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Guide To Baltimore Water Sports

By Christian Kendzierski

There's still plenty of time to hit the water. With 61 miles of shoreline in Baltimore and more than 8,000 miles in Maryland, this nautical state offers the best of the best when it comes to action-packed, blood-pumping, fins moving-fun.

Ultimate Watersports

Two Locations:

Gunpowder Falls State Park

Hammerman Beachfront
7200 Graces Quarters Road
Middle River, MD 21220
1-800-830-3974
Hours: June to August Daily: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
September Sat to Sun: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/gunpowder.asp

Dundee Creek Marina

7400 Graces Quarters Road
Middle River, MD 21220
(410) 335 – 5352
Hours: Weekends May to October - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Price: Season Pass - Single: $450, Family: $650
Kayak: hourly $20, daily $45
Sailboat: hourly $45, daily $140
Windsurfing: hourly $20, daily $60
Stand-up Paddle: Hourly $25, daily $75
All pricing: http://www.ultimatewatersports.com
Reviews, Directions & More Info

The only way to really enjoy the water is to get in it. That is why the owners of Ultimate Watersports, located in Baltimore County, offer the visitor just about everything.  With two convenient locations not far from Baltimore City you can kayak, sail, windsurf or stand-up paddle board all the way through the renowned Chesapeake Bay.  They offer lessons, rentals, summer and winter camps for kids, sunset and moonlight tours.  When you head to Ultimate Watersports, be ready to hit the beach…running.

Downtown Sailing Center

1425 Key Highway, Suite 110
Baltimore, MD 21230
410) 727-0722
Hours: May to September 
Mon to Fri - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
With some evening hours for lessons and trips
Lesson: $125 non-member, $250 member
Reviews, Directions and More Info.

Strolling around Baltimore's picturesque Inner Harbor can give anybody the urge to get on the water to sail -- and the Downtown Sailing Center lets you.   The Center, located just off Baltimore's Inner Harbor, caters to everyone from novices to experts.  They rent sailboats and even offer provide lessons, if needed, plus set a course for you to explore the historic waters.  The Center is volunteer-driven, offers youth day and overnight camps, and provides educational sailing and evening hours for those visitors who find their days tied up. 

Canton Kayak Club

9817 Finsbury Road
Rosedale, MD 21237
7 Locations in and around Baltimore
Hours: May to October and open from sunrise to sunset
Price: Single membership: $150
Reviews, Directions and More Info:
www.cantonkayakclub.com

Paddle your kayak to work… in Baltimore?  Well, yeah!  Canton Kayak Club has seven locations docked all around the Inner Harbor to make it easy to grab a kayak, jump in the water and paddle across the harbor, not necessarily to work but kayaking for all kinds of reasons, mostly for fun.  At each location, the Canton Kayak Club houses kayaks just waiting to be used.  It's as easy as, sliding into a safety vest, grabbing a paddle and hopping into a kayak for an adventure around the harbor.  The kayaks are generally used without Club supervision, but a quick lesson is required before kayakers are handed a paddle.  

scuba diving
AP

Scuba Dive at the National Aquarium

Atlantic Edge Diving Center
64 Old South River Road
Edgewater, MD 21037
(866) 550-3483
Hours: Mon to Fri – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.                                      
Saturday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.                                                
Sunday - 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: $295
http://www.atlanticedge.com/

Atlantic Edge Dive Center and the National Aquarium give divers the opportunity to swim with the sharks, the rays and 53 species of fish right in downtown Baltimore.  The diver can swim through the most popular of exhibits at the National Aquarium, including the Atlantic Coral Reef and Wings in the Water.  There is a brief classroom session before the dive to learn about reef conservation and mission of the National Aquarium.  Don't be surprised if you see kids and adults alike pointing and waving as you swim your way, fin to fin with the nature's most amazing fish.  Divers are required to be 18 years or older.

water skiing
AP

Ride a Wave. . . Runner

SunTime Rentals
2820 Solomons Island Road
Edgewater, Maryland 21037
(410) 266-6020
Hours: May 1 through Sept. 30
Weekends and holidays: 8 a.m. until sunset
Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Price: $89 an hour + gasoline
Deposit: $500, credit cards accepted
Reviews, Directions & Info

If speed is what you crave when enjoying the waters in Maryland, then head to Sun Rentals in Annapolis, where you can rent wave runners, jet skis, motor boats, water skis, wake boards, tubes and kneeboards.  No experience necessary for some rentals, but make sure you bring your waterproof sunscreen!

Christian Kendzierski spends most of his time as a media specialist at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland.  He also works as a freelance writer and lives in Baltimore.  See what's going in his world by following him on Twitter @ck1media.

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