however the lake isn't just for sporting - food and drinks are offered in kiosks on either side of the lake and are often accompanied by live music.

indigenous brazilians called the area sacopenapã meaning 'way or flapping of the socó / herons birds.'  

dating back to the 16th century, lagoa began as the center of a sugarcane plantation called engenho d'el rei.

the royal gunpowder factory was installed in the area after emperor dom jão xvi claimed the area in 1808.