It is true that the Lake Tahoe Water Trail’s website is uber web-friendly and a great resource, but the paddle shops are the eyes, ears, and soul of Big Blue. Like any outdoor adventure, getting a sense of the place from locals will ensure you have a great time as well as come home safe. On top of it, they’re also the best spots for gear, SUP, & Kayak rental Lake Tahoe has to offer.
The Ultimate Tahoe Keepers
Lake Tahoe’s waters are some of the clearest in the world.
Before you launch – you must be a Tahoe Keeper and clean, drain and dry all of your gear to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Watch this video on How to Protect Lake Tahoe and Your Paddle Gear and follow the steps. Better yet – Rent a paddle board or kayak or take a guided eco-paddle tour from a Tahoe paddle shop.
Mentors And More
Regardless if you’re an expert OR beginner, we suggest stopping by one of our paddle shops first. This alpine lake is one of the largest in the world and the early morning sun may put you into a lull. But, there are some hidden obstacles lurking underneath. For example, nearly every day in the summer like clockwork the Washoe Zephyr picks up in the afternoon. Similar to the trade winds on the equator, these consistent gusts of up to 30 mph or more have stranded MANY visitors needing to be rescued. The paddle shops ensure that you understand all these risks and how to avoid them. You can then have an epic day instead of one that you’ll remember for the wrong reasons.
Support Local
These shops aren’t just a location for standup paddleboard or kayak rental Lake Tahoe fleets. They’re the heartbeat of the paddle culture community here. This summer has been especially challenging for these small businesses due to the wildfires and smoke. If you do make it out onto the waters, at a minimum grab a t-shirt or better yet buy a Lake Tahoe Water Trail map from them. You’ll support the small business and help keep our waters beautiful.
For a full run-down of all our partner paddle shops and where they are located on the water trail, visit our Tahoe Paddle shops page.
The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is a Sierra Business Council sustainable recreation tourism project. Learn more about SBC's innovative social, environmental and economic development projects in the Sierra Nevada at www.sierrabusiness.org.
