A new and easy way to get on the water in Manitowoc is now open for business.
Simply Paddle is a self-service kayak and paddleboard rental kiosk located on River Point Drive, next to the pier along the Manitowoc River.
The business started by Ben and Stephanie Peters began because of their love of the water.
Ben tells SeehaferNews.com the kiosk offers “Four single kayaks…two tandems, and two stand-up paddle boards.”
Anyone interested just has to walk up to the self-serve kiosk payment system, press the rent button, agree to a waiver, and select which kayak or paddleboard they’d like to take on the water, and for how long.
“Your locker unlocks, that has your lifejacket and your paddle,” Ben explained. “And then your kayak also unlocks, or your paddleboard, and you can take that out onto the water. There’s a launch right here at the kiosk site.”
Paddlers can take the kayaks out to see the USS Cobia or watch the SS Badger come in.
They can also go upriver to see nature.
Stephanie tells us, “We’ve seen otters, osprey, snapping turtles, pelicans, snapping turtles, all kinds of stuff. So it’s kind of the best of all worlds here.”
Once someone is done, they just have to bring the kayak or paddleboard back, press the return button on the payment system, and put their rented items back.
Ben and Stephanie tell Seehafernews.com that they are also looking to host different events with Simply Paddle in the future.
It costs $25 for two hours on a single kayak or paddleboard, and $10 for each additional hour.
A tandem kayak rental starts at $30 for two hours.
Details about Simply Paddle can be found at simplypaddle.net.
