Wakefield
Community Boating

No experience necessary. Our sit-on-top kayaks are user-friendly and stable when you’re seated. Lake Quannapowitt is a calm, flat-water lake — one of the most beginner-friendly paddling environments around. Staff will give you a brief orientation before you head out. We do recommend that boaters have some swim experience.

Yes — every person on the water needs to be registered. When you add a date to your cart in RecDesk, you’ll be prompted to check off which household members are paddling that day. Each participant then selects their own time slots and completes the waiver. Make sure everyone is added to your RecDesk account before you start the reservation process — if someone isn’t in your account, you won’t be able to register them at checkout.

Find your date on the program listing and press + to select it. Press Add to Cart, then check off everyone in your household who is paddling that day. For each participant, select the 1-hour time blocks you want. Check back-to-back blocks to extend your time. Complete the waiver and pay online — then just show up at the dock and check in.

Pricing is $15/hour for a single kayak and $20/hour for a tandem. Reservations are booked in 1-hour blocks — you select the specific hours you want and are charged per block, per kayak. For example, selecting two consecutive blocks gives you two hours on the water. We strongly encourage booking and paying online in advance. Limited walk-up availability may be paid on-site with cash. Going over your reserved time may result in additional charges.

Yes — our kayaks are sit-on-top style with scupper holes, so when water gets in, it drains out rather than filling the boat. Expect to get splashed. Wear clothes and shoes you’re comfortable getting wet.

Possibly, but capsizing is quite normal. Our sit-on-top boats are very stable when you’re sitting in them. Standing up in a kayak is another story — don’t be surprised if that ends with a swim.

Red single kayaks have a 225 lb weight limit. Green single kayaks have a 275 lb limit. Tandem kayaks have a 425 lb combined limit and can also be paddled solo.

The minimum age to participate is 3 years old. Boaters age 14 and under must have a parent or guardian on the water with them at all times. Boaters ages 15–17 may go out on their own but must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver. You must be 18 or older to sign the waiver independently.

Yes — walk-ups are welcome. But we only have 20 boats and cannot hold them for anyone who hasn’t reserved. If we’re at capacity when you arrive, you’ll need to wait or come back. Reserving in advance is the only way to guarantee your kayak, especially on weekend days when demand is highest.

Each life jacket includes a whistle — use it in an emergency. Staff monitor the water throughout operating hours. Our crew members are certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED administration and have completed boating safety training. We also have a Boston Whaler on standby to reach any boater in distress quickly.

We operate as long as conditions are safe — light rain is fine. We will pause or cancel if there is thunder and lightning, heavy winds, or reduced visibility. Check the Boys & Girls Club of Metro North Facebook page for updates. If your reserved session is cancelled due to weather, we will contact you to arrange a refund.

Cancellations made more than 48 hours before your reserved session will receive a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours of your session are non-refundable.

Yes. All participants must complete a liability waiver before getting on the water. You’ll complete it as part of the online registration process — no separate step needed. Adults must complete the waiver on behalf of any minor in their group.