The Tri-Cities are home to 300 days of sunshine a year, but it’s the summertime when things really begin to heat up! With the confluence of the Columbia River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River, the region offers some of the best outdoor recreation available during these warm summer months. By far, the local favorite of all these recreational activities is, of course, watersports, as there is a wide variety to choose from, and they’re the best way to soak up the summer sun in the Tri-Cities!
Relax and Unwind With Stand-Up Paddleboarding
If you’re looking for a relaxing escape, try stand-up paddleboarding along the mighty Columbia River. It’s an excellent way to enjoy the water and shoreline with guaranteed tranquil views as you float along the water’s surface. Not to mention, it’s also a full-body workout, focusing on your core for balancing without being too strenuous.
Take a board and paddle along on your own, or sign-up for yoga on paddleboards at various locations specializing in the sport. Mother-daughter-owned Northwest Paddleboarding is a great place to start for beginners and pros alike. Not only do they offer rentals and equipment sales for the activity, but they also offer paddleboard lessons as well as SUP yoga. Reach out at 509.378.1469 for further details about all that they have to offer.
Explore the Columbia River by Kayak
Kayaking in the Tri-Cities offers ample opportunity for fun and adventure while drifting along the Columbia River and its surrounding waterways. This memorable experience provides picturesque views of the area’s beautiful scenery, traveling past the wine country’s mix of epic cliffs and rolling farmland. The river offers a wide range of water conditions suitable for kayaking, from calm sections ideal for beginners to more challenging areas with currents and waves for experienced paddlers.
Several businesses offer kayak rentals in the Tri-Cities and lessons for those wanting to learn the ins and outs before they dare trudge the waters. Bateman Kayak & Canoe is happy to assist with rentals, offering a wide range of kayak options, including three-person sit-in kayaks so you can hit the water in a group and enjoy an outing on the water together with friends and family.
Discover Water Thrills With Jet Ski Fun
If you’re feeling the need for speed, jet skis are another thrilling activity you won’t want to miss along the Columbia River. These action-packed rides can prove quite exhilarating as you cruise along while the river provides a scenic backdrop, allowing you to experience panoramic views of the surrounding area. They’re a terrific way to explore the river and its beautiful shores, offering a variety of routes. Whether you prefer cruising along the calm water sections or navigating through more challenging areas with waves and currents, there are options to suit different skill levels and preferences.
Pacific Shorz Powersports is just one of a few places that offer jet ski rentals in the Tri-Cities for those thrill seekers looking to get in on the action and hit the waves. Open on the weekends, they offer a comprehensive, all-inclusive rental experience with fun for the whole family. Their friendly team of experts is happy to answer all your jet ski questions before you embark on an epic journey. They will go over safety instructions and guidelines before departing from the shoreline.
Make a Splash Water Skiing
Just as exciting as jet skiing is the ever-exhilarating sport of water skiing. The thrilling sensation of speed as you skim along the water’s surface is an unforgettable experience unlike any other, made even more memorable along the Columbia River as it creates a visually captivating backdrop as you take in the natural beauty along the ride. You’ll build balance, coordination, and technique the more you practice, and the river’s varied water conditions create perfect spots for beginners and experienced skiers to enjoy. Those up to the challenge can even participate in the area’s various water sporting events and competitions during the summer and may even bring home gold.
If you find yourself in need of renting a boat to participate in this exciting watersport, head on over to Sundown Sport & Marine in Richland. Not only do they have a pro shop that offers all the tools you need for jet skiing, but they also offer various boating services, including repair, maintenance, and rentals, so that nothing prevents you from having fun in the sun!
Of course, these aren’t the only watersports to enjoy along the waterways of the Tri-Cities. There’s also canoeing, wakeboarding, tubing, windsurfing, and fishing. No matter which one you choose, it’s bound to be tons of outdoor recreational fun on the water, sure to cool you off during the 300 days of sunshine!
