After an afternoon boating expedition on Paradise Cove at Castaic Lake, I realized that speeding along the water is one of the most relaxing past times - especially accompanied by three handsome Castaic regulars.

Johnie MacDonald, Eric Stroh and Tom Wallerstein showed me an aspect of the lake I would have completely overlooked on any other day. The trio visits Santa Clarita's local natural wonder about three times a week, wakeboards in hand and gassed-up boat in tow. On this particular day in July, the temperature was mild, the sunset gorgeous and the view behind the boat - breathtaking.

Eric Stroh

As each gent took his turn jumping the boat's wake on a new-fangled version of a surf board, I found it difficult not to compare them to skilled gymnasts. While each had his own style, they shared one common trait - they all managed to perform amazing stunts, twists, flips and turns while soaring 10 feet or more in the air over the glass-like surface of the lake.

All of this is sportsmanship was phenomenal preparation for Castaic Lake's annual Wake Fest tournament's cumulating event on August 28. The tournament features wakeboard competitions grueling enough to get you on the edge of your seat in suspense. The competition kicked off on May 15, reconvened on July 10 and will bid adieu to summer on August 28. And it's going to go out with a bang. Make sure you catch the last current for a day of family fun featuring a barbeque, rock climbing, free-style motocross and booths with all kinds of goodies. The events start early, so be prepared for a long day filled with excitement. For more information on Wake Fest, call 260-3138.

Johnie MacDonald

You don't have to have a boat or be an extreme water sport pro to get in on the Castaic Lake action. A picnic basket, a towel and sunscreen are the only tools you need to enjoy a full day. The water is of a perfect temperature - cool enough to refresh and warm enough to bear (unlike the Pacific's freeze factor). There is ample place to park, play and sunbathe. Don't pass up an opportunity to get out into nature without fighting the freeway - go for a swim, take a boat ride or park it on the sand for a romantic evening (incredible sunset already included).

Recreational visitors aren't the lake's only clientele. Kelly Steele, director of Voyageur Camp for the City of Santa Clarita, does not have enough good things to say about what she considers the perfect playground: "As a director for a camp catered to keeping middle-school aged teens amused and entertained for an entire

Tom Wallerstein

summer, I always make sure we have a trip planned to Castaic Lake. We spend an entire day there and the kids absolutely love it. They swim, play cards in the shade and kayak and wind surf with the instruction of some Cal State Northridge students. Sunscreen is definitely a must and a packed lunch is imperative to ensure a good time."

A group appropriately named Friends of Castaic Lake is striving to make sure that the lake's appeal does not go unnoticed to the emerging electronically-inclined youth like myself. They are a nonprofit organization of dedicated volunteers who actively promote the benefits of preserving and having access to one of the County of Los Angeles' largest regional park. By organizing special events and fundraising programs, they maintain the lake's gorgeous landscape and extensive amount of activities offered. Boat races, tubing derbies, fishing contests and much more are just some of the projects the FOCL has executed in order to attract both locals and out-of-towners.