Walks to the water
A walk along a riverbank or lakeshore is the gentlest way to spend a day by the water. Good soles matter more than speed: wet rocks and muddy slopes are slippery.
Activities
Activities
There are many ways to enjoy the water: walking along the shore with a flask of tea, paddling into a light breeze, standing on a board in a quiet bay or gliding on skates over the first ice. Below are short descriptions of each activity so you can choose one that suits your fitness and the season.
It is best to start with something you can stop at any moment. A walk along the shore or a short loop near the beach will teach you more than an ambitious route with no way out.
How this section works: it covers activities an adult can enjoy without special athletic training, as long as they follow safety rules. We do not recommend specific rivers, lakes, centres or clubs, and we do not plan routes.
On open water
The warm season offers the most options, but it also asks you to watch the wind, the sun and your own tiredness.
Kayaking
A boat you sit low in and paddle with a double-bladed paddle. A touring kayak is stable on calm water and suits relaxed trips along the shore, alone or with a partner.
Stand-up paddleboard
You stand or kneel on the board and paddle with a single-bladed paddle. It is easy to learn on calm water, but falls are inevitable, so a life jacket and calm weather are a must.
Open-water swimming
Swimming in a lake or river is harder than in a pool: there is no wall, the water is colder, you cannot see the bottom and you have to sight landmarks above the water. Start along the shore and only where swimming is allowed.
By the water in winter
When the water freezes, the fun does not stop, but the ice — and how far you trust it — becomes the main thing.
Winter shoreline walks
A quiet shore in winter is beautiful and almost deserted. Stick to well-trodden paths: snow near the water's edge can hide open patches and holes.
Walking on natural ice
Only go out on the ice once you are sure of its thickness: at least 7 cm for one person. Do not go alone, and avoid dark patches, open water and spots where streams flow in.
Skating on natural ice
You can skate on ice of 12 cm or more, and go out as a group on ice of 15 cm or more. Choose clear ice with a greenish or bluish tint and stay close to the shore.
Taking it easy
Not every trip to the water has to be a workout. Sometimes it is enough to sit on the shore and not hurry anywhere.
Unhurried fishing
For many people, a fishing rod is simply a reason to spend a few hours by the water. Before you go, check the local fishing rules, and release any fish you do not plan to keep with care.
A rest stop by the water
A short walk with a break on the shore also suits those who are just starting to move more. Choose a dry, level spot away from steep banks and leave no litter behind.
Related sections
- Technique
Getting into a kayak, the paddle stroke, falling off a SUP and climbing back on, wind, weather and moving on ice.
- Gear
Life jacket, layered clothing, sun and cold protection, dry bag, first-aid kit and ice gear, with no brands.
- Beginners
A step-by-step guide to your first kayak or SUP outing: preparation, launching and coming back.
Sources
- Public safety memos of Russia's emergency ministry (EMERCOM) on behaviour near water
- Editorial materials of the Snastiurala guide
Where and when you may swim, paddle a kayak or SUP, or go out on the ice is set by local rules for each body of water, and these rules differ by country and place. Before heading to the water, check the current requirements and the warning signs on the shore.