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Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. —
For Kevin and Jade Sellers, nothing compares to a day on the water, riding or hitting trails. If it involves the great outdoors and healthy living, the Sellers are ready to embrace it.
Anywhere will do but there's no place quite like what they find right here at home at Lake of the Ozarks.
Whether they are looking for a calm ride, the excitement of a fast moving chute on one of the many streams and rivers in the region or the open waterways of Lake of the Ozarks, there's always a new experience in their own backyard.
The couple are true outdoor enthusiasts. For the past several weeks, Kevin and jade have taken time to haul out their kayaks and gear and join the 20-day Fit and Fun Challenge with their faithful companion, Buster along for the ride.
Buster, a chihuahua/pug, called a "chug". is their constant companion. He has taken well to kayaking and never misses at opportunity to park himself at the helm. Although Buster used to wear a life jacket, he has become quite the dare devil.
He'll also abandon ship when he sees a rough section coming up, and he'll swim to shore and run along the bank, waiting for a que from Jade that it's time to get back in the kayak. He then swims back out to the boat no matter how fast the water is moving.
"Flat-water paddling and road riding is a good work out and produces those wonderful endorphins. We enjoy building muscle and endurance and increasing our speed," Jade said. "The rivers, creeks and trails are magical. We see so much wildlife, and there is no time to worry about yesterday or tomorrow.
It's just paddle or peddle, dodge, duck and fly. It's neat relying on your body for a good time and not the price of gas. Buster enjoys it, too."
Q. Has the Fit and Fun Challenge been fun?
Yes! We usually play after work, so it's been really fun having an excuse to play before work too! It's also been neat watching the swimmers. Kevin's been inspired to give it a try now.
Q. Favorite place to float?
The Wet Glaize is the favorite float trip, mainly because it has no commercial float trips on it. You will see locals at the slabs in the summer, but you will not see anyone on the creek otherwise.
Jade: My favorite paddle trip so far has been the North Fork of Linn Creek. It takes a lot of rain, and it goes down quickly, but what a ride! It's as though we have a free water park, unexplored by anyone, dangerous as all get out, with a measly 5 min of driving to set up for it.
Kevin: Loves the Wet Glaize but also the lake. You never know. It can be glassy smooth or rolling. It's unpredictable. The big wakes are a thrill and it's wide open. The only thing that stops us from being on the water is when it freezes over.
For Kevin and Jade Sellers, nothing compares to a day on the water, riding or hitting trails. If it involves the great outdoors and healthy living, the Sellers are ready to embrace it.
Anywhere will do but there's no place quite like what they find right here at home at Lake of the Ozarks.
Whether they are looking for a calm ride, the excitement of a fast moving chute on one of the many streams and rivers in the region or the open waterways of Lake of the Ozarks, there's always a new experience in their own backyard.
The couple are true outdoor enthusiasts. For the past several weeks, Kevin and jade have taken time to haul out their kayaks and gear and join the 20-day Fit and Fun Challenge with their faithful companion, Buster along for the ride.
Buster, a chihuahua/pug, called a "chug". is their constant companion. He has taken well to kayaking and never misses at opportunity to park himself at the helm. Although Buster used to wear a life jacket, he has become quite the dare devil.
He'll also abandon ship when he sees a rough section coming up, and he'll swim to shore and run along the bank, waiting for a que from Jade that it's time to get back in the kayak. He then swims back out to the boat no matter how fast the water is moving.
"Flat-water paddling and road riding is a good work out and produces those wonderful endorphins. We enjoy building muscle and endurance and increasing our speed," Jade said. "The rivers, creeks and trails are magical. We see so much wildlife, and there is no time to worry about yesterday or tomorrow.
It's just paddle or peddle, dodge, duck and fly. It's neat relying on your body for a good time and not the price of gas. Buster enjoys it, too."
Q. Has the Fit and Fun Challenge been fun?
Yes! We usually play after work, so it's been really fun having an excuse to play before work too! It's also been neat watching the swimmers. Kevin's been inspired to give it a try now.
Q. Favorite place to float?
The Wet Glaize is the favorite float trip, mainly because it has no commercial float trips on it. You will see locals at the slabs in the summer, but you will not see anyone on the creek otherwise.
Jade: My favorite paddle trip so far has been the North Fork of Linn Creek. It takes a lot of rain, and it goes down quickly, but what a ride! It's as though we have a free water park, unexplored by anyone, dangerous as all get out, with a measly 5 min of driving to set up for it.
Kevin: Loves the Wet Glaize but also the lake. You never know. It can be glassy smooth or rolling. It's unpredictable. The big wakes are a thrill and it's wide open. The only thing that stops us from being on the water is when it freezes over.
Q. How many miles do you think you two have floated?"
I know a couple of people who keep track of every mile they have ever paddled, and even how many miles they have paddled per boat. We're too fly-by-the-seat-of-out-pants to keep track of anything that seems unimportant.
Q. Do you consider yourselves outdoor enthusiasts?
Absolutely! We love everything about being outside. The heat, the cold, the rain, the caves -- there's never a reason to stay indoors. I never fully realized how much the Lake of the Ozarks had to offer until I met Kevin. It's much more than a Lake. We're sitting on a real treasure, and you don't have to break the bank to enjoy it.
Tips:
•Be visible
•Wear bright colors
•Be safe
•Get out there and have fun
Upcoming event:
What: A two day paddle race on the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks.
When: Saturday, September 25, racers will start at Drake Harbor in Warsaw, MO, and grind it out for more than 60 miles to the Stage One finish line at Captain Ron’s near the 34-mile marker on the Osage Arm. After a good night of rest, Stage Two will be a 34-mile shootout from Captain Ron’s to Iguana Watersports near Bagnell Dam.
Recreational Division
The notion of paddling 100 miles in two days sounds a bit extreme to most people. We will have a recreational division for the weekend warrior, with a shorter course starting at a yet to be determined location. Paddlers in this division will make it to Captain Ron's in plenty of time to get the Clean Water party started.
Proceeds benefit Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance.
For more info call Donna at (573) 434-4400, or Kevin at (573) 2807446 or visit http://www.soslowa.org.
Planning to Paddle?
Know Your Limits!
When getting ready to head out on your next paddling trip, be sure to keep these five safety tips in mind to ensure you have an enjoyable trip and many in the future.
1. Wear Your Lifejacket
2. Trip Preparation and Planning
3. Cold Water Safety
4. Rules of the Road - What Paddlers Need to Know
5. Safety Check - For all types of paddling
In addition to the "Top Five" here are 5 more to round out the "Top Ten"!
6. Practices, Ethics and Conduct
7. Know Your Limits
8. River Paddler's Guide to Rescue
9. Best Practices for Paddlers and Paddlesports Programs
10. Take a paddlesports safety and skill development course! on-line or in-water.
Information provided by the American Canoe Association
www.americancanoe.org
Contact this reporter at joyce.miller@lakesunonline.com.
