Ultra-endurance events are seeing a considerable spike in popularity as athletes look to redefine the traditional tests of strength and stamina.
Curious about calories? Then you might want to check out a new text messaging service by Diet.com called “Nutrition on the Go.”
A trip to the beach doesn’t have to be spent sunbathing.
Whether you dive into the region’s many aquatic offerings or prefer to remain a
landlubber, Virginia’s Tidewater region has plenty of options to keep you out
of your beach chair.
Paddlers’ Paradise
Virginia’s Tidewater region is a paddler’s dream. With the
confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean—plus the Elizabeth
River, the York River, the Blackwater River, the Great Dismal Swamp and several
national wildlife refuges—a paddler could spend a lifetime exploring all of the
waterways. For one of the area’s more unique experiences, take a dolphin kayak
tour and glide along with pods of these playful mammals.
To catch a tour, check out Chesapean Outdoors (www.chesapean.com), Tidewater Adventures (www.tidewateradventures.com) or
Wild River Outfitters (www.wildriveroutfitters.com).
Each outfitter also runs a variety of eco-tours.
Learn Rowing
At Calm Waters Rowing, weekend courses include B&B
accommodations and each day is summed up with the mantra “row, eat, row, row,
eat, sleep.” See www.calmwatersrowing.com.
Eco-Exploration
Explore six different eco-systems along 15 miles of trails
at one of the East Coast’s premier areas, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
See www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco
MTB for Everyone
York River Park includes 15 miles of mountain biking trails.
A beginner trail has both double- and single-track. The advanced trail includes
hills, bridges, twisty switchbacks and jumps along six miles of single-track.
See www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/yor.shtml.
Fun Run
Jog along the Norfolk waterfront and past Historic Fort
Norfolk on the Elizabeth River Trail. Prefer a bit of competition? Sign up for
the 29th Annual Elizabeth River 10K run on May 24. See www.err.tidewaterstriders.com.
Seaside Cycling
The 32nd Annual Knotts Island Century sponsored by the
Tidewater Bicycle Association follows scenic backwater roads on three different
routes—100, 64 and 32 miles—May 10. See www.tbarides.org.
Events and Festivals
The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon is one of the running
community’s biggest parties of the year. The Aug. 31 event runs through
Virginia Beach, passing 14 stages of local bands and throngs of cheering
sections, before hitting the boardwalk finish and post-race party (www.rnrvb.com). Think you can’t surf on the
East Coast? Judge for yourself at the East Coast Surfing Championships
Aug. 20-24. The event, which is North America's oldest-running surfing competition, will feature more than 100 top professionals. See www.surfecsc.com.
For a little mellower competition, watch sand get carved
into art at the North American Sand Sculpting Championship, Sept. 28-30 (www.neptunefestival.com/events.php?s=12).
Camping
Reserve a climate-controlled cabin or rough it at a campsite
at First Landing State Park. After you roll out of bed, hit any of the park’s
19 miles of hiking trails or explore its marshes by kayak. See www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fir.shtml.
