FIT FUN ON THE WATER! Standup Paddleboarding has been all the rage for the past couple of years but typically we see people doing it on vacation or at their lake houses; but did you know you can do it right here in the west suburbs too? It started a couple years ago in the Naperville Quarry with a few morning sessions offered through Naperville Kayak, and has now grown into daily opportunities from 10 a.m. to dusk for kids 8 years and older. If your kids are younger than 8 years old, no problem at the Naperville Quarry – just send your 8 year old off on the paddleboard and grab a paddleboat or double kayak for you and your littles, so you can all explore the water together.

For those teenagers who are not so easy to entertain for the 3 long months of the summer, and perhaps also remaining a bit too sedentary fixated on Snapchat or Instagram, head to Paddleboard Yoga at Batavia Park District where you only have to be 14 years or older to participate. My girls and their friends tend to be upside down more than rights side up 90% of the time and also have the flexibility of a rubber band, so paddleboard yoga is a perfect fit for them to have some fun while exercising and keeping cool. Naperville Park District also offers morning Paddleboard Yoga at Centennial Beach twice a week for teens 16 years and older.

What I love about these water opportunities is that I am able to join them in the fun and also happen to still be able to do the splits, so I can provide lots of embarrassing entertainment for the yogi crowd!

OVERVIEW

Enjoy the calming sensation of the water while strengthening your core, improving your balance, and have fun! Naperville Kayaks offers standup paddleboard (SUP) rentals to kids as young as 8 years old to practice paddling in the Quarry every day, all day long, all summer long! SUP Yoga is back at the Naperville Park District every Tuesday and Thursday 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. for teens 16 and older; and for 14 years and older at the Batavia Park District July 8th through 29th on Mondays, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; July 21, Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; and August 4th, Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Batavia Park District www.BataviaParks.org

Naperville Park District www.NapervilleParks.org

Naperville Kayak www.NapervilleKayak.com

Hours: Weather permitting

Price $: Varies by Location/Selection

ABOUT THE WRITER Naperville mom Kristen Kucharski graduated from Illinois State University in 1992 with an International Business Degree. She is married and has two energetic daughters and her house is always full of children. Kristen’s column titled, Mom's Little Black Book, is a monthly feature written for moms who are looking for ways to keep their kids busy.

For Hundreds of Mom’s Little Black Book Adventures for All Ages,Written by Kristen through the Years, Visit www.glancermagazine.com/moms-little-black-boo