Mac Paddle Shack offers nautical outings
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue facility offers patrons watercraft lessons and rentals
A new paddling centre on the waterfront in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue will make it easier for those without boats to enjoy spending time on Lac St-Louis.
The new Mac Paddle Shack, which opened this month on McGill University’s Macdonald campus on Lakeshore Road, will offer hourly kayak, canoe and standup paddle (SUP) board rentals, as well as paddling lessons, SUP yoga and group excursions.
Built out of repurposed shipping containers, the shack houses boats, a rental kiosk and lockers.
Various accessories are also available for paddlers to rent, including wetsuits, dry bags for phones and other gear.
With the opening of the paddle shack, McGill becomes the only Canadian university with a boat house on campus.
Jill Barker, McGill’s assistant director of athletics and recreation, says the waterfront campus is in an ideal spot for water sports.
“It’s really beautifully calm. The shoreline is just gorgeous,” Barker said.
“We see a lot of wildlife and it’s very easy to paddle.”
A “safe zone” in front of the paddle shack marked with buoys will provide a sheltered area in sight of the rental kiosk for beginners to practise paddling.
While no lifeguards are on duty, the marked zone will provide new paddlers with some peace of mind while they get used to the boats.
A paddling proficiency test is required before paddlers will be allowed to take rentals beyond the buoys. Discounted rental rates are available for McGill students, but the paddle shack is open to the wider community, including families with children.
Small life jackets are on hand to accommodate children as young as three, and two double kayaks are available for parents paddling with kids.
Teens over the age of 15 are welcome to paddle in their own boats.
By offering lessons, social events and fun rental options such as waterproof speakers and a unique 15-foot “party SUP,” the paddle shack aims to appeal to paddling newbies as well as experienced kayakers and canoeists.
Barker said the party SUP is easy to use and is a bit like a floating dock.
“It’s not intimidating,” she said. “It’s really supposed to be for a gang of friends to come, get out on the water and have a few laughs.”
Barker said the current setup is just phase one for the paddle shack.
By next year, she hopes to add a floating dock to launch the boats, as well as a deck and an extension to the roof.
“It’s a great thing for the West Island, on a beautiful piece of property and a beautiful waterfront,” she said.
The Mac Paddle Shack is open during the summer from 9 a.m. until dusk on weekdays and weekends.
Rental equipment can be reserved online or via the McGill Rec app, available from the Apple or Google Play App Stores.
It’s really beautifully calm. The shoreline is just gorgeous.