About Hood River SUP & Kayak
Hood River SUP & Kayak is a paddlesport rental and instruction shop located right on the Hood River waterfront, providing easy access to the Columbia River and the calm inlet areas that are ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and flat-water paddling. The shop was founded by local watermen who saw an opportunity to serve the growing demand for non-motorized water recreation in a town best known for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Their rental fleet includes a variety of stand-up paddleboard shapes — touring boards, all-around boards, yoga SUPs, and kid-sized boards — plus single and tandem sit-on-top kayaks. Rentals are available by the hour, half-day, or full-day, with multi-day rates for visitors spending the week exploring the Gorge. They also run beginner SUP lessons, guided sunset paddle tours on the Columbia, and yoga-on-the-water sessions during summer. All gear including PFDs, paddles, and leashes is included with every rental.
What sets Hood River SUP & Kayak apart is their location and beginner-friendly approach. While Hood River's wind-driven sports can be intimidating for newcomers, paddleboarding and kayaking on the sheltered inlet offer a mellow, accessible entry point to getting on the water. The staff are patient instructors who make first-timers feel comfortable, and the views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams from the water are stunning. It's the perfect complement to the higher-adrenaline activities the Gorge is famous for.
