Beth's on the Bay: A Retirement Project That Became Manotick's Favourite Way Onto the Water

Some of the best businesses in Manotick started as something else entirely — a hobby, a favour for a friend, an idea that just grew. Beth's on the Bay is one of those. What began with Beth's own kayaks and paddleboards, lent out to friends who kept asking to borrow them, has turned into one of the village's most beloved summer businesses.

How It Started

Before launching the business, Beth spent years around the water in other ways — teaching swimming lessons, guiding canoe trips, and working in childcare. That background shows in how the business runs today: patient, hands-on instruction for total beginners, and a genuine focus on making sure everyone — swimmers and non-swimmers alike — feels safe and confident before they push off from shore.

What started as personal equipment turned into a small rental service almost by accident, as more neighbours asked to use her gear. Today it's a family-run operation, and Beth remains very much the heart of it, greeting paddlers and fitting life jackets herself.

What You Can Do There

Beth's on the Bay rents single and tandem kayaks and a range of paddleboards, right along the Rideau River just off Manotick Main Street. It's open seven days a week and can accommodate custom bookings outside regular hours — sunrise paddles, fishing trips, and private group rentals included. Over time, Beth has also helped run some memorable on-the-water community events, including sunset paddles, senior nights, and paddleboard yoga in partnership with Riverside Yoga.

This Saturday: CHEO Paddle Day

True to form, Beth's community-minded streak is showing up again this weekend. On Saturday, July 18, Beth's on the Bay is co-presenting the 1st Annual Paddle Day for CHEO Mental Health Services at Mahogany Bay, alongside Take a Stand – Lend a Hand!, a Paddle Scavenger Hunt, a Group Adventure Paddle, prizes, and a wear-pink anti-bullying theme, with Big Rideau BBQ on site donating $1.50 from every item sold. Registration and full details are on our CHEO Paddle Day post.

If you've never been out on the Rideau from Manotick before, this is the easiest possible way to start — good equipment, patient instruction, and one of the most genuinely community-minded small businesses in the village.