Contact: Margaret Skillicorn
Weidinger Public Relations
775-588-2412

WATER SPORTS GIVE VISITORS DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPERIENCE LAKE TAHOE

(South Shore, Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev.) – With visibility to 75 feet below the surface and with the estimated 39.75 trillion gallons of water which is 99.9 percent pure, the Lake begs for everyone to enjoy its beauty. The South Shore has many venues to take a swim, go water skiing, enjoy a sunset cruise, or partake in a fishing expedition.

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is a designated passage around the 72-mile shoreline of Lake Tahoe with recognizable access, resting places, campgrounds, lodging, points of interest and related support facilities to accommodate recreational kayakers, canoeists and water sports enthusiasts.

Kayaking & White Water Rafting

Local rivers range from mild to wild and are suitable for kids seven to 75. Experience is not required as South Shore is loaded with numerous well-equipped kayak and white water rafting companies eager to suit up the young at heart with rentals, lessons, and guided tours from local half-day express runs in Emerald Bay and Sand Harbor to multi-day river adventures along Tuolumne, Kaweah, Upper Klamath, Truckee River, East Carson, or the lively class three South Fork of the American River. Most trips depart daily from June through September. Adventure Connection, Beyond Limits Adventures, Kayak Tahoe, Tahoe Whitewater Tours, Tributary Whitewater Tours, can supply visitors with gear and tours to enjoy their time in the water.

Lake Cruises

Paddle wheel boats and yachts cruise North America’s largest Alpine lake, exploring this 22-mile long and 12-mile wide body of water. Departing from Ski Run Marina in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, the classic paddle wheeler, Tahoe Queen, hosts the Family Fun Cruise with Tahoe Tessie, Tales of Tahoe by Mark Twain, sunset buffet, weekend dinner/dance, and sightseeing cruises. Voted "Best Boat Cruise" at Tahoe for ten years running, the M.S. Dixie II Paddle wheeler, hosts a historic breakfast buffet, scenic champagne brunch, dinner, dinner/dance, and sightseeing cruises.

The Safari Rose, a classic 80-foot yacht, offers cruises Monday through Friday out of the Tahoe Keys Marina. The Round-the-Lake cruise and the West Shore Cruise with Tour of the Ehrman Mansion offer breathtaking views of Emerald Bay and the West Shore. These cruises include Monday Martini Cruises, Wednesday Wine Tasting Cruises, and Friday Live Music cruises.

Boat Rentals and Marinas

Vacationers can also join a fishing charter or rent a recreational boat to explore Lake Tahoe's many hidden coves. A boat-accessed campground in Emerald Bay offers water enthusiasts a unique option for weekend lodging.

Action Water Sports, behind the Timber Cove Lodge, has a fleet of unique watercraft available for rent including powerboats, sailboats, pedal boats, Aqua Cycles, parasailing rides and kayaks at the Timber Cove Marina. The Tahoe Thunder, an 800-horsepower, open deck vessel capable of cruising at 60 knots, provides the ultimate in adrenaline rides on the Lake via the fastest speedboat in Emerald Bay. In contrast, the Windsong offers a two-hour quiet, peaceful and relaxing sailing excursion on its 65-foot yacht that can carry up to 24 passengers.

Originally owned by E.B. Scott, author of the Saga of Lake Tahoe, The Tahoe, is a classic wooden high speed cruiser originally launched in 1950 that now offers quaint trips around Zephyr Cove. On a Woodwind Cruise, wind and water work in harmony with a multi-hull design providing exceptional stability while under sail, with wide decks, spacious seating, and enclosed cabins. With Dream on Sailing Charters, search for lost treasure and hear tales from the past and pirate lore.

The Tahoe Keys Marina has a boat ramp, powered and sail boat rentals. Docked at Tahoe Keys Marina is the Party Boat, a 52-foot launch for charter groups up to 49 people. Amenities include a flying bridge, conference cabins, bar, kitchen and salon.

At Ski Run Marina, visitors can rent water ski boats, pontoon boats, fishing skiffs, personal watercraft, parasailing rides, water toys, canoes, and kayaks. The marina is also home to the Tahoe Queen Paddlewheel boat as well as the Tahoe Princess, which is available for charters.

Zephyr Cove Marina has luxury yachts, sailboats, speed boats, fishing, and water ski boat rentals as well as wave runners, paddleboats, and tandem kayaks. The marina is home to the M.S. Dixie II paddlewheeler and the Woodwind II catamaran, which sails daily. The Sunset Beach Bar features live music every Thursday, Friday and Sunday from June through summer.

Camp Richardson houses the longest floating pier on the lake and rents powered and non-powered boats and kayaks. The resort has a water-ski school, parasailing rides, and sailing excursions. After a day on the Lake, lakefront Beacon Restaurant serves up the Rum Runner, voted best drink at Lake Tahoe for the past three years by the locals.

Round Hill Pines Beach Resort and Marina is an ideal destination to spend all day with the family, offering jet ski rentals, parasailing, yacht tours, tennis, a heated swimming pool, kayak rentals, a sandy beach, barbeque pits and a Bar and Grill.

Parasailing and Wakeboarding

Several marinas on the South Shore offer Parasailing adventures. Towed behind a launch boat and harnessed into a parachute, parasailers fly up from the stern of the launch for a bird’s eye view of the entire Tahoe basin. The view down into the depths of one of the clearest lakes in the world and out over snowcapped mountains is unparalleled.

Wakeboarding, a sport resembling surfing but behind a boat, is now a common sight on the Lake. Skimming across sapphire water, wakeboarding provides extreme thrills and spills during the warmer months.

Parasailing and wakeboarding are available all summer long; through Zephyr Cove Resort, Camp Richardson Resort, Ski Run Marina.

Kite Surfing

One of the hottest new adventure sports on the scene, kite surfing combines the acrobatics and agility of wakeboarding with the natural power of windsurfing. Kite surfers are harnessed to a giant kite, strapped into a wakeboard-type board and free to go where the wind takes them.

Fishing Charters, Fly Fishing, And Popular Fishing Holes

The biggest fish ever caught in Lake Tahoe, a Mackinaw lake trout, weighed 37 pounds and 6 ounces. Because fishing in Lake Tahoe is a sport appreciated all year long, fishing charters are plentiful. Tahoe’s experienced captains are most familiar with the best spots to catch Mackinaw, Rainbow, and Brown trout. Many charters offer half day, full day, or private cruises and include all necessary equipment and licenses, a continental breakfast, bag lunch, and afternoon refreshments, making it easy for families to arrange a day of fun on the lake.

Tahoe Sport Fishing boasts some of Lake Tahoe’s largest fishing fleet; six beautiful 26 to 45-foot boats serve some of the most dedicated fishermen, families, and private parties year round. Half-day and full-day trips are available, along with equipment. Don Sheetz Fishing Guide also specializes in fishing Lake Tahoe for Mackinaw, Kokanee, Rainbow, and Browns. To experience a 22-foot Starcraft fishing boat with cuddy cabin and fully equipped with fish finder, GPS, downriggers and light tackle.

Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters and Wildlife Art Gallery offers guided Waterfowl and Upland Game hunts with highly trained retrievers. All equipment can be supplied (hunter safety certificates required for all waterfowl hunts). Fly Fishing Guides are available all winter long and guide on Nevada waters that stay open year-round with some of the better fly fishing during October, November, February, and March. Charter Fishing on Lake Tahoe boasts some of the biggest catches during the winter months. The Charter boats are equipped with heaters to keep everyone warm. Then the anglers can bring their catches to local restaurants, and they'll happily cook it up for them. Half-day and full-day trips are available, along with equipment.

Cave Rock State Park, on Highway 50 three miles south of Glenbrook, is one of the best places on Lake Tahoe to fish with children due to the lake accessibility, in addition to being one of the best fishing holes to catch Rainbow Trout. Young fisherpersons ages 14 and under can also cast a line at the trout-stocked Tahoe Trout Farm, just west of the Y intersection of Highway 50 and Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Licensing is not required.

The Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Center, just four miles north of the Y on Highway 89, features a Stream Profile Chamber to view fish below the stream’s surface. Visitors go below the ground line to observe Kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout in their natural habitat. The interpretive Rainbow Trail follows the stream to teach guests about the meadows and wildlife along the way. Parents and children can stay for the campfire program if visiting in August. All are free and open to the public.

To purchase a fishing license, visit any fishing outlet, Tahoe area Raley’s, or Long’s Drugs.

Several sunken ships offer a fascinating perspective of Tahoe's maritime history for scuba divers prepared to dive at high altitude. Lake level is 6,285 feet - more than a mile above sea level. There are several dive sites in the south end of Lake Tahoe. To find out more about them and other activities listed, log onto www.bluelaketahoe.com.

About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Set high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, South Shore Lake Tahoe offers one of the World’s most unique destinations, combining spectacular natural beauty and a plethora of outdoor activities along with 24-hour nightclubs, fine dining, gaming and superstar entertainment. The region’s naturally beautiful white-capped granite peaks reaching nearly 10,000 feet, emerald green forests, and indigo blue waters draw vacationers year-round from around the world to experience the best in outdoor recreation, including world-class skiing and riding, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking, and mountain biking as well as to enjoy the dynamic nightlife. For information about lodging, recreation and family packages at South Shore Lake Tahoe, call the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or log onto www.bluelaketahoe.com.

Access to Blue Lake Tahoe
The Reno/Tahoe International Airport provides 180 daily flights with nonstop service to 20 destinations, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Salt Lake City. An additional 24 destinations are serviced via direct, one-stop flights from RTIA. The airport is just 55 miles from South Lake Tahoe and is accessible via the South Tahoe Express, a luxury shuttle service. The Lake Tahoe Airport is a year-round all-weather facility with professional services located in South Lake Tahoe, CA for the general aviation and corporate executive traveler.