When it comes to fun things to do at Smith Mountain Lake, it’s hard to beat the appeal of tubes, water carpets and other water toys.

But what if you’re just visiting SML and don’t really want to invest in one of these fun-in-the-sun products?

You and your family are crazy excited about your vacation to Smith Mountain Lake – especially the kiddos.

Of course, the little ones can’t wait to get on the water to try out a variety of water sports, but you’re a bit hesitant. What if they can’t get up? What if frustration takes over and the outing ends in tears?

You want all of your Smith Mountain Lake boating excursions to be safe, right?

Of course you do!

Sometimes — just sometimes, maybe — when little sisters listen to their big brothers, there’s a real benefit. Ask Larissa Koefer. She’ll tell you all about how big brother Joseph led her to her job at Bridgewater Marina, a job she loves.

Joseph, who is 21 now, started at the Marina five years ago and has never made a secret of how much he likes it. So, when Larissa came of age two years ago, she talked to him about the marina, was impressed and applied for a job. She’s in her second summer now and Joseph is still there this summer, running the boat shop at Smith Mountain Lake State Park for Bridgewater Marina.