This week, under a brilliant-blue Sunday sky and unseasonably warm temperatures for our coastal town, my family and I took to a pedal boat along the Necanicum River. Pedal boats offer yet another way to see Seaside; by water. And while you definitely don’t have to wait for a hot day to hit the water ways, as we did, be sure and pack a jacket or sweatshirt as the light breezes can sometimes make for a cool ride.
The launch site – adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge (1st Avenue) and due east of the
Seaside Civic & Convention Center – for the pedal boat we rented sits along the Necancium River in the heart of downtown Seaside. In addition to the double pedal boat (four seats) we rented, single pedal boats (two seats) are available. The site also rents kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, bumper boats and barracudas – a sportier version of the pedal boat.
We’re not seasoned pedal boaters and that really didn’t seem to matter. The staff at
Wheel Fun Rentals (which manages this dock and the various rentals available) explained to us what we were getting ourselves into and the boundaries we were limited to. Once we got our life jackets on, we were off and heading south down the beautiful Necanicum River. Not far from the launch site is the Broadway Bridge – which is generally heavy with foot traffic. Having walked that bridge hundreds of times, it was fun to see it from underneath and offered many perspectives I have never witnessed before.
The pedaling was definitely a good leg workout and steering can be a bit comical and confusing, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to simply stop pedaling and start taking in the sites along one of two rivers that flow through Seaside (the Neawanna runs parallel and a little further to the east).
With August now in full swing and the consistency of warm temperatures running higher, a little time on the water is definitely a great way to beat the heat. And it’s a no-stress adventure. In fact, it’s probably a stress reducer. See you in Seaside!
