Meet Janice Reynen: Kayaker, paddle boarder and Wyckoff area resident

WYCKOFF, N.J. — Janice Reynen is eager to share how much she enjoys being in or on the water.

“I am a water bug,” laughs Janice.

She plunged into the water during family vacations as well as high school and college swim teams.

“I spent my summers on Lake George,” said Janice.”Some children played in their yard but the lake was where we enjoyed playing.”

Her aquatic activities included floating on rafts, canoeing and sailing.

“I can remember the fun we had swamping a canoe,”says Janice. 

Janice shares her love of water activities with her husband Chris and their sons Andy and Matt.

About 15 years ago, the family purchased two kayaks.

“We have enjoyed hours on the Ramapo River, Lake George, Monksville Reservoir and at the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve,” said Janice.

One memorable kayak trip took place at the Monksville Reservoir in West Milford.

“It was a guided nighttime trip and we were required to wear headlamps,” said Janice. “It was really cool.”

The family uses the Strava app to track their kayaking distances.

It was the lure of a discount coupon that resulted in Janice’s new favorite activity…paddle boarding.

“My husband Chris did a return at LL Bean and he was handed a 30 percent off coupon,” said Janice. “On display was a paddle board and he asked if the coupon applied to that item.”

Chris arrived home with a paddle board  only to be asked by Janice “where’s mine?”

“He went back to the store and bought one for me,” said Janice.

The proud owners of two paddle boards, the couple enjoy the serenity of paddling on a lake.

“I happen to have good balance which real helps with paddle boarding,” explains Janice.

Janice and Chris enjoy the ease of paddle boarding at the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve.

“It’s 10 minutes from home and it affords us the opportunity to get on the water,” said Janice. “We typically spend about an hour on the water.” 

When Janice thinks about the differences in kayaking or paddle boarding it comes down to the perspective of the water.

“The angle is different on a paddle board and you can see down into the water when it is calm and clear,” said Janice. “One time, I noticed something white in the water, which turned out to be the claws of a snapping turtle.” 

While Janice finds both kayaking and paddle boarding as “beneficial for her mind and body” she doesn’t neglect water safety.

“I wear a personal floatation device when I kayak or paddle board,” said Janice. “It is common sense. You can quickly get hurt in the water and if you participate in water sports you should wear a PFD.”

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