USE WATERWAYS AS AN URBAN RETREAT WATERSKIING, WINDSURFING, BUILDING, DISPLAYING HOMEMADE KAYAKS A FEW OPTIONS.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

If only boating to work were an option in gridlocked Los Angeles.

Southern California's waterways are enjoyable through a number of different means. An informative guide to discover where to go and how to navigate the water is www.laboating.com.

The site offers endless links to specialty Web sites. Click on waterskiing and up pops local sites such as the one for Cutting Edge Waterski School (waterski-school.com). The Orange County-based operation teaches all levels and provides skis, wet suits and life vests in the classes.

The windsurfing links include Captain Kirk's Windsurfing (www.captainkirks.com). You probably won't come across William Shatner, but the outfitter who offers excursions to both Baja and Cabrillo Beach has the Trekkie-inspired motto ``Shred Long and Prosper.''

Another link takes you to the Los Angeles Rowing Club (www.larowing.com), which gets together on weekends in Marina del Rey.

--Building the perfect boat: Much as a car club would line up a fleet of 1966 Mustangs or '57 Chevys, the Kayak Builders of Southern California like to show off their beauties as well.

A group of homemade kayaks was on display in Newport Beach last year. Take a look at the club's site (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bt reecs/) and marvel at the detail and imagination put into the boats.

The club describes itself as a ``loosely organized bunch of kayakers around Southern California with a common interest in building our own kayaks.''

--Bass bonanza: Southern California's freshwater bass fishing opportunities abound. For proof, log onto Southern California Bass Fishing's Web site (www.scbf.cc) and click on the ``Fishy Photos'' icon.

There are pictures of Southland anglers displaying trophy largemouths, topped by a 12-pound, 12-ounce bass landed at Lake Perris in Riverside County.

The site features fishing reports from all the area's marquee bass holes, including nearby Castaic Lake.

--Quick hits: The Southern California Mountaineers Association (http:/rockclimbing.org) is a good outlet for beginning climbers. The SCMA offers a basic rock climbing and safety-skills course each winter. . . .

For sale on www.troutworld.com, an R.L. Winston No. 4 Bamboo fly rod. The price? A mere $2,100. Don't get out the credit card just yet. The item is currently out of stock.

The U.S. National Forest Campground Guide (www.gorp.com/dow/) is a must if you can't decide where to go. Through July, the site's authors had visited 100 National Forests and surveyed 1,224 campgrounds nationwide. . . .

Outdoor activity doesn't have to involve climbing a mountain or leaping off one while attached to a bungee cord. The mission of the American Volkssport Association (www.ava.orgclubs/avaclub.htm) is to promote ``health, fun and fellowship through noncompetitive walking and other sporting events for everyone.''. . .

The World of Hunting Exposition is scheduled from Feb. 2-4, 2001 in Orlando, Fla. For information, go to www.worldofhunting.com.