Free paddle boarding is offered at Pike Lake in Warsaw through Saturday, Aug. 20. Pictured paddle boarding, from left, are Ramie Perry, Ethan Cook and Kaleb Schneidewent. (Photos by Phoebe Muthart)

WARSAW — Canoeing and other water excursions are popular activities in the summer. The Warsaw Parks Department is offering free paddle boarding and canoeing this summer. Free canoeing is offered at Center Lake Beach, on the east side of swimming pier, behind the pavilion. Paddle boarding is offered at Pike Lake Beach.

Last year, a clinic on paddle boarding took place. Due to the popularity of the clinic, the parks department is offering free paddle boarding and another round of clinics this summer. Sheila Wieringa, the parks’ recreation director, said of paddle boarding, “I think it’s gaining in popularity, and it’s relaxing to be on the water.”

Free canoeing is offered at the following times and dates are:

• from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 16.
• from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, July 18 and Monday, Aug. 1.
• from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30 and Saturday, Aug. 13.

Center Lake Beach, Warsaw, offers free canoeing during the summer months. Pictured canoeing are Dylan Schaefer and Kaleb Schneidewent.

Free community paddle boarding is at Pike Lake Beach, Warsaw, at the following times and dates:

• from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 30 and Thursday, July 28
• from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 9, Saturday, Aug. 6, and Saturday, Aug. 20.

No registration is required. An annual waiver and rules sheet must be signed by each participant (must be signed by parent for anyone under age 18).

Paddle boards are also available for community use. Paddle boards are first-come, first served and may be used in timed increments. People may use paddle boards for 20 minutes at a time, depending on wait times. All equipment and life vests are provided. All participants will be briefed on safety measures, prior to paddle boarding. All paddle boarding will be supervised by staff. Paddle boards and equipment are made possible by a grant from the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission. There are 10 paddle boards available for usage.

Paddle boarding clinics will also be held. Times and dates are:

• from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 9
• from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, July 18
• from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 6
• from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15
• from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 20

All clinics are at Pike Lake Beach. Register one week prior to the clinic. Cost is $8 per person, per session (all sessions will be the same instruction) for ages 12 and up; maximum nine per session.

No registration is required. A waiver and rules sheet must be signed by each participant (must be signed by parent for anyone under age 18).

Free canoes are available for community use. Canoes are first-come, first-served and may be used in timed increments. “If there’s no line, we don’t mind if they stay out longer,” said Wieringa.

All equipment and life vests are provided. All participants will be briefed on safety measures, prior to canoeing. All canoeing will be supervised by staff and two adults can use one canoe.

For a program registration form and a full program list by date, visit warsaw.in.gov/index.aspx?NID=488.