Kayak Programs

**Registration now open for Meet-Up Paddles, Sunset Paddles, and Paddle-Palooza Youth Clinics**

Burlington Recreation & Parks Outdoor Programs, provides many opportunities for guided and facilitated kayaking programs. The kayak season generally runs from mid-April to the end of October. 

If you are looking to simply rent kayaks to paddle on your own at Mackintosh Lake, visit Mackintosh Marina or Guilford-Mackintosh Marina. Solo kayaks and tandem kayaks available. All kayaks are offered on a first come basis. Reservations are NOT accepted. 

Quick Links


Health and Safety Protocols for Group Kayak Program:


  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Participants are encouraged to bring and wear their own coast guard approved PFD (lifejacket) IF they have one.

SUNSET PADDLES



Location/Dates/Times: Every other Tuesday through the summer - click here for dates/times/locations and to register.
Ages: 13 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a participating/paying adult.
Fee: $20/person for solo kayak rental; $8/person with personal boat.

Let your stress melt away as you enjoy a leisurely, 2-hour guided paddle. Paddlers will have a guide who provides basic paddling instruction as needed and leads the group on the lake. Fee includes kayak, paddle, PFD, lake fees and guide.(Weight limit for rental boats is 225lbs.) Register now on CivicRec. May-June paddles are listed and open for registration. July-August paddles coming soon!

Meet-Up Paddles



Location: Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina - 1345 NC HWY 61, Whitsett, NC 27377
Ages: 13 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a paying/participating adult. 
Fee: $15 for solo kayak rental or $5 to launch personal boat 
Date/Time: Every other Tuesday morning through the summer - click here for dates/times and to register.

Don’t paddle alone! Come meet other paddlers and enjoy some time on the water. Bring your own kayak or rent one of ours. A kayak instructor will guide the group on the lake and help folks in/out of boats as needed. Fee includes guide, kayak rental, paddle, PFD. If providing a personal boat a PFD is still required while on the water. When registering, be sure to choose either the rental kayak or if you are bringing your own personal boat.

PADDLE-PALOOZA YOUTH KAYAK CLINIC

Location: Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina | 1345 NC 61, Whitsett
Ages: 11 - 15
Fee: $40. Registration required. Click here to register.
Dates/Time: June 25, July 9, or July 30 from 8:30 am - 12:00 noon (choose only one - all sessions are the same) 

In this small-group, half-day clinic, learn all about kayaking! Clinic covers everything from water safety, fitting your PFD, parts of the kayak, how to properly get in and out of the boat, basic paddle strokes, and more. We'll save some time to paddle and explore the lake as well! Clinic includes on-land and on-water lessons. Campers should know how to swim and be prepared to be active throughout the clinic

INTRO TO KAYAKING



Location: Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina |  1345 NC 61, Whitsett
Ages: 13 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Fee: $30. Registration required. Registration on hold until further notice.
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Dates: None scheduled at this time.

A class for new or beginner paddlers to build confidence and skills on the water. Class covers water safety, fitting PFD and kayak, getting in/out of the boat, launching from shore, proper and efficient paddle strokes. Half the class is on the land and half on the water. Fee includes instructor, kayak rental, PFD and paddle.

Lake Clean-Up



Location: TBA
Ages: 16 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Fee: Free, but registration required. Registration coming soon.
Time/Date: None scheduled at this time.

Come help us keep our lake clean and beautiful! Burlington Recreation & Parks along with Burlington's Storm Water Division and Piedmont Triad Regional Council are hosting a paddle clean-up of the upper end of Mackintosh Lake. Clean-up volunteers who bring their own canoe or kayak will be able to launch for free and those volunteers needing a boat can borrow one from the marina at no charge. Registration is required to ensure everyone has a boat. All volunteers will be provided trash bags and gloves. Come prepared to be on the water for 2 hours with water, sunscreen, and water appropriate footwear. All participants must wear a properly fitted PDF while on the water.

Custom Kayak Programs



Available at Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina from late April thru October
 Ages: 11 and up
Fee: Varies. Contact us for a quote - typically between $20-$40/person.
Private, small group kayak programs are available by appointment and availability of instructors/guides for groups up to 8. Email Melissa, the Outdoor Program Coordinator, for more information on setting up a custom kayak program. Programs include the following, but we can customize or create a program based on your needs.

    • Intro to Kayaking
      A class for new or beginner paddlers to build confidence and skills on the water. Cover the basics of kayaking: water safety, fitting PFD and kayak, getting in/out of the boat, launching from shore, proper and efficient paddle strokes. Half the class is on-land and half on-water. Participants should be comfortable around water and have basic swimming abilities. 
    • Youth Paddle Clinic
      Youth learn all about kayaking fun and safety. Clinic covers everything from water safety, fitting your PFD, parts of the kayak, how to properly get in and out of the boat, basic paddle stokes and more. We'll save some time to paddle and explore the lake as well! Clinic includes on-land and on-water lessons. Students should know how to swim and be prepared to be active throughout the clinic.
    • Guided Group Paddles
      Let us provide the kayaks, gear and guide to help your group explore the lake safely and confidently. Guide will provide basic instruction, assist the group during launching/landing as well as lead the group on the water to the best spots on the lake. Fees includes solo kayaks (up to 7), paddles, PFDs, lake fees and guide.