Our first boat

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Discover Boating. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #MC #Sponsored 

Boats on the Charles River in Boston

I’m going back here….way back to when I was a child. I remember the little Sunfish that my dad bought for my brother and I to share. It was a noble gesture on his part, however my brother and I are four years apart in age, and we didn’t see eye to eye until we were adults. While my parents had visions of he and I going out on the water TOGETHER, I saw it as girlfriend and giggles time, while he fancied himself as a real sailor.

He would race

I would drift

But, both he and I probably got the same amount of enjoyment out of being out on the water, even though our ways were so different.

Of course that memory made me want to continue boating as an adult and Mr. S, Ben and I always had either a sailboat or later on a power boat when we lived on the water. Even NOW when we go on vacation, you can find us renting a little Hobie catamaran in the Caribbean or crewing on the America’s Cup boats that are retired. You just can’t take a fish out of water.

If you’ve never experienced the joy of cutting across the still water, or sailing into the wake, if you’ve never opened up the motor on a clear beautiful day or jumped off of the swim platform to cool off…you don’t know WHAT you’re missing.

I had a good start

Boats on the Charles River in Boston

I was given sailing lessons at a young age, was taught what to do in any situation, and Mr. S and I both taught Ben these as well.  For those who are novices, it is important to be prepared, and that’s where one of my favorite boating sites Discover Boating comes in handy. DiscoverBoating.com offers everything you could possibly need to know from a boat selector guide and cost comparison tool, to renting options. You can even find other boaters favorite boating destinations, and links to those all important education courses. Don’t know a sheepshank from a boom vang? All of the nautical lingo you could possibly need along with how-to videos and more.

Are you an old salt? 

Discover Boating hasn’t forgotten about you either. They’ve got tools and information for experienced boaters looking to learn more.

Boating is as much fun for kids as it is for adults

Being out on the water as a family offers opportunities to bond that you never even dreamed of. I remember Ben’s first time at the tiller (OY VEY), and the way he’d feed the sea gulls off of the stern as we screamed.  You can learn about Youth Boating Programs as well!

Did you know?

91 percent of Americans believe there are benefits for children to be on the water, including: getting outdoors; appreciating nature; spending quality time with family; and disconnecting from technology.

For more details about how YOU can Discover Boating like I did:

• Go to: DiscoverBoating.com 
• Twitter: @discoverboating #DiscoverBoating 
• Facebook: DiscoverBoating
• Instagram: DiscoverBoating
• Pinterest: DiscoverBoating