When
Bill and Katelyn Allen opened Sebago Trails Paddling Company in May of 2013,
they didn’t expect it to be the rainiest spring in recent memory. Despite the
wet beginning to their business, they rented canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to
locals and tourists until the end of October.
This
year has already been a better paddling season, said Bill, who has been
paddling since he first learned to row at his grandfather’s camp. When he was
in high school, he purchased his first kayak and hasn’t looked back.
Sebago
Trails has more than 40 boats to rent by the hour, day, week or more. In
addition to renting kayaks, standup paddleboards and canoes, it also buys and
sell used boats and do some consignment sales. Bill and Katelyn do service on
kayaks and canoes and do plastic welding on boats that have holes in them. They
have even done trade-ins.
“I
do a lot of information giving,” said Bill after a customer stopped by to find
a good place to canoe with his daughter.
“I
want to be the go to person. Do you have a question about paddling in the
region? I have the answer,” Bill said.
There
are 30 to 40 launch sites in a 12-mile radius of North Windham, and Sebago
Trails delivers to any of those sites for a small fee. Boats, life jackets and
paddles can also be picked up at the shop. The store has a small retail stock
of sunscreens, bug sprays and water tight bags to store valuables in as well as
life jackets and paddles.
The
store front is located at 4 White’s Bridge Road, right off Route 302 in North
Windham.
Sebago
Trails Paddling does more than just kayak rentals, they also do classes on
paddling through Windham/Raymond Adult Education and Gorham Adult Education.
They are also on www.meetup.com/Windham-Raymond-Paddling-Club/. Through the
meetup site, Bill and Katelyn set up different paddles. Bill is quick to point
out that there is no membership, no dues. A person brings his or her own craft
to paddle or rents one from Bill and then they go with the group. “It’s like a
flashmob,” said Bill.
Last
Saturday, the meetup did a full moon paddle at Raymond Beach. They watched the
sun set and the super moon rise from the seats of their kayaks. There is
another meetup scheduled for August 10th. “A lot of people are virtual strangers
and at the end they’re friends,” Bill said.
Sebago
Trails stays open until October for fall foliage paddles. “This is really what
people are missing out on,” he said. October first is a great time to paddle to
see the foliage.
In
the area, tourists are often amazed at how much wildlife they see on their
paddles in Windham, for example. One couple from New York rented kayaks and
went over by Gambo Dam on Bill’s recommendation (it’s his favorite place).
During their trip, they saw deer, a bald eagle, geese and more.
In
addition to meetup, Bill also organized paddles for groups.
For
a quick paddle, visit Lippman Park and rent kayaks by the hour from Sebago
Trails Paddling Company. The cost is $10 per hour and renters go to the store
first, then go get the kayaks. There are three kayaks and a canoe stored near
Chaffin Pond for rentals.
In
the future, Bill hopes to increase the retail store inventory. “I’d like to be
the area’s leading paddle sports outfitter,” he said. They will also be
expanding the sales of new Emotion and Riot kayaks.
Renting
is a great way to discover if you like the sport before forking over the money
and then discovering that it’s not to your liking. “The first goal is to go out
and have fun,” Bill said.
Reservations
are recommended. Visit them online at www.sebagotrails.com, in Facebook or call
894-4696.
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