Susie and Melissa stand ready to help their customers settle into one of their six double or eight single kayaks. Delta Kayak Rentals might be new to the Delta Bay Marina but owner Susie is a veteran on the California Delta Loop. Doing business for the last eight years as Kokopelli Kayak Rentals, Susie brought her business to the Delta Bay Marina in February of 2020.
On Father’s Day, I met a family from San Bruno which came to the Delta in search of tiny houses and kayaks. With a tiny house community on one side of the road and Delta Bay Kayak Rental on the other, they found both at Park Delta Bay. Kim, the mother of four young adults, introduced her husband Chris, and daughters Alix, Graycen, and Tessa. Son Brennan and Alix’s boyfriend Ryan rounded out the crew. All acknowledged themselves to be experienced kayakers. They lunched on the open patio, in the shade but near enough to sunshine for a lazy Sunday afternon.
While the East Bay crew dined, local boys Chase and Seth, down from Antelope, settled up with Susie and headed out to the water. “I’ve come down most summers with my family,” Chase noted. “We rented from Susie at the Lighthouse and followed her when she moved here.” He and his friend donned approved masks while they paid, on sale at the counter for those who have come without. Susie noted that her business follows all Sacramento County and California state orders for the safety of their staff and customers. In addition to the current rules requiring masks while dockside and enforcing social distancing, everyone gets a life jacket. Kids 12 and under are required by state law to wear them. Anyone older than 12 is encouraged to don a jacket before they head out.
“We know what the river can do,” Suzie notes. “Safety first.” She casts an experienced eye over Chris, Kim, and their crew as each settles into a kayak. She sends one of them back for a life jacket. Melissa and she steady the boats and had out oars. They linger on the dock as each kayak heads into the river. When asked how far her customers usually travel, she thinks a minute. “I’ve known a few to go to Walnut Grove,” she acknowledges. “Many head as far as Korth’s”, a marina two miles from Delta Bay.
Kayaks rent for $15.00/hour for the single and $20/hour for the double. If you rent for three hours, your fourth hour comes free. Grab a punch card at the counter and your sixth rental is on Susie! You can reserve your kayaks online with their handy reservation system.
Delta Bay Kayak Rental will be at the marina all summer. Starting on June 24th, paddleboarding returns to the Marina; and wine-tastings begin on the second Saturday in July. After a long spring stuck inside, it’s full-speed ahead at the Delta Bay Marina! So come aboard! We’ll be waiting for you!
Click the right arrow to scroll through the gallery and enjoy a few scenes of kayaking at the Marina!
