From the Sandbar to the Seaport

Mystic, CT - Are you looking for family fun? A few evenings ago, I headed to downtown Mystic, over the drawbridge, and toward 37 Water Street. I was going to paddle at Adventure Mystic’s second location, the Sandbar Mystic, a sports and recreation shop with paddleboard rentals and lessons. I parked my car and walked in to meet the manager. Standing several feet apart and with masks, we waited for the rest of my party to arrive. We signed in, stored our belongings in the lockers, and headed to the water.

We received a lesson on the basics of paddling and listened as the instructor explained where to place our hands on the paddle, and how to stand correctly on the board. There were a couple of first-timers in our party, and so out past the dock, we gathered closer together to practice more.

I took the role of tour guide, and we headed toward the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. The sun dipped low into the horizon, and the water was serene, as it lapped gently against our paddles. We waved as people passed in their boats or sat on a park bench. My friends enjoyed themselves as they yelled back and forth, pointing out historical sites along the river or balancing issues they were experiencing.

We went down onto the paddleboard under the bridge, and the view from below was exhilarating. The cars rushed overhead, and with every rumble and bump, it echoed below. The sky reappeared after a few moments as we kneeled or stood on our boards. We started to notice the tightness in our core, as we used our stabilization muscles to balance.

The birds touched down onto the water in front of us, and the spray from the paddles cooled us down. As my friend commented, “The perfect mixture of fun, exercise, relaxation, and beauty.”

We attempted to take pictures of the Seaport and lighthouse as we passed. The Sandbar offers a phone bag that allows you to bring your phone while you paddle. Some photos are out of focus, but others capture a special moment, that’s yours alone. We turned around at the lighthouse and headed back. Feeling more confident, we paddled faster and crossed the river. The boats that passed created little waves that tested our steadiness. We leisurely made our way back, and were able to watch as the drawbridge went up. There weren’t any big boats passing through, but it was striking from our view, to watch the structure as it rose high into the air and remain suspended for a few minutes.

We paddled back to the Sandbar, and the sun reflected off the water, lighting our path, as we waded to shore. We had a wonderful time on the water; fun, relaxing, and healthy. Paddleboarding is the new “happy hour.” Have you tried paddleboarding? If not, come down and rent one today! If you have, come paddle with us. Check us out at thesandbarmystic.com or call to make a reservation (860)-393-4046