The sun was shining on the glasslike surface of Beltzville State Park's lake Thursday afternoon as Department of Conservation and Natural Resource's Park Ranger Cindy Kurtek instructed a group of would-be kayakers on safety measures before taking the 4-mile long paddle to the Pohopoco Cove located just off the Preachers Camp boat launch.

Beltzville State Park is home to a 949-acreengineered lake where a variety of wildlife and vegetation can be discovered."We offer promotions like this so people get to see a side of the park they wouldn't normally," she said of the free guided water tour."We're very proud of the lake," she said.Kurtek lead both small and large groups all season long around the large body of water, armed with wildlife guides and safety information."You should dress for the water. In the cooler seasons like fall hypothermia is a real concern."She explained the techniques most commonly used to navigate the boat through the water. She demonstrated both on land and in water how to paddle both forward and backward and the importance of the foot pedals in the boat."A lot of people think it's an upper body workout, but really you use your feet and your core," she said.Kurtek also told paddlers to not "death grip" the bar as they pulled themselves through the lake."Just a loose grip is fine. You want to hold the paddle over your head and create a 90-degree angle with your arms to get the best placement for your hands. Then once the paddle is in the water you use your core and obliques to pull yourself along," she told the group of four.Once paddlers were settled into their DCNR provide life vests and boats the group followed Kurtek and her co-worker Ethan Snyder, a DCNR park rangeracross the lake."It gets people outside," Snyder said of the free program. "The DCNR is pushing for people to get outside. A lot of people don't know this program is here."Cardinal flowers, yellow pond lilies splashed color on the calm surface as the sun made its way deeper into the horizon. Painted turtles and green and blue herons rings delighted the group during the three-hour journey."I loved it," said first-time paddler and Lehighton resident Chrissy Moser."The instructors were knowledgeable. I would go again. It's very relaxing," she said.Moser's wife Sheila agreed."It's peaceful. The cove is my favorite location," Moser said.Kerry Meixel traveled from Bath to take part in the serene afternoon."I knew the afternoon would be beautiful. To go like we did for free and be out that long it was nice. I snuck away and left my wife a note before I came out," he said."Cindy had a lot of information and I appreciated that," Meixel said."We had a lot of fun coming out here this summer," Snyder said."For some it was the first time they'd been kayaking and then they came back over the last few weeks."According to Kurtek many DCNR programs are run under the radar because people are just unaware of the events."We have 121 state parks and all have programs. DCNR gets wonderful experts for the programs," she said. "I really stress going to the website and check the calendars for the events. A lot of programs are free," she said.For more information on upcoming events, visit

events.dcnr.pa.gov.