New Name, but We're Still the Same!

Please visit us at http://www.avilabeachpaddlesports.com

For news and pics, go to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SLOCoastKayaks

For hours, conditions, and reservations call 805-704-6902

We've been slowly phasing in our new name, Avila Beach Paddlesports! What's in a name, you ask? Everything!

We love Avila Beach and we have dedicated the last 3 years to getting locals and visitors in the water on kayaks and SUPs (stand up paddleboards). We are Avila's only kayak and SUP shop, and we are really excited to provide you with the best service and easy access to our beautiful corner of coastline, year-round!

   Avila Beach Paddlesports...it just makes sense! Check out our multiple locations!

The Port! 3915 Avila Beach Drive

Port San Luis: Our Main Office is Open Year-Round

You can rent kayaks and SUPs at our main office in Port San Luis at 3915 Avila Beach Drive (right on the water before you get to the end of Avila Beach Drive and the 3rd pier).

This area is the Port San Luis Harbor area, and the waters are calm and perfect for beginning paddlers. We include a free lesson with all SUP and kayak rentals, so beginners are welcome!

Click on the link below to see an interactive map:

http://goo.gl/maps/EBnWb

Fisherman's Beach: Port San Luis Harbor

Calm Waters and Warm Weather! Perfect for SUP!

Perfect Conditions: Port San Luis Harbor!

The Dock in Front of Our Port San Luis Office

The Beach! Downtown Avila Beach

Seasonal Kayak and SUP Rentals on Main Beach in Avila!

Kids LOVE the Lagoon and Creek!

Starting in the spring, you can also rent kayaks and SUPs from our rental concession on the main beach in Avila. 

Easy ocean launching for a paddle to Pirate's Cove or explore the tranquil waters of the lagoon and San Luis Creek.

Look for our tent on the sand toward the creek and bridge area.

Kayak and SUP Rentals Available April-October on the Main Beach!

NEW Shop! San Francisco @ 1st Downtown Avila Beach

Interested in purchasing a kayak, SUP, or need some gear? Check out our retail location in downtown Avila Beach! 80 San Francisco St. @ 1st St.  (the green building across from the big public parking lot).

NEW: Get ready for kayak fishing season! We are stoked to offer a great selection of fishing kayaks and gear at our downtown Avila Beach store, located at the corner of 1st. St. and San Francisco St. Give us a call to check out the gear!

NEW: SUP retail! We are proud to carry Werner SUP paddles and a variety of SUPs and accessories. Give us a call and we can help set you up with a board and paddle that is right for you!

The Adventure!

Explore the Hidden Avila Beach!

Adrenaline Junkies Need Apply

Don't forget about the CAVES! Take a walk on Avila's WILD SIDE!

We are the only company on the Central Coast that offers tours of Avila's Fossil Point Caves!

We also offer tours to the Dinosaur Caves in Shell Beach!





NEW: Private tours to the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse! We are the only outfitter that has exclusive access to the historical Point San Luis Lighthouse.

We are now taking reservations for a real adventure! Explore the beautiful waters of the harbor, land on a secluded beach, take a quick walk to the lighthouse, and our guide will unlock the doors and take you inside for a private tour!

Our guide for this tour is a local historian and lighthouse docent. He's also an awesome kayaker!

...and our kid-favorite Port San Luis Harbor Adventure Tour (ages 7+)!

The Promise: We Give Back!

We created the Pay-It-Forward Paddling Project to provide opportunities for at-risk and underprivileged youth to enjoy kayaking and SUPing adventures at little to no cost! 

We believe that every child should have the chance to connect with the ocean, so we have created a special fund to sponsor educational and exciting kayak and SUP tours for young people of our community and beyond. We take a portion of every tour booked and contribute to this fund, so we can give the gift of paddling!

Learn More: http://www.payitforwardpaddlingproject.com/

Ask About Sponsorship for Your School or Youth Organization

We want to thank all of you for an amazing 2012, and we're looking forward to seeing you all again and making new friends in 2013!

Stay stoked!

--Vince and Emily Shay

Vince and Em Taking a Lunch Break!

Summer 2011 Recap

We did it! Summer #2 is in the bag! We’re alive and still kicking up some saltwater over here at SLO Coast Kayaks! This summer was a blast. First off, we would like to thank all of you; our customers, friends, and family for making our dreams come true! One of the joys of having a small, mom-and-pop shop is that we really get to know and connect with people.  We’re so happy that you enjoy your time with us, but we don’t know if you realize how much we enjoy our time with you!

Sarah and Tony, now Mr. and Mrs.!

We were so thrilled when Tony proposed to Sarah on one of our first ever Port San Luis Harbor Tours in Spring of 2010. We were even more stoked when they made it up here from L.A., 1-year later, as glowing newlyweds! We can’t wait to see them next year and in the years to come. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll have their little ones out there on the water (no pressure, guys!)…Congrats, you two!

Go, Terri!

Terri, a teacher from the Fresno area, has gone from being afraid of getting wet, to one of our “regulars.” She has several tours under her belt now, and last month conquered her fears on our Shell Beach Adventure Tour. As she launched through slots, glided over waterfalls, and punched through waves, it’s hard to imagine she was ever afraid of the water. Her stoke is infectious, and we are so proud of her! Way to go!

Team Ninja!

We had Team Ninja from Arizona, a radical kid crew of cousins that couldn’t be stopped! We lost count of how many guided SUP and kayak adventures they took with us, but we estimate that in two weeks, they probably paddled at least 20 miles! Keep in mind that the youngest paddler, Gordy, was 8 years old (and one of the funniest kids on the planet)! They say kids can age you—they must mean in reverse! We got back a good 5 to 10 years having Team Ninja around!

Team Ninja...at it AGAIN!

First Time SUP!

And all of the beginning SUPers out there…you guys are amazing! We loved getting every single one of you out there on stand up paddleboards. Many of you thought you couldn’t do it, but within 5 to 10 minutes were up, up, and on your way! The diversity of paddlers wanting to try SUP blew us away! We had everyone on the water, from 6 year olds to 76 year olds. SUPing went from your bucket list to your to do list! 

We couldn’t have made any of this happen for you if it wasn’t for some important people in our lives: our amazing staff and family!

Ken, thank you for being our biggest supporter and rock solid kayak guide! Your knowledge, generosity, and enthusiasm are unparalleled, and we couldn’t have done it without you! 

Ken--lighthouse docent
and kayak guide!

Ken on his famous Port San Luis
Harbor/Lighthouse Tour!

Christian giving SUP instruction
at our Port San Luis location! 

Chris, thank you for all of your hard work on the beach, at the shop, and in the water! You have brought so much to our company. You go above and beyond every day--always smiling, always positive, and you wrote the book on customer service! 

Chris rockin' the positive mojo at
our rental location in Avila!

Christian, you did a great job helping us out wherever we needed you! We know that you have a bright future ahead of you, and no matter where life takes you after graduation next year, we would be happy to have you back summer after summer!

The best thing about ending a season on a positive note, is you get to start the next one on the right foot. Hello, Fall! We’re excited about this beautiful time of year and hope to see you all on the water very soon!

Clap it out!

--Vince and Emily

SLO Coast Kayaks

Who Is Avila Beach Paddlesports?

Great question!

Avila Beach Paddlesports (formerly known as SLO Coast Kayaks) is a kayak and SUP rental and adventure touring company based out of Avila Beach, CA. Avila Beach Paddlesports was formed in 2009 and is a family affair, owned and operated by husband and wife team Vincent and Emily Shay.

Vincent Shay is a sea kayak guide, kayak designer, surfer, and professional photographer. His goal for Avila Beach Paddlesports is based on the idea of creating a safety-conscious and fun atmosphere for your family to enjoy the ocean environment as well as learning more about the local waters, history and the sports of ocean kayaking and stand up paddling.

Emily Shay was born with gills and has spent her entire life in, on, and under the water. Emily graduated from Cal Poly as an English major and later completed a M.A. in Education. Emily taught public high school for several years and later taught at a local charter high school for at-risk youth. She has recently "retired" from teaching high school to dedicate herself full-time to getting you and your family on the water.