Things to Do in McKinney

AquaShop is in the business of defying physics; inside, water flows uphill. The FlowRider wave machine—an attraction usually reserved for theme parks or cruise ships—projects a frothy current blasted up a slanted ramp, emulating a wave for surfers, wakeboarders, and ambitious belly floppers to catch anytime, regardless of tide conditions. Before visiting, guests can check out the fun from the company’s live camera view, which shows off sweet rides and spectacular wipeouts during all business hours.

Water isn’t the only element AquaShop harnesses. The emporium of all things extreme hosts shred sessions on its Big Wave mechanical surfboard and encourages visitors to fire foam balls back and forth in the Cannon Ball Blaster arena. The in-house Thrill Zone features a padded obstacle course with a climbing wall, a slide, and a secret portal that grants one wish from Kelly Slater’s magic bald head.

Cathy Moses Baldasserini studied dance and therapy and received full scholarships to New York dance conservatories such as Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. She began practicing Pilates as a way to hone and refine her body, the instrument of her self-expression. Now, she teaches it full time at her fitness-dedicated studio, Pilates for Life.

Joined by nine other teachers, Cathy reforms students' bodies with both basic and machine-assisted Pilates, yoga, kettlebells, and tai chi classes. She uses Pilates for its renowned ability to strengthen the site of injuries or chronic pain and to provide conditioning for weak joints, problem backs, and those who have osteoporosis. She also implements devices such as reformers—a system of pulleys and sliding platforms that enhance Pilates's classic horizontal exercises—and towers, which incorporate the natural resistance of gravity into Pilates movements.

Kathleen Kendrick is no stranger to the graceful flourishes of ballroom dance. In fact, she’s spent more than two decades of her life perfecting them at the professional level. At The Art of Dance, Kendrick has drawn on this experience to create a Marriage Enrichment Through Dance course tailored specifically to couples. As they learn fundamental ballroom steps in these sessions, spouses strengthen their relationships and have fun instead of spending another Friday searching for doubloons in the junk drawer.

The roughly 5-kilometer Survivor Mud Run challenges athletes from around the country with 20 mud-soaked obstacles, including monkey bars, tire courses, giant slip 'n' slides, and net climbs. A team of licensed contractors builds all the obstacles, ensuring stability throughout. The dirt-drenched course allows participants to put their stamina, physical fitness, and mental determination to the test in a much more fun and safer way than challenging a Central African chimpanzee to a staring contest. Adrenaline and sheer force of will boost runners over walls and beneath low-slung wires in the mud-filled trenches, leading them to the finish line where a post-competition party awaits with beer, music, and food. After each race, announcers honor the top three male and female participants in each age division, bestowing a special distinction upon the runner who was brave enough to don the wackiest costume.