Summer Fun at Monadnock Paddle in Fitzwilliam

Looking for a fun outdoor activity? Why not try kayaking or canoeing! It's a great way to get outside, enjoy a little bit of exercise and relax in nature. Kayaking may seem a bit intimidating when first thinking of getting out on the water. Kayaks and canoes can be pricey to purchase when you're not sure whether you will even like the sport. Or, you may live in a small apartment that doesn't have any place to store something so large. Then you have to think about whether your vehicle is capable of transporting a boat from place to place. That's where Monadnock Paddle comes in. Monadnock Paddle of Fitzwilliam rents kayaks and canoes and even offers delivery. Liz Butler and her husband, Paul, purchased the property in Fitzwilliam in late 2022. They opened Monadnock Paddle in May of last year and opened for this season on Memorial Day weekend. "Our property is on Scott Brook, a very wide brook that is fed from Scott Pond. The water comes from Mount Monadnock and glacial water," described Liz Butler. The property is surrounded by wetlands, and the water is very calm and doesn't move too much. "This area is really good for beginners and people who want a quiet, easy paddle. It's very scenic. Mount Monadnock is in view the whole way." The brook itself is about a mile long and ends at a beaver dam before you have to turn around to paddle back. If you prefer paddling elsewhere, Monadnock Paddle can handle that too. They offer delivery for a fee, or you can rent a kayak and take it on your own. They have rooftop racks and wheeled carts available for rent. The wheeled carts can come in handy for remote paddle spots. When it comes to what they have available, Butler said they have single kayaks, tandem kayaks, children's kayaks and canoes. Each kayak or canoe comes with personal floatation devices (PFDs) and paddles. Along with paddling, Monadnock Paddle has picnic tables available for use, a porta potty and a small selection of drinks and snacks. They are a great place to throw a birthday party, or a family get-together. They have hosted Mother's Day brunches, moonlight paddles, weekly senior paddles and they plan to do a fairy and gnome house building event in the next few weeks. "Our property is an island in the middle of the wetlands, so we have lots of little nooks and crannies and they would make some great places for fairy and gnome houses," explained Butler. Monadnock Paddle also hosts summer camps and hopes to be able to team up with local schools in the near future to offer some ecological learning. "I think it's important to be a part of the community. We really want to be involved with the community and are hoping to work with schools to build education programs and field trips." To rent at Monadnock Paddle the cost is $30 for a single kayak and $45 for a tandem kayak or canoe. For delivery they charge $40 for one to four boats and then $60 for five to 10 boats. Anything over 10 miles, they charge an additional $2 per mile. "We try to make it fairly accessible for everyone. We do group rates as well," added Butler. Monadnock Paddle is located at 311 Route 12 in Fitzwilliam. They are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, seasonally beginning May 25. Weather permitting. For more information visit their website, www.monadnockpaddle.com, call, 585-2256, or email, liz@monadnockpaddle.com.