Boating

South Beach offers access to Hale’s fleet of sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards. Season passes include boating lessons for all ages, and instructors teach budding mariners to safely use oars, hoist sails, tack, and navigate.

Boating Guidelines

Outside of boating lessons offered, neighbors are permitted to take out the boats on a first-come, first-served basis. Boats open 30 minutes after the gate opens and close 30 minutes before the gate closes.

To Borrow a Boat:

Head over to the boating area, speak to the boating attendant (or a staff member), and tell them what kind of boat you would like to take out. Staff will sign you out so that we know who is out in the boats.
Grab a correctly sized PFD. Everyone in a boat must be wearing a buckled, snug, and well-fit PFD (no exceptions). PFDs from home must be coastguard-approved type I, II, or III. Children are welcome to wear puddle jumpers from home.
Staff will give you the tools needed (paddles, oars, etc.) and bring your boat to the water’s edge for launch
When you are back, please pull your boat up on the shore and bring paddles back to the guard shack. Please hang up PFDs.

Who can take out a boat?

Adults and children over 13 may take out any boat within their ability.
Children 12 years old or younger must pass a swim test to take out boats alone. If they have not yet passed the swim test, they may go out on a boat with an adult over 18. For SUPs or single kayaks, an adult over 18 must be within ten feet of the child who has not passed
Sailboats can only be taken out by those who can rig and de-rig the boat and demonstrate they can sail a short distance.

Boating Rules:

Lifejackets must fit correctly and must be worn the entire time you are in the boat.
Because boats can carry invasive algae and bacteria from outside waters, we only allow Hale-owned boats on any of Hale's ponds.
Please stay at least 100 feet away from the swimming area so as to avoid hitting a swimmer.
Boats must return immediately to South Beach if three whistles are heard or at the first sign of thunder or lightning. If there is a sudden storm and you cannot get to shore quickly, park your boat at any shore. If you know where you are and can hike around back to South Beach, or if you see Hale staff with another program, you may leave the boat behind. Otherwise, please stay near the boat and wait out the storm.
Please do not beach or dock boats anywhere but the South Beach boating area except in an emergency.
Remain seated at all times, and resist rocking the boat or ramming into other boats.
Remain in your boat at all times. Noanet Pond was once a wetland with tree stumps and boulders. Jumping out of the boat may cause injury if you hit a hidden obstacle.
If a boat tips over, stay with it. Reposition your body to the beachside of the boat, and signal for help by yelling and waving your arms.
On busy days, please be considerate of others by limiting the time you use the boats.

How many people can you have in your boat?

Canoe - Max. 4 ppl (Max. 2 adults)
Rowboat - Max 5 ppl
Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) - Max 2 ppl (Max 1 adult)
Kayak - Max 1 person
Double Kayak - Max 2 ppl
Sailboat - Max 4 ppl (Max 2 adults)

Boating Lesson Registration

On the first day of the session: Registration opens at the Guard Shack one hour before each lesson’s scheduled start time. Registration is available in person only, giving priority to families attending that day.

After the first day: Any remaining openings may be reserved online through the Boating Sign-Up Google Form or in person at the Guard Shack.

Sailing

Beginning Sailing: Requires a Deep End Test

Intermediate Sailing: Requires a Sailing Test

Advanced Sailing: Requires a Sailing Test

All required tests must be successfully completed before participating. If your child still needs to be tested, please speak with a waterfront staff member for information about testing times.

Sailing Test Requirements

To successfully complete the Sailing Test, participants must:

Enter the water using the diving dock ladder.

Swim front crawl to the designated point and back.

Swim the same distance again using any stroke performed on the stomach.

Tread water for three minutes.

Continue treading water for one additional minute without using their hands.

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