Kannapolis, NC Outdoor Activities

Brent Clevenger founded Sink or Swim Scuba in 2006 to provide regular open-water dive experiences to fledging and senior divers alike. He trains neophytes in his full-sized pool, letting them control their buoyancy to drop to the full twelve-foot depth after they master underwater breathing fundamentals in the shallow end. He also oversees scuba certification training during group dives at the Piedmont Dive Rescue Association Lake Norman Quarry. The former dig site provides plenty of underwater excitement with schools of fish and sunken objects to explore, such as the quarry manager's shed which used to house instructions on how not to flood the quarry.

Gliding through the crystal waters of Lake Norman, Queen's Landing offers sightseeing and catered dinner expeditions on its two steadfast vessels—the 90-foot yacht Lady of the Lake and the Catawba Queen, an old-fashioned paddle boat. Trips during the autumn provide stunning views of changing foliage, whereas cruises at other times of the year supply a buoyant venue for holiday parties or tax audits. When in season, you can inquire about the business’ partnerships with other dining and entertainment spots such as Pirate Land Miniature Golf and Jack’s Lakeside Grill.

After owning Duffy electric boats in Newport Beach, California, where the company has its headquarters, the Textor family decided to introduce the fun-filled and stress-free world of electric boating to Lake Norman in 2010. Thanks to the electric motor and patented Power Rudder propulsion device, Duffy boats carry passengers over water with a remarkable speed and maneuverability and cost as little as $1 per day to maintain. Since 1970, Duffy shipwrights have constructed each vessel exactly to the client's specifications, outfitting crafts with Duff-Eze cabin enclosures that allow captains to pilot their ship in any climate and ensure that boats never have to be winterized, covered, or sent to Florida because of cold weather.

Customers can rent out 21-foot Avalon models that carry 10–12 passengers for brief lakefront voyages, dancing to tunes from the onboard mp3 and CD hookups, warming themselves with the heater on chilly nights, and sunbathing on the bow. Specialty cruises entertain guests with floating wine tastings, catered feasts from Lake Norman cottage, and movie nights, and a seasonal schedule of special events dazzles families with upcoming attractions such as electric-boat sleigh rides.

Standing on a platform, eco-tourists pause to admire the view before stepping from their perch to soar across a high wire and admire the complex ecosystem of animals, plants, and Swiss Family Robinsons that lives in the scenic canopy. This moment—both tranquil and adrenaline-filled—occurs every day at Carolina Ziplines Canopy Tours, where experienced guides lead safely harnessed visitors on excursions through the verdant treetops of the Carolina forests nestled in the shadow of Pilot Mountain, near Hanging Rock State Park. The zipline course weaves from platform to platform, culminating in a 1,000-foot-long uninterrupted soar. After tours, guests can linger to have a picnic on the historic grounds, enjoy a bonfire when the weather’s cool, or even stay overnight in a cozy inn.

Coed dodge ball and flag-football games. Kayaking trips. Ice-climbing excursions. The open-air enthusiasts at Charlotte Outdoor Adventures coordinate a schedule of active events such as these for a membership base passionate about playing in the sunshine. Led by a qualified volunteer, groups set out on excursions ranging from hikes through the Carolinian countryside to waterfall rappelling in the Grand Canyon. Membership benefits include access to hundreds of activities each month as well as friendships forged through shared experience and bartering packed-lunch items.

Since the early 1960s, Captain Gus Gustafson has wrangled scaly creatures from the depths of scenic Lake Norman. Experienced in both saltwater and freshwater fishing, Captain Gus and his experienced guides help first-timers and veterans reel in lunkers such as striped and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, white perch, and mountain trout. Each trip departs on either a 23-foot center console or 25-foot pontoon boat, each equipped with state-of-the-art electronics such as GPS, depth finders, and a Big Mouth Billy Bass's public-domain mating calls.