Lake Tahoe paddlers?

Going Paddling
#1

I live in Atlanta and am going to a wedding in Lake Tahoe (closer to South side). I can rent a boar and guide from an outfitter but would be happy to go with a local paddler who has an exttra sea kayak and bear (I’d bring a wetsuit). I’ll be there around August 11 and am interested in maybe a 3 hour paddle. I’m fairly proficient: decent onside roll, been paddling for over 30 years, have done an instructor devel workshop on the Ga coast etc. Let me know if you’d like to paddle with someone from the other side of the country.

Thanks

#2

A difficult lake to paddle. Go in the morning before the wind. The south east shore over by Sand Harbor is probably best for paddling. You are right to bring a wet suit. Even in August the water temp will be in the 60s.

#3

Interesting and helpful. Thanks for confirming need for a wet suit. Any local paddlers want a buddy?

#4

Not local, so can’t help with local paddling buddy. Have paddled the lake a bit, including circumnavigating 3 times as a safety boater/guide for a non-profit fund raiser.

If you haven’t seen, here is the water trail page: Lake Tahoe Water Trail Day Trips - Information and Maps

Sand Harbor is actually in north east corner (not SE). Pretty place - and paddling from there south along east shore is most rugged section of lake. That, or paddling in to Emerald Bay (and watch for osprey nests on south side of Emerald Bay), are probably the most iconic stretches.

Reality is the water is cold - should be low 60s in August. But you probably won’t see anyone wearing we suit or dry suit. And I don’t think they are provided by rental companies. South sore can be a bit warmer but not warm), as it is shallower than north shore.

Also I don’t know of any rental company that rents sea kayaks. Most or all do sit on tops (and paddle boards). Some, like the folks at Cave Rock, use those clear kayaks.

#5

Emerald Bay is a dangerous location to paddle. It is full of power boats and the entrance is very narrow. The winds that come out of there are ferocious. I had a sailboat on the Lake for 6 years and always had some trouble in Emerald Bay. The east shore is quiet and shallow with very interesting water colors and rock formations to see in the clear water.

#6

Thanks much for these suggestions and cautionary notes - truly. I plan to wear a wetsuit and paddle on the South side with a guide from a local outfitter - Tahoe City, which seems to be the only one that actually rents sit-insides.

#7

Tahoe City is on the northwest part of the lake.

#8

Turns out that Tahoe City also has a facility on the South side.