New England Is Home To One Of The Best Water Parks
With winter upon us and outdoor activities become a bit more limited, now is this time we seek creative indoor adventures. Both to keep the kids busy, and ourselves. National Education Association compiled a list of the best water park locations in the country, and a New England spot made the list.
“Get ready to splish, splash, twist and turn at these epic indoor water parks,” they say, and for good reason. The Pump House in Vermont allows you to do just that, as it is part of an adventurous resort.
Many water parks struggled to remain open during the pandemic. However, there were those that made it through, and also a decent number of new parks across the country. That begs the question, what is the main reason people frequent an indoor waterpark? Typically, they are seasonal. Especially in the northeast when the peak seasons are the winter and spring months when those outdoor pools are closed.
Adding the indoor water park option to a resort and hotel facility allows guests to plan their trip around the experience. Meaning that you travel to this resort knowing you can stay onsite for as long as you like because there is something thrilling right there outside your door.
Jay Peak, Vermont
In the winter months, this Vermont area is very popular for skiing trips. Furthermore, there is an ice rink in Jay Peak that often attracts hockey tournaments. In fact, youth hockey programs from all over the country travel to Jay Peak so kids can skate and compete. What do you do with the five hours of downtime in between games, however? That is not quite enough time to justify a lift ticket.
The Pump House is the only indoor water park in Vermont. Of course there are epic slides, activity pools, and lazy river. However, the Pump House also has an indoor surf wave called the Double Barrel Flowrider. The Pump House describes it as “A cross between skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding (minus the kneepads, sharks, and snow).”
If you feel you will need a rest break after all the thrilling adventure, cabanas are available to rent here as well.
5 Of The Best Outlets For Surf Attire In New England
The waves are starting to cooperate here in New England, so now is the time to get outfitted in the raddest gear. Here, I will take you through five of the best outlets to get surf attire in Massachusetts.
Over the past ten years, the shores of Rhode Island and Massachusetts have become hotspots for catching some of the best waves on the Atlantic coast. In recognition of the region fully adopting surf culture, major retail brands have opened locations in the area over the past year. Pairing national chains with local small business household names has made the area an east coast surfing hotspot. Jack Johnson, a Hawaiian north shore native, and the heart and soul of modern acoustic surf music, headlined the 2022 Levitate Music and Arts Festival.
What Is Surf Attire?
The question is simple but the answer is complex. Obviously, the most crucial component to proper surf gear is a good surfboard. Many outlets allow you to rent, but once you are ready to take up the sport regularly, it’s imperative that you have the board that is right for you. The best friend of the surfboard is a wetsuit. Often these items can be purchased from the same location. Though you can order wetsuits on Amazon or other digital retail outlets, they all seem to fit differently. Trust me, a loose wetsuit where water gets in the neck is one of the more initiating feelings in the water. Other necessary surfboard accessories include wax and a leash.
Finally, no surfer is properly equipped without attire to show you are a surfer when you are out of the water. Some of the stores we will list sell clothing that is representative of surf culture. In fact, one particular outlet makes their clothing with the beach in mind. They use recycled garments and often lead philanthropic efforts to help make our oceans cleaner.
Whether you are looking for a new board to hang ten with during the summer of 2023, or for athletic wear to sport while surf training in the winters, these five outlets for surf attire in New England are open and ready for you to cruise right in.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
