How to Get On the Water: Sailing, Kayaking and SUP

Two people are preparing to Get On the Water at a marina on a sunny day. One stands holding a paddle while the other kneels on a dock, adjusting a paddleboard. The background displays boats docked in the water and shoreline buildings.

Surrounded as we are by the ocean and bay here in Marin, it’s no wonder sailing, kayaking and now stand-up paddle boarding are so popular. For those who don’t have their own equipment (or a place to store it), we have plenty of businesses ready to cater to your needs –– in fact, many allow you to just show up and get on the water.


 

 

How they Got Afloat

Dial a Dock

101 Surf Sports, San Rafael

For me, the valet service at 101 Surf Sports is the difference between paddling and not paddling. I don’t have to lug or load my board from home to work to the water. I simply call them a few minutes before I arrive and they have my (stored) board ready to go when I get there. When I finish my paddle, they even take my board out of the water, wash it off and put it away. Because it’s so easy, I’m able to paddle 4-5 days a week. Madeline King, Oakland

My Captain

Club Nautique Sailing School, Sausalito

For years I stared out at the bay watching sailboats silently harnessing the wind to effortlessly propel across the water. I’ve always loved the outdoors but didn’t grow up sailing and didn’t have a friend with a boat. Hence, I followed Club Nautique’s U.S. Sailing–sanctioned program and was able to charter a 40-plus-foot boat within just a few months. I can now host groups of friends and family for sailing trips on the bay. I should have done this long ago. Jason Kreuziger, San Francisco

Water Maximizer

Sea Trek, Sausalito

My wife and I have been renting kayaks at Sea Trek for nearly a decade. As we put on our gear, the staff will bring the kayak to the water. Nothing could be simpler. When we finish, we just leave the boat, check out and head home. This allows us to maximize our time on the water enjoying the remarkable beauty of Sausalito — it’s what we enjoy. John Vance, San Rafael


Your Turn

These water sport shops make it easy to get out and enjoy the bay.

101 Surf Sports Stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kite surfing and kayaking; rental and storage of stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, surf skis, and outrigger canoes; located on the water in San Rafael. 101surfsports.com

2 Mile Surf Shop Stand-up paddleboard rental, especially convenient if you’re heading out to Bolinas. 2milesurf.com

Bluerush Boardsports Kayak, outrigger canoe rentals and storage; in Sausalito. bluerushboardpsorts.com

Blue Water Yacht Harbor Stand-up paddleboard, kayak and outrigger canoe rentals and storage as well as an indoor fitness center; in Sausalito. bluewateryachtharbor.com

Blue Waters Kayaking WWith two locations on Tomales Bay, the oldest kayak company in West Marin offers individual rentals and trips, including bioluminescence viewing. bluewaterskayaking.com

Club Nautique Sailing Lessons and charters; both coastal and offshore courses available through the Sausalito location. U.S. Sailing certification available. clubnautique.net

Live Water Surf Shop Stand-up paddleboard rentals, handy for those heading to Stinson. livewatersurfshop.com

Modern Sailing School & Club Beginnerlevel courses are taught on 30- to 32-foot keelboats with wheel steering, inboard diesel engines and roller furling jibs. Private lessons, clinics and American Sailing Association courses available; in Sausalito. modernsailing.com

Outback Adventures Stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals on site at this Larkspur location or with guided tours in West Marin. outbackadventures.com

Sea Trek SStand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals and storage as well as tours and lessons; in Sausalito. seatrek.com