The ultimate boating lifestyle in California’s water-sports wonderland
With 1,000 miles of waterways that include channels going in each direction, the California Delta is one of the world’s top spots for water-skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and other fast-action sports. Just ask barefootskiing world-record holder Michael Temby, who was born and raised in this water-sports wonderland.
“Life on the Delta is wildly watercentric,” Temby says. “The oldschool water-skiers go out early, when there’s no boat traffic and the water is like glass. But the Delta is made up of a lot of water-sports people ... and people who just enjoy living a life close to the water.”
Temby is one of several top water-sports athletes from the Delta region, a list that also includes Scott Pellaton (co-holder of the world record for barefoot speed skiing) and water-ski Hall of Famer Mike Avila. This proud tradition is a defining element at Delta Coves, a new private club community where the “old school” and the next generation of watersports champions will both feel right at home.
Set on a private lagoon and marina on Bethel lsland, Delta Coves will be home to 500 waterfront residences, each with a private boat dock — and all within just minutes of the area’s famed fast water. Whereas most communities require a long commute to reach the skiing sloughs, Delta Coves offers the equivalent of a backstage pass to the action. Early risers can get out on the still water for a morning of skiing, wakeboarding or wakesurfing, and still have time to get to the office. On weekends, those same enthusiasts can come back home for breakfast after a morning session — then go right back out again until lunch.
The Delta, however, isn’t just about going fast. Its waterways are equally conducive to a quiet jaunt in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, or a leisurely cruise to take in the region’s natural beauty. The coves and channels near Delta Coves are also prime territory for fishing, with a range of species luring anglers year-round. In fact, the Delta is considered one of the top five bassfishing destinations in the United States, and its annual Rio Vista Bass Derby & Festival, a three-day celebration held each October, is the oldest such tournament on the West Coast.
The area around Delta Coves is also a hot spot for catfish, sturgeon, salmon, shad and other species. The community’s proximity to good fishing holes means that residents can get an early jump on other anglers — and get to know the best spots like only a local can.
Delta Coves residents can even fish — and swim — off their own private docks. The community’s lagoon stretches throughout the development, offering a tranquil place to drop a line, take a swim or go for a paddle. The protected harbor is also a perfect place to learn early boating and floating skills — all just right out your back door.
That back door is the key to the waterbased lifestyle at Delta Coves. With a spacious back deck and private dock, each house in the community is a gateway to the great California waterway, where sports, leisure, education, friendship and nature all combine.
Visit the website at www.deltacoves.com.