in at state park. Register online at NebraskaBOW.com
The Becoming an Outdoors Woman program offers a diverse set of educational programs with all outdoor enthusiast in mind. This summer find a new outdoor activity tailored to your fitness goal. So long treadmill, I am headed outdoors!
Julia Plugge
Outdoor Education Specialist
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