Speed Read: Fun-in-the-Sun Rentals
Fear of commitment clouding your forecast for fun? Lease your way to living it up with cabanas, kayaks, booze cruises, and more.
1. The Monon Community Center’s version of VIP rooms takes the form of private cabanas—14 poolside shelters equipped with ceiling fans, charging stations, swanky furniture, and privacy blinds. The cabanas come in two sizes, and the smaller one costs $20 less but puts you closer to the FlowRider action—and all the shrieks and screams that come with it. $49 to $99, $19 and up 4 p.m.–close; 1235 Central Park Dr. E, Carmel, 317-848-7275
2. Stand-up paddleboards are the Midwest’s answer to surfing. SUPIndy will deliver boards, oars, and life jackets to the shoreline of your choice and give you a few minutes of basic instruction—which is plenty. “Longer lessons are kind of a ripoff,” owner Mark Eggert says. “You can be standing up in three to five minutes.” $40 half day, $60 full day; 317-506-4861
All day All day! Thanks to everyone who celebrated the 4th on the water #SUPINDY 317 506 4861 pic.twitter.com/rKvRHt0Jbu
— Paddleboard Indiana (@SUPindy) July 5, 2015
3. If you’re a SUP newbie—or perhaps a SUP-yoga enthusiast—request a “flat-water” board. Its hull is wider, flatter, and more stable than paddleboards built for racing.
4. Paul Hilton organized the Indiana Kayakers club (IYAK) six years ago, but when people kept showing up without boats, he got into the delivery business. Freedom Kayak Adventures brings one of nine styles to the launch site of your choice. For a path less paddled, Hilton likes Big Walnut Creek, a winding, scenic river west of Indy that’s only navigable after a rain shower (but not a heavy one). About $50 per day; 888-830-4531
5. Can’t meet Hilton’s six-boat-minimum delivery requirement? Tag along on an organized IYAK paddle instead. The group meets at Eagle Creek every other Tuesday at 6 p.m. $25 boat rental
6. For a portable party, it’s hard to beat a pontoon. Lease one at the Geist Marina and ask for directions to Cocktail Cove, a social inlet near the Springs of Cambridge neighborhood. Buzzkill: Boating while intoxicated (BWI) is a Class C misdemeanor, and it can jump to a felony if someone gets hurt. $150 to $275 per day plus fuel; 11691 Fall Creek Rd., 317-849-8455
For a date-night sunset cruise, rent a pontoon at Geist Marina. $50 per hour, two-hour minimum
7. Landlubber? Bring the party to your backyard with an inflatable movie screen from KidZone Party Rentals—projection equipment and surround-sound speakers included. $450 and up; 317-777-2404
8. If you can’t wrangle a group to split the cost of $300 to $400 to book the HandleBar or Pickled Pedaler, reserve a single stool on one of the pedal pubs for $25 Thursday through Saturday. The Pickled Pedaler drops it to $21 on other days, and it’s also introducing a route focused on Broad Ripple breweries. If you get too pickled to pedal, ask the driver to rev the backup engine.
We had a blast at the @indypride Parade last weekend! pic.twitter.com/zpuj356xJG
— The Pickled Pedaler (@PickledPedaler) June 17, 2015
