The days are longer and the Texas sun is warmer. Yep, it’s that time of year when we try to leave the office early on a beautiful Friday afternoon. But if you’re only headed to the neighborhood park, you’re missing out on Austin’s greatest recreational playground — seven square miles of fresh water. Take advantage of the Colorado River’s gifts to the Hill Country and check out these aquatic activities on Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin and Lake Travis.

1. Sailing
Using the wind as your guide, navigating a sailboat is an art you can practice on breezy Lake Travis. Sailing was once a means to explore foreign trading posts; today Austinites prefer to explore the area’s lakeside restaurants. The 64 miles of Lake Travis provides the perfect locale for sailors of all varieties and skill levels.

TRY IT NOW: Don’t have a sailboat? Check out Texas Sailing (texassailing.com) or Sail Aweigh! (sailingaustintexas.com). Don’t know which side is starboard? Both rental places offer lessons and you can snag a teacher at SailTime Austin (sailtime-austin.com). Be prepared to shell out some dough though — sailing is not a cheap hobby.


2. Windsurfing
Take sailing to the extreme! Windsurfing combines aspects of surfing (the board) and sailing (the sail). Although considered a minimalist version of a sailboat, the windsurfer offers experiences that are outside the scope of any other sailing craft. You can perform jumps, inverted loops and spinning maneuvers on Lake Travis with this standing-only surf boat.

TRY IT NOW: Austin Sail Works offers complete windsurfer packages for beginners, improvers and racers (austinsailworks.com). You can also find information about different events and other places to windsurf in Texas here. Looking for some fellow windsurfers? Consider joining the Austin Windsurf Club to meet similar enthusiasts of the sport (austinwindsurf.org).


3. Canoeing
These simple boats have been around for thousands of years and are still popular with the crowds at Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake. The word canoe, originating from the term kenu, means “dugout” which is an accurate description of this hollowed-out watercraft. Most canoes can hold a small family and are propelled by a single-bladed paddle. Leisure is strongly associated with this boat as it’s best used for an unhurried water cruise on Austin’s Lady Bird Lake.

TRY IT NOW: Visit Zilker Park Boat Rentals to rent a canoe for $40 a day and check out their Web site for a rental coupon (zilkerboats.com).


4. Duck Tours
Originally used by the U.S. Army for military transport, the Austin Duck now totes leisure-seeking citizens. Since the vehicle is amphibious, its inhabitants can observe Austin from both land and lake. The tours roll through downtown and you’ll get a “Duck’s eye view” of the State Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, Bob Bullock Museum, Sixth Street and of course Lake Austin.

TRY IT NOW: Austin Duck Adventures offer year-round tours starting at the Austin Visitor Information Center at 209 E. Sixth Street. Before you go be sure to check their Web site as tour times vary depending on the day of the week and season. The Duck’s “bill” will run you about $26, but they offer price breaks for children, students and seniors (austinducks.com or 512-4-SPLASH).


5. Scuba Diving
See Austin through a fisheye lens! Whether you’re preparing for certification or refreshing for a future coast trip, Lake Travis is the closest venue for scuba diving. Once underwater, you can further expand your diving to include underwater photography, architecture and botany.

TRY IT NOW: Need lessons? Tom’s Dive & Swim offers classes, dive trips and scuba gear. They have courses to suit the beginner, the pro, the rescuer and even the artist. You can spend a couple days (May 16 to 17) in an underwater classroom and learn about underwater architecture (tomsscuba.com).


6. Paddle-boating
Maybe using your arms to maneuver a boat isn’t your thing or maybe you want to embrace the romantic image of drifting on Lady Bird Lake with your sweetie. Either way, paddle-boating is a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery of our beautiful city. The boat, always consisting of at least two seats, is powered by the pedaling of your feet. If you think kayaking is easy, maneuvering this boat is a piece of cake.

TRY IT NOW: Rent one for $25 an hour at the Rowing Dock located just west of Zilker Park (rowingdock.com).


7. Swimming
Sometimes this is the only way to really beat the unrelenting Texas heat. Fortunately, Austin generously supplies us with an abundance of swimming holes and wading pools. One in particular has remained a favorite among residents.

TRY IT NOW: Held at a year-round 68 degrees, Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is sure to take the edge off the hottest afternoons. The pool is naturally fed by underground springs and just one of these can pump 27 million gallons of water a day. The entry fee is $3 for adults, $2 for juniors and $1 for children under 12. The pool tends to get crowded quickly on sunny weekends so going early is a good idea (ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm)


8. Parasailing
Get a true bird’s eye view of Lake Travis without having to pay for a plane ticket. Between 500 and 1,000 feet of line connected to a motor boat elevates you — and a partner for those afraid of heights — above the water. The idea of freely flying might seem unsafe but you are tightly secured in with a harness by trained professionals.

TRY IT NOW: Consult the knowledgeable staff at Airscape Parasail on Lake Travis for more reassurance and an enlightened experience for less than $100. Their boat seats 8 of your closest friends and family, so you can watch each other glide over Austin (airscapeparasail.com).


9. Jet Skiing
Think snowmobiling — but on the water and under the warm Texas sun. Navigating Lake Travis on a personal watercraft (often coined “PWC”) is especially enjoyable if you prefer to be in exclusive control of your acceleration and direction.

TRY IT NOW: You can find a Jet Ski that suits your need for speed or your desire for leisure at Beach Front Boat Rentals on Lake Travis at Highland Lakes Marina in Volente (beachfrontboats.com/waverunner).


10. Wakeboarding/Water Skiing
Looking for the adrenaline rush associated with extreme water sports? Imagine being towed behind a boat cruising at 20 mph and you’ll be sure to feel your heart race. Water skiing is one of the most popular watersports around and wakeboarding is just a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques. Stay patient if you’re a beginner — it takes a good deal of coordination and strength to get the hang of standing up on the board or skis.

TRY IT NOW: These activities are easier to learn with the help of a professional. Lakelessons offers riding tips through hourly appointments and summer camp programs on Lake Austin (lakelessons.com).


11. Pontoon Boats
Enjoy the ambience of Lake Travis without getting wet or expending energy. Floating on a pontoon boat, essentially a giant raft, is one of the laziest ways to spend a day on the water. This is the safest boat to drift along on since it’s easy to operate, slow-moving and virtually unsinkable. And for those easily burned, most pontoon boats are equipped with sun-relieving canopies.

TRY IT NOW: Spend four hours on Lake Travis with 10 of your closest friends on a pontoon boat from Just For Fun at Emerald Point Marina. The cost for the perfect afternoon of doing nothing? Just $20 a head (jff.net/austin/index.htm).


12. Golfing
There are other land activities that do not include getting wet or sandy. Get your sun fix while practicing your short game on one of Austin’s scenic golf courses. This sport is not for the frugal so expect to pay a pretty penny.

TRY IT NOW: Enjoy the scenery of Lake Travis on one of the two 18-hole courses at The Hills Country Club. This is a private club so you’ll need to pay the club’s membership fees (clubcorp.com). Austin Country Club, one of the state’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs, offers breathtaking vistas along Lake Austin as well. Membership and monthly dues are par for the course here though.
For the majority who can’t afford monthly dues, check out the green-fee-only Lakeway Live Oak Golf Course which still comes with the beautiful lake view (clubcorp.com). For a complete list of area golf courses, check out Austin’s City Guide (austincityguide.com).


13. Cliff-jumping
Do friends refer to you as a “thrill-seeker?” Can you not understand why people fear heights? If you answered yes to both questions, cliff-jumping should quench your adventurous thirst. Just like it sounds, cliff-jumping is literally leaping off a rocky precipice into deep water. Again, that’s DEEP water. Always be sure to check current water levels before you jump!

TRY IT NOW: Pace Bend State Park, located on Lake Travis, boasts prime cliff-jumping as well as swimming and camping. The park is 30 miles west of Austin and the entry fee is $8 for the day (co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/pace_bend.asp).


14. Hike and Bike
The City of Austin has developed more than 50 miles of well-surfaced scenic paths that follow natural greenbelts throughout town.

TRY IT NOW: The Dept. of Parks and Rec’s Web site has information on all locations (ci.austin.tx.us/parks/trails.htm).


15. Fishing
With its 6.9 square miles of water, Austin is an angler’s dream. Lake Austin is home to a large population of 8 to 10 pound largemouth bass as well as bluegill, sunfish and blue catfish. This tends to be a night activity during summer months due to the heavy recreational boating in the afternoons.

TRY IT NOW: All anglers are required by Texas law to have a fishing license. You can quickly pick one up online at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Web site (tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/online_sales/). Be sure to also check out Lake Austin’s water levels before you fish (tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/austin/)!