Outpost Sports manager Tricia Pearson displays kayaks available for rent on Silver Beach. Paddle boards are also popular. Photo by Katie Rohman

By KATIE ROHMAN

katie@offthewater.com

There’s no need to head to the East or West Coast for a taste of the ocean lifestyle — the Third Coast is adding more options to attract visitors to its white sand beaches.

Outpost Sports has offered kayak rentals for many years at its St. Joseph store, but beach-goers can now rent boards and kayaks and literally carry them off the sand into Lake Michigan.

The store offers kayaks, boogie boards, skim boards and paddle boards for rent and purchase. Manager Tricia Pearson said the paddle boards are “up and coming” in popularity because they are suitable for all ages and very user friendly.

The paddle boards, which are larger than surf boards, are also “a really good core exercise,” Pearson said.

Outpost offers paddle board lessons Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m.

No reservations are allowed for board or kayak rentals at Outpost, which is open seven days a week.

Prices range from $10 for a boogie board or skim board for a half-day or $25 for a kayak or paddle board for two hours. Kayaks and boards can also be rented for a full day, two days or a week. Security deposits are required and demonstrations are available.

The South Haven and New Buffalo stores also rent bicycles.

Outpost Sports offers summer clothing, swim suits, beach toys and a wide variety of kayaks and boards.

“Once people rent something, usually they come back to buy,” Pearson said.

Outpost Sports is located at 800 Lions Park Drive, St. Joseph; it also has stores in South Haven and New Buffalo, Mich. and South Bend and Mishawaka, Ind. For more information, call (269) 983-2010 or visit outpostsports.com.