New this year, we are welcoming the public to try out kayaking at the Botanical Garden!

During July and August, we will be open on weekends, holidays, and Twilight Thursdays for Kayaking on Oxen Pond. Single kayaks can be rented for $10/hr and tandems can be rented for $15/hr. General admission, pass holder discounts, and taxes apply.

Times:
Weekends: 10:00am-12:00 noon & 1:00-4:00pm
Twilight Thursdays: 4:00-7:00pm
Regatta week (all week!): 10:00am-12:00noon & 1:00-4:00pm

Groups may email bgprograms@mun.ca or call 709-864-8590 to book.

All participants will need to sign a waiver, and will receive some basic instruction with their equipment and safety gear.

 

Kayaking Q & A:

1: Do I need to bring anything?
We provide all the safety gear and supplies you need, but coming in clothing that dries quickly will be most comfortable.
We provide: The kayaks, a paddle, a PFD, a whistle, and a bailer;  You should bring: quick dry clothing, crocs/water shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat if you like.  It will also be good to have a towel, change of clothes, and walking shoes (to get to and from the pond).

2. Will I get wet?
You will likely get a little wet at minimum, but could get fully wet if you fall in.  It is good to bring a change of clothes just in case.  We don't have spray skits (a protective cover which prevents water from getting inside the boat and holds the paddler in).  Our recreational kayaks are the "sit-in" style but have a large opening.  This makes it safer for beginners as they will fall out of the boat if it were to tip.

3. Will I tip?
It's highly unlikely unless you are being careless.  If the weather is too windy we won't have kayaking open that day.  Our boats are wide and designed to be hard to tip.  In the summer of 2024, when we first got the kayaks, we only had two people tip and both were senior staff members: one was in a wonky blow-up boat we were testing, and the other was playing a game with the kids that got very competitive, and they turned too tight.

4. What happens if I tip?
We always have shore supervision staff during the rental period.  They are trained to watch for any issues and will come to your rescue.  They may help you get back into your boat or may tow you to shore if that is preferred.

5. What age people can go out in the kayaks?
Right now we are comfortable letting youth aged 9+ head out in a kayak by themselves.  Exceptions may be made for responsible children who have experience on the water.  All youth will need supervision and a waiver signed by their adult.  We also have two tandem kayaks, where an adult can sit in the back, and a child in the front.  We recommend that you only bring children you are sure can follow instructions and will stay sitting at all times.

6. What size lifejackets/PFDs do you have?
We have from infant to XXXL PFDs.  The infant size is the only true lifejacket as it is equipped with flotation behind the head.  A PFD, or Personal Flotation Device, is more comfortable to wear during activities, but assumes the wearer can control their body to keep their face out of the water.  Our inventory includes:
Infant PFD: For Toddler who weighs between 20-31lbs (9-14kgs)
Child PFD: For Child who weighs between 33-55lbs (15-25kgs)
Youth PFD: For Youth who weighs between 55-88lbs (25-40kgs)
Adult Small PFD: For an Adult who weighs more than 90lbs/41kg (Chest 33-37in/84-94cm)
Adult Medium PFD: For an Adult who weighs more than 90lbs/41kg (Chest 37-41in/94-104cm)
Adult Large PFD: For an Adult who weighs more than 90lbs/41kg (Chest 41-45in/104-114cm)
Adult XL PFD: For an Adult who weighs more than 90lbs/41kg (Chest 45-49in/114-124cm)
Adult XXL/XXXL PFD: For an Adult who weighs more than 90lbs/41kg (Chest 50-60in/127-152cm)

7. What is the weight limit of your kayaks?
Our single person kayaks have a weight limit of 250lbs/113kg
Our tandem kayaks have a total weight limit of 500lbs/226kg

8. Will there be a safe place to store my valuables?
We recommend leaving most of your valuables at home, but items like a phone or car keys can be stored either in a compartment in your boat, or we will provide a lock box that stays with our shore supervisors.  Large items (a purse or bag) can be left at our visitor services desk in the Field Centre.  There is a possibility of the items in the compartment getting wet, but it is designed to prevent anything from falling out if the boat were to tip.

I have more questions!
Please email us at garden@mun.ca and we will do our best to get back to you!