Those who make their livelihoods getting people out on the water are busy ramping up for what is forecasted to be a big summer.

Brett Campbell owns Sunset Watersports with a fleet of 45 jet skis and 45 boats he rents out of Bayshore Resort and delivers to cottages all around the region. Though peak business doesn’t hit until July, he says, a crew of 20 is busy now getting all the rentals in tip-top shape for the season.

Clinch Park opening soon
Traverse City’s Clinch Park is gearing up for summer crowds with the splash pad playground and new vendors readying for the Memorial Day weekend kickoff.

Jeff Bensley, owner of Paddle TC, will be running the equipment rentals at the park after he was awarded the contract with the city. He replaces The River, owned by Mike Sutherland, which previously ran the rental operation as well as the concession stand.

Paddle TC will rent bikes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (and possibly beach chairs and umbrellas) as well as offer local tours.

“I’m super excited,” he says of his new venture. He also is co-owner of TC Watersports.

The Clinch Park concession stand will be run by Eddie and Dani Walker, who previously operated Edany BLT on West Front Street. Their concessions contract with the city also includes Hickory Hills and this past winter was their first season of operation there. It was the most successful to date, according to Eddie Walker.

They are excited to bring their fare to Clinch Park with Bayside Bites. The menu will highlight local vendors – burgers, brats and sausages featuring Maxbauer’s meats, Moomer’s ice cream and salads made fresh from ingredients acquired at the downtown farmer’s market. They will also offer a limited breakfast menu.

“It will be higher-end concession food, but still price conscious and kid-friendly,” says Walker. “We’re very focused on doing a good service for the city.”

Pedaling and paddling around town
Troy Daily, the local entrepreneur who has created several businesses around TC’s recreational and craft brewery scene – including TC Ale Trail, TC Cycle Pub and Paddle For Pints – has now launched Kayak, Bike and Brew, a pedal and paddle pub crawl. He has set up operations behind behind Pangea’s Pizza in downtown Traverse City.

The new business offers two four-hour tours daily featuring pedaling and paddling to Right Brain, The Filling Station and Rare Bird. Another tour option includes Brewery Ferment, North Peak and The Workshop Brewing Co.

Mike Sutherland is also seeing plenty of demand for people wanting to explore town by bike and watercraft. He has combined The River and 231 Outfitters brands to create The River Outfitters, now open for the season and operating in the Warehouse District adjacent to the new Hotel Indigo. He rents paddleboards, kayaks and bicycles, and also offers a range of tours around town. 

“Wet and fast” sailing
Traverse Area Community Sailing (TACS), a nonprofit organization that provides affordable sailing opportunities to residents and visitors, has added a new style of boat to its sailing fleet – O’pen BIC boats – to encourage a love for sailing at a young age.

“The O’pen Bics are designed to be wet, fast and fun boats to sail,” says Jim Sorbie TACS board member. “They’ll give a level of excitement to sailors from 10-14 that we’ve previously been unable to provide. These boats are designed to be capsized, then righted and sailed away by young people, with little or no assistance from coaches and the safety boats.”

The organization operates out of Hull Park on Boardman Lake. To learn more about sailing classes for kids (as well as programs for adults) this summer, click here or call 231-922-5922.