Northwest Outdoor Center — Attraction in Seattle

My family just had a unusually good experience with the Northwest Outdoor Center'; and we weren't even customers. We have a boat on the adjacent dock to the south. The weather was so gorgeous today that we decided to take our four kayaks out for the first time this season even though it was a school afternoon. When we started to walk our kayaks down the dock to our boat we found that only the smallest one could make the bends and twists without dumping one person off into the water (We can't launch from our dock near the Electronic Boat Company. The owner goes spare.).

Northwest Outdoor Center let us launch our three larger kayaks off their dock (the next dock to the north of our boat dock) and were very friendly. One of the employees even came out and strapped a flashlight to each of our kid's boats, just in case we were out long enough for it to get dark.

Out on the lake, the apricot sunset past the Aurora Bridge, with the Freemont bridge behind it and the mountains silhouetted above was beyond glorious. Seattle shimmers in twilight. If you haven't kayaked or paddled boarded, it's easy to learn and there are few places more convenient, gorgeous and safer to learn. Just check them out at NWOC. They've got some great kayak toys in their shop also; if you're like us and own a flotilla of your own.

Thanks to whoever you were, Mr. Handsome-Dude-With-Two-Flashlights and Ms. Friendly-Young-Pretty-Woman-Behind-Counter. They really made our day and replaced the little stresses of two parents trying to squeeze in a "quality family time" between the end of work at bedtime with "wow, aren't people in...

Not my first time renting kayak there. I have kayak experience in the past, even live on a sailboat and I know the water. We check-in ok, told us to pick life jacket and stand there and wait. A young employee sat there on the phone ignoring us. Someone told her, she stood up attend to us. Her tone of voice wasn’t very friendly to begin with. No safety reminder or instruction. Got us sat on the kayak, didn’t attempt to get us out of the slot. Wind was blowing hard, 2-3 other kayakers and a rental boat around. She kept shouting and yelling at us very rudely. Yes, we were struggle at the beginning and need more coordination, but we do not appreciate yelling. Her shouting and Yelling did not help, only make us more confuse. Use more constructing instruction and nicer tone of voice. Could it be because we were Asian? We were out 1.5 hour and had a good time. On return, an older employee lady was very nice, patiently helping us. I see that other employees were nice, only that one that was rude, I believe her name was Page? I talked to the manager, he acted like we were at fault, I yelled at him, see how...

Love this place. Have been coming here for years! I tell all my friends about it.

The location is convenient for me so I'm glad I can come here for a quick kayak rental. Their prices are very reasonable and I am always able to get on the water when I want to. The staff are super friendly and helpful.

I've told my friends about the memberships they offer and some have taken me up on the offer. The membership is super worth it if you get on the water a lot. You can get single rentals or tandems!!! So great to take a date or a friend for a night water date. Their kayaks and life jackets are always good quality and I have never had an issue with them.

They always pick up when I call and can answer any question you have so call if you need to!

They also allow you to launch your own kayaks or SUPs if you come with a friend who is renting from them so that's convenient to go with friends. I love this place!!!...