Stand-up paddleboards hot canal rentals
Staff at the Welland Canoe Rental Program were kept on their toes Saturday afternoon as people had almost every stand-up paddleboard, canoe, kayak and pedal boat out on the waters of the Welland Recreational Canal.
The program operates out of the centre bay at the PenFinancial Credit Union Flatwater Community Centre north of Thorold Road, from the May long weekend until about mid-September, depending on weather, says Cassandra Magazzeni, Welland’s arts and culture co-ordinator.
She says while May and September rentals are weekends only, the program runs seven days a week in the months of July and August.
“This is definitely our busiest time, with kids out of school and people taking holidays. Weekdays we are open at 11 a.m. and weekends at 10 a.m. Last boats go out at 6 p.m. daily.”
Magazzeni says this year the rental program has a 13 and under free policy whereby children can rent one boat for one hour a day for free.
Also new this year is the EconoPass, a 15-visit punch card sold for $90. One punch equals one boat for one hour.
“We have a large inventory of pedal boats, single kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes and the most popular item, standup paddleboards. SUP boarding is definitely the most popular activity at the rental centre and we have boards for kids. We are constantly increasing inventory to better serve our clients.”
Magazzeni says the rental program is suitable for all ages.
“With the cooler, rainy weather we’ve been experiencing this summer, we haven’t been as busy as in previous seasons. We’re hoping for a warm, sunny August to make the most out of our water program.”
More information can be found at www.welland.ca/localattractions/ BoatRentals.asp#image-1 and www.facebook.com/wellandcanoerentals. Weather updates are posted on the Facebook page.