Outfitters:
There are many outfitters across the state of Rhode Island and in nearby parts of Massachusetts who provide various services including selling and renting boats and gear and providing guided trips. Below is a map and list of the outfitters we know about, with some brief information about the services they provide. Many of these outfitters have generously contributed their time and resouces to the Rhode Island Blueways Project.
Unless otherwise noted, outfitters listed as having a sporting goods store sell canoes or kayaks as well as other paddling and camping related gear. As always, it is a good idea to call first before visiting a store to find out if they have the type of gear you are seeking. For boat rentals "on the water location" means that you can rent a boat and put it in the water at the outfitter's location rather than having to drive the boat to another location in order to go paddling.
1. Blackstone Valley Outfitters
Address: 2 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI 02864
Telelphone: 401-312-0369
Services: Sporting goods store, boat rentals (on the water location), guided trips, lessons
Address: 277 Water Street, Warren, RI 02885
Email: info@canoepassage.com
Telelphone: 401-245-9025
Services: Sporting goods store, guided trips, lessons
3. Eastern Mountain Sports - Cranston
Address: Garden City Shopping Center, 176 Hillside Road, Cranston, RI 02920
Telelphone: 401-944-5500
Services: Sporting goods store
4. Eastern Mountain Sports - Middletown
Address: Middletown Square, 1313 West Main Road Middletown, RI 02842
Telelphone: 401-846-6766
Services: Sporting goods store
5. Eastern Mountain Sports - Kayak School
Address: 849 Cumberland Hill Road, Suite 7, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Telelphone: 401-762-8587
Services: Lessons, guided trips throughout New England and Maryland, boat rentals (on the water location), kids and special needs camps, American Canoe Association and British Canoe Association instructor certifcation training
6. Great Canadian Canoe Company
Address: 64 Worcester Providence Turnpike (Rt. 146), Sutton, MA 01590
Email: kayak@greatcanadian.com
Telelphone: 508-865-0010 or 800-98-CANOE
Services: Builder and retailer of canoes, kayaks and other small boats; and related accessories
7. The Kayak Centre of Rhode Island
Address: 9 Phillips Street, Wickford, RI 02852
Telelphone: 888-732-5292
Services: Sporting goods store, lessons, guided trips, adventure travel, boat rentals (on the water location)
Address: (no retail location) Kingston, RI 02881
Telelphone: 401-207-6511 or 401-783-0599
Services: Guided trips in South County, boat rentals
9. Narragansett Pier Dive Shop
Address:145 Boon St., Narragansett, RI 02882
Email: charlie@pierdive.com
Telelphone: 401-783-2225
Services: Boat rentals (also scuba diving supplies and services)
Address: 95 Middlebridge Road Narragansett, RI 02882
Telelphone: 401-789-0334
Services: Boat rentals, guided trips
Address: 99 Poppasquash Rd., Bristol, RI 02809
Telelphone: 401-254-4000
Services: Sporting goods store, guided trips, kids' camps, boat rentals (on the water location), lessons
12. Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures
Address: 489 Old County Rd., Westport, MA 02790
Email: westport@ospreyseakayak.com
Telelphone: 508-636-0300 or 774-930-2668
Services: Sporting goods store (new and used boats), lessons, guided trips, kids' camps, adventure travel, American Canoe Association instructor certifcation training, boat rentals (on the water location), boat repairs
Address: 22 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston, RI 02920
Telelphone: 401-275-5250
Services: Sporting goods store, adventure travel
Address:1009 Main Street Hope Valley, RI 02832
Telelphone: 401-539-4050
Services: Sporting goods store
If you are looking for ways to get out on the water, don't forget to also check our links page for non-profit groups that run guided trips. RIC/KA and the AMC both run regular paddling trips (both are membership organizations). Many of the watershed councils also run occassional paddling events that are open to the public.
