I'm not what you would call an outdoor adventurer. The one time I tried rafting, I fell out of the boat. When I kayaked, I couldn't get control of my paddle and drifted right into the tall grasses of a marsh. Sensing my damsel-in-distress nature, my mom enrolled me in swimming lessons at an early age. Despite all this, I still enjoy the water and have fond memories of swimming at Ontario Beach Park, or boating down the Erie Canal with my family.

New York State is filled with waterways calling for attention during the warmer months. "The great thing about New York State waterways is they are available to us," says Kevin Kretschmer, president of Adventure Calls Outfitters, which offers guided white-water rafting trips at Letchworth State Park and beyond. "We don't own the water," he says. "It's just a gift we can share with others."

Our local community is filled with ways to enjoy the water no matter what your budget or skill level. Summer is here: what are you waiting for? Here's a look at some of the ways to enjoy the hot sun from the cool waters of our hometown. Note that this is not a comprehensive list of water-based businesses and activities. If we missed your favorite please add it to this article on rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Sailing

Feel the wind in your hair, the sun on your back, and the delicious sense of freedom. "Sailing is enjoyable because you are out on the water in a quiet, but yet exciting or relaxing environment," says Mary Schmidt, commodore at the Canandaigua Yacht Club. Sailing is a classic pastime, and while most area yacht clubs are members only, here are some options for would-be skippers to earn their sea legs.

Rochester Yacht Club (5555 St. Paul Blvd.; 342-5511, rochesteryc.com) The Rochester Yacht Club offers adult and youth sailing lessons on Lake Ontario. "We are the only U.S.-certified sailing school in Rochester," says instructor Bud Webb. Participants can opt for two 12-hour group courses or private lessons. Upon completion of the course, participants will earn the U.S. Sailing certification of competency to skipper a keelboat. Lessons are offered May through August and are broken into three-hour sessions. Classes are offered throughout the day and evening with member and non-member prices.

Canandaigua Yacht Club (3524 County Road 16, Canandaigua Lake; 396-9200, sailcyc.com) The Canandaigua Yacht Club offers adult and junior sailing lessons on Canandaigua Lake from late June through early August. "Our classes are designed for the beginner and will teach all the basics principles of sailing, including rigging boats and knot tying," says commodore Mary Schmidt. A total of eight classes are offered per session, with classes running consecutively four days a week for two weeks total. Classes are offered in the evenings for $150 per adult. To register, contact Schmidt at sunfish77720@gmail.com.

White-water rafting

If you are looking for thrills and adventure, what better way than to raft out on the Genesee River with nothing but a paddle and a prayer? "I love the interaction with the people," says Kevin Kretschmer, president of Adventure Calls Outfitters, which specializes in rafting trips at Letchworth State Park, located in Genesee County.

Adventure Calls runs the rapids in three different locations throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Kretschmer says that while 80 percent of Outfitter trips are at Letchworth, "we also go out on Cattaraugus Creek and Salmon River for several weekends each year." While the Letchworth rapids are classified as low I/II rapids, the Salmon River is a class III and the Cattaraugus is III/IV. "The Cattaraugus is for people who are more adventuresome and looking for an adrenaline rush," he says. He describes Letchworth as a "family trip, perfect for beginner paddlers." All rafters take a 25-minute safety course before paddling out, and tour guides are available to join your group on the raft. "Getting people to overcome their fears is great," he says.

All trips run between two and three hours. The trips are weight based, all participants pay $30, but children under 8 who meet the weight requirements are free. For more info on Adventure Calls call 888-270-2410 or check adventure-calls.com.

Boat tours

History. Romance. Fantastic sights. These are just a few of the things you can experience on a local boat tour. "I love watching the changing of the seasons from spring into summer into fall, as well as the different times of day from the decks of our boats," says Vicki Schmitt, president of Corn Hill Navigation. "Favorites include the redbuds that bloom along the Erie Canal in the spring and the brilliant fall foliage at Lock 32 heading west toward Rochester. Local residents tell us they will never look at the community the same way once they have seen it from the water."

There are many local boat-tour options. The Colonial Belle (223-9470, colonialbelle.com), which docks in Fairport, is the largest tour boat on the Erie Canal, and features food and fun for families, or for a romantic evening for two. Open late May to October, tours run Tuesdays through Sundays. Tours range from $9 per person for a 1.5-hour tour, to $19 for a three-hour tour. Additional fees apply for meals on board.

Corn Hill Navigation (662-5748, samandmary.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and beauty of the canal and adjoining Genesee River. It runs two boats, with tours May through October. The Mary Jemison is a historic wooden vessel that takes travelers down the Genesee River and through the historic Corn Hill neighborhood. The Sam Patch is a packet-boat replica that debarks from Schoen Place in Pittsford and takes travelers through a century-old canal lock and canal town. Tours are $13 per adult, $10 per student/senior, and $6 for children 3-12.

On Lake Ontario, you can take the Harbor Town Belle (342-1810, harbortownbelle.com). This old-fashioned paddle-wheeler departs from the Port of Rochester and cruises the shoreline of Lake Ontario, taking in the sights of the lake, Irondequoit Bay, and the Genesee River. The Belle cruises the waterways up to three times daily during the summer and fall months, offering both public and private cruises. Of interest is the Mark Twain cruise offered on Thursdays, which includes dinner and a tour guide posing as Twain himself. For a typical two-hour tour, adults are $12 and children 10 and under are $6. Buffets are offered optional on most cruises, and additional fees apply.

On Canandaigua Lake you can take the Canandaigua Lady (396-7350 steamboatlandingonline.com), a 19th-century replica of a double-decker paddlewheel boat. It departs from Steamboat Landing in Canandaigua. Tours are offered up to three times daily in the summer and fall. A 90-minute afternoon tour runs $17 for adults, $10 for children 10 and under. Lunch cruises are $32 per adult, and $49 per adult for dinner. Lower fees apply for children on the meal cruises.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a great way to experience nature at the surface of local waterways. A sport that can be both wild and adventurous in the rapids or calm and peaceful on a local creek, kayaking is a growing pastime in our community. Many local businesses offer lessons, rentals, and sell kayaks and equipment. Kayaking is a year-round sport; visit the websites of the businesses listed below for open times and special events.

On Irondequoit Bay:

Bay Creek Paddling Center (1099 Empire Blvd.; 288-2830; baycreek.com)

Oak Orchard Canoe & Kayaks (1350 Empire Blvd.; 288-5550, oakorchardcanoe.com)

On Genesee River:

Genesee Waterways Center (328-3960, geneseewaterways.org) Operating out of several locations in the Rochester area, of particular interest is the white-water course at Lock 32 on the Erie Canal

On Braddock Bay:

Braddock Bay Paddlesports (372 Manitou Road, 888-933-9072, paddlingny.com)

Swimming spots

If you're looking for a dip on a cool day, here are some of the top local beaches. Pack your sunscreen and beach chair, and make sure to check the websites or call the numbers listed for water-quality reports, as closings due to contamination are not uncommon.

Ontario Beach Park (Off Lake Avenue in Charlotte; 753-5887, monroecounty.gov) Ontario Beach Park is a summer tradition in Rochester, a place to play beach volleyball, enjoy an Abbott's cone, or take a spin on the historic carousel. The beach opens for swimming June 17, daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Lifeguard on duty. Free.

Durand Eastman Beach (1250 Lakeshore Blvd, west of Irondequoit Bay and Route 590; 753-5887, monroecounty.gov) Minutes from Ontario Beach, this beach features 5000 feet of waterfront and offers a more private atmosphere. Open for swimming 11 a.m.-7 p.m. through Labor Day. Lifeguard on duty. Free.

Hamlin Beach State Park (1 Camp Road, Hamlin; 964-2462, nysparks.state.ny.us) Home to numerous camp sites and nature trails, this developed beach and state park is closely guarded and rarely closed due to contamination. Open for swimming daily mid-June through Labor Day. Call for open times. Lifeguard on duty. $7 per vehicle.

Kershaw Swim Beach (Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua; 396-5080, canandaiguanewyork.gov) Kershaw Park is made up of nine acres of land on the north end of Canandaigua Lake. It is open for swimming daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Lifeguard on duty. $3 for non-resident adults, $2 for kids 6-18.

Darien Lake State Park (10475 Harlow Road, Darien Center; 547-9242, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks) Darien Lakes State Park sits on Harlow Lake; the park is known for its hilly and rough terrain - perfect for hikers and explorers. Open for swimming daily from late June through Labor Day, with a lifeguard on duty 11am-6:45 pm. $7 per vehicle.

Sodus Point Beach Park (7958 Wickham Blvd, Sodus Point; 315-946-5624, co.wayne.ny.us) Swim in Lake Ontario or catch some rays at this family-friendly beach. Supervised swimming allowed both lakeside and bayside daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June through Labor Day. Free.

Letchworth State Park (1 Letchworth State Park, Castile; 493-3600, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks) Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," and home to many outdoor activities year round. Technically not a "beach," the North Pool is open for swimming daily from late June through Labor Day. Lifeguard on duty weekdays 11 a.m.-5:45 p.m., weekends and holidays 11 a.m.-6:45 p.m. $8 per vehicle to enter park, pool $1-$2.

Fair Haven Beach State Park (14985 Fair Haven State Park Road, Fair Haven; 315-947-5205, nysparks.state.ny.us/parks) This park is located in along the eastern Lake Ontario shoreline and features 600 feet of swim area. Hours not yet posted for 2011 season. $8 per vehicle.