Birdneck Canoe and Kayak Launch Site

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009

Time: 9 am until noon

Location: Lynnhaven River, Virginia Beach

Canoeing and kayaking are one of the best ways to see the Lynnhaven River. There are so many shallow creeks and coves that can only be reached in a canoe or kayak. Each is full of surprises---the periwinkle snails on the marsh grass, the herons and egrets fishing in the shallow waters and the quiet beauty. You can be a mile from dense commercial and residential development and experience wilderness.

The new Birdneck Canoe and Kayak Launch Site will open on November 7, 2009. An official ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a paddling trip from 9:00-noon are planned for the morning. You can bring your own canoe or kayak and join the paddling trip or you can rent a kayak, paddle and pfd for the morning from Wild River Outfitters. The cost to rent a boat is $20 and reservations need to be made in advance by contacting Karen Forget or Lillie Gilbert or calling the Lynnhaven River NOW office at 757-962-5398.

To reach the new launch site, turn west on Old Virginia Beach Road off of Birdneck Road between Laskin Road and Highway 264. You will be launching into the Great Neck Creek area of Linkhorn Bay. You can go north under the bridge at Laskin Road and into Linkhorn Bay or south where the creek narrows and you are surrounded by marsh.

If you have only seen the Lynnhaven River from the Lesner Bridge or from a motor boat in the broader deeper parts of the river, you owe it to yourself to experience these quieter parts of the river from a canoe or kayak. You may be surprised at the complex systems of life so close to us.

25th Annual Canoe and Kayak Demo Day

Don't miss this HUGE event!

Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010

Time: 10 am until 3 pm

Cost: $5 (donated to a local nonprofit)

Since 1986, Wild River Outfitters, Inc. has offered customers interested in purchasing a canoe or kayak a chance to test drive various models on the water.  This year's on-water event will once again be held at First Landing/Seashore State Park 64th St. entrance in Virginia Beach, VA. 

Manufacturer's representatives from the following companies bring trailer loads of boats for you to paddle.  You can bring the family and plan for a day of fun. If you've got your own PFD, you might want to bring it to save time.