When you fancy going paddleboarding or kayaking however don’t personal all of the gear, Yak Shack has give you an ideal answer. Self service paddleboards and kayaks, rentable from scorching spots alongside England’s south coast, and Scotland. I’ve been to a few of them now, so right here’s my Yak Shack assessment of the method.
Utilizing Yak Shack is straightforward. You ebook on-line, flip up at your chosen Yak Shack location, unlock your tools utilizing a code despatched to your cellphone and head out onto the water. No arranging to satisfy somebody, no transporting a large paddleboard round and, most significantly, no having to inflate and deflate the factor your self.
On Sunday we tried the Yak Shack at Hamble Foreshore, on the River Hamble in Hampshire. I went on a paddleboard, whereas my son and accomplice went out in a kayak. It made for an excellent morning on the water.
In my quest to strive one of many Yak Shack shacks, I’ve been to 2 others over the previous few weeks too.
So, right here’s my Yak Shack assessment, together with all the pieces you want to learn about how Yak Shack works earlier than you ebook.
What’s Yak Shack?
Yak Shack is a self-service kayak and paddleboard rental firm with rent stations alongside the UK shoreline. Relatively than going into a conventional watersports centre, the boards and kayaks are saved in a rack on the water’s edge and secured with good locks.
You’ll be able to both ebook your tools prematurely or, if there’s availability, flip up and rent one thing there after which.
The entire system is designed to make getting out on the water as simple as attainable. You don’t must personal a paddleboard, discover someplace to retailer one or work out the way you’re going to suit a kayak within the automotive.
Simply flip up, unlock and paddle.
The place are the Yak Shack areas?
YakShack has rental areas across the UK, together with Hamble Foreshore, Shoreham-by-Sea, Eastbourne, Netley, Colwell Bay and Dorchester in England. And Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lomond in Scotland.
The tools accessible varies between areas. Some have paddleboards and single kayaks, whereas others even have double kayaks.
You’ll be able to examine the present YakShack areas and availability on the official YakShack web site.
How does Yak Shack work?
There’s no person standing on the YakShack ready to examine you in. It’s designed to be utterly self-service.
The essential course of is:
Go to the YakShack web site/app.
Select your location.
Choose the paddleboard or kayak you need.
Select your date and time.
Pay to your reserving.
Flip up on the Yak Shack.
Use your cellphone to scan and unlock your tools.
Get your tools out of the rack.
Head onto the water.
Return all the pieces in time for you session finish, and safe it once more.
It feels somewhat uncommon the primary time since you’re anticipating somebody to look and let you know what to do, however when you realise it’s mainly a large watersports merchandising machine, it is smart.
As you possibly can see in my Instagram video you’re despatched a steered route, and given any distinctive ideas for that individual space, which actually helped us out. Simply felt good to have affirmation we had been doing the correct factor!
Reserving your Yak Shack vessel
You’ll be able to ebook your session earlier than you arrive by means of the YakShack on-line reserving system.
I’d advocate reserving prematurely for those who’re planning your go to for a selected day, particularly for those who want a couple of piece of apparatus.
There are solely a restricted variety of boards and kayaks at every location. At Hamble Foreshore, for instance, YakShack presently lists two paddleboards and two single kayaks, so that you don’t essentially need to depend on turning up and discovering what you want.
You too can use YakShack extra spontaneously. When you arrive and tools is obtainable, you need to use your cellphone to ebook and unlock it there.
How a lot does Yak Shack value?
Costs depend upon the placement and tools you select. After I employed ours, the paddleboards had been £16.50 an hour and the double kayak was £22.
The worth per hour also can work out cheaper for those who ebook for longer, relying on the placement.
I’d advocate checking the YakShack web site earlier than your go to for the most recent costs reasonably than counting on these figures, as rent prices can change.
What do you get with Yak Shack?
One of many massive benefits of utilizing YakShack is that you simply don’t must carry a automotive filled with watersports tools with you. The tools is saved prepared for you on the launch level, making it a lot simpler than bringing your personal paddleboard or kayak.
When you take a look at my Instagram video you’ll see I used to be at Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight raring to go together with my associates. We had been thrilled to have Yak Shack paddleboards as we’d by no means have fitted sufficient within the automotive for the 4 of us. Sadly it was simply windy to rent them out after we acquired there although. However, on the plus facet, at the very least we hadn’t tried to squeeze in 4 paddleboards to the automotive, solely to not use them!
Yak Shack is very helpful for those who like the concept of paddleboarding however don’t do it usually sufficient to justify shopping for your personal board, paddle, pump and all the opposite tools that comes with it. Or have area to retailer.
It additionally makes attempting kayaking or paddleboarding whereas travelling a lot simpler. You might probably discover a YakShack location whilst you’re away and get onto the water with out bringing any tools from dwelling.
Utilizing the Yak Shack at Hamble
The Hamble Yak Shack is in an ideal spot for paddleboarding in Hampshire at Hamble Foreshore. There’s a Ringo automotive park proper subsequent to the shack (and bogs), which makes the entire thing even simpler. From there, you’re straight onto the River Hamble.
Hamble itself is a beautiful little village too, so I’d enable a while earlier than or after your paddle to have a wander round reasonably than merely driving dwelling afterwards. We had a reasonably spectacular cheese and bacon turnover at Pirate Pasties after our paddle sesh.
Utilizing the Yak Shack at Colwell Bay
After we visited Colwell Bay, we awkwardly parked above the shack in a form of layby as a member of the general public stated we’d be wonderful.
What we must always’ve performed was carried on somewhat to the Colwell Bay Lengthy Keep Automotive Park at PO40 9NP. Then it’s only a quick stroll to the Yak Shack (above) the place you possibly can simply carry your paddleboard all the way down to the seaside.
The well-known ‘The Hut’ is right here, however we went for pleasant affogatos at Colwell Captains Cabin Cafe as an alternative. They do the Isle of Wight’s speciality Minghella Ice Cream.
Utilizing the Yak Shack at Royal Victoria Nation Park
I’ve been to Royal Victoria Nation Park many occasions, however this was my first strolling all the way down to the seaside. I managed to park within the automotive park proper subsequent to the seaside and it was only a quick stroll over to the Yak Shack.
Is YakShack good for households?
Sure! Relying on the age and water confidence of your kids in fact. I beloved it for Reggie because it was low dedication, low drama – if he didn’t prefer it, we’d return and hadn’t had the faff of inflating boards or transporting kayaks.
He’s 4 and fairly assured being round water however had by no means been in a kayak earlier than. I took a life jacket particularly for him as those supplied are just for 40kg and above. I might not have taken him out on the water with out this.
With youthful kids, I’d preserve the journey comparatively quick and keep shut sufficient to the launch level that you may simply get again in the event that they get chilly, drained or determine that kayaking is immediately the worst exercise anybody has ever invented. Clearly we took snacks for a half manner kayak picnic, and a dry bag with dry garments in addition to dry garments and towels within the automotive – simply in case.
Pay much more consideration to the climate and tides when paddling with kids. A route that appears like a enjoyable journey for an grownup can change into a lot more durable if you’re additionally accountable for a kid. I’ll admit I had a sick feeling in my abdomen the evening earlier than trying on the climate circumstances, however I feel it pays to be over cautious. And we had been FINE. The climate was excellent.
What do you have to put on to your YakShack expertise?
What to put on will depend on the time of yr, climate and what you’re hiring. On a heat summer time’s day you may be snug in swimwear, shorts and a quick-drying prime. When it’s cooler, you’ll need extra safety. Take a look at my article on paddleboarding in winter for extra recommendation.
I’d keep away from something heavy like denims or thick cotton clothes that turns into uncomfortable and troublesome to maneuver in when moist.
Water sneakers are helpful too, notably if you’re getting out and in. Though I used to be wonderful barefoot, I appreciated it. My accomplice had full on trainers on although.
What do you have to take with you?
I’d preserve your belongings to a minimal. Yak Shack did present a small dry bag for telephones, which was very useful, meant I didn’t need to preserve opening the one I purchased which had garments in.
Helpful issues to carry embody:
Water
Suncream
Sun shades with a strap
Hat
Towel
Change of garments
Waterproof cellphone pouch
Dry bag
Snacks, notably with kids
Water sneakers
I’d undoubtedly advocate having some form of waterproof safety to your cellphone. You want your cellphone for the self-service facet of YakShack, however telephones and rivers aren’t precisely a dream mixture. You received’t be capable to examine your tools again in for those who don’t have a working cellphone.
Is Yak Shack appropriate for rookies?
The idea itself could be very beginner-friendly as a result of YakShack removes quite a lot of the faff concerned in getting onto the water. Nonetheless, it’s vital to know the distinction between simple tools rent and a guided paddleboarding lesson.
Yak Shack is self-service. You’re independently hiring tools and heading onto open water. As you see on my video, I bottled it with the wind speeds in Hamble as a result of I used to be on my own and having not been paddleboarding a lot recently, in contrast to some years in the past, I made a decision 14km winds had been an excessive amount of for me (Yak Shack blocks the boards at 16km). And on the Isle of Wight we acquired so far as watching the security briefing on the check in earlier than deciding the wind was too loopy that day too.
When you’ve by no means been on a paddleboard or kayak earlier than and aren’t assured round water, I’d advocate having a lesson or guided session first. It’s good to be snug controlling your craft, perceive fundamental water security and be capable to decide whether or not circumstances are appropriate for you.
The perfect factor about Yak Shack
For me, the most important promoting level is comfort. I do personal a paddleboard however this was a neater possibility with a toddler given I didn’t need to pump it up, or transport it. It’s additionally good for those who’re on vacation and don’t need to use all of your bootspace in your board.
With Yak Shack, the tools is already sitting there ready for you.
It additionally makes spontaneous adventures a lot simpler. You don’t need to commit to purchasing lots of of kilos’ value of apparatus simply since you fancy spending a few hours paddleboarding.
For households specifically, I like the flexibleness of it. You can also make paddling a part of an even bigger time out reasonably than it turning into a whole logistical operation.
Are there any downsides?
The self-service component that makes YakShack so handy received’t swimsuit everyone.
If you’d like an teacher, somebody to point out you learn how to paddle or a guided tour of the world, this isn’t actually what YakShack is designed for.
You’re additionally on the mercy of the British climate.
A phenomenal sunny day doesn’t essentially imply excellent paddling circumstances, so you continue to must examine wind, tide and water circumstances earlier than heading out.
And since every YakShack solely has a restricted quantity of apparatus, I’d ebook forward for those who’re travelling any distance or visiting as a household or group.
My Yak Shack Assessment
I actually appreciated the idea, and the execution. Yak Shack takes away one of many greatest boundaries to paddleboarding and kayaking: the stuff.
There’s no shopping for tools, storing it, transporting it, pumping something up or attempting to squeeze a kayak into your shed afterwards. You’ll be able to merely determine you fancy a paddle, ebook your tools and switch up.
I additionally appreciated having the ability to mix paddleboarding and kayaking. I might exit on the paddleboard whereas my son and accomplice had their very own little kayaking journey alongside me.
It’s a enjoyable option to spend an hour or two outdoors and see someplace acquainted from a totally completely different perspective.
Would I exploit Yak Shack once more?
Sure. Completely. Already planning it and Reggie has requested a number of occasions.
I feel it really works notably properly for infrequent paddleboarders and kayakers who don’t need the expense or trouble of proudly owning their very own tools.
I’d additionally look out for Yak Shacks when travelling across the UK. With the ability to rent a kayak or paddleboard immediately beside the water with out having to organise a conventional rent centre makes it very simple so as to add a paddle to a weekend away.