Once summer arrives in Annapolis, it’s time to hit the water to cool off, and one popular activity is kayaking. Start out by visiting Annapolis Canoe and Kayak, located at 311 Third Street in Eastport, just over the bridge from downtown Annapolis. At Annapolis Canoe and Kayak (ACAK), you can rent single and tandem kayaks by the hour, day or weekend. They also have sit-on-top kayaks, sea kayaks, light touring kayaks and stand-pp paddle boats to rent.
In addition to renting boats, ACAK sells a wide variety of accessories, books and DVDs, canoes, paddles, safety equipment and clothing. Make sure to stop by for their annual spring sale and Mother’s Day party every year. A wide variety of their products are on sale at the party. You can contact them at 410-263-2303 or online at www.annapoliscanoeandkayak.com.
Another local place to go for your kayaking needs is East of Maui, located at 2303 Forest Drive, Suite E, in the Riva Festival Shopping Center. Here you can rent single and tandem kayaks, stand-up paddles, and windsurfers. East of Maui has partnered with Ultimate Watersports to offer windsurfing lessons in Annapolis, Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. area. Ultimate Watersports is one of the oldest and largest certified windsurfing schools in the country. For more information, call East of Maui at 410-573-9463 or visit online at www.eastofmauiboardshop.com.
One of the best-known kayak rentals outfits in Annapolis is Amphibious Horizons Sea Kayaking, located in Quiet Waters Park, at 600 Quiet Waters Park Drive. They can be reached at: 410-267-8742 or online at www.akama.com. At Amphibious Horizons, you can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboats and go for a leisurely paddle on your own on take a lesson. They offer 28-day trips to different locations as well as family trips, camping execursions and trips to Bed & Breakfasts.
Of course, there are those of you who may want to build your own boat. If that’s the case, then Chesapeake Light Craft can meet your needs. This unique company sells kit boats for the amateur boatbuilder, as well as offering support and classes. Chesapeake Light Craft sells canoe kits, kayak kits, kits for the surf, boat plans, rowing craft kits and more. Don’t want to build a boat alone? Then enroll in one of their weeklong classes or weekend boatbuilding events. Okoumefest, an annual rendezvous of boat builders, is an opportunity to meet other local boatbuilders and compare your works of craftsmanship. Or, come to the monthly kayak demos this company offers on the 3rd Wednesday evening of each month, from April to October. You can contact Chesapeake Light Craft at 410-267-0137, or visit online at www.clcboats.com.
By Ruth Shock
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