Virginia Beach will soon offer kayak and canoe rentals on water owned by Norfolk.
The Beach sought bids from businesses interested in renting out small watercraft at the city’s Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area and will pick a winner in the coming days. Rentals could begin as soon as May 6, which is when the operator at other city boat launches begins its seasonal rentals, according to Susan Topping, a Beach park district supervisor.
Though Virginia Beach will select and contract with the rental company for the Lake Lawson/Lake Smith site, the business will need to purchase boat permits from Norfolk before it opens. That’s because Norfolk retained the water on Lake Lawson/Lake Smith when Virginia Beach bought the surrounding land, according to Topping. Norfolk kept the lake because it uses the water for drinking, she said.
The Beach maintains 12 launches for small watercraft citywide and contracts a company to rent out kayaks and canoes at three of them. Lake Lawson/Lake Smith will be the fourth, Topping said.
Seasonal rentals begin May 6 and end Oct. 2. Rates at existing locations range from $12 an hour at Munden Point Park to $25 an hour for a tandem kayak at Stumpy Lake and Little Island Park.
For more information visit Virginia Beach’s webpage on kayaking and canoeing.
