Kayak rentals and boating on Lake Tahoe can be a thrilling experience. However, to keep the experience pleasant for all boaters, it is necessary to have rules and regulations in place to ensure safety and some level of boating etiquette. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has produced a guide to rules and regulations surrounding boating safety on Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States. While it is generally a safe lake to navigate, as with any body of water, boaters need to adhere to safe behavior to ensure safety for their passengers, as well as other boaters and swimmers on the lake. Regardless of whether you own your own boat or are piloting a kayak rental on Lake Tahoe, you are expected to ensure that your vessel is equipped with the appropriate safety equipment required by law. Life vests are always required. Other items may include: Fire extinguishers, a device to make noise in the event of a distress call such as a bell, whistle, or horn, and possibly a first aid kit. Boaters and kayakers are also advised to know the weather conditions before embarking on an excursion. Wind and weather can lead to dangerous boating conditions. Finally, it is against the law to drink alcohol while navigating a boat.
If you are manning kayak rentals at Lake Tahoe or any other boat, you need to be aware of the navigation rules for the lake. The Blue Boating guide introduced by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has established a no-wake zone of 600 feet out from the shore spanning the circumference of the entire Lake Tahoe. Speeds are posted at 5 miles per hour and are enforced by patrol boats. Underwater obstructions are marked by white buoys, which should be located between the vessel and the shoreline to eliminate the potential for accidents.
Boaters also need to be aware that Lake Tahoe has strict inspection requirements on invasive species. All vessels must undergo an Aquatic Invasive Species review prior to launching any boat into the water. This is a new law and is quite heavily enforced. Lake Tahoe contains six sites for inspection. They are: Alpine Meadows, Myers California, Homewood, Spooner Summit, Northstar at Tahoe, and Incline Village. Kayak rentals in Lake Tahoe or boat rentals may already be approved, and therefore, individuals who are renting their vessels may not have to worry about this inspection before embarking on their adventure. If your boat is not a rental, you will have to purchase a Watercraft Inspection Sticker at either your first boat launch or at the first inspection site.
Kayak Rentals Lake Tahoe Kayak rentals in Lake Tahoe are an easy way to experience the lake firsthand. For kayak rentals in Lake Tahoe, contact Action Water Sports at Incline Village, located at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort.
