Marine Ranger at Elephant Butte Lake State Park during annual balloon regatta. Courtesy/EMNRD
EMNRD News:
SANTA FE — As spring approaches and New Mexicans begin planning time on the water, New Mexico State Parks is encouraging boaters to take advantage of free boating safety courses offered statewide.
Boating is one of the most popular outdoor activities in New Mexico. From paddling across quiet coves to waterskiing, tubing and operating personal watercraft, the state’s lakes provide opportunities for recreation, relaxation and adventure.
But safe boating requires preparation.
“New Mexico’s lakes offer incredible experiences for families and visitors, but boating safety must always come first,” said Boating Safety Coordinator Scott Chalmers. “Our courses help boaters understand the rules of the water, prepare for changing conditions and make responsible decisions that keep everyone safe.”
While New Mexico is often perceived as a desert state, its lakes provide hundreds of miles of shoreline and diverse boating environments—from the pine-covered mesas surrounding Navajo Lake to the sandy beaches of Elephant Butte Lake.
Despite persistent statewide drought conditions, several lakes—including Conchas, Ute, and Storrie—are showing improved water levels heading into the recreation season. All State Parks remain popular destinations for boating, fishing, and paddling. Site reservations are available up to six months in advance at newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Boating accidents can occur when operators are inexperienced, unprepared or take unnecessary risks. Sudden weather changes and cold-water conditions can also create dangerous situations for boaters throughout the year.
To help reduce accidents and promote safe recreation, New Mexico State Parks offers the Boat New Mexico Course, a NASBLA-approved boating safety class available in communities across the state. Courses are free in both English and Spanish, and cover navigation rules, safety equipment and responsible boating practices.
Upcoming classes include:
- March 28 – Roswell Public Library, Roswell
- April 4 – Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, Carlsbad
- April 4 – Abiquiú Lake, Abiquiú
- April 11 – Conchas Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Conchas Lake
- April 18 – Navajo Lake State Park, Navajo Dam
- May 16 – Rio Grande Nature Center, Albuquerque
Additional courses will continue throughout the year at locations across New Mexico.
More details are available at https://wwwapps.emnrd.nm.gov/SPD/BoatingSafetyStudent/
Paddle boarders at Navajo Lake. Courtesy/EMNRD