This is the perfect time of year for this! The City of Wichita Park & Recreation office is going to be offering a series of sunrise and sunset paddleboard and kayak tours along the Arkansas River this summer/fall.
You won’t need any equipment to participate – the fee will cover your rental. You also won’t need prior experience, although you’ll need to make sure you’re up for the exercise, because it’s a strenuous activity.
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 transportation, equipment rental, and food and beverages. The tours are scheduled for the following dates/times:
- Saturday, August 26 at 6 a.m. (sunrise)
- Friday, September 1 at 7 p.m. (sunset)
- Saturday, September 2 at 6 a.m. (sunrise)
- Friday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. (sunset)
- Saturday, September 23 at 6:30 p.m. (sunset)
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.
Food trucks will be onsite during the lunch hour.
Paddleboard/kayak rental will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates (no advanced registration is necessary):
- Saturday, August 26
- Saturday, September 2
- Saturday, September 9
- Saturday, September 23
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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