Kayaking in Laguna Hills

Pirate Coast teaches aspiring sea cruisers to put plank to water and glide across the ocean's surface on a surfboard powered by a long paddle. Learn the basics of paddleboard through land and water instruction while simultaneously strengthening the core, the part of the body the rest of the anatomy looks up to. During lessons, students will practice newly acquired skills on Newport Back Bay, where calm waters relax inexperienced paddlers and rock merbabies to sleep. When the learning is complete, a tour of Newport Harbor will display views of windblown bluffs, sandy beaches, and yachts glimmering in golden sunlight. Each student is equipped with a stand-up paddleboard, paddle, and personal floatation device (upon request).

Located at a private patio and dock upon the 880-acre Newport Harbor, Newport Fun Tours launches self-guided or escorted jaunts that allow customers to explore the harbor’s sandy beaches, gentle surf, and varied marine life. Guests ride down the beachfront boardwalk on bicycles, tandem bikes, and surreys, taking in the sights of moored yachts and million-dollar mansions with moored yachts on their roofs. Knowledgeable Newport natives lead Segway tours on land, while kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours explore the surrounding waters.

The aquatic experts at Huntington Harbor Boat Rentals send mariners of all stripes into the scenic waters of Sunset Harbor on electric boats, standup paddleboards, and surfboards. They rent out watercrafts for temporary jaunts, which allow beginners to experience the freedom of paddling while standing up and entire families to collectively swear off land while aboard a 21-foot electric boat. For those more committed to their water sport, they sell standup paddleboards and surfboards. The professionals also invite explorers to get a new perspective on bending and balance with Yoga on Water.

Envy Rentals corrals a seaworthy stable of crafts designed for adrenaline-laced sessions of high-flying aquatic acrobatics, windswept cruising, or drifting away a lazy morning. Sporting wakeboards, wake skates, and tow ropes, each 2007 Mastercraft X-2 wake boat plucks potential boarders from the land for attempted thrills and certain water-caused chills during a half-day of wake thrashing. Hauling riders across the currents with the power of 310 horses, Envy’s Mastercrafts boast a 750-pound ballast capacity that fills and empties in fewer than five minutes for quick trades between mountainous water ramps and speedy travel times. Post-boarding, kick back and absorb fresh air and cool breezes to the thumping beats from a 300-watt JL CD system, Sirius satellite radio, iPod connectivity, or the boat’s onboard a capella group.

Since taking over and renaming the surf-and-turf shop in 2003, owner Sandra Dee continues to provide beach-goers with seaside accessories and rentals. Some aquanauts glide harmoniously over surging swells of water with one-day surfboard rentals, and others may opt to helm oceanic rocket ships coincidentally shaped like kayaks as they coast through local mounds of churning foam. Alternatively, landlubbers can stick to the shoreline, travel through town, or start a short-term bike gang with daily bicycle rentals. Though not included in this deal, Raw Skin Surf Shack also offers apparel and accessories for adults, kids, and pets.