Splash June 2023

[Splash 2023] Welcome to Summer

Embrace the heat

It takes a lot of heat to turn staying cool into an art form. The Lake Havasu area takes the pursuit of summer chill to a whole new level. For some, summer means mere survival. For others — the summer cognescenti, if you will — it’s a season to relish. In Lake Havasu City, there are many ways to embrace the summer. When the season turns, fashion, outdoor recreation and home life move with the calendar.

People think of boating when they think of Lake Havasu in the summer. The lake indeed offers great boating and it also provides the venue for many other cool escapes.

Summertime also is an invitation to explore Lake Havasu’s more than 400 miles of shoreline, and there’s no better way to do so than by kayak or paddleboard. And if you have any diving experience, you can find cool surroundings even when ambient air temperatures is in the triple digits. The closest rapid chill zone is about 30 feet below the lake’s surface where the thermocline drops temperatures to around 60 degrees. We hope you enjoy and find some cool inspiration in this month’s edition of “Splash.”

Havasu hot spots

As summer approaches you’re just minutes away from some fun and leisure near the sun filled lake. Whether you like shopping, boating or fishing, Havasu has little bit of something that everyone can enjoy. For those first time visitors, The London Bridge is near, and filled with rich history.

Built in the 1830s, it spanned the River Thames in London for nearly 140 years, when it was dismantled and moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, by entrepreneur and town founder Robert McCulloch.

By 1971, the completed bridge connected the McCulloch’s fledgling community of Lake Havasu City to the Island, passing over the Bridgewater Channel.

Today’ that waterfront area is one of Lake Havasu City’s most popular summer destinations thanks to plenty of opportunities for relaxation

and recreation.

Within walking distance from the London Bridge, Rotary Park is a 40-acre beach park with entrances of Park Avenue and Smoketree Avenue. The popular spot is on the eastern shores of Lake Havasu’s Thompson Bay. There are beachside fire pits, a skate park, and opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding in an area sheltered from large wakes from passing boats. Rotary Park has three playgrounds, walking paths, a buoyed swim area, and plenty of open space with ramadas

perfect for picnics.

If you like to play outdoor sports, you’re in luck. The park also offers six beach volleyball courts, ball fields, bocce ball courts.

The Channel area has plenty of dining and shopping opportunities. For visitor Hunter McElveen of Riverside, California, it’s Kokomos during the day and Martini Bay at night,.

“I love Kokomo’s pool deck because of their open access to the pool. I like their pool tables and the music they play,” she says. McElveen said she likes going to Martini Bay in the evening for appetizers and beverages. “Their crab cakes and flatbread is to die for! For anyone who has yet to go there, you’re missing a real treat.”

As the slow sunset rolls in, you will finally begin to understand why many people call this town paradise.

One of the many ways to

soak up the scenery is sailing up to the Colorado River on a boat tour. Havasu offers many options for this surrounding the lake.

Blue Water Jet Tours is a favorite with visitors as it travels to Topock Gorge for 50 miles. The journey is assisted by a narrator who will share great history and tales of the mountainous canyon. Blue Water Jet Tours also offers Starship 10 from the English Village. Blue Water Jet Tours is also known for organizing group tours. There are also boat tours offered by operators such as Sunset Charter and Company.

With departures from the executive dock right by the waterfront of the English Village at the London Bridge Resort, Sunset Charters has a dock house that is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Many locals and visitors enjoy riding the ferry to Havasu Landing Resort and Casino. The ferry runs daily Sunday through Thursday from 6:45 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, the ferry will run until 2:30 a.m.

For emergency care close to home.

Including the higher levels of heart care found in an accredited Chest Pain Center Because when illnesses, injuries, heart attacks and strokes occur, every minute matters. From the routine to the unforeseen, count on us.

To learn more, visit HavasuRegional.com Enhanced cleaning, mask requirements

Go for a row

Living in a town that has direct access to a lake makes it easy for outdoor enthusiasts to engage in many types of paddle sports. Locals and visitors to Lake Havasu City often participate in kayaking throughout the year. One resident decided to organize an online community for other kayakers who like to frequent the lake and the surrounding areas.

John Ingham is the creator behind the Facebook group, Lake Havasu Kayak, which has grown to include almost 140 members. His group hosts meetups for other locals as well as visitors to the town on a monthly basis. Weekly excursions are another way for kayakers to gather with each other. In the warm summer months, Ingham and his group make adjustments by taking their trips during sunset.

“We really like going underneath the bridge because at night, the boats are gone and we have the whole channel to ourselves,” Ingham said.

To ensure his group’s safety while on the water, Ingham makes sure that life jackets are made available to whoever needs one. A whistle is another piece of equipment that he likes his members to have on hand. Ingham also has a supply of four kayaks he lends out to members who don’t have one of their own.

“The only rule we really have in my club is don’t drown,” Ingham jokes.

There are about 10 dedicated members that never fail to join Ingham on his monthly night adventures. Others who want to join in with his group are always welcomed to do so.

somebody has a problem.”

To help with navigation, there is always an experienced kayaker who leads the pack. Another kayaker has the job of trailing the group to help with directing and announcing the presence of nearby boats.

“You do have to go with traffic,” Ingham said. “You can’t just go wherever you want.”

Since the group is normally out at night, visibility is one of the concerns that Ingham has to address. He likes to have lights on all of the kayaks that are traveling with him. This helps with increasing their chance of visibility amongst the boaters that are traveling nearby.

“We’re low profile so we try to be as bright as possible,” Ingham said. “We use solar garden lights so we charge them during the day and wrap them around the kayaks at night.”

Keeping each kayaker’s personal items safe from the water is another concern that Ingham has a simple solution for. He recommends using dry bags which are flexible containers that aid in securing items with their watertight enclosures.

“You put your wallet, your phone, whatever you don’t want to get wet.

It’s just a bag that you roll up,” Ingham said. “ In case you do flip over, it floats and your stuff doesn’t get ruined.”

Other necessities that are recommended to bring along include sunscreen and a sun hat. Since Ingham takes his group out year-round, these items help when kayaking for several hours under the warm, setting sun.

“We’ve been doing it at nighttime because of the beautiful sunsets,” Ingham said. “We’re usually on the

water by 7 p.m. and we probably get off the water by 10 p.m.”

A spot that results in a near-perfect kayaking experience is Castle Rock Bay. This is the area where Ingham prefers beginners to depart from due to its secludedness.

“They don’t have to worry about boat traffic and it’s very calm out there,” Ingham said. “There’s caves you can go through and there’s very minimal boat traffic. It’s a no-wake

RIVERSIDE RESORT HOTEL & CASINO

zone. It’s very safe.”

Helping the community while engaging in an enjoyable activity is how Ingham describes the community service work his group has assisted with around Lake Havasu City.

Trash is collected that is left over from boaters and other beach goers during selected times of the year.

“We participate in the Lake Havasu clean-up,” Ingham said. “They contact us and we all get in our kayaks and we have a sheriff patrol boat that protects us while we’re cleaning up the water.”

A second Facebook group by the name

of Kayaking Lake Havasu has paired up with Ingham’s group to host meetups.

Another local group, Paddle Boarding Lake Havasu, often gathers together with Ingham and his kayaking members.

The members of Ingham’s group show their hospitality by providing food and other snacks for everyone to share during their kayaking trips.

Since some trips can last anywhere from two to six hours, Ingham likes to have enough supplies on board for each kayaker traveling with him.

“We always make sure that everybody is safe and nobody is having a hard

[Commentary]

WHAT TO BRING:

• Appropriately fitting life jacket

• Adequate supply of water

• Snacks for length of trip

• Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30

• Wide brim hat and/or sunglasses

• Dry bag for keeping personal items dry

• Whistle for signaling for help

• A partner or group for a safe trip

time,” Ingham said. “There’s always somebody there to lend a hand.”

Have fun, but remember safety, while boating on Lake Havasu

The temperature finally reached the triple digits and the water is warming up. The lake beckons. Boating season in Lake Havasu tends to peak on Memorial Day, but recent years have shown us that every summer weekend is busy with action on the water. Fast power boats, family-friendly pontoons and personal watercrafts of all kinds are all over the lake, and it’ll get more crowded as the weeks go on.

Please be careful.

A fun day on the lake can turn tragic in the blink of an eye. There’s precious little you can do about freak accidents, and for that matter you can’t predict what other people on the lake might do. Personal responsibility is your best precaution.

It’s important to remember and follow safe boating practices, such as the unsafe overtaking of slower boats, boating while intoxicated and the use of flotation devices and safety lanyards for auto-shutoff. None of that will ensure a safer summer, but it does raise awareness about the need for a little personal responsibility out on the lake. Be a careful boater. If you aren’t, the results can be tragic.

Lake Havasu is about good times. Heck, we incorporated that attitude into our city slogan — love it or hate it, the town’s official motto of “play like you mean it” means we’re serious about having fun. So please, have a good time. But be careful – it’s all fun and games until somebody gets hurt.

Maximize your time out on the water

If visitors to the lake are wanting to have more quiet time during their day, they can expect to get an extra early head start to find the calm they are searching for. It is recommended to plan a trip that begins around the sunrise. The tranquility will start to simmer out once the early morning hours pass into the early afternoon around 10 a.m. Travelers should keep in mind the time of the week that they plan on making their rounds to the lake.

These calm hours can best be found between Mondays and Wednesdays when traffic on the waterways will be less crowded. Being aware of when holidays are coming up can also play a factor in the turnout for heightened activity surrounding the lake and beaches. It is anticipated that visitors will be surprised to find more peaceful gaps of time before and after major holidays take place.

Scheduling trips to work with the flow of traffic will allow visitors to maximize their time out on

the water while minimizing their chances of being caught among the heavy flow of beach and lake-goers.

The start of May and June can lend more times of mildness for those wanting to find a good spot by the water for a relaxing experience. Late August can also draw in similar down times for travelers who find themselves in the Havasu area during the end-of-summer month. Here are some areas where one can find more enjoyable spaces for their water-filled days:

GORGE

Out of the way from the hustle of the main lake lies a picturesque canyon that is surrounded by mountainous terrain. The area that the Topock Gorge encompasses adds more serenity for water-goers who want more space away from the crowd. Located within the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, this remote oasis offers travelers a peace of mind. The location can be accessed by boat by traveling in one of two directions. You can start your day heading upstream if you are in Lake Havasu or by traveling downstream from the Topock Marina, which features a remodeled waterfront restaurant called Topock66.

THOMPSON BAY

If you are wanting to remain closer to the Havasu area, then finding a spot along the Thompson Bay will be worth your while. Located along the shores near Rotary Park, beach-goers can scour the shoreline to find their idyllic spot to set up for a day of sun-soaking fun. This bay is also in close proximity to the Tinnell Memorial Sports Park and several volleyball courts. You can engage in gameplay and then cool off in the nearby water without having to travel too far. There is even access to the shoreline trail for when you need to stretch your legs before ending your day at the beach.

PILOT ROCK

Traveling a tad further down from Thompson Bay, you will come across more coves surrounding the inner areas of Pilot Rock. Plan accordingly and pack for a trip down the lake to visit these intimate spots. You will be surprised to find lessened traffic and have a chance to embark on a journey to your own personal hideaway. If you are more inclined to hiking, make your way down to SARA Park where you can find the Pilot Rock trailhead. From there, you can travel across 3.5 miles and spend time by the water before heading back on your way. Be wary of the heat if you do choose to hike and carry only the essentials to make your trip light.

Your guide to Colorado River State Parks

State parks can be found scattered through the low deserts and high peaks of Arizona – but none rival the ones you’ll find right here along the Colorado River. Here’s a simple guide to each of the four state parks along the water that are currently in operation.

LAKE HAVASU STATE PARK

699 London Bridge Road

Visitor center open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrance fee (per vehicle): $20 Friday through Sunday and holidays, $15 Monday through Thursday

This is one of Arizona’s most popular state parks. With three launch ramps, large sandy beaches and plenty of places to camp, it stretches north along the shore starting from the Bridgewater Channel’s western entrance. It faces west, making its sunset views hard to beat.

The park features cabins, RV campgrounds, hiking trails, a cactus garden and day use beach areas. For those using the park to launch their boat or Jet Skis, be aware that the various parking lots can fill up quickly, at which point the park will be closed to boaters. Plan ahead and get there early to beat the rush.

CATTAIL COVE STATE PARK

15 minutes south of Lake Havasu City on State Route 95

Visitor center open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Day-use fee (per vehicle): $10 Monday through Thursday, $15 Friday through Sunday and holidays

Overnight parking fee: $15 Monday through Thursday, $20 Friday through Sunday and holidays

Just a quick drive south of Havasu city limits is this hidden gem of a state park. Tucked away into the mountains along a windy road, Cattail Cove is the perfect spot for a day at the beach, away from the more congested parts of the lake.

This park features several RV campsites and spots along the shore for boaters to stake out for a night or two. There are six trails that wind through the park and plenty of wildlife can be seen. Watercraft and RV rentals are also available.

Colorado River

RIVER ISLAND STATE PARK

5200 AZ-95, Parker

No visitor center

Entrance fee (per vehicle): $10

Located right on the shores of the Colorado River, this state park features 37 campsites, both for tent camping and

RVers. A three-lane launch ramp allows recreational access to the water.

There’s one trail and plenty of space to swim for day-use fans, and it’s only one mile away from Buckskin Mountain State Park. It’s an ideal spot for kayaking in the cove or taking a staycation away from the busier locations in Havasu.

BUCKSKIN MOUNTAIN STATE PARK 5476 AZ-95, Parker

Visitor center open upon request during summer months

Entrance fee (per vehicle): $10

Tucked away along State Route 95, Buckskin Mountain State Park features 80 campsites for tents and RVs and day-use beaches with picnic tables and lots of shade. Situated on the banks of the river, this park offers an extraordinary view of the surrounding scenery.

The trail system here is extensive, and because the park is located miles away from Parker or Lake Havasu City, you’ll find wildlife in abundance. The park also features a two-lane launch ramp and a designated swimming area. Fishing is also a popular activity, with access to a large part of the river.

[ON THE WATER]

BOATING 101

From high-performance race boats to pontoon boats, there’s plenty of room for everyone to have fun on the lake.

RULES OF THE ROAD

• No speed limit, unless passing through marked no-wake zones, but speed must be controlled to not cause a wake that could cause damage.

• Life jackets required.

• Courtesy lake traffic generally stays to the right.

MANY ENTRY POINTS

• Boat operators who are under the influence can receive a citation.

• No bow riding while underway.

• Driver’s view cannot be impeded.

• Motorized craft must yield to non-motorized craft.

Want to know a secret? There are more places to launch your boat in Lake Havasu than just Lake Havasu State Park, Lake Havasu Marina, or Cattail Cove. Many of the resorts around Lake Havasu have their own private launch ramps, but there have always been local secrets to choose from, such as the Crazy Horse Campgrounds, Havasu Springs Resort (about 23 miles south of town), or the Site Six launch ramp across London Bridge on the island. Some are free and some have fees, but all are great options to get your boat on the water faster.

GET SOME HELP: For the ultimate in relaxation and peace of mind, forgo the lines at the launch ramp and the responsibility of navigating around unfamiliar obstacles. The Lake Havasu Marine Association has launched a Designated Captain program, featuring Coast Guardcertified captains who will launch your boat and pilot it for the day. For information, visit LHMarineAssn.com/designated-operator.

With hazy summer days on the horizon, it’s time to dive into ways to maximize pooltime fun.

• Carefully consider pool location. Those who are installing a new pool should spend time in their yards looking at the landscape, how the sun travels overhead and any obstructions that can get in the way of the pool.

• Select upgrades. Certain upgrades can be added when pools are being built; otherwise, aftermarket additions can enhance the pool experience. Zero entry effects can reduce the number of steps or ladders needed, while a water shelf, also known as a Baja bench, enables swimmers to play or cool off without being completely immersed in water.

• Stock up on toys. Anything from aqua volleyball nets to climbing walls to floating golf games and even inflatable hamster balls that float on water can amp up the fun factor.

• Lather up the SPF. Pool time can be cut short if people are not diligent when applying sunscreen. Follow package directions regarding application, being sure to reapply regularly. Even waterproof products will need to be reapplied frequently.

[Do-it-yourself]

Pool maintenance tips as prices rise and economies tighten

With the rise in costs across products that are being bought by consumers, many are searching for ways to save on their spending habits. One way is for pool owners to learn how to perform regular, routine check-ups for this recreational area of their home. After shelling out payments for a pool service to provide maintenance on a weekly or monthly basis, some pool owners may suffer greatly and lose out on funds that could have been prevented from being used. These tips are a starting point for how to increase the care of your pool and to expand the knowledge you may or may not already hold.

MAINTAIN YOUR POOL’S WATER LEVEL

It is known that the water in a pool evaporates at a much higher rate due to the Arizona heat. Keeping an eye on your water level will greatly aid you in knowing when your pool gets too low. If your pool does not have an automatic system that tracks these levels for you, then you can do it manually. Be sure to perform these checks each day to ensure your levels remain at the correct level.

USE A CLEAN POOL FILTER

Becoming comfortable and knowledgeable about cleaning the filters will increase your confidence as an owner and make the process easier down the lane. Depending on the type of filter – Sand, Cartridge, or D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) – your pool has, this will be the determining factor in the care needed to clean it. For owners with sand filters, performing a backwash with a hose is the best way to remove debris that has been trapped by the sand. D.E. filters are more precise and catch more contaminants than a regular sand filter. This makes the cleaning process a bit more rigorous because of the care you have to provide in order to safely remove the debris and replace the D.E. particle mixture that is lost during the cleaning treatment. As for cartridge filters, these do not require a backwash. They do have to be degreased to remove the buildup that occurs from products used like body oils but they do not contain the fine particles that make up sand or d.e. filters. Being aware of how much debris is collected and the size of your filter will determine how often you should perform a cleaning.

INCREASE YOUR POOL CHEMISTRY KNOWLEDGE

Knowing how chlorine affects your pool or what the pH level of your water is will help you in the long run. Bacteria can form under certain circumstances. You will have to test your levels regularly in order to know when more chlorine needs to added. With the Arizona heat, bacteria can flourish heavily so knowing which chemicals are in your pool water will benefit the health of your pool over the warm summer months.

REMOVE UNWANTED DEBRIS

When your pool skimmer becomes full of debris, you should plan on emptying it out to prolong the health and cleanliness of your pool and filtration system. Doing this task on a regular basis will increase your awareness of when too much debris has been collected. This will help you be more conscious and proactive with checking your skimmers after dirt and debris are blown around by the high desert winds we often experience.

5 ways to reduce your melanoma risk

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world. No one is immune to skin cancer, although those with lighter skin colors are at higher risk. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Melanoma develops in the cells that produce melanin.

1. Limit UV exposure. The most important step to take is to protect yourself from UV rays, which includes both natural sunlight and light from tanning beds. Staying in the shade or indoors during peak hours of sunlight can limit UV exposure.

2. Use sunscreen every day. Choose a formula that will screen out both UVA and UVB rays. Apply about two tablespoons of the product at each application. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even more regularly if you will be swimming or sweating a lot.

3. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Tanning beds and sunlamps are not safer forms of UV exposure. They provide more exposure to UV radiation over a shorter period of time, potentially making them quite dangerous.

4. Schedule routine skin exams. Visit a dermatologist to get a fullbody skin exam. A qualified doctor can identify moles or other skin abnormalities that may prove problematic. Always let a doctor know if moles change size or shape. Normal moles are generally a uniform color and shape. Unusual moles are asymmetrical in shape with color changes and irregular border.

5. Wear large or wrap-around sunglasses. These types of sunglasses will protect the eyes and the sensitive skin around the eyes.

splash of art

Swimming pools are a necessity for Lake Havasu City’s scorching summers, but the best pools emphasize both function and form

From clothes to hair and even swimming pools, trends come and go with the seasons. This summer in Lake Havasu City, popular features for a backyard pool seem to keep comfort and ease in mind as residents attempt to escape the scorching heat.

Free form pool

Back in the day, having a square pool was all the rage. In recent years, however, a free form pool allows room for more for creativity when designing a pool, according to Mick Scharbrough, president and CEO of Primo Custom Pools Inc. “As far as incorporating everything (someone wants in a pool), a free form pool basically gives you the ability to change shape and design to accommodate all the options you want,” he said.

Baja Shelf

Some know it as a Baja shelf and others simply call it a beach. Whatever the case may be, the pool design creates a shallow end of the pool where kids can play and grownups can relax in a beach chair. “You can make it basically like a Las Vegas pool…you can do that kind of resort luxury at your own place and not ever really have to leave your backyard,” said Scharbrough. According to Ray Gillespie, owner of Tropical Pools and Designs, pool designs appear to be shifting, in general, from a focus on depth – complete with diving boards and slides – to an overall shallow-depth pool.

Outdoor kitchen

A must for Havasu appears to be an outdoor kitchen and dining

Baja shelves, also known as tanning shelves, are a wide, shallow space that allow for pool activities like sunbathing without requiring users to be fully submerged.

area, and with near-perfect weather approximately eight months of the year, why not? “Some people will take some of the extra money that they would have maybe bought a waterfall or a fountain with and do an outdoor kitchen with a barbeque and a shaded, covered area somewhere where you can have dinner outside,” said Scharbrough. “I’m seeing a lot more shaded areas because our sun is so intense,” added Gilles-

pie. “It isn’t like when I was little and we wanted to lay out in the sun, soak up Vitamin D or whatever.”

Even with Havasu’s hot weather, fire pits are more prevalent than ever in the backyard, according to Gillespie. Some people even opt for sleek designs such as steel pots built on the side of the pool, from which water falls into the pool and fire is ignited on top.

Above-the-ground spa

Gillespie said he’s seeing more and more people opt out of building a spa into their backyard and, instead, purchasing an above the ground spa for half the cost. “To be honest, a regular cement spa can’t produce the same kind of therapeutic experience that you can get out of these new fiberglass spas,” he said. “They’re more efficient, they’re a little cheaper and they’re not as ugly as they used to be, 10 years ago.”

Smart home technology

A rising trend is the use of smart home technology in and around the pool, according to Gillespie. There are options available today that allow people to customize their pool settings from a phone app. “If they’re at the bar or something and they plan to be home in an hour, they can go onto their phone, check the temperature of their spa and adjust it so that when they get home, it’s ready for them,” said Gillespie.

‘You can make it basically like a Las Vegas pool. ... You can do that kind of resort luxury at your own place and not ever really have to leave your backyard.”

What lies beneath Lake Havasu?

Lake Havasu City divers know the skinny of what’s under the blue waters of Lake Havasu, and it’s not just fish. City resident and diver Dave Holt says big fish are just the tip of the iceberg when whole communities from the 18th century are engulfed in 75 feet of water.

What’s left of the old wooden structures are fragile, Holt notes, but the saloon, blacksmith shop, a two-story hotel and livery stable are still standing.

Before Lake Havasu was created by the Parker and Davis Dams, Liverpool Landing sat on the banks of the Colorado River near Site Six in Lake Havasu City, not quite 2 miles northwest of the London Bridge on the Arizona side.

Liverpool Landing was one of the stops made by steamboat Captain Isaac Polhamus during his 50 years of working on the Colorado River. Polhamus transported troops and supplies from Fort Yuma to Fort Mohave on a regular basis but frequently took on passengers.

Aubrey Landing, a steamboat stop

on Captain Polhamus route, is another underwater chapter of history when Lake Havasu was created.

Located at the mouth of the Bill Williams River about 2 miles northeast of Parker Dam, the river community in its heyday boasted about 50 frontier-style buildings with an estimated 150 permanent residents.

Today, Holt says, only a handful of buildings stand under the water.

Back in the mid 1860s, before the dams, the Colorado River area was a bustling area with copper and silver mines. Black Metal Mine, on the California side of the Colorado River below Parker Dam, was one such mine. In 1881, historical records say, it was a thriving little mining camp with a store and saloon at the landing. Abandoned around 1890, the site is about a half-mile northeast of Black Meadow Landing recreation area on the California side of the river.

In addition to the river’s pioneer history, the Chemehuevi Indians lived on both sides of the river, according to anthro-

pologist Harry Swanson, a teacher of Southwest studies at Mohave Community College in Lake Havasu City. Swanson noted that there is a Chemehuevi burial ground at the bottom of the lake.

Tito Smith, Chemehuevi Tribal Chairman, confirmed there are several burial grounds under the lake, some prehistoric.

Smith also confirmed there are several Chemehuevi farm buildings and homes under water. Just above Blankenship Bend are writings created by the Mohave. “There’s an underwater cavern about 22 feet down,” Holt said. “The writings are in the cavern.”

[July 4]

Watch fireworks from the lake

After the sun goes down, watch the sky light up over Thompson Bay with fellow boaters, beach-goers and tailgaters. Get to your viewing location early and celebrate the magic and wonder of this Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, or spend the day on the water and tie up with your fellow boaters in Thompson Bay to watch the fireworks from the comfort of your boat.

[June 10-11]

Jet Jam Racing Series

Line the beach at Crazy Horse Campgrounds to watch World Champions in personal watercraft compete for top speed and hard-earned glory, while amateur riders hit the proving ground to test their abilities! Racing is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Jet Jam Racing Series concludes with the Championships on Sep. 15-17.

Boating at night

It is easy to get on the water and taking your boat out at night is a wonderful way to view the many scenic areas of the town such as light houses, Rotary Community Park, and the lights on the London Bridge. Are you ready to hit the lake at night surrounded by the southwest desert? Before your adventure, let’s talk about safety. You’ll want to remember to bring the following safety gear:

• Sound-signaling device

• GPS/chartplotter,

• VHF Radio

• Flares

• Communication devices

• Signal lights and whistles for each life jacket

You will also want to bring a flashlight. Even though it may not seem like it, a flashlight is very useful for boating at night. It’s a great tool to communicate with other boaters in case of an emergency.

Slow your boat down. At night, distances can be difficult to judge. Lights can seem like they are only a few hundred meters when in reality they could be several kilometers away.

According to Rick Riegler, president and CEO of the Lake Havasu Marine Association, “Proper navigational lighting and navigational beacons are highly recommended for sailing at night.”

Mohave County Sheriff’s Department Boating Sgt. Kyler Cox agrees.

“It is wise to minimize your time on the water as much as possible,” Cox says. “Red and green lights are required in front of the water craft at all times. Substitutions are not allowed also, the use of blue lights are illegal with Arizona state law and are for emergency use only, “ added Cox.

Blocking and interfering with launch ramps is not allowed. If a boating accident occurs, the requirement is to stop and share your contact information as well as provide aid.

All passengers must be wearing Coast Guard-approved life jackets for boats 16 feet long.

Stargazing in Lake Havasu can be quite amazing. Unfortunately, it’s not the safest

while boating at night. Gazing can cause disorientation and even motion sickness thus it is best to enjoy this while the boat is still.

You may not get cell phone service while out on the water, so it’s extremely important to keep your phone close, but you should have other ways to communicate as well. Glow sticks and spotlight flares are a good option, but be mindful of surrounding boaters.

You can even make the journey more fun by sharing lookout duties with your passengers. Use those extra eyes to oversee 360-degree horizon scans on a regular basis.

Remember if you plan carefully, cruising around the lake at night can be quite serene.

Sharing the water

There’s something for everyone at the lake, now more than ever. On Lake Havasu, summer boating takes on a life of its own. It’s the rush of high-speed personal watercraft, or the slower pace of a pontoon, the foam and flurry of waves in Bridgewater Channel — or the view from 20 feet above as fly boarders try something entirely different. And recently, apps have become more popular for travelers looking for more opportunities to enjoy what Lake Havasu has to offer.

Boat sharing is a rising trend in aquatic recreation, allowing watercraft enthusiasts as well as newcomers to take advantage of boats for rent.

While boat rentals aren’t a new thing in Havasu, it’s becoming easier to find available watercraft and compare prices through mobile apps such as Lake Fun Tuber Boat Sharing, or GetMyBoat.

Apps like these allow travelers to arrange for boat rentals, charter captained vessels or otherwise find activities they might not have even known to look for.

The market for rentals and aquatic recreation has only grown over the past 10 years, with more boaters arriving in Lake Havasu City every summer. With boat sharing apps available for mobile devices, travelers can eliminate much of the guesswork from their searches for recreational activities.

As of May, GetMyBoat listed three such watercraft available in Lake Havasu City, including a 20-foot Bayliner available for $475 per day; a Regency Luxury Pontoon for $249 an hour and a captained 22-foot tritoon available for fishing excursions or pleasure trips, which can be chartered for $125 per hour.

The Colorado River will be full of participants in this year’s 45th annual Parker Tube Float. The event was initially a fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce in the early 1970s. It originally donned the name, The Great Western Tube Float, and took participants through Bluewater Lagoon ending at Big River, Calif. The route began at the La Paz County Park Patria Flats and made its way down to the Bluewater Resort and Casino. The route was eventually changed six years ago. Now, participants travel from Buckskin Mountain State Park and end at La Paz County Park, which makes for a more enjoyable time for floaters.

Melissa Newton, Director of Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, said that the city’s yearly float experience draws in thousands of visitors and is the largest gathering on the Parker Strip. Over 3,000 participants registered for the float in 2021 with an influx of senior floaters signing up.

The minimum age allowed to register is 13 years old.

“The Annual Parker Tube Float is open to locals and non-locals however the majority of the registered participants are from out of town. Many of the local businesses rely upon the Annual Parker Tube Float, along with other big holidays, as a revenue stream,” Newtown explained. “Participants shop local, eat at local restaurants and bars, stay in local hotels or rentals, get gas locally and enjoy all that the Parker area has to offer. Many participants return year after year each June.”

Organization surrounding permits and insurance needed for the Parker Tube Float begins in January of each year. This is when the Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism begins to secure marine, park and highway permits.

“This event is special as it is the longest standing event held on the Parker stretch of the Colorado River growing each year,” Newton said.

“While we want you to have fun, your safety and trash are our biggest concerns. We know you don’t like rules, but we need to have rules in place to ensure the best floating experience for you and the thousand others that join us on that day.”

Newtown said the 2021 event was considered the cleanest float that had been held in the event’s history. She extended credit to the volunteers, staff, and participants who took the initiative in cleaning up the trash throughout the event.

This year’s annual gathering is set to take place on Saturday, June 10 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Event registration will open at 8 a.m. and the last transportation bus will leave at noon from La Paz County Park. Participants will have to pay a $10 cash parking fee at the entrance for each car. Once inside the park, participants can register or pick up their pre-registration packets.

When participants are ready to begin, they will head into the

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Pre-registration can be completed online at parkerfun.com. There are also plenty of off-site locations around Parker where participants can register:

Echo Lodge

River Lodge Resort

Castle Rock Resort

Sandbar Resort

Whiskey River Steakhouse & Saloon

Pirate’s Den Resort

Branson’s Resort

The Bar

Spanky’s RV and Marine

To volunteer, contact the Parker Chamber of Commerce at 928-6692174 or send an email to director@parkeraz.org.

Photos courtesy of Melissa Newton of the Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism

Colorado River after inflating their tubes. Various bars and restaurants will line the ride down to the finish line, which will be found at La Paz County Park/Pirate’s Den Resort.

In the afternoon, there will be an After Float Party for participants hosted by Pirate’s Den Resort.

Grab your kayak, paddleboard or canoe and enjoy an escape to Castle Rock Bay

Fans of non-motorized boats can enjoy a peaceful respite inside the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

Located off of State Route 95 at Castle Rock Road, and Colorado River Mile 220, Castle Rock Bay is a splendidly scenic and secluded tenacre section of the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. This popular launch area for non-motorized boats is also a peaceful setting for hiking,

fishing and relaxing on the beach.

The Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of 37,515 acres along the lower Colorado River in both Arizona and California. It protects 30 river miles, 300 miles of shoreline from Needles, California, to Lake Havasu City, and numerous species including 318 documented species of birds.

For a long-distance wellness experience with

wildlife watching opportunities included, the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge has a designated canoe and kayak trail between Castle Rock Bay along the Arizona shore to Mesquite Bay, about five miles south.

One of the unique features popular with paddlesports fans at Castle Rock Bay is a high cave that opens into, spans along and exits a rock

wall on the bay’s east side.

Caves are cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making them comfortable places to meditate in nature year-round. Sounds from the outside world are shut out.

Native Americans inhabiting the Colorado River basin for at least 8,000 years have used caves as sites for spiritual meditation purposes.

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