Programs plentiful at NAC

Rick Devereux

Scientists report summer begins on June 21.

Many sports fans contend summer begins on baseball’s opening day.

Students and teachers argue summer begins when school lets out.

There have been comedians who say summer never ends in Southern

California.

For the Newport Aquatic Center, summer starts with four summer

programs: Kid’s Paddle Camp, Introduction to Kayaking Clinic, Junior

Novice Rowing and Advanced Rowing Camps. The center also offers

private lessons.

The programs range in length from once a week to five days a week

and cost between $50 to $200 per participant.

The Kid’s Paddle Camp is a Monday-through-Friday session that

introduces children ages 8-12 to the basics of kayaking and canoeing.

The kids and instructors paddle to various locations around Newport

Harbor.

“The kids are taught water safety and get to paddle to the

[Newport] dunes, Bubble Beach, Spyder Island and the Balboa Fun

Zone,” said Laurie Keys, an NAC administrator. “At the end of the

week there is a potluck.”

The Kid’s Paddle Camp begins it’s third session Tuesday, a reduced

four-day camp due to the Fourth of July, and continues every Monday

until the last week of August.

The Introduction to Kayaking Clinic takes place every Saturday

from 10 a.m. to noon. Each lesson is designed to give the participant

an understanding of water safety and basic kayaking skills. The

sessions, open to anyone 8 or older, cost $50.

The Junior Novice Rowing Camp meets Monday through Friday for two

weeks. There are three morning sessions (9-11 a.m.) and two afternoon

sessions (1-3 p.m.).

The camp is available to high school students and can be used as

credit for physical education classes.

The camp introduces techniques of crew rowing and focuses on boat

safety and handling.

Those who enjoy the novice rowing program and wish to improve

technique, strength and endurance are allowed to join the Advanced

Rowing Camp.

The advanced camp costs $100 per month and meets Monday, Wednesday

and Friday from 6:30-9 a.m.

The advanced camp includes outrigger paddling, introduces crew

racing and helps students transition from high school to collegiate

rowing.

“Rowing is becoming a very good entrance for some people to get

into college,” Keys said. “Every year, the sport is getting bigger

and bigger.”

The advanced camp ends Aug. 26, but participants will meet at the

end of September for a race.

“At the end of September, the girls race from [the NAC] to

Catalina,” Keys said. “The next day, the boys race from Catalina back

[to the NAC].”

Private lessons are offered upon request and are subject to the

availability of the instructors.

Along with summer programs, the NAC is also a prime destination

for Independence Day celebrations.

While the NAC does not have an official picnic or schedule for the

Fourth, many residents come to the beach for a view of the fireworks

display put on at Newport Dunes.

“It’s not an organized thing or anything,” Keys said. “Because

we’re on a city beach, it’s open to the public. People will come down

and throw the Frisbee around before the fireworks start.”

The proximity to the Mariners Parade makes NAC an easy stopover

from one event to the next.

“The Mariners Parade ends at about 2 or 3, so people just grab

some food and head over here to barbecue.”

While some Newport Beach celebrations tend to draw a rowdy crowd,

the NAC picnic is much more tame.