MAKING A SPLASH

There are many water-related activities for the 308,034 people who proudly call Lake County home. Because of the county’s 1,000 named lakes, crystal-clear springs, splash pads, and public swimming pools, it’s hardly surprising that people from all over the country come here in droves to enjoy activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, Dora Canal cruises, and seaplane rides. Are you ready to get wet and wild? Here’s a closer look at some of the water activities offered in our county.

 Venetian Gardens

The City of Leesburg is restoring charm to Venetian Gardens, once a former hub of activity because its lush landscape, picturesque bridges, and stunning lakeside views. The park, nestled on the shores of Lake Harris, will have a splash pad, a playground, and a beach area for swimming. City officials also added six new covered pavilions and space for kayak rentals. “We’re excited to restore Venetian Gardens, which I consider the jewel of Leesburg,” says Leesburg City Commissioner Jay Hurley. “The restoration to this beautiful park will enhance the quality of life for our residents and bring back a place where families can spend quality time together. It will also help Leesburg establish its identity and allow residents to have fun right in their own backyard rather than drive to other towns.”

Making Waves

Some of the most talented watersport athletes in the country hone their skills in Lake County. For more than 30 years, World Wakeboard Center has hosted camps in wakeboarding, wakeskating, and wakesurfing on Lake Hansen in Groveland. The company, owned by Andy and Joni Hansen, teaches people of all skill levels. Famous competitors who trained at World Wakeboard Center include X Games champion Dallas Friday, U.S. Open champion Trevor Hansen, 7-time world wakeskate champion Reed Hansen, and National Amateur Wakeskate champion Gib Gibbons. Similarly, waterskiing enthusiasts from around the country attend Jack Travers Waterski School, operated on Sunset Lakes in Groveland. Legendary coach Jack Travers operates the world-renowned waterski training center. A 2007 inductee to the Florida Waterski Hall of Fame, Jack has coached the World USA team, the U.S. World Elite team, and the U.S. World Junior team.

WORLD WAKEBOARD CENTER 352.429.3574 / www.worldwakeboardcenter.com

JACK TRAVERS WATERSKI SCHOOL 352.429.9027 / www.jacktravers.com

Sweet Streams

Lake County residents often drive to Orlando for all the city’s amenities. However, Orlando residents also come to Lake County to enjoy an increasingly popular watersport—kayaking. At least that’s what Kenny Boyd has discovered. He and his wife, Jenny, own Eustis-based Central Florida Nature Adventures, LLC. They take both novice and experienced paddlers on kayak trips on local waterways such as Haynes Creek, Rock Springs, the Wekiva River and the St. Johns River. “They are in awe because they’re completely out of their element,” he said. “Kayaking is so peaceful and relaxing because you leave behind our fast-paced society and feel like you’re one of the first settlers who paddled these waterways hundreds of years ago.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA NATURE ADVENTURES, LLC 352. 589.7899 / centralfloridakayaktours.com

A Slice of traditional Americana: The Public Swimming Pool

If you are looking for swimming lessons, or just want to take a quick dip in a man-made watering hole, many of Lake County’s municipalities offer public pools with minimal entrance fees. Here are some of the summer hot spots offering convenient ways to cool off:

GARDENIA PARK PUBLIC POOL 201 W. Berckman St., Fruitland Park, 352-360-6554

VENETIAN GARDENS SWIMMING POOL Dozier Circle, Leesburg, 352-787-8018 LINCOLN AVENUE COMMUNITY PARK & POOL 1250 N. Unser St., Mount Dora, 352-735-7173

EUSTIS AQUATIC CENTER 250 Ferran Park Drive, Eustis, 352-357-3264

GOLDEN TRIANGLE YMCA 1465 David Walker Drive, Tavares, 352-343-1144

UMATILLA PUBLIC POOL 16 Lone Star St., Umatilla. See www.umatillafl.org for information about the pool schedule and phone numbers.

Get a Little Wet

Chances are, you drive right past our beautiful lakes on a daily basis. But have you ever taken the time to explore them? Get Wet Watersports offers numerous ways for locals to experience the Harris Chain of Lakes in a way they’ve never done before. The Tavares-based company offers boat, paddleboat, and pontoon rentals, as well as jet ski and kayak rentals. In addition, the company provides guided tours on the county’s vast waterway system. One of those tours takes participants through the Dora Canal, which famous sportswriter Grantland Rice referred to as “the most beautiful mile of water in the world.”

Get Wet WaterSports 1000 West Burleigh Blvd Tavares, FL 32778 352.253.0585 / tavareswatersports.com

Dive Right In 

Y ou don’t have to visit the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, or the Great Barrier Reef to enjoy an underwater adrenaline rush. Alexander Springs, in the Ocala National Forest near Astor, attracts divers from far away as Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as throughout the United States. Novice and experienced divers receive an up close and personal view of bluegill, catfish, turtles, kelp-like vegetation, and rock outcroppings. Robert Nolan, manager of the recreation area, says Alexander Springs typically attracts 30 divers on Saturdays and 15 divers on Sundays. Nolan is a master scuba diver who has 3,000 logged dives. “People love scuba diving here because the visibility is unlimited and it’s comfortable and relaxing,” he says. “It’s also a great place for beginning divers to earn their certification because it’s not dangerous. We have some long-time divers who come here three or four times a week to dive recreationally.” Alexander Springs is one of only 27 first-magnitude springs in Florida, meaning it gushes 100 gallons of water per cubic second from under the ground. In addition to diving, families can swim in the large spring pool, canoe down Alexander Creek, use a hiking trail, and enjoy an afternoon picnic. The spring remains 72 degrees year round.

ALEXANDER SPRINGS 49525 C.R. 445, Altoona/ 352.669.3522

Make A Splash

The Tavares Splash Park in downtown is open May through August and has an average annual attendance of 24,000. With the purchase of a $2 wristband, children spend an entire day enjoying water slides or shooting water cannons, or playing at Wooton Wonderland playground. They can also fish from a dock. Clermont has a 3,245 square-foot Champions Splash Park made from rubber foam that features video surveillance cameras for safety.

Spring Into Action

Another of Lake County’s popular springs is Wekiva Falls RV Resort, located off State Road 46 in Sorrento. The resort’s lagoon-style swimming area is great. It features both a 40-foot cement waterfall and dual tube slides for children. The swimming area is also a great place to float lazily on an tube or throw a waterproof ball. The slightly hilly shoreline is a great beach area for tanning or relaxing. The resort has 800 RV sites and 100 tent sites. Guests can also enjoy picnicking and canoeing down the Wekiva River.

WEKIVA FALLS RV RESORT 30700 Wekiva River Road, Sorrento / 352.383.8055

Soar High

In 2010, Tavares opened a seaplane base and dubbed itself America’s Seaplane City. The name is quite fitting, considering the number of seaplanes landing there. Pilots come from all over the world to the lakeshore city. Of course, you don’t have to own a seaplane to experience the exhilaration of landing on a lake. Jones Brothers and Company in Tavares offers seaplane rides of varying lengths, allowing locals to get a birds-eye view of Lake County’s natural beauty. “We average about three or four flights per day,” says Kevin Vetter, an employee at Jones Brothers and Company. “Seaplanes definitely have become a big part of this community.”

To experience a thrilling seaplane ride, call Jones Brothers and Company at 352.508.1800.

Give It A “TRI”

With its gentle, rolling hills and picturesque lakes, Clermont is one of the country’s hottest triathlon destinations. Triathletes and duathletes from around the country compete in events such as the Great Floridian Triathlon Festival and the Clermont Challenge, held at Lake Louisa State Park

Cruising Along

Picture this: 200-year-old towering cypress trees draped with Spanish moss providing overhead shelter from the hot Florida sun. Turtles sunning on logs popping out of the water while a great blue heron sits statue-like on the bank. As an alligator sinks quietly underneath the water, a great bald eagle spreads its wings and soars. Taking in natural beauty never grows old to Scott Alderman, who has captained Dora Canal cruises for 28 years through his company Rusty Anchor. A lifelong Lake County resident and 1975 graduate of Mount Dora High School, he proudly showcases the area’s beauty. “This is my hometown, and I’m excited about showing it off from a different perspective than most people see it,” he says. “I take thousands of people out each year—many are tourists who continue coming back every time they vacation in Florida. You never know what you’ll see on any given day. It just depends what Mother Nature.” To enjoy a guided boat tour of the Dora Canal, contact one of the following companies:

RUSTY ANCHOR 352.877.2375 / www.rustyanchormountdora.com

PREMIER BOAT TOURS 352.434.8040 / www.doracanaltour.com

CAPTAIN DAVE’S SEA VENTURE II 352.343.3889

Get Your Motor Running

Lake County is home to numerous boating events—including antique boat shows, hydro drag racing, and sailing regattas. The event is held on Lake Dora in Tavares. The Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival is the largest antique and classic boat show on America’s East Coast. See historic boats (built before 1918); antique boats (built 1919-1942); classic boats (built 1943-1975) and contemporary boats (manufactured from 1976 – present). “The Antique Classic Boat Society has 72 chapters, and most of them have an antique boat show,” says Terry Feist, organizer of the event. “Ours is the largest, and we hold it in March because it signals the start of the boating season.” The event draws up to 10,000 spectators. Lake County is also home to other boat-related events that make an significant economic impact. They include the 2014 Hydro Drag World Championships, the Pro Hydro-X Tour, and the Midwinter Regatta Melges MC