Sun’s out, (water) guns out! When the humid, sticky days of a true Southern summer have you stuck inside with the cold, artificial air try some of these simple hacks to keep cool sans the pool.
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER TUBING
When it gets hotter than a hoochie coochie, do as Alan Jackson does and head over to the Chattahoochee. Rent a tube and float down nature’s own lazy river for two, four, or six hours. For a crisp Hamilton, you’ll receive a dual chamber tube, Coast Guard-approved life vest, and shuttle service. Rental upgrades, such as paddles, connecter straps and waterproof containers, are available. The Duluth location (4349 Abbotts Bridge Road) is open seven days a week from 10 am until 7 pm (the last trip leaves at 4:30 pm). Fido and the fiveyears-and-up kiddos are welcome as well.
RESERVATIONS RANGE FROM $10-$80/PERSON AT RIVERTUBING.COM
FREEDOM BOAT CLUB
Much like pools, in many ways it’s better to have a friend with a boat than to have (and have to clean, and take care of, and house) a boat yourself. Designed for those who want to access a versatile fleet of boats on a regular basis, but at an affordable cost of entry, Freedom Boat Club offers members unlimited access to the club fleet. Reservations are made through a proprietary online system for a variety of boats ranging from flats boats and fishing boats, to deckboats, bowriders, pontoons, sailboats and in some markets, cruisers. Certain levels even include reciprocal membership, so members can take advantage of any of the 150+ locations throughout the United States and Canada.
1X ENTRY FEE + MONTHLY DUES AT FREEDOMBOATCLUB.COM
INFLATABLE WATERSLIDE RENTALS If you’re looking for entertainment for a birthday party, church or corporate event, celebration, or just because it’s the freakin’ weekend baby, and you’re about to have you some fun, look no further than Action Packed Parties in Suwanee. They specialize in unique inflatables including moonwalks, obstacle courses, a bungee trampoline, and of course, water slides. If you have $995 to spare and a gigantic yard, check out the aptly named Mac Daddy Water Slide: a 32’ tall, 90’ long inflatable monstrosity that’s sure to make you the most popular guy in the neighborhood on Saturday, and just the guy with 90’ of dead grass on Monday.
PRICES VARY DEPENDING ON RENTAL AT ACTIONPACKEDPARTIES.COM
NERF SUPER SOAKER ARCTIC SHOCK WATER GUN The Super Soakers of our youth focused on size: more water, longer shot streams, greater force. The modern Nerf mantra is, “Work smarter, not harder.” Meet the Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Shock: instead of shooting a mild stream of lukewarm water at your enemies, freeze them in their tracks with an icy blast. This pump action pistol has an actual ice drum container and can shoot 25 ounces of bone chilling H2O up to 30 feet. Other uses – per the Amazon reviews – include shooting the neighbor’s cat off of your bird feeder and as a miniature pressure washer. $34.95 ON AMAZON