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Stoked & soaked in Bonnyville’s jet ski playground
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#TakeItToTheLake
Moose Lake the perfect spot for slow- and fast-paced watersports all summer long
My heart thumps rapidly as I start the Sea-Doo’s ignition. It’s my first time jet skiing and I’m excited, but a little nervous. After the safety talk, I wonder if I should be wearing a wetsuit, or if I’m going to fall off, then relax as I look around the lake. The sun is shining, the lake is placid, and the water is warm. We couldn’t ask for a better day to go jet skiing.
I rev the engine and leave the dock behind. Cautiously, I make a big loop around the dock at 4000 rpm. The Sea-Doo is more stable than I expected, so I crank the throttle and zig-zag back and forth across the lake. As the wind whips through my hair, I scan the water for traffic, but Darwin Beaudoin, co-owner of L&D Marine Rentals, is the only other person out there. The whole lake is our playground and the speed and open water are intoxicating.
Photo:
Karen Ung
Karen Ung, all smiles and adnrenaline, on her first jet-ski ride.
Feeling braver, I stand up so I can lean into the turns, then catch air in Darwin’s wake. As the bow lifts, I let out a whoop, then swerve to find another wave. It’s a rush and time flies by quickly. When I reach the end of Moose Lake, I’m amazed to see an expanse of water to the east. A map later reveals the unique moose head shape of the lake; one antler goes east and another branches off to the west.
Back in the middle of the lake, Darwin demonstrates the full potential of a Sea-Doo. His doughnuts and figure-eights send walls of water several feet up into the air. When he offers to take me for a spin, I eagerly jump on and hold on tight.
We rip around like banshees on the 130-horsepower machine and get thoroughly soaked. There’s no better way to cool off on a hot day - besides tubing and waterskiing! (You can do both behind a Sea-Doo and tubers/skiers don’t require boating licenses.)
Photo:
Karen Ung
Darwin Beaudoin takes a spin on Moose Lake.
Bonnyville-born and raised, Darwin gets out on the water a few times a week and knows all the best places to play. He recommends Moose Lake for jet skiing and paddling as the waves never get too big; Crane Lake for the scenery; and Kinosoo Beach for beach time.
While swimming, riding the Sea-Doos and tubing, are his top three things to do in the area, floating down the Beaver River and walleye fishing at Moose Lake and Wolf Lake are also awesome.
Please respect wildlife by staying away from birds and wildlife. We can also help by keeping our distance from shorelines, where birds nest.
WHEN YOU GO
Rentals
L&D Marine Rentals Ltd., run by Leon and Darwin Beaudoin, is your one-stop shop for Sea-Doo, pontoon boat, fishing boat, ski boat and towables rentals; fuel; and small engine repairs in the Bonnyville area. Rentals include lifejackets, safety gear, and one tank of gas. Boat and Sea- Doo delivery to Moose Lake is free.
Know Before You Go
A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (aka Personal Watercraft License) is required to drive a Sea Doo or motorboat in Alberta. You can do a course and exam online in three hours and your license is good for life.
Where to Stay
Vezeau Beach Park Campground, adjacent to Moose Lake boat launch and Bonnyville Golf & Country Club, has a sandy beach, lakefront campsites, and showers.
Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area is a large campground (198 sites) with a long, sandy beach, swimming area, beach volleyball court, and showers.
The town of Bonnyville is within 20 mins of Moose Lake Provincial Park and is home to an array of hotel accommodations.
For more options, visit http://www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca/9/Visiting
For more on how to #TakeItToTheLake this summer, either search the tag on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or read more here.
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