READY TO GET ON THE WATER?
Use the booking buttons below to see real-time availability and reserve your kayak or stand-up paddleboard online. Be sure to check out our safety guidelines and other important information about renting from 41° North below.
SINGLE RECREATIonAL TOURING KAYAKs
$23 / first hour + $5 each additional 30 mins
Our single kayaks are perfect for beginner paddlers without sacrificing the performance you need for paddling in a coastal environment. Choose between a light touring kayak with dual bulkheads for safety on open water or a super-stable sit-on-top kayak.
Paddlers must be at least 14 years old and accompanied by an adult to paddle a single kayak.
Tandem (2 person) Kayaks
$30 / first hour + $5 each additional 30 mins
Our sit-on-top tandem kayaks are stable, easy to paddle, and make a great platform for enjoying our Great Lake. Tandems also a perfect choice for safely paddling with kids.
Stand-up Paddleboards
$28 / first 1.5 hrs + $5 each additional 30 mins
Rent a stand-up paddle board (SUP) and see the Rocky River and Lake Erie coast from a whole new perspective. Our fleet of wide, stable SUPs are great for beginner paddlers.
Paddlers must be at least 16 years old and accompanied by an adult to paddle a SUP.
HOURS OF OPERATION*
SUMMER HOURS: MAY 29-AUG 22
Mon-Fri 10am-7pm (last launch at 6pm)
Sat & Sun 9am-6pm (last launch at 5pm)
BACK-TO-SCHOOL HOURS: AUG 23-27
Mon-Fri 1pm-7pm (last launch at 6pm)
Sat & Sun 9am-6pm (last launch at 5pm)
MEMORIAL DAY & LABOR DAY
10am-5pm (last launch at 4pm)
JULY 4th
CLOSED
FALL HOURS: AUG 30th to SEP 26th
Mon-Fri: CLOSED
Sat & Sun 9am-6pm (last launch at 5pm)
* weather conditions permitting, of course.
OUR LOCATION
The 41° North Yak Shack is located in the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation in Lakewood, Ohio. Our center offers paddlers direct access to the Rocky River and Lake Erie. From our center, it is an approximately 1-mile paddle down the placid Rocky River to Lake Erie. As long as waves are under 2 feet and winds under 10 knots, you are free to head out onto Lake Erie.
Use the map below for directions to the Yak Shack.
RENTAL FAQs
DO I NEED A RESERVATION?
If you want to guarantee we have a kayak or paddle board for you, then YES! We are typically sold out on the weekends (and often on weekdays too!) , and can't promise we'll have boats or boards available unless you have a reservation. We're happy to take walk-ups on weekdays (if we have space), but if you have a large group, you really should make a reservation in advance. Fortunately, booking online is really easy! Just use the booking buttons found at the top of the page.
WHAT ARE YOUR CANCELLATION POLICIES? WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
All reservation fees are refundable for cancellations made more than 90 minutes before your scheduled launch time. In the event of inclement weather, we are happy to reschedule your rental or cancel your booking at no charge. Text us at 1-866-529-2541 to cancel or reschedule your reservation.
WHEN DO I NEED TO ARRIVE FOR MY RENTAL?
Please arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior to your booking time to review our safety guidelines, complete rental paperwork, and get fitted for life jackets and kayaks. If your group is large, come even earlier! Because other customers may have reservations after you, we may not be able to extend your time on the water if you arrive late.
WHAT ARE THE AGE LIMITS FOR PADDLING?
Participants must be at least 14 years of age & accompanied by an adult in order to paddle to paddle a single kayak; (children under 14 may paddle in a tandem with an adult; minimum weight for children is 35 lbs). Children must be at least 16 years old & accompanied by an adult to paddle a stand-up paddle board (SUP). The minimum weight for SUP rentals is 100lbs.
All children under 18 must have waiver signed by a parent or guardian. This can done online when you make your booking or you can download a waiver here.
ARE THERE WEIGHT LIMITS?
The following general weight limits are in effect for kayaks and SUPs. For more specific weight limits for each of the models of kayaks and SUPs that we rent, click here.
- SINGLE TOURING KAYAK - min 95 - max 235lbs
- SINGLE SIT-ON-TOP KAYAK - min 95 - max 270lbs
- TANDEM KAYAKS- combined weight max of 475 lbs, with no individual exceeding 245 lbs.
- SUPs - min 95 - max 215 lbs.
WHAT SAFETY RULES ARE IN PLACE?
We take safety seriously. While the Rocky River is a Class I River, and is always calm, it is a busy waterway shared by recreational boaters, sailboats, and other users. Lake Erie's power must be respected. That's why we ask all paddlers to abide by simple rules to keep them safe on the water.
Rentals are restricted to the Rocky River if conditions on the Lake exceed winds of 10 knots from the west, northwest, north, northeast, or east, waves greater than 2ft, or offshore winds (south) exceeding 15 knots.
All kayakers are required to participate in a safety briefing and review and agree to the 41° North safety guidelines in order to rent a kayak or SUP. These include the nautical "Rules of the Road" for interacting with other vessels, as well as an agreement to wear your life jacket (or inflatable belt pack for SUPS) at all times. Failure to abide by these policies may result in a citation by maritime authorities and/or loss of rental privileges.
Each kayak rental comes with a properly fitted PFD (personal floatation device), paddle, spray skirt (if requested) and bilge pump.
WHERE CAN I PADDLE?
From our location, you can paddle on the Rocky River. An hour rental will easily allow you to paddle to Lake Erie and back.
As long as waves are under 2' and winds are under 10 knots, you are free to paddle on Lake Erie within 1/2 mile of shore.
We do not permitted paddling in the following areas: the Rocky River upstream of Cleveland Metroparks Drive; the Cleveland Yachting Club west channel; Clifton Lagoon.
IF I'M HAVING A GREAT TIME, CAN I EXTEND MY PADDLING TIME? WHAT IF I RETURN MY KAYAK OR SUP LATE?
We encourage our paddlers to book for the maximum time you think you will spend on the water. Most renters will choose a 1.5 hour rental, which allows them time to get out on the Lake for about 30 minutes before heading back.
We can't allow paddlers to just extend their rental for a few reasons. The first is for your safety. We need to know when you are expected back so we can know if you are overdue!
The second reason is simple courtesy. We often will have other customers with reservations after you. When kayaks or SUPs come late, it eats into other people's time...which often means we have to refund those bookings.
For that reason, late craft will be charged a late return fee on the following scale:
- 5-30 minutes late: $5 per craft
- 30-60 minutes late: $20 per craft
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Four-legged paddlers ARE permitted in a tandem sit-on-top kayak. Dogs must wear a properly sized canine life jacket, which you are responsible for providing.
Unfortunately, dogs are NOT permitted on standup paddleboards, due to the damage caused to the deck pads by claws.
WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO RENT A KAYAK OR SUP?
All participants must be able to enter and exit a boat, maintain balance in a boat or on an SUP without assistance, and must wear a properly fitted PFD at all times (i.e., on, zipped, and buckled). If your body type doesn't enable you to fit in one of our PFDs, you must bring your own.
HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIOnS?
Feel free to call our shop at 1-866-529-2541.
COVID-19 FAQs
WHAT STEPS ARE YOU TAKING TO KEEP CUSTOMERS & STAFF SAFE?
Outdoor activities are shown to be low risk for transmitting coronavirus, the safety of our staff and customers is our highest priority. Here's what we are doing to keep our community safe:
- Minimizing customer/staff interactions by requiring customers use online reservations, payments, and waivers only.
- Unvaccinated adults are encouraged to wear facial coverings whenever social distancing is impractical, such as during launching and recovery of watercraft.
- Spacing out our stations for check-in, safety briefing, and gear fit to maintain appropriate social distance between groups.
- Separating our launch and landing areas to allow for more space between customers.
- Cleaning all shared rental equipment after each use. This includes not only watercraft and paddles, but also lifejackets, and dry bags.