Frequently Asked Questions

When are you guys open?

Shop & Rental Hours for WINTER 2024:

Wednesday through Sunday 11:00-6:00

Monday & Tuesday CLOSED

Rentals available during open hours daily.  Sunset Tours available for groups of 4 or more (please call to reserve).

I’m interested in trying a BOTE paddle board before I solidify a purchase – how do I demo?

For the 2023 season, we have BOTE 10'8" Breeze Aero and 11'6" Breeze Aero models in our rental fleet. We also have the BOTE 10'6" fiberglass HD, 12' fiberglass Rackham, 12'6" tandem capable Zeppelin Aero kayak and solo 12'6" Lono kayak available for demo.  Book a rental with us and if you decide to buy a board later - we'll put your paid rental total towards the purchase of your new board*.

*paid rental total put towards board purchased cannot exceed $100.

Where should we park? 

With the shop located in Coolidge Park, there's plenty of parking to go around!

Lots of folk park near our shop, but there's plenty of parking along the entirety of River Street as well. Parking is FREE every day after 6pm, all day on Sundays and on national holidays.  A helpful app to download to pay for parking is Park Mobile.  Enter your license plate number, credit card information, and parking area number (262 if parking in black star area) - then you can pay for longer parking, if needed, while out on the water!

Here's a map to help you out. The black stars mark parking closest to the shop.

With rentals - where do I go first?

  • Book online or call to make your reservation. Walk-ins are welcome, but not always available, especially around weekends/holidays - be sure to plan accordingly.
  • For 2024, if you sign your waivers + watch our instructional safety video AT HOME you may go straight to our launch point under Market Street Bridge 20-30 minutes before your reservation time to be set up with all your gear. All 2024 first-time-of-the-year renters must sign a safety waiver to be held on file for the year and watch our instructional safety video.  (Yes, even if you've been here before.)  
  • All weekday and weekend rentals May through October are currently provided by our super helpful water gurus.  You just walk to our launch point, check in with the crew, and all crafts and equipment are waiting for you!  Rentals November through April are self-serve from our store.
  • Our Water Gurus are happy to answer any questions you may have and love to share paddle techniques.
  • Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to your scheduled rental time if you did not sign your safety waivers online - this ensures you'll have plenty of time to sign waivers, watch our mandatory safety video, and prepare for your rental in the shop.

What happens if I return a paddleboard or kayak rental later than my cutoff time?

 

We HIGHLY recommend you keep track of time via watch or smartphone - we sell waterproof cellphone dry bags in the shop.  If you return a craft more than 10 minutes past your reservation cutoff time, you will incur, at minimum, a $40 fee per craft.  When you run over your rental time, it impedes upon the next set of renter's time on the water, making them wait on shore for your return.  They're angry, we're unable to do our job to our best ability, and you very well could be banned from renting with us in future. 

When booking your reservation, if you're on the fence thinking about being out on the water for 1-2 hours or 2-3 hours, we suggest reserving UP an hour.  We can always refund you for an hour you do not use*, but we CANNOT add time to your rental while you are on the water.  Please be respectful of all other rentals and return your equipment promptly.

*refunds for an un-used hour must return a full hour early. 30 minutes is not one hour. 45 minutes is not one hour. 

 

How much does it cost to rent a kayak or stand up paddle board?

SUP - $30/1hr, $40/2hrs.  Single Kayaks - $30/1hr, $40/2hrs.  Tandem Kayaks - $50/1hr, $65/2hrs.  

We offer a discount for groups of 10 or more paddlers. Call or email us for custom rates for parties and other events.

Where do we launch the boards?

Our launch point is located between Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park, directly underneath the Market Street bridge. Address 100 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Do I have to fill out a safety waiver?

YES.  Your first rental of each year requires filling out a safety waiver.  Every subsequent visit afterward, during the same year, we'll just look you up on our waiver system!  Easy peasy.  Waivers are available for filling out in-store or online.  Links to waivers are in your confirmation email received after booking.

All adults must fill out one waiver for themselves.  Children who all have the same guardian may ALL be added to a SINGLE youth waiver.

 

Does our rental include a tour guide?

For our typical hourly rentals, we give you instruction before you depart for a solo adventure, without a guide.  If you are a beginner we are happy to give you instructions on river safety and proper paddle technique at launch point.

If you want to have a guided tour or more instruction we would encourage you to sign up for our Sunset Tour or contact us to set up a Paddling 101 class.  Write us on the contact form if you have additional questions.

What happens if my rental gets rained out?

Sometimes mother nature gets in the way of a good time.  In the event of severe weather, we will first work with you to reschedule your trip or give you rental credit for total paid towards a future rental, redeemable at your leisure.  If you are visiting from out of town and do not foresee your return to Chattanooga, we will refund your trip.

Do I have to schedule a rental ahead of time?

You don't *have* to, but we highly recommend that you make a reservation if you have a specific date, time, and crafts desired in mind.  This is the only way that we can guarantee you availability for specific rental durations, timeframes, and craft choice.  You are always welcome to attempt a walk-in, but we do not always have the capacity to accommodate.  Be aware that weekends and any time surrounding holidays may have fuller reservation times, with customers sometimes booking up to a week or more in advance.

How does the Paddle 365 Pass work?

If you're a local or going to be on the water more than once in a season our passes are a great option.  Our season passes are valid for 365 days from first day of use.  This pass allows you to take a paddleboard or kayak out any day of the week for up to 2 hours (maybe longer if we're slow).  If looking to paddle on a weekend day, we highly recommend using your special rental code to reserve ahead of time online.

I have my own equipment, how do I access the river?

The city has made a great launch ramp between Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park, under the Market Street bridge at 100 River Street.  Simply park in the parking lot or on the street and drop your gear in the water whenever you like - being sure to check river safety conditions first, of course.  Feel free to call us for the most up to date/time river conditions (423-531-7873).

Do you sell your used boards at the end of the season?

We sell a large portion of our rental fleet at the end of the season.  Write hello@l2outside.com with the header "Add Me to Used Board Sales."  If you're on this list you will be the first to receive an email with all our used inventory that is for sale at end of the season, typically late-November.

I have never been on a stand up paddle board, is it hard?

It's easier than it looks! SUP (Stand Up Paddle) boarding is the fastest growing water sport because there is such a low barrier to entry.  Almost anyone can do it.  Our boards are very firm, long, thick and wide - making them extremely stable.  Come on down and give it a shot.  We've never seen a frown leaving the water.

Can my child stand up paddle board by his/herself?

We do not allow children under the age of 13 to man their own craft.  We recommend putting children under the age of 13 on a SUP with an adult or renting a tandem kayak (an adult and small child can also fit in a single kayak depending on the size of paddlers + weight, typically recommended for adult and child 6 or under).  Minors over the age of 12 must have parental consent, a signed waiver by the parent/guardian, and adult-paddler supervision while on the water.  Anyone under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied on the water by an adult (including your very responsible 16 year old).

Can I stand up paddle board while pregnant?

*** Please consult your doctor before renting water crafts from L2 Outside ***

The first thing to consider is - have you paddle boarded before?  If you have, then provided you have had no complications, there is no reason why you can't keep up your normal level of activity for as long as you feel able.  Paddle boarding and kayaking are considered low-impact sports.

What should I bring with me on my trip?

You may get wet, so plan accordingly.  We sell dry bags for cellular devices and more at our storefront.  You're welcome to leave any valuables in your hotel, car, or rent a locker from us.  We encourage renters to SUP barefoot and bring a towel.  Also, stay hydrated and don't forget SPF.

How do I keep track of time while I am on the river?

Each renter is responsible to keep track of their own rental timeframe while on the river.  Be sure to bring a waterproof watch or buy a dry bag to put your cell phone in.  

***All rentals returned late will incur, at minimum, a $40 Late Rental Return Fee, no exceptions.  We recommend setting an alarm for 10 minutes prior to return time, just to be safe.***

Lost or Damaged Rental Equipment

Before your rental begins, our amazing water gurus will get you set up with all your gear.  They will verbally confirm with you that you have all equipment (craft, paddle, life vest, paddle board fin if applicable).  You will have signed a waiver that states you will have overlooked your craft and agree it is in great condition before your departure.  Please be sure to do so.

We understand that paddles sometimes sink and fins are sometimes ripped out (especially if drug through mud, rocks, hitting shallow underwater fallen trees, etc – all activities that L2 frowns upon).  You will have signed a waiver before departure that states you agree to keep up with and respect all rental equipment. 

***Lost equipment will incur you a $20 fine for a lost paddleboard fin and a $50 fine for a lost paddle.*** Please be respectful of rental equipment and remain aware of your surroundings while on the water.

Have additional questions?  Drop us a line in the form below.