Discover Surrey by Land, Sea & Sky
If you’re tired of the same old outdoor recreational activities, perhaps it’s time to shake things up and try something new in Surrey, British Columbia.
For locals, one doesn’t have to venture far to quench their thirst for fun and adventure.
From horseback riding through lush, picturesque trails and ultralight flying at sunset to paddling Surrey’s tranquil rivers through its Blueways Master Plan, there are plenty of outdoor recreational activities to partake in – many are probably just a hop, skip and a jump from your own front door.
Here are some fun ways to discover Surrey by land, sea & sky.
Horseback Riding
For suburban city slickers, Surrey truly is an equestrian lover’s paradise. Saddle up your horse and explore the communities’ natural wilderness surroundings. For those who don’t have a horse of their own, just trot on over to one of the stables or riding lessons nearby. Before you know it, you’ll be galloping off into the sunset in Surrey.
Here are a handful of stables/equestrian centres in the Surrey area:
Where: 4615 190 St., Surrey, B.C.
Info: Call 604-574-3211
Where: 5095 125 A, Surrey, B.C.
Info: Call 604-590-5172
Where: 1528 172 St., South Surrey, B.C.
Info: Call 604-536-9440
Where: 18590 20 Ave., Surrey, B.C.
Info: Call 604-531-5159
King George Aviation photo
Ultralight Flying
Have you ever dreamed of seeing Surrey at sunset from a bird’s-eye view? How about from the view of an ultralight aircraft? Maybe, you’ve always wanted to fly over your house, the Pier in White Rock, the Gulf Islands, or maybe it’s Grouse Mountain and the downtown core you desire to see.
If so, King George Aviation at 4981 King George Hwy. in Surrey can help your aviation dreams take flight.
Either sit back and enjoy the view, or grab hold of the controls and experience for yourself the three-dimensional environment that is aviation.
Participants have the choice of flying over beautiful White Rock beaches, tracking the curves of the Fraser River, orbiting the rush hour traffic in Downtown Vancouver, or simply taking in the beauty of the local mountains.
Visit http://www.kingeorgeaviation.com for more info.
Garden State Hiker, Flickr
Paddling the Blueways Master Plan
A great way to beat the heat is to dive into a recreational water sport. Rather than leave town, there are many opportunities to discover the City’s many waterways – one of the most popular of which is a paddler with a non-motorized boat, like a kayak or canoe.
The Blueways Master Plan encourages non-motorized recreational boating on waterways, to facilitate family enjoyment and public education in a way that supports the fish, wildlife and agricultural communities – really, it’s a win-win for everyone.
Each of the following four routes boasts a distinct character and recreational experience for paddlers:
Nicomekl River – The Surrey Floating Nature Trail provides an interpretation-based and controlled paddling experience on the lower Nicomekl River, with enhancements to separate paddlers and other boaters from sensitive waterfowl areas and seasons.
Serpentine River – The Serpentine Paddling Circuit provides a loop circuit for novice and exercise-oriented paddlers in the central Serpentine Valley.
Fraser River – The Fraser River Challenge provides a route for experienced paddlers from Surrey Bend to Brownsville Bar, as a part of a regional blueway paddling system throughout the Fraser Valley.
For more information about paddling the blueways, email parksrecreation@surrey.ca or call 604-501-5050.
In addition to being a ton of fun, these three recreational activities will have you seeing Surrey from all whole new point of view – quite literally. It’s no wonder so many are proud to work, stay and play in the City of Parks.
Note: This article was originally published in the Surrey Leader.
