September 8, 2020 · 0 Comments
By Brian Lockhart
There was a late start to water sports on the lake at the Island Lake Conservation Area, however rentals are once again available for the public.
The rental facilities and snack bar were closed for the start of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic however things area starting to open up again.
Some conservation areas under the authority of Credit Valley Conservation are still closed.
Island Lake rents canoes, kayaks and paddle boards to the public. You can also bring your own craft to enjoy the water.
Canoes are tied with kayaks when it comes to the number of rentals.
Paddle boards, which allow the used to stand upright on a board that resembles a surfboard, but is paddled around, can be somewhat intimidating to a person who has never given it a try.
But you do see a lot of people on paddle boards and once you try it, you’ll probably come back to it. They are very stable in the water and provide a good platform.
On a good day, the canoe and kayak rentals go quickly as people want to get out and enjoy the summer weather when they can.
Life jackets are required.
The cost for a canoe or kayak rental is $20 per hour, or $50 for a full day if you think you can stay out there for that long.
There is also a required $200 deposit. For paddle boards, the rental rate is $10 per hour, or $40 for the day.
Rentals are limited when it comes to unsafe conditions on the lake. High winds can result in cancellation of rental so check on-line before visiting.
There are still a few weeks of season weather so getting out on the lake might be a good weekend adventure for those wanting to finish of the summer with a memorable experience.