Side Quest: Keep Calm and Paddle On

Whether you’re paddling a kayak, a canoe, or a stand-up paddle board, spending time exploring Portland’s waterways is a huge perk of where we live. But if you don’t own your own, it can be hard to dip your toe into the waters.

Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe in Jantzen Beach is a one-stop shop not only for equipment rentals, but the flagship store also offers lessons for all skill levels, while also organizing trips to the Oregon Coast, along the Willamette River, and other local destinations.

From the company’s dock on the south side of Hayden Island, you can embark on the Columbia River and maybe even do some house hunting among the floating home communities. You’re likely to spot wildlife too; keep an eye out for (and a healthy distance from) the sea lions that venture upriver in search of salmon to snack on.

Here are some other outfitters offering rentals in the area:

• Portland Kayak Company
• Cascade Paddle Boards
• eNRG Kayaking
• SK Watercraft Rentals