Adventure Outdoors Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 119

[ R e T a W [ AdVeNtUrEs Jet skiing is an adrenaline rush, so if you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking for a thrill, this is the activity for you. Jet skis refer to any small personal watercraft, and can hold one to two people, similar to a motorcycle. The actual wa- tercraft was first brought to the consumer market in the 1970s, and by the 1980s, jet skiing was a popular sport and the watercrafts themselves were being sold all over. Florida is one of the best places to go if you are willing to try out the sport. Jet ski rentals are nearly everywhere along the coast, and Florida has over 1,800 miles of coast- line to roam. There are also almost 8,000 lakes in Florida, so if you would rather jet through freshwater, that is always an option. Head to Tampa Bay for a day on the water. “Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest open water estuary,” says Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Because it is such a wide bay and has lots of activity at all times, such as ships com- ing and going, the wakes are large and the winds are strong. The wide open area of the bay allows for jet skis to reach top speeds safely, which is a plus for ex- perienced riders that like to do tricks on the water. If you are unfamiliar with jet skis, you can rent one and take it out for yourself after brief instruction, or go with a guide if that makes you more comfortable. Jet skiing is a very popular activity in Florida, and around the country during the summer, so if you haven’t tried it, now is the time! Can’t make it to Florida? That’s ok. Because these per- sonal watercrafts can be driven in practically any body of water, you can try jet skiing anywhere, including Texas! Texas’ gulf coast has plenty of beach areas to enjoy a ride on, and rentals are scattered about the beaches just as they would be in Florida.