Living an active life doesn’t always mean another trip to the gym, another walk around the neighborhood, or another afternoon on the greenway.
Sometimes it simply means trying something you’ve never done before.
Lake Norman offers plenty of opportunities to get moving while learning a new skill, meeting new people and maybe even discovering an activity you never expected to enjoy.
This week, Active Living Around the Lake takes us from the pickleball court to the water — and then straight up a climbing wall.
Why We Like It
Pickleball is active, social and relatively easy for a beginner to try. The Serve takes away some of the intimidation factor by providing an environment where experienced players and people picking up a paddle for the first time can both find a place to play.
What You’ll Experience
Expect plenty of activity. The Serve has 10 indoor and six outdoor pickleball courts, with open play, clinics, leagues and court reservations available. Beginner clinics concentrate on the basic shots and skills you’ll need to start playing with confidence.
And when the game is over, you don’t necessarily have to go home. The entire facility is built around combining recreation with a social experience.
Special Features
Beyond pickleball, The Serve includes Topgolf Swing Suite bays and several food and beverage options. No membership is required, making it particularly easy to turn your first pickleball experience into a casual outing with friends.
LKNConnect Tip
Never played? Start with a beginner clinic. You’ll learn the fundamentals alongside other newer players before jumping into a regular game.
The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen
20220 Chartown Drive, Cornelius
704-851-1800
Why We Like It
This one just feels like Lake Norman.
Thousands of us live around the lake, drive past it every day and spend time beside it. But how many of us have ever actually learned to sail?
Lake Norman Community Sailing gives beginners an opportunity to do exactly that without first having to own a sailboat.
What You’ll Experience
The Learn to Sail program introduces beginners to the fundamentals — understanding the wind, rigging the boat, steering, sail trim, basic knots, docking and the other skills needed to begin feeling comfortable on the water.
For someone interested in taking sailing further, Lake Norman Community Sailing also offers ASA 101 Basic Keelboat certification.
Special Features
Lake Norman Community Sailing operates from Blythe Landing and provides access to several types of sailboats through its programs and membership. Beyond formal instruction, there are opportunities for members to continue sailing, develop their skills and become part of the local sailing community.
LKNConnect Tip
Don’t worry about whether you’re a “boat person.” Start with Learn to Sail. Give yourself one day on the water before deciding whether sailing is something you’d like to pursue.
Lake Norman Community Sailing
Blythe Landing
15901 NC-73, Huntersville
704-947-7245
Why We Like It
Because this one is completely different.
Indoor climbing combines physical activity with balance, concentration and problem-solving. Instead of counting steps or repetitions, you’re looking at a wall and figuring out how you’re going to get from the bottom to the top.
And beginners are welcome.
What You’ll Experience
Cliff Hangers offers more than 20,000 square feet of climbing terrain with opportunities for different experience levels. You’ll find rope climbing, auto belays, bouldering and climbing walls reaching approximately 50 feet.
First-time visitors receive an orientation, and rental equipment is available, so you don’t have to arrive knowing the terminology or owning climbing gear.
Special Features
One of the standouts is the indoor 15-meter speed wall. Cliff Hangers also has dedicated bouldering space, a children’s climbing area, yoga and fitness options, and a café/lounge.
That means you can come simply to experience climbing for the first time or eventually turn it into a regular activity.
LKNConnect Tip
Tell the staff it’s your first time. Take the orientation, choose an easier beginner route and don’t worry about what anyone else is climbing.
Your first goal isn’t reaching the hardest route.
It’s getting on the wall.
Cliff Hangers
326 Oates Road, Mooresville
980-444-2650
Here’s our challenge for this week:
Do something you’ve never done before.
Pick up a pickleball paddle.
Learn how to catch the wind in a sail.
Put on a climbing harness and see how far you can go.
You don’t have to be great at it. You don’t even have to decide you’ll ever do it again.
Because sometimes Active Living isn’t about doing more of what you already know.
It’s about being willing to try something new.
LKNConnect.com — Your Daily Guide to Shopping, Dining & Living in Lake Norman.
