Page 36 - Dockside Magazine Muskoka, Summer/Fall 2018

Calm before
Let the wMeekend fun begin
the storm
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW FEARMAN
Doing it right is more than just a matter of quantity. “You need toys and furniture that are built to last,” says Kim.”
Take the Aqua Lily Pad floating mat, for example. Since bursting on the scene a few years ago, these flexible floating mats have become a cottage staple.
There are a variety of carpets out there, however, there is
a difference in the quality
of the foam. Aqua Lily Pads are made with a patented cross-linked foam, designed for marine use. Other, less expensive pads are made with closed-cell foam, similar to that found in inexpensive pool noodles. After a summer or two outdoors, closed-cell foam will begin to absorb water and break down in the sun.
Aqua Lily Pads and Maui Mats are six feet wide and come in 12 and 18-foot lengths, capable of holding up to 1,300 pounds.
If you’ve really got a large group, check out the three- layer Bullfrog pads. These were originally designed for commercial use, like kids’ camps and water parks, but they’re also ideal for big families. The 20-foot Bullfrog can hold an amazing 1,800 pounds of weight, yet weighs only 44 pounds.
Swim like an otter
No cottage weekend is complete without a swim raft. That certainly seems to be the consensus among Indian River customers. “The Otter Island raft is hugely popular – we can barely keep them in stock!” says Erin Gallagher.
These eight-by-ten rafts are built with non-slip decking,
and have a retractable boarding ladder for ease of access. It’s not wood and not inflatable: it’s just maintenance-free fun. They sit high in the water, so sunbathers aren’t soaked every time a boat cruises past.
The height also makes them easier for passing boaters
to spot; reflectors on all corners ensure they’re also visible at night.
idweek at the “The kids, their friends, your cottage, and all sister, her kids, grandkids,
is calm. Even in nieces, nephews, the puppies...
mid-summer, the lake can be surprisingly quiet on a Wednesday afternoon.
But brace yourself: Friday is coming!
“Weekends at the cottage are when the excitement happens,” says Kim Arnett, manager of Indian
River Trading Company.
it can be a wonderful and chaotic experience.”
The key to enjoying the chaos is to get everything in order before the crowd arrives. More than just stocking up on food and beverages, it also means ensuring you have all the essentials, with plenty of seating for everyone.