Lehi, UT Outdoor Activities

At 24 miles long and 13 miles wide, Utah Lake is as vast as it is beautiful, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has explored more of it than Chad Chorniak. As a yacht captain and experienced scuba diver, Captain Chad takes passengers out on his 27-foot Catalina yacht to experience the scenic lake on the water, and also helps aspiring scuba divers plunge below the water’s surface into a new hobby of underwater exploration. Though he’s known for seeking out and investigating Utah’s best diving spots, he always conducts his Discover Scuba lessons in an indoor pool. This gives students an added level of comfort as they learn to breathe properly through the scuba apparatus and grow webbing between their toes.

Zach Emig and David Cooper have fished for more than 20 years, oftentimes 200 times a year and all over the country. They draw upon knowledge accumulated during these endeavors while presiding over equipment and guests at Simply Fishing. When they founded the business, Zach and David also realized that they didn’t just want to furnish anglers with rods, custom flies tied by a resident fly winder, and signed headshots of Poseidon to lure in local marine life; they wanted to share their acute knowledge of local fishing hot spots. Thus, they lead half- and full-day excursions on six lakes and rivers, including Provo River. They are excited to teach their techniques and “committed to helping you not have to lie” about catching 300-pound catfish made of diamonds.

In the Chase the Mayor 5K, Provo Mayor John R. Curtis will have a one-minute head start as throngs of citizens pace and roar with anticipation behind the starting line. After these 60 seconds are up, participants burst forth and book it 3.1 miles along University Avenue, hoping to stride past the finish line before the elected head of Provo does. If any entrant does beat his honor, they will win a custom window sticker commemorating the victory, as well as a lifetime pass to swim in any public fountain. Otherwise, the signature Provo City Marathon—a USATF-certified marathon and a Boston Marathon qualifier—sends runners on a rigorous, yet fun jaunt downhill toward postrace festivities. It is these types of exciting flourishes and thrilling stakes that form the principles of Run13’s mission to “make road races an event.” Run13 also organizes several other races, including half marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks.

For each race, the organization designates a charity to donate its proceeds to, often taking suggestions from its fans or the magic 8 ball that presides over all affairs.

It's a breezy day, and reflections of the nearby Wasatch Mountains ripple over the surface of Utah Lake. A sailboat cuts through the scene, churning the waters so that the snowcapped peaks' reflections sway and finally dissolve into a field of undulations. Though they fill their days with a busy schedule of hands-on courses and programs, the instructors at Bonneville School of Sailing often pause to enjoy the distinctive beauty of their surroundings. They also take pleasure in witnessing sailing's power to change lives. Many will attest that putting someone at the helm can spark a suppressed desire to explore, just as working together to raise a mast can promote understanding and cooperation among a corporate team or family.

At any point during the April–October season, students can begin navigating the school's sailing curriculum with a hands-on introductory course. Intermediate-level courses allow students—should they take to the high seas with enthusiasm—to log plenty more hours on the water, where instructors teach lessons in steering and dispatching mutinous crew members. Advanced classes, along with weekend racing and spinnaker clinics, equip students with the final skills needed to enjoy a long and buoyant life on the water.

On Friday the 13th of July, Go Tri sponsors its annual series of nighttime races with routes wending paths between local landmarks such as the Eagle Mountain City Center, Nolan Park, and the scenic Ranches neighborhood. Donning glow-in-the-dark outfits to increase visibility, without carrying a night light on a transatlantic extension cord, runners can dart through the half marathon, adopt a casual pace during the 5K, or go stride-in-little-stride with youngsters during a short fun run that ends at Nolan Park’s splash pad. At the finish line of each race, participants can cool down and refuel on complimentary snacks, while prizes honor the fastest and most festively dressed runners.