You're Not Allowed to be Bored

Our planet, Earth, is so incredibly large and filled with so many fascinations and wonders that you could never see it all in one lifetime. Sure, you could look at pictures and videos of these places online but that doesn’t really compare to actually being at, say, the Grand Canyon in Arizona or the Black Forest in Germany. To really enjoy this planet, you have to go outside and experience it firsthand. There are several hundred things to do outside but it’s important to find an activity take really sparks your interest and keeps you going back for more. Saying “I’m bored”, is simply not an option. If you’re “bored” you’re not paying enough attention to your marvelous surroundings or perhaps you’re on a hike when hiking is your least favorite thing to do. No matter where you live, or what time of year it is, there is several different activities outside that you can do or try for the first time. Living in Florida, where it might as well be considered summer year-round, I’m going to start with activities that take place on the water.

A student at the Pure Life Surf School Surf Camp
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To begin, a major sport here is surfing which is the art of riding a foam board, usually with a smooth coat of fiberglass, along the face of waves naturally formed in the ocean. Surfing and surfboard design have greatly evolved over time so there are different kinds of boards for different types of waves and people, meaning if you’re a beginner or an experienced “shredder”. Most surfboards are in the range of 5’5”-8’ but a modified form of surfing, called Stand-Up Paddle boarding uses boards than can be 10’ or larger which require the use of a paddle to move through the water. Furthermore, an entirely different surfing experience can be had when the factor of wind is introduced. Appropriately named, windsurfing is the art of surfing combined with sailing, using a much larger board than when regularly surfing and have a large sail attached to the board to allow for controlling your direction along the wave. Both can be self-taught but it is much wiser to seek instruction before attempting these sports because of the risks involved which can include drowning or severe injury when being struck with a board. There are several surf schools all over the coasts of Florida but one of the best is the Pure Life Surf School located just south of Port Orange. For a school that specializes in windsurfing, SandyPoint Progressive Sports located in South Daytona is a good place to check out. This activity is good for young kids (ages 4+) and all others who possess a strong swimming ability. 

If surfing involves a bit too much risk for you, worry not! There are still several other water based 

Canoe, on the left and Kayak, on the right.
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activities you can do, including kayaking/canoeing and scuba diving. Kayaking and canoeing have the same philosophy of using paddles to guide across the surface of the water but the vessels and paddles with which you do so are different for each. In the picture to the right, there is a canoe (on the left) and a kayak (on the right) which shows the difference in the bodies of each. Two person kayaks are also available if preferred. Regardless of which vessel you choose, each allows you to cruise along a river or lake and enjoy the surround beauty of nature. Neither are complicated to operate so lessons aren’t necessary but you can receive instruction if you ask. The hardest part, in my experience, is safely getting into and out of these vessels without tipping it over. Several places all throughout Florida provide rentals but my favorite is located at the Old Sugar Mill at DeLeonSprings located in DeLeon Springs. This place rents canoes, kayaks and even paddleboats which are little two person boats that have foot pedals that you use to move through the water. The stream that leads to the springs runs along the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge and have over 1,000 acres of lakes, streams and canals. Considering this is Florida, you should always stay in your vessel when in natural waters; last time I went kayaking here, I saw 5 alligators. People of all ages can participate in this activity though it is probably best not to bring newborns or infants, wait until they’re toddlers.

A scuba diver making some friends!
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For those who aren’t satisfied with staying on the surface, you can get certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver at one of several locations throughout Florida. Being an Open Water Scuba Diver certifies you to a depth of 60 feet but if you absolutely love this, you can work towards more certifications including the Advanced Open Water Diver certification, which certifies you to dive to a depth of 100 feet, the Wreck Diving certification which will certify you to explore ship and airplane wrecks on the ocean floor or even the Coral Reef Conservation Diver certification which will certify you to explore and analysis the complex ecosystems of the coral reef that scatter our shoreline. There are some risks associated with diving but this is why certification is required. The classes will teach you how to avoid injuries and treat them in the event they happen. This hobby can be rather expensive but I promise, it is an experience unlike any other. Just breathing underwater is cool but to add this spectacular sensation of weightlessness while you watch schools of fish and sea turtles swim by makes this money well spent. This activity can be done by anyone 8 years of age or older that are in good health (no asthma, heart conditions, etc.).

Now if being on or under the water isn’t necessarily your cup of tea, there are still a plethora of other activities that take place on dry land! The simplest of these activities is hiking. You can hike in any public parks throughout your state completely free of charge and spend as long as you want enjoying nature. One word of advice for those looking to hike often is to invest in a good, waterproof pair of hiking boots for your adventures. They will keep your feet comfortable and dry for the duration of your hike, which is essential. People of all ages can participate in this and you can even bring along a dog, if you have one, to parks that allow pets. 

An activity that doubles as a skill for life is fishing and is a good way for parents and kids to bond. 

Myself with an Undersized Red Drum (which
was released back into the water).

Fishing can be done using nets, setting traps or by casting out a fishing line that runs back to a reel on a fishing pole. One of the most important rules of fishing is that you must have a fishing license in your respective state. Without one, you can be seriously fined. Another important rule about fishing is that you must be well informed about the species you’re allowed to catch and/or keep. For example, if you were to buy a saltwater fishing license and set a trap that will catch you a lobster, you will not be allowed to keep that lobster because there is a separate license specifically for lobster. Now say you catch a red drum, as I have in the picture to the right, you also wouldn’t be allowed to keep this fish because it’s not big enough. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has very strict regulations about catching species of only a certain size. This is to ensure that the species has the chance to repopulate before being removed from circle of life, which would otherwise cause a decline in important species populations. Fishing is a great activity for people of all ages though, like with kayaking or canoeing, it would be best if children are a bit older to participate.

One option that most states have access to are zip line courses which help promote team-building exercises as well as physical exercise all while playing in the treetops. Florida has a handful of zip line courses but one of the best courses by far is ZOOm Air with one location in Daytona Beach and one location in Sanford. Each location has 10 or more zip lines with a variety of fun and challenging

A girl enjoying an obstacle at ZOOm Air Sanford.
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obstacles that participants must work their way through to get to the zip lines. This activity is good for people of all ages though it’s important to note that each course has a height requirement that children have to meet before they’re allowed on the course. This is because ZOOm Air’s courses are all self-guided, meaning you move your own equipment the whole way through, so if kids don’t meet the height requirement, they won’t be able to reach their equipment or would be struggling the whole time. The Sanford location accommodates children 36” or taller while the Daytona Beach location will only accommodate children 54” or taller. This is certainly a great and cost-effective activity for families.

So to conclude, what I’ve listed above are some of my favorite activities but there are still dozens more to choose from, such as golfing, bird-watching, rock climbing, trail-running, swimming and if your area experiences snow during some time of the year, snowboarding and skiing! If that isn’t enough motivation to get outside and try something new, consider signing up for the Cairn Box. These boxes come once a month and are packed with mystery items in the categories of food, gear, apparel, skin care and emergency supplies all with the goal of getting more people outdoors into nature. An example of one of these boxes can include hiking socks, protein rich beef jerky (though vegetarian options are available), fire starters, cookware and sun care products. A valuable option that gives you that extra push of motivation to get back into the great outdoors!

My next blog will focus on jobs that will allow you to work outside either entirely or partially. In my opinion, nothing beats getting paid to spend time in nature.