Open kayaking and stand up paddleboarding
Take advantage of our Olympic-sized pool and informal instruction to hone your paddling skills and learn new techniques. Both recreational kayaks and stand up paddleboards are available.
Upcoming sessions
Open kayaking will run from January 13 to April 28 during the spring 2026 semester. Please note there will be no session on March 24 due to spring break.
Purchasing punch passes
All users who are not current students or members must purchase punch passes to participate in open kayaking. There are a variety of punch pass options that you can choose from. Please note that punch passes expire 2 years from the date of purchase and there are typically 15 open kayaking sessions per semester.
Punch pass options
- 1 pass: $10
- 5 passes: $45
- 10 passes: $75
- 15 passes: $90
To complete a purchase you will be prompted to log in to our online dashboard. For detailed instructions on creating an account and logging in, you can visit our login troubleshooting page. At any time you can see how many punch passes you have remaining.
Pre-registration and check-in
It is strongly encouraged that all participants pre-register for each open kayaking class session that will be attended. You can pre-register for each session up to a week in advance. This step will help ensure you have punch passes available and your online waiver is current. It will also help the check-in process run more efficiently.
Upon arrival every participant must check in with our staff. As part of check in you will be issued a wristband and one "punch" will be deducted from your pass. All participants will need to sign an online waiver before participating. Waivers are valid for one year from the date of completion.
Equipment and logistics
- Boats, PFDs (life jackets) and paddles are provided as needed.
- Personal kayaks are permitted so long as they are clean and free of debris. Boats may be transported through the side entrance of the ONAT pool (door #14). Please note that these doors may not be propped open under any circumstance.
- Participants may arrive up to 15 minutes early to transport kayaks to the pool deck and use the pool locker rooms.
- Parking is available in Lot 8 and Lot 10. All parking costs are managed by UAkronPark.
- The street address for the Rec center is 382 Carroll St, Akron, OH 44325.
- Boats are not permitted on the water before 8pm.
- All participants must be out of the ONAT facility by 10pm. This means planning ahead to exit the water as early as necessary to ensure you are out of the building on time, including kayak transport and locker room use.
Directions
Contact us
- Jon Dent
- Manager, Outdoor Adventure
- jdent1@uakron.edu
- 330-972-7357