Indian Trail, NC Outdoor Activities

Marc and Oana Graveline grew up on the water—he along the coast of Virginia, and she in Romania, near the Black Sea. When they moved to North Carolina, their mutual love for the water drew them to Lake Norman's calm waters, tree-lined shores, and wildlife. They envisioned themselves teaching their two children how to drive a boat, and they bought one—a 21-foot Sea Ray. As the cost of their boat's upkeep began to mount, they searched for alternatives to ownership and started their own chapter of the Carefree Boat Club. Today, their children can regularly be seen cleaning their fleet of eight bow riders, sun-deck boats, and pontoon boats or organizing for member socials.

The independent owners and their team of captains and instructors join those of 24 other locations throughout the East Coast and the South in helping members share vessels and learn that it takes a village to wax a hull in less than 10 seconds. Instructors train new members in an extensive boating course, during which they learn water safety, steering procedures, nautical terminology, and navigation. Once each member is deemed seaworthy, they let him or her reserve boats up to six months in advance.

Owned by a veterinarian and staffed by a team of experienced equestrians, Providence Equestrian Center provides quality care for horses while teaching riders how to walk, trot, and canter. They do this during group and private lessons scheduled year-round in an 80”x140” covered arena or a 125”x275” outdoor arena. Providence Equestrian Center also hosts birthday parties, corporate events, and family reunions.

Each day, students on horseback gallop alongside attentive instructors on Creekwood Farm’s 30 acres of undulating terrain, learning the subtleties of English saddle-seat riding during private and group lessons. In addition to helping everyone from beginners to advanced riders improve their technique, instructors also take time to teach the essential non-saddle skills of grooming and tacking horses. They encourage each fledgling jockey to learn at his or her own pace, whether riding goals include competing in American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas shows or simple pleasure riding. The farm’s indoor and outdoor facilities ensure that lessons take place throughout the year, unaffected by winter cold, summer heat, and horse spring break.

At Romp n' Roll, children ages 3 months to six years participate in activities that encourage motor-skill development and creativity. Within the non-competitive and nurturing environment, experienced teachers lead classes in activities such as gymnastics, art, or music. Meanwhile, during open-gym sessions, children cavort across play equipment under parent supervision.

After listening to professional instruction from Local Paddler's guides, total novices can paddle their standup paddleboards through the crystalline waters of North Carolina's lakes and rivers. Instructors teach newbies to stand upright on their boards, showcase J-strokes, sweep strokes, and other fundamentals, and also impart water-safety lessons, such as never drink the entire lake in one sitting. Local Paddler's shop furnishes all equipment for aquatic adventures, which unfold along the scenic shorelines of Falls Lake, Wake Forest Reservoir, Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Tailrace Marina, Mountain Island Lake, or the Catawba River.

The certified instructors at Fox Hollow Farm wield more than 25 years of equine experience and broadcast that hard-earned knowledge during riding lessons in hunt seat, jumping, and dressage. Each instructor aims to foster a supportive environment of structured learning, helping their students build confidence and skills not only when in the saddle but also when caring for a horse in the stable or dressing up as a centaur on Halloween. Beginning students start out with private instruction on the longe line to develop balance and correct position atop the farm's school horses, and may advance to group lessons after they've learned to walk, trot, and canter with control.