In the history of my young family (my eldest daughter is six years old) we have shared many vacations and good times together, but one of the most memorable, exhilarating experiences we have shared is our first day on a rented Pontoon boat on Lake Havasu.

Our trip to Lake Havasu was based on business, but quickly turned to pleasure as we decided to go outside of our immediate comfort zone and experience something we had never experienced before. After a few misgivings, worried looks, and a quick trip to the local convenience store for a sunscreen and a cooler packed with sandwiches and drinks, we set out onto the Lake with the theme from Giligan’s Island playing as theme music in the recesses of my brain. Not only did we create a lot of special memories that day, but also we experienced something new together, and spent quality time as a family.

The next time you have a “family day” to spend – forego the movies, the mall, and all of the usual haunts for your family, and take a drive to Bartlett Lake, just seventeen miles north of Cave Creek.

Bartlett Lake enjoys a reputation as one of the premier wakeboarding and boating destinations in the United States, and is a favorite location for magazine photoshoots because of its beauty. In fact, the Native Americans in this area spoke descriptively in their legends of the Lake’s “sweet waters.”

Bartlett Lake has a boatable surface area of 2,815 acres – more than Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake combined. The Lake is fed by the pristine waters of the Verde River, and the surrounding landscape is a treat for the eyes, as it is nestled in the famous Tonto National Forest. Mule deer, bald eagles, javelina, and coyotes are abundant in this area, as well as indigenous desert plants including the majestic saguaro, mesquite trees, and blooming ocotillo.

Pontoon Boating
At the Bartlett marina, there are Pontoon Boats (among others) for rent. The Pontoon boat is known as a “party boat”, and can be great family boats for day outings. The boat can accommodate six to twelve people comfortably, and some of the deluxe models may have built-in upholstered seating, a dinette table, a roof, and a cooler. The hull is constructed of round tubes (called “sponsons”) that are attached to the outside, bottom edge of a large flat deck. The deck is surrounded on all sides by a safety railing, and the helm station is placed either in the middle of the deck or off to one side.

Pontoon boating, which is a great, relaxing family activity, is just one of the many activities a family can enjoy on the lake. While out on the boat, read, have lunch, and fish for largemouth bass and crappie, both of which can be found in Bartlett Lake. Then, take a dive off the side of the boat to cool off! It’s the perfect choice for a day out, especially if you are a family of novice boaters. This particular boat is a stable and non-threatening introduction to the world of boating.

If you happen to fall in love with family boating – and you very well may – there is the Bartlett Lake Boat Club. The boat club makes frequent casual boating a reality for less than it would cost for one to own a boat and store it. According to Brian Church, part owner of the marina, the boat club works out perfectly for at least three types of people: young families who don’t want to make the financial commitment to boating or they don’t want to “jump in” to boat ownership yet; stay-at-home parents who may want to bring the kids on an afternoon boating jaunt without the hassle of uncovering and launching a boat on their own; and older folks who have enjoyed boating throughout their lives but don’t want the typical “hassle” of ownership. The boat club offers unlimited use of thirteen different member’s level boats, unlimited member guests, boating safety courses for beginners, personalized, on-board instruction in boat handling and safety, slip rental and boat cleaning, insurance, maintenance, and repairs, and water skis, boards, tubes, and ski vests for members and guests. What a way to take your new hobby to the “next level”!

Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding, the fastest growing watersport in the nation, can be likened to snowboarding or skateboarding on the water, while being pulled by a boat. The sport first flourished professionally in 1992 when World Sports & Marketing, a Florida-based sports promoter and event organizer began staging professional wakeboard events. This gave the sport exposure on ESPN and later ESPN2, and allowed wakeboarders a chance to compete professionally. The sport then benefited when it got its’ own national publication when Wakeboarding Magazine was launched in 1993.
According to Dameon Blair, a co-owner of “Endless Wakes” (www.endlesswakesaz.com) “One of the best lakes for wakeboarding is Bartlett Lake. It’s always a little bit cooler because of the elevation, and there’s always a little bit of a breeze coming through.”  Blair also notes that while some lakes, like Lake Powell, are widely known and enjoyed, Bartlett Lake is a well-kept secret. “When we first started Endless Wakes two years ago, people asked, ‘are there lakes in Arizona?’ When you come from Chicago or New York, you don’t necessarily think of Arizona as a big watersport destination.”

Endless Wakes is owned by Dameon Blair, Jeff Tiedman, and Blaine Evans, Anthem residents who decided take their passion for watersports, and wakeboarding in particular, up a notch and share it with others. They love working with beginners as well as with seasoned wakeboarders. They offer two, week-long overnight camps on Bartlett Lake, as well as five-hour day sessions for families and small groups (please check their website for more information.) This is a wonderful experience for a family looking for more of an adrenaline rush!

If You Go:
Phone: 602.316.3378
Website: www.bartlettlake.com
Directions: Take I 17 to Carefree Highway (Exit 223). Go east on Carefree Highway and turn left on Cave Creek Road (9 miles). Go through the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree and travel 10.5 miles to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right on Bartlett Dam Road and in twenty minutes you will arrive at Bartlett Lake Marina (13 miles).
Dockstore: fully stocked with whatever supplies you may need including fuel, beverages, sandwiches, ice, snacks, boating accessories, hats, clothing, and sunscreen.
Fee for entry: $6 per car, cars with boats add $4.

Five Reasons to Set Sail onto Bartlett Lake:

5. It may just be the most memorable thing your family does all summer.
4. Life is too short to put it off. For many families, it’s one of those things you’ve “always wanted to do” but never got around to it.
3. How many activities are fun and educational at the same time? This is your chance to teach your children by action. Children in other parts of the country may never get a chance to see some of the wild stuff that you will see on a boating trip on Bartlett Lake!
2. The unmatched adrenaline rush!
1. Because we can. There is nothing holding us back. Location is perfect, fees are nominal, and we have three months to fill with family activities that will provide memories that will carry us through the rest of the year!