CHARLOTTESVILLE BOAT RENTAL FIELD GUIDE
Short Rivers, Long Summer: A Two‑Hour Paddle on the Rivanna from RRC
A 2‑hour rental from Rivanna River Company that includes a kayak, canoe, or SUP plus life jacket and paddle—perfect for a no‑shuttle summer outing on the calm Rivanna near the RRC shop.
Short Rivers, Long Summer: A Two‑Hour Paddle on the Rivanna from RRC.
Rivanna Out & Back at RRC is a summer‑only, two‑hour rental that outfits you at the Rivanna River Company shop and sends you onto the calm stretch of the Rivanna. The operator supplies the boat or SUP, paddle and life jacket and offers orientation at the launch; from there you can paddle roughly one‑third of a mile downriver to a pleasant beach for wading, swimming and picnicking or head about a half‑mile upriver before turning back to the RRC launch point—there is no shuttle provided, so customers return under their own power.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Everything supplied at the launch
The rental covers your boat or SUP plus a life jacket and paddle; RRC provides the equipment at the river and will orient you before you set out, so you can get on the water quickly.
Short paddles to a sandy swim and picnic beach
A brief downstream run of about one‑third of a mile delivers you to a pleasant beach for wading, swimming, playing and picnicking; you can also paddle upriver roughly a half‑mile and then return to the RRC launch point.
Kayak, canoe or SUP — choose your style
Options include stable sit‑on‑top and sit‑in kayaks (solo and tandem), tandem Old Town Discovery canoes for family and picnics, and rigid inflatable SUPs that track well over flat water—each suited to a relaxed summer outing on the river.
What the day feels like
What the outing feels like
This is a low‑commitment river introduction: a brief orientation at RRC, then two hours to explore a calm, tree‑lined section of the Rivanna. The paddles are short and accessible—downstream leads to a shallow beach for swimming and picnics, upriver stretches offer quiet water and a chance to settle into the rhythm of paddle strokes before turning back to the launch.
THE EQUIPMENT
Everything supplied at the launch
The rental covers your boat or SUP plus a life jacket and paddle; RRC provides the equipment at the river and will orient you before you set out, so you can get on the water quickly.
THE ROUTE
Short paddles to a sandy swim and picnic beach
A brief downstream run of about one‑third of a mile delivers you to a pleasant beach for wading, swimming, playing and picnicking; you can also paddle upriver roughly a half‑mile and then return to the RRC launch point.
THE FLEET
Kayak, canoe or SUP — choose your style
Options include stable sit‑on‑top and sit‑in kayaks (solo and tandem), tandem Old Town Discovery canoes for family and picnics, and rigid inflatable SUPs that track well over flat water—each suited to a relaxed summer outing on the river.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this outing works for—focused on operational limits and seasonal suitability.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Rentals are for a two‑hour block and the offering is available in summer only.
The rental includes a boat or SUP plus a life jacket and a paddle; RRC supplies the equipment at the river and will orient you before launch.
Choose from sit‑on‑top or sit‑in kayaks (solo and tandem), tandem Old Town Discovery canoes for family outings and picnics, or rigid inflatable stand‑up paddleboards that track well over flat water.
There is no shuttle service with this rental; customers paddle back to the RRC launch point at the end of their two‑hour session.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the rental?
The rental is for two hours.
What equipment is included?
The rental includes a boat or SUP plus a life jacket and a paddle; RRC provides the equipment at the river and will give an orientation.
Is there a shuttle to pick me up downstream?
No—there is no shuttle included; customers paddle back to the RRC launch point.
How far can I paddle?
You can paddle about one‑third of a mile downriver to the beach and about a half‑mile upriver from the launch before returning.
Can I swim or picnic on the route?
Yes—the downriver destination is a pleasant beach suitable for wading, swimming, playing and picnicking.
What kinds of boats are available?
Options include sit‑on‑top and sit‑in kayaks (solo and tandem), tandem Old Town Discovery canoes, and rigid inflatable stand‑up paddleboards.