Summer is the perfect time of year to do some floatin’ on the river! The City of Wichita Park & Recreation office and SUPWichita are going to be offering a series of sunrise and sunset paddleboard and kayak tours along the Arkansas River this summer/fall.
What a treat it will be to enjoy the sunrise or sunset on the water in Wichita and float past the Keeper of the Plains.
You won’t need any equipment to participate – the fee will cover your rental. You also won’t need prior experience, because each float begins with a short training. (You will want to make sure you’re up for the exercise, because even though the float is leisurely, it’s still a strenuous activity that lasts a little over an hour.)
This is a great family event for ages 12 and older!
In addition to the scheduled floats, the City website says they are going to have “open float rental opportunities.” See Sups & Trucks below!
Sunrise & Sunset Tours
You’ll paddle at a leisurely pace from Cowtown to the Wichita Boathouse and see the Keeper of the Plains like you’ve never seen it before! Afterwards, gather for food and music and talk about your adventure.
The fee for the Sunrise & Sunset tours is $30 and includes instruction, equipment rental, food, beverages and music, and transportation back to the starting place. The tours are scheduled for the following dates/times:
- Friday, June 22 (sunset) at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 30 (sunset) at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 13 (sunset) at 7:15 p.m.
- Saturday, July 28 (sunset) at 7:15 p.m.
- Friday, August 3 (sunset) at 7 p.m.
- Friday, August 17 (sunset) at 6:45 p.m.
- Saturday, August 25 (sunrise) at 6:15 a.m.
- Friday, September 7 (sunset) at 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 15 (sunrise) at 6:15 a.m.
Space is limited, and pre-registration is required for the tours. Signed waivers are also required before you participate. Register online at the Park & Recreation department website here.
SUPs & Trucks
SUP = stand-up paddleboarding
If the sunrise and sunset tour dates don’t work for you, the City has also scheduled open float times in the coming month. You’ll receive some basic instruction on paddling techniques and safety, then take off for a leisurely float down the Little Arkansas River. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Park at the lot just south of Gander Mountain under Kellogg, 605 S. Wichita. Parking is free there.
The price for stand-up paddleboard rental will be $15 per hour; the price for kayak rental will be $10 per hour. They’ll only accept cash, so be sure to bring some with you.
Paddleboard/kayak rental will be available from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays from June 16 to August 18. No pre-registration is available; it’s strictly first-come, first-served.
- June 16, 23, 30
- July 7, 14, 21, 28
- August 4, 11, 18
Of course, the unpredictable Kansas weather could get in the way of the best plans, so since this is an outdoor activity you’ll want to double-check that these stand-up paddleboard and kayak floats down the Arkansas River are still on if the weather looks iffy.
Here’s the City of Wichita Park and Recreation Facebook page.
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