HARDY WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Wake the Lake: Wakeboard Rentals from Westlake on Smith Mountain
Rent wakeboards, water skis, and towables from Westlake Boat Rentals for days-long access to Smith Mountain Lake; this guide explains booking, safety rules, and what to bring.
Wake the Lake: Wakeboard Rentals from Westlake on Smith Mountain.
Westlake Boat Rentals in Hardy offers boats and water toys — including 2-person tubes, water skis and wakeboards — for exploring Smith Mountain Lake, backed by dockside safety checks, staff assistance, and maps to local on-water hotspots.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Wakeboards, Skis and Two‑Person Tubes
Reserve the exact water toy you want when you call to book your rental boat; Westlake keeps tubes, water skis and wakeboards available and can usually accommodate same‑day requests at pickup.
Dockside Checks and Full Safety Gear
Every rental includes a dockside safety checklist and standard equipment—orange life vests, a throw cushion and a fire extinguisher—with staff able to fit customers with fitted life jackets or infant vests as needed.
Guided Local Knowledge for On‑Water Stops
Staff provide Smith Mountain Lake maps and can point out restaurants and shopping spots reachable by boat, turning a gear rental into a day of exploration.
What the day feels like
What Renting Here Actually Feels Like
Pickup begins at the rental office and moves quickly into a dockside safety briefing; once launched onto Smith Mountain Lake you’ll be running skis, wakeboards or tow lines from a bimini‑topped boat with ladders for easy re‑entry, while staff remain available to answer questions and point out places to stop.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this rental suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Rentals are available from 1 to 14 days; book in advance and note that boats must be returned by 6pm.
Pack food and water, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a towel; staff can supply life jackets and infant vests if needed.
Call to reserve both your boat and any water toy you want, or request the toy at the rental office when you arrive for pickup.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Do I need to reserve a wakeboard in advance?
Yes—when you call to book your rental boat, ask to reserve the water toy of your choice to ensure availability; if you forget, staff can usually arrange rentals at pickup.
What are the age requirements to rent and operate a boat?
The Responsible Person who signs for the boat must be 21 or older with a valid driver’s license; any operators must be at least 18 and hold a valid driver’s license while accompanied by the Responsible Person.
Are life jackets provided?
Yes—all boats are equipped with 12 orange safety vests, a life preserver/throw cushion and a fire extinguisher; staff can fit customers with fitted life jackets and the operator carries infant life jackets.
Are there rules for children on board?
Children under 13 must wear a safety vest at all times while riding on any boat; infant life jackets are available from staff.
Will I get help learning to operate the boat?
Staff perform a dockside safety checklist, go over how to operate the boat and issue a temporary boating license that is valid for the duration of your rental.
When do rentals need to be returned?
Boats must be returned by 6pm.