FAQ

Food/Drink

Should I bring water/snacks on my paddle adventure?

We encourage participants to bring water in reusable bottles and a snack. Please dispose of all trash properly ad responsibly.

Clothing/Accessories

What shoes should I wear when I go kayaking?

Your footwear should be designed for getting wet as well as staying on your feet should you step in mud. Water sport sandals or beach shoes/booties are preferred.

If you are on a course in the spring or fall, consider purchasing neoprene booties of some kind that will keep your feet warm when the conditions are cold.

What clothing should I wear?

Dress for the conditions and dress in layers! This means that in the summer almost any clothing that can get wet is fine though we urge staying away from cotton. In the spring and fall cotton is not appropriate so we recommend synthetic clothing made of wicking materials as well as fleece or wool for insulation. We can supply some wetsuits and shells for participants on our programs.

A good wind/rain shell that can get wet is also a good idea to bring.

Bring a set of clothes to change into once the day is over. If you are going to be out on the water all day or in “weather”, bringing along extra layers in a dry bag is also a good idea.

What else should/shouldn’t I bring?

A watch or some other time keeping device that is either water resistant or in a waterproof bag is needed. A hat and something to attach glasses to you are both good ideas.

Anything that goes “beep”, is not designed for immersion, or can fall off you and sink is probably not appropriate and should be left in your vehicle.

Tours/Classes

When should I arrive for my class/tour?

Folks take differing amounts of time to get ready to participate in our activities. We usually recommend arriving 15-20 minutes ahead of the start time but we cannot gauge how long it will take you to get ready so please respect your fellow participants and arrive early enough to be ready at start time.

How “On Time” are your programs?

We endeavor to start our programs at the scheduled time. We will generally wait up to 10 minutes for people at the shop to finish up their paperwork and prepare themselves for the program.

Your scheduled events do not occur at a convenient time for me, what is your flexibility?

We are happy to accommodate special requests for tours and classes if we have enough advanced notice to coordinate the logistics and you can provide a minimum number of participants. Not all venues or tour types may be available and pricing is dependent on the number of participants and type of request. Please call for details.

What happens if the weather is bad when I am scheduled to be on the water?

Osprey Sea and Surf is open during business hours rain or shine. Our staff monitor the weather and if they determine it is inappropriate to be on the water we will cancel the class/tour and notify you at the number given to us. We try to give as much notice as possible but sometimes the weather is less than predictable. If we cancel prior to the class, you may be given the option to reschedule or choose a refund of your deposit. If the class/tour is not cancelled and you decide not to paddle with us that day we will transfer your deposit to another class/tour if you give us at least 2 days (48 hours) notice.

What is your cancellation policy?

If we cancel the tour or class we will refund your deposit or transfer it to another tour or class. We offer a full refund when you cancel your class 7 days or more in advance. If you give us 2 days (48 hours) notice we will transfer your deposit to another program.

Rentals

Why do you recommend reserving a kayak?

Whichever boats are not used by classes or tours are released for rentals. By reserving ahead of time you ensure that there is a kayak waiting for you. We also use the reservation as a way to talk with you ahead of time about how to best enjoy your time on the water and if the time you have chosen is a good time to be out.

How long can I rent the kayak for?

We offer rentals by the hour, day, or week. With advance reservations we can also provide delivery to and from your location (with in 20 mins) $30.00 round trip. out our rental page for more details.

When are the boats/boards due back at the shop?

All vessels are due back by 4:30p.m. All rentals are subject to a late fee if returned after this time.

Can I take the rental elsewhere?

If Osprey staff determine that your vehicle is appropriate for transporting the vessel, then you are able to take it to any approved put-in.

Where can I land for lunch?

The shores of the Westport River are privately owned and we ask that our clients respect people’s property. Hix Bridge is about 3.5 miles from the shop and a good place to get out and stretch your legs.

The Shop

Do you have running water so I can rinse after paddling?

We do not have running water at the shop so we have a limited ability to accommodate other water uses.

Where can I change when I get back?

We have an exterior changing room called “The Big Kahuna Hut”. At the moment is not open to the public due to pandemic.

Where can I park?

We have a limited number of spaces directly in front of our shop. There is public parking behind the shop (please park with your bumper towards the rocks/settling pond). Please do not block the driveways, doors or mailboxes of our neighbors. There is also parking available along the river.

Can I plan for a special event?

We try our best to accommodate special requests if you talk to us in advance of your planned activity. We may not be able to adjust our schedule to last minute changes in your plan. The number of participants and the desired venue will have an effect on what we can offer and how much we charge for service.