Kayak Programs
**Registration for all kayak programs are on hold until further notice due to COVID-19.**
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 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.
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 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
INTRO TO KAYAKING
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: June 1 or July 20 (choose only one)
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.
PADDLE PALOOZA YOUTH KAYAK CLINIC
Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina | 1345 NC 61, Whitsett
Ages: 11 - 15
Fee: $35, Registration required. Registration on hold until further notice.
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
Dates: June 19, July 17 or August 21 (choose only one)
In this small-group, half-day clinic, learn all about kayaking from an ACA certified kayak instructor. 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. Campers should know how to swim and be prepared to be active throughout the clinic.
SUNSET PADDLES
Location: Varies - see below
Ages: 13 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Fee: $20/person; $8/person with personal boat.
Time & Date: See below
REGISTRATION ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
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.
Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina:
Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, August 25 at 6:00 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, August 25 at 6:00 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Stoney Creek Marina:
Tuesday, June 9 at 6:15 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, July 14 at 6:15 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, June 9 at 6:15 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, July 14 at 6:15 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00 pm
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
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: Coming spring 2020!
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 certified 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 personal boat.
Lake Clean-Up
Location: Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina
Ages: 16 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Fee: Free, but registration required. Registration coming soon.
Time/Date: Coming soon!
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.
13TH ANNUAL YEEHAW! RIVER PADDLE
A benefit for the Haw River Trail
Coming in June 2020
More details coming soon!
The YeeHaw! River Paddle brings together paddlers of all skill levels to enjoy the Haw River as a community. Proceeds from the event support the Haw River Trail in furtherance of our "Conservation through Recreation" mission. For complete information, fees and registration visit Alamance County Parks/Haw River Trail.
Custom Kayak Programs
Available at any City Lake 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 7. 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. Class taught by ACA certified kayak instructor. Participants should be comfortable around water and have basic swimming abilities. - Youth Paddle Clinic
Youth learn all about kayaking from an ACA certified kayak instructor. 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.