Welcome to Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara your connection to one of the oldest and largest kayak shop on the central coast of California. 

Whatever you are looking for Paddle Sports can help. From single kayak rentals or classes at one of our beach locations, to coastal and island trips, or to birthday parties and corporate functions, let Paddle Sports provide everything you need to enjoy our calm waters.

Visit us for kayaking on the Southern and Central California coast, Channel Island tours, kayak fishing in Santa Barbara, and for rentals in the Santa Barbara harbor.

 Additional information on our services, such as coastal and island trips, as well as Paddle Sports rentals and kayaking classes, is provided below.

For kayaking enthusiasts interested in owning their own equipment or their own kayak, Paddle Sports carries the worlds most popular recreational kayak, OCEAN KAYAK. No matter what the application, OCEAN KAYAK has a perfect choice.

Santa Cruz Island Trips

Kayaking is the most spectacular way to view and explore what Cousteau called “California’s Galapagos Islands.”  Santa Cruz is the largest of the eight islands that lie off the coast of Southern California.  Exciting and mystical sea caves are plentiful.  We venture into and through many of the caves as conditions permit.

  Often, the water is crystal clear allowing you to view fish and marine life from on top of the kayak.  The waters in the Santa Barbara Channel are rich with marine life: dolphins and sea lions abound.  In the spring and fall, migrating whales are frequently spotted during our crossing to the island. 

This experience and knowledge are evident in the quality of the trips we guide.  Our trained island guides will not only teach you basic kayaking skills, you will also learn sea cave exploration techniques.  As a result, you will feel comfortable and confident while exploring the exciting waters and sea caves of these enchanted islands. 

Prior paddling experience is not required; most people are doing it for the first time!  We use the amazingly stable, and easy to paddle, sit on top Ocean Kayaks.  Power boat transportation, kayak guides, instruction, and all equipment included in the trip price.  While water is provided please bring your own lunch. This allows us more freedom and time to explore.  As an option, you may extend your trip into an overnight stay* on the island

*(It is your responsibility to make arrangements with the National Park Service for overnight camping). 

Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara has logged thousands of hours in these waters, and has been guiding paddlers in the Santa Barbara area for over thirteen years.

Santa Cruz Island tour......184.00
Group and corporate rates available.

Prices are subject to change without notice.  Please contact the company directly to verify current prices.

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Santa Cruz
Island Trips:

Island Trips:

 

 

Rates:

    $184.00 Individual

    $170.00 Groups 6-12
    $155.00 Groups 12+

 

 

All trips are out of Ventura on Island Packers vessels.

 

Coastal Trips

Paddle Sports is pleased to announce the addition of our new:

" Coastal combination kayak and bicycle tours"

Trip One: Refugio to El Capitan Cycle and Kayak Adventure.  
Join us on a coastal route connecting the California State Parks of Refugio and El Capitan. This three and one half mile paddle is rich in both history and incredible natural beauty. On recent trips we have had sightings of sea otters, dolphins, and whales. Below us the kelp beds team with fish, while in the skies above, sea birds of every description are ever present.

We paddle down coast with the wind at our back stopping for a rest near the location of a seasonal Chumash encampment where we take time to explore the tide pools.

The return trip is via the Aniso (Chumash for seagull) Trail on our new fleet of Diamond Back bikes. The trail skirts the cliff  bluffs and drops down to the beach with no car traffic to interrupt your enjoyment.

Coastal Trips:

Individual rates for both trips are $85.  The minimum party number on either trip is three.

Trip Two: Harbor to Butterfly beach Cycle and Kayak Adventure
From our store in the Santa Barbara harbor (117B Harbor Way), we paddle down the coast to the Biltmore Hotel. Our route takes us through the historic harbor and under the wharf. We continue out to the half mile buoy to view the sea lions. Spectacular mountains and islands vistas prevail as we move along the shoreline to Butterfly Beach.

Our return, via bike is on an almost entirely car free designated bike path.

The entire trip takes about two and one half hours and is ideal for new paddlers. This is a great trip for learning some local Santa Barbara history.

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Kayak Rentals

Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara has the largest and most complete kayak rental fleet on the central coast. We also have a variety of specialty kayaks available for rent.

Kayak Fishing craft- Depth/fish-finder, 4 rod-holders, Hi-back seat w/lumbar support.

Paddle surfing craft - Tri-fin wave skis, open and closed deck Hi-performance units.

Expedition craft - Ultra light Kevlar kayaks, w/dry bags, skirts and safety equipment.

Kayak rentals are available year around from our State street store only.

 

Rental Rates:

Closed deck kayaks may only be rented to those who have completed an introductory sea kayaking class or have equivalent experience with self and assisted rescues. For information on Introduction to Sea Kayaking Class see the Kayak Classes section below.

	2 hours	4 hours	Day	2 Day	Week
One person Kayak	$20.00	$30.00	$40.00	$80.00	$150.00
Tandem kayak	$30.00	$40.00	$50.00	$100.00	$175.00
Accessories:	Day	Week
Paddle jacket	$5.00	$30.00
Wetsuit	$10.00	$40.00
Paddle	$5.00	$20.00
Helmet	$5.00	$15.00
Kayak Dolly	$10.00	$40.00

Prices are subject to change without notice.  Please contact the company directly to verify current prices.
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Have you ever wondered how they do it?

They just fall over, then come back up.  It all looks so  easy!  Anyone who has tried to Eskimo roll his kayak without instruction will tell you how difficult it can be.

Let the instructors at Paddle Sports help you solve the mystery of the roll!  Our classes are based on individual attention.  With a student-to-instructor ratio of 2:1, you will get the time you need to see what all the fuss is about.

No hocus pocus, the roll is nothing more than strokes and body motion.  A must "must know" for advanced kayak surfing, river running and expedition kayak touring.

You learn in a 93° indoor pool.

 

The Cost is $50.00 with follow up sessions available for only $5.00. This includes all necessary equipment, except for your swimsuit.  Participants must be in good physical shape and be able to swim.

For all Courses we recommend bringing:
towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, glasses, cord, booties, water, snack, and warm clothes for after the paddle. 

Offered Monday evenings 7:00-10:00 PM in the Anacapa Dive shop pool located at 22 Anacapa St. 

 

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Sea for Yourself Classes

An Introduction to Sit-on-Top Kayaking

Sit-on-top kayaks offer fun and easy access to day touring, fishing, diving, and weekend camping.  Knowing how to efficiently and safely paddle a sit-on-top kayak will greatly add to your paddling pleasure.  This class will introduce you to the basics of kayaking: forward and reverse strokes, turning strokes, rescues, and surf exits and entries.  Time permitting, we will do a short paddle at the end of the day. This class is a good opportunity to demo different styles of kayaks- from short and maneuverable to long and fast. So, come and have a fun day on the water.

Sea for Yourself class cost is $50 per person.

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Kayak Surf Classes

For the Adrenaline Addict and Surfer

The surf zone is one of Southern California's most challenging and fun areas to paddle.  Instruction focuses on surf zone etiquette and surf technique.  Classes are available for sit-on-top, closed deck kayaks, and wave skis. Basic paddling skills are required.  

Paddle Sports Products

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