I recently wrote about spectator sports in the Charlotte area and what visitors and newcomers can experience when they come to the Queen City. Just as these questions are often a hot topic so are those about recreation and things they can do as participants.

Here are some of the most popular activities:

• Our local lakes including Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, and Mountain Island Lake offer numerous outdoor recreation opportunities from boating, water and jet skiing, to fishing. And while there are numerous lake front communities with direct access to these waters, there are also public access areas so everyone can enjoy them.

• We are avid golfers in this region.  I have counted at least 22 private golf clubs and over 30 which are available on a pay per day basis to the public. With our climate we are able to play almost 12 months out of the year.

• There are some great private tennis clubs here too, and numerous public courts throughout the area.

• The U.S. National Whitewater Center is not only a training center for international athletes, but it has rafting, kayaking, climbing and hiking available to the general public.

• Most days you’ll see runners on the roads getting in their runs.  For the serious runners we have several running clubs and races including the Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon which will be run in November 2011.

• Cycling is also popular in this part of the Carolinas, although we have a ways to go in providing bike lanes for more of our roads.  But there are numerous bike clubs and outings in our area, and many who get out on their bikes for casual recreation.

• And yes, we have Frisbee golf courses for those of you so inclined.

Our centralized location in the Piedmont portion of North Carolina also puts us in close proximity to many more outdoor activities.  How about a 2 hour drive to the N.C. High Country ski resorts?  And in the opposite direction, we are 3 hours away from the beaches and ocean.

If you relocate to the Charlotte area, we can keep you busy!

By DJ Stephan