A day or evening out on the waters of Chatham-Kent can be as challenging, fun or relaxing as you want it to be. With so many options to choose from for boaters and water sports enthusiasts alike, there is no water shortage here! Boater's can choose from the area marinas to serve their needs, whether arriving by land or lake. Water sports equipment like kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle board rental facilities are now more abundant than ever; that means if you leave yours at home, you can still have fun on the water.
Water Sports
Canoe, Kayak, SUP Board Rentals
Nothing beats a day out on the water, and you don't have to miss out just because you don't own your own canoe, kayak or SUP board. There are many places to rent various watercraft for the day or by the hour. Because most outfitters are seasonal, be sure to call ahead to places like the Crappie Store (Dresden) or from Shrewsbury Kayaks & Bait. Brand new in Wallaceburg is Whimsies Paddle Rental. Annually, the community of Wallaceburg hosts the
Sydenham Challenge Dragon Boat Festival including teams from across North America.
Kite Surfing, Wakeboarding and Water Skiing
Conditions are often perfect for more extreme sports as well. It's not uncommon to see water enthusiasts kite surfing or wakeboarding when the waves are just right. Mitchell's Bay provides Canada's longest season for kite surfing, while those seeking a more adventurous outing will prefer the wave action at Lake Erie along the shores of Erieau, Rondeau Bay and Mitchell's Bay are the most common places to watch wakeboarders and water-skiers.
Surf Culture Canada is Ontario's kite board authority. They offer gear rental and two-hour lessons for the novice.
Marinas
With just a five minute walk to the Mitchell's Bay beach front and sheltered picnic area, you will find Mitchell's Bay Marine Park. This full service marina offers 250 seasonal and transient slips, with 8 launch ramps. Located along the Northeast Shore Lake St. Clair, you have access to a 30 amp shore power and water pup-out station, bait shop and gas bar with shower and laundry facilities, 25 transient camping sites (most with hydro and water hook-up) and 131 seasonal sites, some with full hook up.
Located conveniently between the waters of Lake Erie and Rondeau Bay, is
Erieau Marina. Along with three launch ramps if you need to trailer your boat, there is plenty of parking for road vehicles as well. You won't have to go far to find what you need either! Complete with a fully stocked ship store, full boat repair centre, and full gas dock open during boating season from dawn to dusk, you'll find everything you need, including an LCBO right inside. Docking facilities can accommodate power or sail boats up to 100 feet in length, and there are 100 guest docks for seasonal or transient dockage options. Marina also features an in-ground salt water pool, exercise room, and Internet access. Boaters are close to the beach, restaurants, and a boat repair facility with accessories and supplies.
For those looking to take advantage of the
Chatham Docks, you can berth in the urban epicentre of Chatham-Kent in Chatham, along the Thames River. After entering by way of the Thames River at Lighthouse Cove on Lake St. Clair, and in Chatham, you will have you access to shower facilities by the Civic Centre Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm. A short walk connects you to the downtown for shopping and dining or a picnic at Tecumseh Park.
A short walk from the downtown of
Wallaceburg, boaters can take advantage of free overnight, transient dock service located on the Sydenham River. Restrooms, showers and electrical are available mid-May to Labour Day. The nearby Wallaceburg Water Trail offers you a leisurely paddle if you travel in with a canoe or kayak and links to many rivers and conservation areas around the Wallaceburg area. More information about this unique trail system is available at Wallaceburg Trails.
