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| - There are lots of active local things to do "beyond the Strip" and I've done many of them: hikes on Mt. Charleston with a 2,500' vertical rise to paddleboarding on Lake Las Vegas; rock climbing Red Rock Canyon to running down the Strip in Las Vegas Marathons...
...but somehow, I'd missed all that the Colorado River has to offer just past Henderson and Boulder City.
Our half-day kayak tour began with a pickup (included in the price) from our downtown Las Vegas hotel. My wife and I were the only passengers for the approx. 45 minute drive to Blazin' Paddles' office in Henderson and the driver was so cool, funny, informative, and supportive, the time flew by.
At the office, we perused footwear, waterproof phone pouches, and other reasonably priced merchandise. I've got little baby feet and wished I could have fit into a pair of their $15 water sandals. We settled for a $5 pouch for my wife's iPhone 6+.
After a few minutes, the rest of the tour group arrived and we piled back into the van for the 30-45 minute drive to the river.
Because it was a weekday in mid-September, there weren't any boats or jetskis. There was hardly any current and the wind had calmed down from the previous day's 50 MPH gusts. After a brief orientation and instructions from the owner/operator we were off. The next 3 hours were perfect. Two guides kept everyone happy, safe, informed, and motivated. Those who wanted to venture off on their own were allowed to do so...within reason. Those who needed help got it. Those who got thirsty found a large, icy bottle of drinking water behind their seats...and more was available at the first of two beach stops.
Not the most scenic landscapes in the canyon but we were concentrating on paddling, looking for big horn sheep, and shooting water at each other with the supplied water guns. All-in-all, a great day with a totally professional, well-outfitted, affordable, nicely staffed company. Don't hesitate to book a tour with these guys.
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