Kayaking in Laguna Hills

When Brian McInerney reflects on the humble beginnings of Wheel Fun Rentals, Inc., he points to his childhood passion for bikes. "As far back as I can remember, I had a real love affair with bicycles," he recalls. During a trip to Italy in 1987, Brian's affinity for cycling blossomed into a full-fledged obsession when he spotted locals' transporter of choice, the surrey. Inspired, he began importing the Italian four-wheelers to a rental business in the U.S. that eventually expanded into Wheel Fun Rentals, now a nationwide web of shops that also loans out bikes, electric cars and mopeds, and man-powered watercraft. Adventuresome athletes can also compete in activities such as surrey scavenger hunts and blindfold obstacle courses navigated via shouted instructions from a seeing teammate or exceptionally long rounds of trial and error.

Adventures Boat Rentals' sea-loving staff outfits the Newport Beach area with both self-propelled and electric-powered vessels. The Duffy-brand electric boats produce zero emissions and carry up to 12 passengers, and Adventures Boat Rentals’ paddleboards and kayaks only produce a soft squeal when passengers board. The staff also equips each rider with a map of the harbor's restaurants to find grub after their adventure.

Located on the 880-acre Newport Harbor, Balboa 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 brightly hued beach-cruiser bicycles, taking in the sights of moored yachts and million-dollar mansions with moored yachts on their roofs. Chatty, knowledgeable Newport natives lead segway tours on land, and water excursions depart on kayaks and paddleboards.

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).

Amateur surfers are a lot like newborn fawns: they?re wide-eyed, full of life, and not so great at standing. That?s why head instructor and founder of Surfari Surf, Rick Gehris?along with his team of seasoned instructors?begins every first-time lesson by introducing a simple, achievable goal: stand. To increase the chances of success, Gehris and his instructors?well versed in Hawaiian, Californian, and Floridian surfing methods?hop right into the water to assist students as they cut into the waves. The instructors hang off the tails of their surfboards, stabilizing each board and repositioning students until they?re ready to take to the open water and try out their pickup lines on the nearest, cute-enough dolphin. In addition to surf lessons and camps, instructors also show off their athletic prowess during standup-paddleboard lessons, which often are supplemented by independent board rentals.

If you want to traverse the calm waters of Newport Bay, Balboa Boat Rentals' kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats will suffice. But if you want to venture out into the sea, Balboa's staff also rents out sailboats, power boats, and harnessed sharks. Balboa's Coast Guard?licensed captains will even take the wheel if you want, either during parasailing trips or boat tours in cushy pontoon boats.