FAQs

What do I get when I pay for a tour?

When you register for a tour you get 1/2 hour land instruction and 2 hours of paddle time on the water. You will receive the personal attention of a professional Guide to perfect your technique, to answer questions and to ensure your safety and comfort. We typically maintain a 1/8 Guide to participant ratio.

Equipment includes a kayak, a paddle, a flotation jacket, and a spray skirt (winter). We do have a limited number of tandem kayaks, which may be requested in advance of the tour.

Do you allow children on tours?

We consider children on a case by case basis for Private Tours such as a group of family members, friends and/or co-workers. At legal guardian is required to accompany the children. Factors we consider are a child's size, age, athletic abilities and prior experience in and on the water.

We do not typically allow children on our Scheduled Tours, as they can rarely keep up with a group of adults.

How many people will you/can you take?

Our Schedule Tours accommodate up to eight people (8) people. We often take out as few as two (2) people depending on the circumstance and location of the requested tour.

For Private Tours requested by businesses and organizations, we have accommodated as many as 40 paddlers!

Do you rent equipment?

We provide kayaks for our guided tours, but do not rent equipment. Because we cannot know the skill level and health of individuals renting equipment, we have safety concerns about this practice. If you choose to do this, be certain to ask questions about the effects of wind and tide on your trip and get advice on what to do about hypothermia in case you capsize. For rentals contact Wheeler Marina (503) 386-5780 in the City of Wheeler.

Do you give discounts for bringing your own equipment?

You are paying for the time and expertise of your Guide, and therefor we do not offer discounts.

What kind of kayaks do you have?

Our current fleet of kayaks are considered flat-water day-touring kayaks which are shorter, wider and more stable than the very long ocean/sea kayaks. We currently are offering Necky Manitou II Tandems, a Wilderness Systems Pamlico 135 Tandem, Necky Manitou 13's, Necky Manitou 14's, Necky Lookshas, and Necky Santa Cruz. Many of our single seater's are rated for 230 lbs, and our tandem can convert to single-seat boats to accommodate those heavier than 230lbs..

Where are you located?

We do not maintain a physical office location. When you register for a tour you will automatically be sent directions to your launch site, including the cell phone number to our Guide in case you get lost on the way.

How much notice do you need?

The more the better! Enrollment varies greatly and we notice that people often request similar dates and times. The sooner you register the greater your chances are of getting on the water.

What are your reservation, cancellation and rescheduling policies?

Private Reservations of three (3) or less people require full payment. Reservations of four (4) or more people require a 50% deposit.

No refunds will be offered for cancellations within 5 days of your reserved date. We have adopted a “Rain or Shine” policy and do not cancel tours due to mild changes in weather. If you decide to cancel or change your reservation, a $20.00 cancellation & rescheduling fee will apply. The fee represents a portion of our time we dedicated to serving you prior to your cancellation/rescheduling and logistical adjustments required after your cancellation/rescheduling. Thank you for your understanding.

See also: Weather Protocols and Info

How do gift certificates work?

For an explanation, please click on the "Gift Certificates" link on main menu on the left side of the screen.