Equipment Rental

Thank You for Your Patience & Important Updates for the Season

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our members and guests for your understanding and patience during our late-season opening. We recognize this delay has caused an inconvenience, and we truly appreciate your continued support.

As we move forward into a great season ahead, we’d also like to inform you of a few important updates regarding our aquatics offerings this season. 

As of April 23rd, 2025, our marina operation has not fully opened. During this period, limited class offerings can be reserved; however, equipment rentals and the full service catalog are currently unavailable.

We are currently finalizing our summer hours and days of operation. The schedule will be shared soon. Updates regarding our full season opening will be shared on our Equipment Rental and Program and Service Updates pages.

As part of our commitment to creating a better experience for everyone, we are updating our class policies. Starting this year, all classes will need to meet a minimum number of participants at least 72 hours before they begin. If a class doesn’t reach that number, it may be canceled. This approach helps us ensure a high-quality experience for all participants and allows our team to plan effectively.

We look forward to a fantastic season with you on the water!

Rentals at the UC Aquatics Center at the Berkeley Marina

The UC Aquatic Center at the Berkeley Marina is open on Friday afternoons (when tidal conditions permit) and weekends, offering complimentary kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals on a reservation basis for currently enrolled UC Berkeley students. Other participants may rent kayaks or paddleboards on a fee-based, by-appointment basis during these open hours. Participants will need to schedule a reservation online prior to their visit.

Participants who have completed and passed our Windsurfing or Sailing classes are eligible to rent that equipment, after they receive approval from the course instructor or the Boating Programs Manager. For more information, please contact Morgan Collins at morganjcollins@berkeley.edu.

*Student fees are offset thanks to the Berkeley Recreation & Wellbeing Opportunity Fund. Those wishing to rent a double kayak can make a kayak reservation and bring one additional person, who will be required to sign a waiver upon arrival at the UC Aquatics Center.

 

Reservations

All users need to make a reservation on the Recreation & Wellbeing online store. Users can reserve up to 5 days prior to the start time of the rental and can cancel their reservation up to two hours before the rental start time.

• Reservations are limited to 2-1/2 total hours, from check-in to check out. Participants will need to show a copy of their reservation before they are allowed access to the UCAC or the equipment. 
• Watercraft rentals are limited. Participants may schedule one reservation per day.
• Reservations can be made up to 5 days in advance, at the start time of the rental.
  • Saturday Rentals: Reservations open Monday of the same week.
  • Sunday Rentals: Reservations open Tuesday of the same week.

Berkeley Recreation & Well-being staff reserve the right to close the UCAC at any time.

How To Reserve a Kayak or Paddleboard

Users can view available rental days and times on the Kayak and Stand-up Paddleboard Rental page. You can visit the Recreation & Wellbeing online store to get started and search “Rental” or the Watercraft Rental Programs tab.

How To Cancel a Reservation

1. Log on to your account at shop.rs.berkeley.edu.
2. Click on your username (or UID) in the upper right.
3. Click profile.
4. In your profile, click on Programs, then select Registrations.
5. Find your reservation and click Cancel.
6. Students who do not show up for reservations may face future restrictions.

Questions

Contact Us

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Rules and Regulations

Users may utilize the boats for up to 2-1/2 total hours, from check in to check out, but shorter use is welcome. Facility closes at 5:00pm. All rentals end at 6:30pm regardless of start time. Check in is 15 minutes prior to rental start time.

What to Wear / Bring

• Adventures will provide you with a life jacket (PFD), wetsuit (optional) and spray top (optional).

• If the air temperature added to the water temperature is under 100F, we will require you to wear a wetsuit (provided). Please wear a swimsuit under the wetsuit.
• We require wearing shoes in our boats (sorry!) due to sharp shells in the bay mud, and dock hazards. Shoes must be secured at the heel (NOT flip-flops)
• You may bring your own equipment if you have it. You will get wet, please bring a change of clothes to change into afterwards.
• Changing rooms are extremely limited. We encourage you to arrive as prepared as possible.
• There are no lockers at the UCAC. You may choose to leave your gear on land at the UCAC, however we cannot be responsible for personal items stored at the facility (typically not an issue). Do not leave gear, or anything else, in cars in the parking lot.
• Any items left behind (water bottles, equipment, personal items, etc.) will be discarded at the end of each day.

Other Notes on Use

• Restrooms available via the public bathrooms in the parking lot east of the UCAC.
• Paddlers are required to clean and disinfect their equipment after use, with the assistance of UCAC staff.
• All paddlers must follow the direction of Berkeley Recreation & Well-being staff at all times.
• Berkeley Recreation & Well-being staff reserve the right to close the UCAC at any time.

Accessibility and Accommodations

The UCAC is accessible to all. However, at low tide the ramp up from the docks is difficult. For additional accommodations, please contact the Customer Service Center at crcinfo@berkeley.edu.

Directions to the Marina

The UCAC is at the Berkeley Marina. The address is 124A University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710. The facility can be accessed via bike, the 51B bus, car or ride sharing apps like Uber/Lyft. We are at the bottom of University Avenue.