Adventure Excursions

The Origins of Popular Water Sports   When we think of summer, we think of the lake and ocean as well as sports and sunshine. If we’re lucky, we can get the chance to combine all of these ideas by participating in a fun watersport on a sunny day. When we’re on the water jet skiing, wakeboarding , or water skiing, we’re focused on the fun we’re having and not on the fact that what we’re doing has a history. For those of us who like to learn the ins and outs of our favorite things, the history of these sports can be exciting to learn about and make our favorite water sports even better. So, to help you come to terms with just how amazing water sports are, here is a brief history of some of the most popular water sports that can be done on Lake Mead .   Water skiing Water skiing originates in Minnesota, USA and was created by two teenagers- Ben and Ralph Samuleson. The boys had the idea that if humans could ski on snow, they should be able to ski on water as well. A month...

A Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking   Years ago, traveling down rivers and streams on kayak was commonplace and sensible. Nowadays, we have motorized vehicles and large ships to use for travel instead, which has made kayaking a leisure activity. What’s the different between a canoe and a kayak ? In general, canoes are better for narrow channels of water like rivers and small lakes. Canoes are a two person job, with one sitting at each end of the canoe and paddling with a single-bladed paddle. The person at the back of the canoe is primarily responsible for steering. Kayaks are better for areas such as the ocean and large lakes. They’re better at handling large waves and strong wind. The operator of a kayak will sit on the hull with his or her legs covered by the deck. Kayaks are paddled using a double-bladed paddle and are steered by the pushing of pedals that move a rudder in the underside of the kayak. What benefits does kayaking have ? Participating in kayak trips has its a...

Jet Ski Safety Tips   As with any thrilling outdoor activity, jet skiing – and operating any kind of motorized watercraft – requires that all participants exercise safety at all times. Jet skiing is not an inherently unsafe or risky activity, and as technology continues to advance, jet ski models are regularly designed with more and more automated safety features. As long as everybody is being responsible and not distracting the person operating the jet ski, there’s truly nothing to worry about. However, if you’re nervous, we understand: the speed can take some getting used to, and the sensation of going so fast without being buckled securely down can be a bit uncomfortable for some. So here are some easy tips from your friends at Lake Mead for you to follow to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride! Before you take off: Gear and supplies. Make sure everyone is dressed ready to get wet – break out the wetsuits, swimwear, or at least old athletic clothes that you don’t mind getting...

  Outdoor Water Sports Overview   At Lake Mead in Nevada , we believe there’s nothing more fun than a day out on the lake. Whether it’s speeding along in a jet ski taking on big waves or relaxing in a larger motorboat with some good friends, there’s just something about the sun and the water that draws us in. And we know we’re not alone: it’s not for nothing that outdoor water sports and water outings are such a popular activity. Since we’re committed to trying our best to offer you the safest, most fun, ideal watercraft experiences, we thought we would give a general list and description of the most common water sports. Maybe you’ll be inspired to give them a try, or maybe they’ll just reaffirm your preconceived notion that jet skiing is the way to go! Open-water or “endurance” swimming. Swimming is a popular casual summertime activity, and the skill is taught to children almost as a rite of passage, as one would teach almost any physical task to children, such as wa...

The Evolution and History of the Modern Jet Ski   If you love jet skis, fast boats, and outdoor water sports in general, it’s likely that you’ve been too wrapped up in learning how to operate different watercraft and hone your jumping skills to spend much time really considering the rich history of these vehicles. At beautiful, sunny Lake Mead, we want our clients to feel as comfortable and competent as possible when spending the day on any of our speedboats or jet skis, so we believe in arming ourselves with knowledge. Please enjoy this brief history of the modern jet ski as we know it, and feel free to check out our top-of-the-line Yamaha models today!   Jet skis are also called water scooters, personal watercrafts (PWCs), and spelled as one word like “jetski.” Perhaps our favorite name for these crafts is the pun-tastic boatercycle . In fact, the term “Jet Ski” is technically a registered trademark and brand name held by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (more on them in a...

Jetskis and Watercraft Renting for Beginners   Even if you’ve heard of jet skis, motorboats, high-speed tubing, and other exhilarating outdoor water sports, you might not have given a lot of thought as to exactly how renting out any of those watercraft actually works.   Or, even if you do have some experience on a high-speed watercraft, it’s true that the protocol and guidelines for renting can vary from one company to the next. At Lake Mead in beautiful Las Vegas , we strongly encourage you to give us a call with any questions or concerns, but we understand that the distance to Nevada can be a bit much for our friends across the country.   While we would love to offer our services to everybody everywhere, we know that sometimes you might have to settle for a rental service closer to your home, so we’re offering these generalized tips to guarantee that your boating experience as smooth and fun as possible, even if you’re not with us. First, you should cons...

Is Jet Skiing Dangerous? As you know, it’s hot in the Vegas area, and we understand that the clubs, restaurants, and shopping centers all tend to blur together after a little while. You’re looking for something fun to shake it up a little, especially as temperatures climb well into and above the 90-degree range. You’re tempted by the glistening blue water, the sun, the wind – but you want to know: what are the risks of jet skis? Are speedboats really safe? Sure, they’re fast, powerful, and exciting, but is the fun worth taking the chance of injury? We at Adventure Excursions in the greater Las Vegas area completely understand your concerns and take them very seriously. We know that with most outdoor activities, jet skis and boat rentals can definitely pose a risk. That’s why we recommend taking a Boater Safety Course before renting any watercraft if you’re not the most experienced. Taking a class in boating education or water safety will help you feel prepared to deal with any emer...