Staying mentally and physically healthy in 2020 and beyond proved tough for many people, but at LOOP NOLA, we’re lucky to have options for taking care of both things at once.

2020 year started off strong for a lot of us. It was a mild winter leading into our city’s favorite time of year: Mardi Gras. But then COVID-19 arrived and changed all of our plans. Now we’ve all been left to navigate uncharted territory without slipping into unhealthy habits. (Good luck!)

At LOOP NOLA, we constantly look for opportunities for children, youth, and adults to get outside and explore. With the onset of the pandemic, our programming got a little stunted. Just like a lot of other organizations, we had to get a little creative. We asked ourselves: “What do the people in this city need that the outdoors can provide?”

1. Easy access to something fun outdoors

2. Ways to interact with friends and family but still maintain social distancing

3. An easy way to get the kids out of the house and get them moving

We had just the thing: canoes and kayaks!

Paddling in New Orleans

New Orleans’ history revolves around water. It’s a port city located along one of the largest rivers in the world: the Mighty Mississippi. Surrounded by swamps, marshes, and bayous, there are plenty of opportunities to spend time on the water.  However, a lot of locals never get the chance to explore the waterways and see them firsthand. LOOP NOLA has found a solution to that problem with canoe and kayak rentals in City Park.

With over 1,300 acres, City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the nation. Millions of people visit the park throughout the year to attend events, use the recreation areas, and generally enjoy the beauty of the park. It’s known for its beautiful oak trees and history within the city. With bus lines and streetcar lines coming to the park, it’s easy to spend time in nature without ever leaving the city.

Most people, however, have never gotten the chance to see the park’s beauty from the water. That means they’ve never gotten to see a row of turtles jump off of a log as they paddle by. They haven’t seen pelicans, egrets, and herons dive into the water next to them and catch a fish. These are experiences that all of our locals should have!

Get to know your city

You can typically rent kayaks or canoes outside of the city, but it’s tough to book a large group within city limits. Though there are times that you can rent boats along Bayou St. John, you typically can’t rent them in the back half of City Park. This is a unique chance to get to know the city in a new way.

Outdoor Exercise

A lot of our usual options for exercise keep us indoors. Canoeing is a great way to get some exercise and get some fresh air at the same time!

Relax

Some people blow off steam by paddling hard and burning off excess energy. Other people find that it’s more relaxing to just float and enjoy the sounds of nature. Either way, spending some time on the water is a great way to relax and put your mind at ease. 

Bond with your boat partners

Whether you’re in the same boat as your paddle buddies or you each have your own boat, canoeing and kayaking are great activities to do with friends. If you’ve been paddling your whole trip and you know exactly what you’re doing, y’all will have plenty of time to just explore and see the sites. If you’re brand new to paddling, you’re sure to make some memories as you both learn to steer! 

Create memories

A lot of folks had plans these past few years that have been derailed. You may have had something in mind that was going to create some great memories for you, your friends, or your family. Even if that has been postponed, you can still do some little things around the city to create those memories.

The world is a little topsy turvy right now, but the great outdoors is just as great as ever! 

Even if you’ve never gone canoeing or kayaking before, you’re welcome to contact us at LOOP NOLA. All gear is provided for groups of paddlers, and we’ll give you some quick lessons on shore before you head out.