About UsAbout Us
Additional links: Hours and Locations | Manufacturer Sites | Policy |
Interactive Store Tour | Event Photos
Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have! At Southwind, we value your input as our chance for improvement, so let us know how we are doing with our trips, lessons, rentals, or products!
General Questions (or Comments): info@southwindkayaks.com
Programs (Lessons, Trips, Rentals): program@southwindkayaks.com
Website or Mailing List Issues: webmaster@southwindkayaks.com
You can also reach us at the store by dialing (949) 261-0200.
Since 1987, Southwind Kayak Center has offered the ever-growing kayaking community of Southern California and Orange County with plenty, from merchandise sales to kayak rentals. We have been a reliable, knowledgeable, and trusted professional resource for paddlers by providing on-the-water boat rentals in Newport Beach, offering skill-training and lessons with our friendly instructors, leading guided tours through the Channel Islands National Park, and throwing many exciting events such as Kayak Extravaganza, free kayak demos, and several fishing tournaments each year. When you come to our 5000 sq.ft Irvine Store for the first time, you'll find the largest selection of kayaks in Southern California, as well as canoes and every sort of paddling accessory imaginable. Our huge inventory of boats, with over 80 different models and 400 in stock, has been carefully chosen to represent the paddling world's best - boats that will suit the paddling needs and styles of all kinds of paddlers. Our selection is also designed to fit every budget, ranging from low-end to high-end models as well as used and new kayak sales; we carry many options and colors for each model so that you get what you want at a low price. You'll rarely have to wait for a special order to get the boat you want with the color you want.
Brands we carry include Current Designs, Hobie, Native Watercraft, Wilderness Systems, Advanced Elements, Dagger, Feathercraft, Mad River Canoe, Northwest Kayaks, Perception, San Juan, SEDA, Valley Sea Kayaks, Wave Sport, and We-no-nah. We also stock a wide variety of paddling accessories, add-ons, options, and gear on sale to further enhance your paddling experience and to satisfy your needs.
You can demo nearly every kayak model stocked at our store at our Demo Mornings, so you can try at no cost before you buy! These events usually take place once a month, and you can see our complete schedule of events to plan for a date to attend. We recommend inviting friends, coworkers, or family!
In addition to our store inventory, we offer lessons and instruction, guided trips and tours, and kayak rentals in southern California. We have a on-the-water rental base at Newport Beach, only several miles and a short drive from our 5000 square foot Irvine store. Rent kayaks for fun for yourself, or for family and friends, by the hour, or per day at low prices! We even supply PFDs and paddles for you! Each year we host several special sale events and several fishing tournaments. Be sure to stay up-to-date with our events (see our monthly calendar or yearly schedule of events) and specials & sales on kayaks and kayaking products. Or subscribe to our mailing list to let us keep you updated on events and special offers!
Trips and lessons are a hands-on opportunity for you to develop and practice your kayaking skills. They are also fun group exercises and adventures for friends, family, and coworkers. Since Southwind guides are also professional sea kayak instructors, we can work with you on any aspect of your paddling, from refining your basic touring strokes to developing advanced surf landing techniques and rock-garden skills, both during our daily stroke clinics and with one-on-one coaching. We are always eager to teach, just bring an open and willing mind! Our guides are also very experienced at kayak camping. Let us show you the easy way to pack your kayak so you can experience the outdoors comfortably for days at a time.
We are proud of our staff of friendly and highly trained professional kayakers - all life-style paddlers of passion. On any day, you might find us out on various outdoor adventures: surfing, coastal touring, bird watching or river kayaking. Please use our collective experience and breadth of knowledge to help you choose gear, in our classes and trips, or to simply help you learn about the sport. Just let us know what kind of paddling you do (or want to do), your past experience(s), your budget, and any preferences you have. We'll guide you through the selection process so that you will feel confident that you are getting equipment that is right for you. Don't hesitate to contact us (see below) and thanks for visiting us!
The Southwind Staff
Mike and Kei Ong have been second-generation owners of Southwind since 2006. Their leadership and hard work have been inspired by the large kayaking community of Southern California.
Harold Tervort enjoys touring and camping from his kayak. He focuses on the details of kayaking, from
techniques to equipment design and materials. While touring is his main passion, Harold also enjoys kayaking
in surf and sea caves. He has been a full-time Southwind instructor/guide for thirteen years.
Lynn Haskell as a young girl always searched for puddles of water to play in because it was so
much fun for her. So, she just kept on playing around the water - exploring the Florida Everglades by canoe,
kayaking the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, crewing on California's
official tall ship, hiking and kayaking Utah's Canyonlands National Park. Most of all, she enjoys sharing the fun
of kayaking our local coastal areas and the Channel Islands with others... come join her and the others at
Southwind Kayak Center for some great kayaking programs and adventures!
In addition to our full-time instructors, Southwind has a fine staff of part-time but very professional "weekend warriors." They add an exciting flare and competence to our team.
Instructors
Lynn Haskell - Scott Hilliard - George Manolakas - Mike Pack - Tom Testerman
Our rental bases are staffed with friendly and helpful paddlers to get you on the water and having fun.
Store Staff
Ruth Hsu - Kei Ong - Mike Ong
Rental Base Staff
Adam Doyle - Preston Ong
Website
Andy Banh
Southwind's founders, Doug and Joanne Schwartz, have enjoyed working with fellow paddling friends on the water and in the store for 20 fulfilling years. They are now off planning kayak expeditions throughout North America and the world. They continue to host future slide shows at our store, and they hope to see you on the water!
Additional links: Hours and Locations | Manufacturer Sites | Policy |
Interactive Store Tour