Boats, Buoys, and Tahoe Toys

Eydie Scher has spotted a new Tahoe trend and sent us this great report. If you’d like to report a fun weekend activity or event send it to me at klarsen@rgj.com and I’ll post here. Thanks Eydie.

The water skis sit idly in the shed, not on the boat. They are a relic from the past. The good news is you can still enjoy careening around on the Lake without having to learn how to get up on a single ski, a skill that left arms sore for weeks. Once up on a ski, especially in Lake Tahoe, you had to try and stay up indefinitely since stopping or God forbid, falling, left you in the throes of the icy water for longer than the body hungered for. Even the wearing of a wetsuit did little to ease the body's chill.

It's the Bays that are most crowded, especially on weekends. Boats are hauling around passengers, mostly kids, in what's known as ‘towables.’ You can't miss them. It's the latest summer craze. One, two or even three passengers kneel in inflatables that are towed by powerboats the way they used to tow skiers. The boat circles and occupants of the towable ride the wake, bouncing around and giving the thumbs up sign to the spotter for the boat to go faster. The captain carefully obliges.

Recently, friends of our family gave us a taste of what being in a towable is like. The grandkids loved it. Even the five year old gave the thumbs up for speed. Grandma's today are not what they used to be. I wasn't that fond of bouncing around over the wake but I did it and guess what? I didn't even get my hair wet. It is not absolutely necessary to subject your body to full water exposure, though blasts do hit pretty hard.

It is the in thing this summer season. I am researching the trend. How much are these towables? Where do you buy them? What are the extras you need? I stop at Squaw Valley Sport Shop in Tahoe City. This is a family business that has served the Lake clientele for 30 years. Dax Willard shows me the ropes, literally. The ski rope we used is not acceptable. A towable rope is better and costs up to $30.00. Towables, as you might imagine, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, although round seems to predominate. An inflatable single goes for $99 - $109. Higher end twins (for two) are $199.

There are two, three and even five person kits that come with pumps. If it doesn't a separate foot pump runs from $9.00 to $29.00. An electrical one like the one you use for your car's cigarette lighter is about $39.00. Filling takes about 10 minutes. A patch kit is included with each kit with the hopes that you never need it.

They also sell rafts. Its close proximity to the Truckee River makes it an excellent starting point for your excursion. Kayaks round out the summer toys.

If you're not totally ready to jump in and buy a towable or raft, you can rent one at West Shore Sports. Two and three passenger towables rent for $25.00 for 4 hours or $38.00 for a full day. Kayaks are also available to rent. A single rents for $40.00 for _ day and $50.00 for a full day with a two passenger kayak renting for $55.00 and $60.00 respectively. At the end of the season, they discount the price on sales.

Time is running out. Back to school sales are in full swing, constantly reminding us that summer is waning. Get those toys out now. The weather is perfect, the water is actually warmer and you only have so much time left to play before Tahoe turns to Fall.

Photos:

1. Granddaughters Siena and Briana enjoying the ride.

2. An assortment of towables at Squaw Valley Sport Shop.

3. A raft at Squaw Valley Sport Shop.

4. A three-person towable at West Shore Sports