Water shuttle service starts

Faced with a cut in funding from the state of California and recognizing a need for waterborne transit on Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Divers Conservancy decided to offer water shuttle service to cover the expenses of its organization.

The “Blue Warrior” with a capacity for 20 people started its waterborne shuttle service on June 1, ferrying passengers from Tahoe City to the East Shore and back.

After a cut in funding in 2009, the group needed a $20,000 loan to maintain its operations, said Capt. Mechele Duhamel, who manages the shuttle. But, with the cost of buoys, fuel, insurance and other expenses, that was quickly eaten up. The group’s solution – provide a water shuttle that would cover its costs, pay back its loan and build a reserve.

“It seems to make sense,” Duhamel says. “The divers use the boat to do cleanup work and we thought we could make money off it.”

The shuttle service will be offered depending on demand, with a minimum of five passengers needed to run. Duhamel says passengers will need to call ahead to make reservations to ensure the shuttle is running, but that the group expects to operate Tuesday to Sunday by July.

“We’ll see how much people want it,” she said.

The shuttle will run starting at the Groove Street Pier in Tahoe City at 9:30 a.m. and make stops in Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Hidden Beach and Sand Harbor, with return stops in the afternoon. A complete schedule is available online.

Prices vary depending on the trip from $50 per person for a 3.5-hour tour aboard the boat. Or, if you want a ride to and from parts of the North and East Shores, fees range from $25 to $35 per person. Passengers will be picked up/dropped off by dingy at several locations or at public piers and are welcome to bring picnic baskets and coolers if they want to spend the day on the beach. Duhamel says they’ll even tow your kayak, if you want a ride down the East Shore and to kayak back on your own.

The shuttle’s proceeds will be used to fund the Tahoe Divers Conservancy efforts to eradicate curlyleaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil that’s infested Emerald Bay and parts of South Lake Tahoe. The divers use UV tarps to cover the invasive plants on the lake bottom; depriving them of sunlight kills the plants. All of the work by the Divers Conservancy, including operating the shuttle, is done by volunteers.

As well, the Divers Conservancy has a 10-year lease at Patton Beach in Carnelian Bay to operate the Blue Warrior Café.

For more information on the Divers Conservancy, visit www.alpengroup.org/tahoe-divers-conservancy. For more information on the shuttle or to purchase a ticket, visit www.getontahoe.com. Private charter service also is available.

Fuel leak cleanup

A tanker truck carrying diesel fuel overturned on eastbound Interstate 80 near Donner Summit around 6 p.m. on May 26 in icy road conditions. The tanker is estimated to have spilled about 2,500 gallons of fuel, with some fuel making it to Summit Creek at the western mouth of Donner Lake.

Emergency clean-up crews used booms, skimmers, absorbent pads and other methods to clean the spill, but the long-time environmental impacts were unknown. None of the local drinking water supplies are threatened by the spill. For the latest information, visit www.sierrasun.com

Sailing classes

Truckee Donner Parks & Rec will be offering sailing classes for adults, families and children starting in June at Donner Lake. Sailing Camps for ages 8 to 17 will be offered in four-day sessions starting June 28 and running through Aug. 16, with sailing classes for adults and families running in July and August.

As well, sailing race clinics will be offered for all ages in July to correspond with the Wednesday Night Race Series open to everyone from June 30 to Aug. 18. All of the classes are offered on Donner Lake. To register or for more information, call (530) 582-7720.

Tahoe City Parks & Rec also offers sailing classes for adults, children and women on the North and West shores. Youth Sailing classes for ages 8 to 17 will be offered from June 21 to Aug. 16, with Youth Racing Clinics in July and a Junior Race Clinic on June 25. A Monday Night Advanced Race Team for 8- to 17-year-olds runs from June 28 to Aug. 16 on Mondays.

Adult sailing classes are offered in July, along with a Women’s Sailing course on July 9 and 23. To register or for more information, call (530) 583-3440, ext. 10.

Outrigger Canoeing

Experience the sport of outrigger canoe paddling on Donner Lake in a six-class session from June 5 to July 10. The class also is available for drop-ins, if space permits.

Learn the history of the Hawaiian outriggers, technique and team dynamics. Open to ages 16 and older. Register by calling (530) 582-7720.

Coon Street launch closed

North Tahoe Public Utility District recently announced that the Coon Street boat launch will be closed again this season due to low Lake levels.

The Tahoe Vista Recreation Area boat launch, however, will be open this season. A schedule will be announced soon. Visit www.ntpud.org.

Opening Day on the Lake

Memorial Day marks the kick off of the summer season in Tahoe, and the West Shore Association hosts a weekend full of events to commemorate the start of the boating season with Opening Day on the Lake from May 27 to 31.

This five-day extravaganza features everything from barbecues and deck opening parties to museum and historic site tours, open houses and the much-anticipated Sea Plane Splash In, an event enjoyed from the beach or on your boat. For details, visit www.tahoewestshoreassoc.com.

May 27: Tonight features the kick off of the Tahoe Maritime Museum’s lecture series featuring a presentation on sea planes and the significance on Lake Tahoe history with Lou Reinkens and fellow aviation enthusiasts at 5 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults and free for children under 12. Call (530) 525-9253.

May 28: The day kicks off with the annual West Shore Clean up from 8 a.m. to noon starting from the Homewood North Lodge, followed by a Deck Opening Party at Sunnyside Resort from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a live band and raffle from 2 to 6 p.m. Chamber’s Landing hosts its annual Pier Opening Party from 5 p.m. to closing. Both restaurants offer options to pull your boat up for a bite to eat or a drink, with limited space at Sunnyside.

May 29-31: Tahoma Meadows Bed & Breakfast hosts a reservation-only breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. each day. Call (530) 525-1553.

Everyone can enjoy tours of the Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at Vikingsholm Castle at Emerald Bay State Park from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. JMA/Homewood Mountain Resort hosts an Open House at the Preview Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. And, the Tahoe Maritime Museum hosts a guided tour at 2 p.m. free with admission for $5 or free for members and kids under 12 on Saturday and Sunday.

Obexer’s General Store hosts a Grand Opening Barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and the Bridgetender hosts its Patio Opening Party at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

May 30: Sunnyside starts the day with a Standup Paddleboard Relay Race at 9 a.m. to benefit Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships. Register at 8 a.m. for $25 per person or $10 for kids under 12.

Swiss Lakewood hosts a Wine Dinner featuring wines from John and Lane Giguiere from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Call (530) 525-5211 for reservations.

May 31: The Pre Splash-In Breakfast is from 7 to 10 a.m. at Obexer’s General Store, followed by a reservation-only breakfast at Tahoma Meadows B&B from 8 to 10 a.m. Call (530) 525-1553. Rideout Community Center hosts an Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be a free Standup Paddleboarding demo from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Obexer’s Marina, with the Mike Brown Seaplane Splash-In from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the Fly-In Barbecue at Obexer’s General Store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fly By Finale is from 1 to 1:30 p.m. from Obexer’s.

TRPA boat inspections

The brilliant blue waters with amazing clarity are what draw boaters, kayakers and other water enthusiasts to Lake Tahoe. But, it takes all of use to keep these beautiful waters safe from invasive species.

Hence, the TRPA’s mandatory inspections of quagga and zebra mussels for all vessels – including kayaks – into the Lake. This year, the inspection program has been combined with the Blue Boating certification program. Kayakers aren’t required to have Blue Boating certification.

The invasive quagga and zebra species are miniscule, but can wreak havoc on the Lake if they are introduced. These mussels, which are hitching rides on boats and trailers and in ballast tanks, bladders and live wells, are spreading across the West. Quagga and zebra mussels will spread rapidly once they are introduced to a lake and will gorge on the food supply, kill fish and pollute the clarity of the lake. They also will clog cooling system water intakes, causing motors to overheat.

TRPA charges a single annual fee for the invasive species inspections and Blue Boating certification, which are available at all launch sites. TRPA also will be offering four roadside inspection stations opening Memorial Day weekend: Alpine Meadow Ski Resort; Northstar-at-Tahoe in the Castle Peak parking lot; 2128 Keetak St. in Meyers at the intersection of Highways 89 and 50; and Spooner Summit at the intersections of Highways 28 and 50 (boats less than 26’ only). The stations are open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the summer.

TRPA offers a sticker for Tahoe-only vessels and one for vessels that use other waters during the year – the Tahoe In & Out Sticker. These fees are based on engine horsepower.

The Tahoe Only sticker ranges from $20 for a vessel with 1 to 100 horsepower up to $60 for more than 1,001 horsepower.

The Tahoe In & Out sticker has a fee system based on vessel length or type (including personal watercraft) for the invasive species inspection and on horsepower. For example, a 16’ to 25’ boat with 1 to 100 horsepower would pay $55, while the same size boat with 501 to 1,000 horsepower would be $85. The complete fee structures are available online. The fee includes unlimited invasive species inspections for the year. As well, a three-day pass is available for a flat $20 discount.

It’s a lot of information to digest, so I’ll devote a separate column later in the season to the Blue Boating program and the need for such inspections. In the meantime, call the TRPA hotline at (888) 824-6267 or visit www.protecttahoe.org.

Kayak classes

Truckee Donner Parks & Rec will be offering beginner kayak classes, along with guided paddles on Donner Lake this summer.

Beginner kayak classes will be offered on select Fridays from May through August, with the first class on May 28 at West End Beach. The class covers all of the basics including rescue procedures. There will be Learn to Kayak classes for adults 50 and older on select Wednesdays from May to August, with the first class on May 27.

All ages are welcome on the Kayak Family Fun Paddles days on select Saturdays from May to August, and Moonlight Paddles open to ages 5 and older from May to August. See Events for upcoming dates for these paddles or call (530) 582-7720.

Spring Paddlefest

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Association hosts its Third Annual Spring Paddle on May 22 for a day of discovery, science and stewardship at Sand Harbor State Park. Includes guided paddle at 9:30 a.m. and lunch at Sand Harbor at noon.

Reservations are required and space is limited. The cost is $30 per person and $25 for association members. Life vests are required and all boats will have an invasive species inspection free of charge. Registration closes May 20. For more information, call (530) 579-2525 or visit www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

Boating, kayak safety classes

North Tahoe Coast Auxiliary, www.northtahoecaux.com, will offering boating and kayak safety classes this summer.

A Kayak Safety classes will be offered in Tahoe City on May 22, covering an introduction to kayaking, selecting a life jacket and protective clothing, recommended safety equipment, cold water hazards and more. It also will be offered Oct. 16. To register, call Jerry Gilmore at (530) 587-3323.

The About Boating Safely class will be offered on June 5 at the Truckee Community Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This one-day class covers an introduction to boating, boating laws, safety equipment, navigation, boat handling, knots, handling emergencies and more. The cost is $40 and includes materials. To register, call the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Parks District at (530) 582-7720.

Vessel Safety Checks

The North Tahoe Coast Auxiliary, www.northtahoecguax.com, offers free Vessel Safety Checks, confirming that boats meet federal and state requirements for safety.

No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the vessel has passed the examination. When the Coast Guard sees the decal displayed on the vessel they know that the vessel is in compliance.

Vessel Safety Checks are scheduled for May 29 at Meeks Bay and June 26 at Ski Beach in South Lake Tahoe and Lake Forest Beach east of Tahoe City. Free checks also are available by appointment at homes, boat ramp or other North Tahoe locations by calling Bill Stolz at (775) 762-2257 or e-mailing billstolz@hotmail.com.

Kayak classes offered

Truckee Donner Parks & Rec will be offering beginner kayak classes, along with guided paddles on Donner Lake this summer.

Beginner Kayak classes will be offered on select Fridays from May through August, with the first class on May 28, at West End Beach. The class covers all of the basics including rescue procedures. There will be Learn to Kayak classes for adults 50 and older on select Wednesdays from May to August, with the first class on May 27.

All ages are welcome on the Kayak Family Fun Paddles days on Donner Lake on select Saturdays from May to August, and Moonlight Paddles open to ages 5 and older during full moons from May to August. For more information or to register, call (530) 582-7720.

Maritime Lecture Series

Tahoe Maritime Museum kicks off its summer lecture series on May 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a presentation on sea planes and their significance in Lake Tahoe history presented by Lou Reinkens and fellow aviation enthusiasts.

The eight-part series runs through September with admission $8 for adults and free to children 12 and under. For details, call (530) 525-9523 or visit www.tahoemaritime.org

Thunderbird Lodge Open House

The Thunderbird Lodge hosts an Open House on May 15 in celebration of Nevada Historic Preservation Month at 10 a.m. with guided tours to benefits the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society.

Cookies and light refreshments will be served, and no children under 6 are permitted. The cost is $20 per person and there is limited space.

Reservations may be made by calling (775) 832-8752 or visiting www.thunderbirdlodge.org. The Lodge opens for its regular schedule in June.