Shawn Duytschaver of Native Rentals helps a family launch Kayaks into the calm waters of Palma Sola Bay.
Posted by David McRee at BlogTheBeach.com.
In early August I spent a couple of days down on Anna Maria Island meeting some new people, thanks to the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. They heard I love kayaking and eco-tours, so they sent me over to Native Rentals to meet owner Shawn Duytschaver. We chatted about kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding while waiting for a family to arrive to arrange their rental kayaks.
Shawn is a native of the area and getting people out on the water is what he does best. His shop is full of kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles and all the gear and accessories that go with them. He proudly displays a framed newspaper article with a photo of himself sitting in his kayak holding a 22 pound King mackerel landed in a fishing tournament where he was the only boater using a kayak. He made the catch 5 miles offshore.
The Native Rentals / Native Sports shop carries a choice selection of kayaks, bikes and paddle boards for purchase and for rent. Located in the Island Shopping Center in Holmes Beach.
Native Rentals shop in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. The shop rents and sells kayaks, bicycles, skim boards, skateboards, and stand-up-paddle boards.
The family of island visitors soon arrived and Shawn said he was going to take us to the Robinson Preserve in Northwest Bradenton to go kayaking. Shawn carried the kayaks on his truck and trailer and we all followed him to the Palma Sola causeway. He quickly helped us all launch our kayaks and we were off.
Here I am after launching my Prowler kayak into Palma Sola Bay. I waited for Shawn to lead the way.
The calm waters of Palma Sola Bay in the Robinson Preserve were perfect for relaxed kayaking.
We got off to a late start and the August sun was brutal. I was glad for the shade of a mangrove tunnel that sheltered us briefly on the way to Perico Bay. The preserve was much quieter than I’d expected. Mostly we heard the sound of cicadas in the nearby trees, the call of ospreys, the croak of a startled heron, and the occasional slap of a jumping mullet.
I follwed Shawn through a mangrove tunnel that provided much needed shade. The the strong incoming tide made our return trip easier.
Shawn was a good guide and provided just enough guidance and interpretation to keep me oriented, but he pretty much let me do my own thing. The kayak experience he offers is mainly “self-guided.” He brings the kayaks to wherever you want them, helps you get set up, and then you take it from there.
Here are some facts about Native Rentals:
- Shawn has a Casual Adventures meet-up group if you’d like to meet other kayakers and have fun. Guided trips available through the meet-up. Are you up for a nighttime full-moon kayak trip?
- Native Rentals is Manatee County’s only Ocean Kayak and Giant Bike dealer.
- Native Rentals also offers Old Town, Necky, Surf Tech, Laird Hamilton Stand-up Paddleboards, Kahuna Land Paddleboards, and EZ Skim boards.
- Demo day every Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palma Sola Causeway.
Where is Native Rentals?
Website: Native Rentals http://www.mysitontopkayak.com
Street Address: 5416 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 Island Shopping Center (links to Google Maps)
Native Rental shop phone: 941.778.7757
Shawn’s cell phone: 941.527.6355
Shawn Duytschaver of Native Rentals is as much at home conducting business on the water via cell phone as he is from his shop at the Island Shopping Center in Holmes Beach. Here he takes a call while loading kayaks onto the trailer after being out on the water.
