Where to rent paddleboards, jet skis, kayaks, ebikes in Tri-Cities. And where to take them

Hot enough for you? Thought so.

Summer is upon us while there are lots of ways to cool off, most Tri-Citians can probably agree that most involve being on or near one of the area’s rivers — the Columbia, Snake and Yakima.

Miles of paths, many through shady parks, dozens of boat ramps and sandy beaches make it easy to get near or even on the water. Don’t have a boat or bike?

Here just a few of the many local businesses ready to rent gear and give advice on how best to access the water this summer.

Northwest Paddleboarding

Northwest Paddleboarding, formerly stationed at Howard Amon Park, is a mobile business helmed by the mother-daughter team of Krista Patterson and Cathie Hobson, along with Krista’s husband, Dylan.

The team sells and rents paddleboards and offers classes for beginners and a paddleboard yoga session.

The pivot to becoming a mobile business includes limited operations in 2023, with services available the weekends of July 1, 16, 22 and Aug. 5 and 13.

Reservations are required and the business delivers board to customers, with a six-board minimum ($59 per paddleboard for two hours).

Go to northwestpaddleboarding..com

Seaductive Kayak Rentals

Pasco

Angelo Perches established Seaductive Kayak Rentals in 2020 after he was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had three kayaks and decided to make money renting them on Facebook.

It was a success, so he got licensed and expanded his fleet with more kayaks, as well as two-person models and paddleboards.

Customers pick up kayaks at his business near Pasco’s Wade Park. He recommends cruising around Bateman Island from the low-key boat launch at the Richland Wye, where there is little current and the water is warm. Richland’s Leslie Groves is another destination he recommends.

“Business is good,” said Perches, who equips customers with all the gear they need to be safe: Whistles, life jackets, paddles and more. Prices start at $35 for a 10-foot kayak for half a day.

Contact Seaductive at seaductivekayakrentals.com, Seaductivekayakrentals@gmail.com or 509-388-8818

Pacific Shorz Power Sports

Richland

Looking for a motorized boat?

Aaron Rich, owner of Pacific Shorz Power Sports, rents jet skis and escorts clients on motorboats from Richland. The Howard Amon Watercraft Launch north of Lee Boulevard is his preferred launch point.

Rich grew up around the water and brought his love of boating, wakeboarding and water skiing to the Tri-Cities when he moved here about five years ago. He bought Pacific Shorz about five years ago and built its fleet to keep up with demand.

Jet skis can be rented by adults, who receive a temporary boaters license. Rich captains boats on behalf of clients. He sticks largely to the Richland stretch of the Columbia, where the water is wide and Nelson Island offers a quiet spot to haul up.

He said lucky boaters will sometimes spot deer, cranes and other wildlife on the islands.

“It’s so gorgeous,” he said.

Rich advises booking rentals at least a week in advance, particularly around warm weather.

Jet ski rents begin at $130 an hour on weekdays and boat rentals begin at $175. A deposit is required. Rental fees include instruction, lifejackets and insurance.

Contact: 509-947-2866 or pacifishorzpowersports.com

Pedego Tri-Cities

Richland

Electric bikes are a great way to tackle the 23-mile Sacagawea Heritage Trail, which loops along the Columbia River in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.

Pedego Tri-Cities, owned by Troy and Erin Franzen, is a dealership for e-bike maker and distributor Pedego. It rents Class 2 e-bikes,are allowed on regular bike paths.

Rentals are $45 for two hours, $60 for three and $99 for a full day. The shop offers small, medium and large e bikes and provides instruction before riders set out. Rentals come with lock and helmets equipped with Bluetooth so riders can talk to one another when they’’re riding.

Contact Pedego Tri-Cities, 1084 George Washington Way, Richland, at 509-420-4824 or visit the webpage: pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/richland/

Where to launch

Public boat launches dot the local shoreline. Some ramps offer direct access to local rivers and all the current that entails, while others provide some degree of protection.

Northwest Paddleboarding has a useful list of local boat launches rated by the level of current and nearby amenities on its website. Here are some of the launch sites closest to the Tri-Cities:

Hood Park Boat Basin, Snake River, S. Second St., Burbank

Sacagawea Historical State Park, 2503 Sacajawea Park Road, Pasco, protected inlet, Snake River.

Schlagel Park, 106 E. Washington St., Pasco, Columbia River, protected boat basin.

Wade Park, West Sylvester Street and Road 54, Pasco, unprotected Columbia River access.

Chiawana Park Boat Ramp, 2020 Road 88, Pasco, protected Columbia River access.

Snyder Boat Launch, 51 Snyder St., Richland, unprotected Columbia River access.

Howard Amon Watercraft Launching, Riverfront Trail, Richland, limited protection Columbia River access.

Columbia Point Marina Park, Richland, protected Columbia River access.

Wye Park Boat Ramp, 1455 S.E. Georgia Ave., Richland, small craft only, Yakima River Delta, protected by Bateman Island causeway.

Columbia Park West Boat Launch, 1776 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, Yakima River Delta/Columbia River access protected by Bateman Island causeway.

Columbia Park Boat Launch, Columbia Park Trail, Kennewick, direct Columbia River access by blue bridge.

Two Rivers Park, 213316 E. Finley Road, Kennewick, Columbia River access,

Want more?

Check out the Herald’s list of the Mid-Columbia’s swimming beaches.

Rent your own private pool by the hour to cool off this Tri-Cities summer.

Prefer the air conditioned comfort of your vehicle? Check out our region’s drive-by oddities.

Visit Tri-Cities is an excellent resource for events and destinations. Go to visittri-cities.com.

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