I will attempt through pics to take you on a ride around the lazy river of SAB...
The lazy river must be so called because there are jets that WILL propel you around this snake like area of SAB...but they aren't like whirlpool jets...the are more LAZY than that
...the water is DEEP...up to 8' in places...with the shallowest areas at 4.5' in the places where the river flows under pedestrian bridges...there are times where you are closest to the jets when you really need some strength and skill to get over to those stairs! LOL! So beware if you have younger, more inexperienced swimmers. The river is roped off, so you consiously enter into it from the pool itself...or step down into it from stairs...
If you were looking at an aereal view of SAB, you would see that the lazy river is surrounded by the kiddie pool on the closer to YC side...Hurricane Hannah's on the lake side...swimming and volleyball area on the closer to BC side...and fun little inlets and swimming areas on the YC/BC common area side...let's try to get our bearings shall we?
Here is the aforementioned kiddie pool area...notice the hot tub in this area...the sand bar in the kiddie pool...there's the fun little "cove" that I mentioned before...the pool access stairs immediately below the hot tub in this pic drop down into the lazy river...
If we continue in the direction of the flow of the river...we will pass by Hurricane Hannah's first...the sign is difficult to read...the patio tables with umbrellas are the seating area for that CS...notice the tubes...just lying around...
Review note...at this time of day, many had abandoned their earlier tube rentals...and the life guards on duty said that they were fair game...if they were unoccupied and you could get one...then have at it! And enjoy! These tubes were WAY to big for DS6...his little rearend couldn't really touch the water when he was trying to float in one in a lounging style...FYI...
The river floats around...goes under this bridge...this view is looking back at the Hurricane Hannah section...use the life guard umbrella for reference...
standing in the same spot looking downstream...
And here are those two bridges in context...notice the rope, separating the lazy river from one of the inlets on the common area side...
And this pic brings us back around...you can just see the second bridge on the far right...and these pool access stairs are the ones that are near that hot tub and kiddie pool area stairs from the first pic...see the sand bar?
So, the lazy river is a loop around that goes under two bridges...it's quite a bit of fun actually...it was handy that we packed DS's noodle...yes, we DID pack it...and it fit in our carry on luggage btw...because DS swims much better with it...and he doesn't hang on DH and I as much either when he has it!
The noodle was perfect for the river...
Based on other posts, we had packed 36" clear tubes that we could have used in the lazy river...however...we found that it was quite enjoyable to just swim around...we captured some abandoned tubes...and we never blew ours up...
Evening swimming at SAB is FANTASTIC...the pool is generally shaded...no more worries of sunscreen...many have gone on to their park touring plans...so there are lounge chairs a-PLENTY...the air is warm...the pool is fairly warm as well...not bath water...but NO getting used to it...and quite comfortable to just LAZE around...you don't have to be constantly moving because you get a little cool if you don't...it is so relaxing...as the sun goes down...and before the bright lights turn on...soooo nice...
FYI...these pics were taken in August...around 6:00 pm give or take...
