South Bass Rendezvous
Every year, paddlers & friends meet at the South Bass Island state park for “The Rendezvous”
2025: Friday to Sunday – June 6th, 7th, 8th
What Is The South Bass Rendezvous?
This is nothing more than paddlers meeting on dry land without much of an agenda besides getting together at the South Bass Island Sate Park. It is a great place and time to meet new and old paddling friends and have a great time. Read about the social activities below. Everybody will set there own agenda and schedule. It is nothing more than an idea to meet on land.
Most people will be renting camp sites at the South Bass Island State Park for Friday & Saturday nights. Some people will come early and some will leave later.
If you decide to paddle or sail you are on your own.
Make sure everybody in your group considers all the safety and risk considerations.
Dates for The South Bass Rendezvous
It’s always the 2nd weekend after Memorial Day, and everybody is invited!
- 2025: Friday to Sunday – June 6th, 7th, 8th
- 2026: June 5th, 6th, 7th
- 2027: June 11th, 12th, 13th
- 2028: June 9th, 10th, 11th
- 2029: June 8th, 9th, 10th
South Bass Rendezvous Questions
Who Is Invited?
Anybody who wants to go. Novice to advanced paddlers & paddlers friends and family. Since it is nothing more than friends and friends of friends meeting on the beech anybody is welcome to come on down. In the past instructors have scheduled classes at the same time this group of paddlers is at the state camp ground. These classes are purely done by those giving the classes. If you participate in the classes it is a deal between you and the instructor & or any business that decides to give classes.
What Will The Activities Be?
It is just a group of Kayakers that will meet on land. You are completely responsible for yourself. Some paddlers will be happy just hanging out on land or staying near shore, near the campground, and some may decide to do more. There are no safety paddlers, or guides. You are 100% responsible for yourself. Know your limits, don’t push yourself or endanger other paddlers by joining on trips that exceed your level or comfort zone. Do not invite paddlers you are not sure are ready for what you plan on doing or may do when you are out. Read the safety notes below before you do any paddling.
Practice Opportunities
The shore near the camp site is usually a good place to practice. If you are interested in practicing rescue and paddling skills invite others to do it with you.
Kayak Rental Options
Over the years there have been some basic kayak rental options on the Island. They are not sea kayaks or good for long days on the water, but typically there are some options.
Getting To South Bass Island
There are no bridges to South Bass Island. The most common ways to get there are to take the Miller Ferry. Some people paddle to the island.
If you have any doubts about your skills or anybody in your group, do not paddle to South Bass Island. It is very exposed & Lake Erie can surprise you with wind, waves, fog, lots of power boat traffic ( some are reckless ) & other hazards. If you click on the above maps, you can see directions. You can take your car and or kayak on the Miller Ferry. During the busy season they may require that you reserve a space for your car on the ferry. You can also take the Jet Express, but you can not take your car or kayak on the Jet Express. If you take the Jet Express you can rent a bike or golf cart where the Jet docks.
Kayaking Notes
Do not assume you are safe because you are with a group. The Rendezvous is a gathering on land and there are no planned or organized paddles of any kind. It is only an opportunity to meet other kayakers from the region. The wrong group could tempt you to go beyond your limits. Do not join groups that you are not completely aware of what they are planning on or may do. Some will do paddles that others are not ready for. Do not invite or include people that may not be ready for the kind of paddle you may do. Make sure everybody in your group has the skills, physical ability, and the right gear for what ever you plan on doing.
Safety
If you decide to paddle when you are there visiting the Rendezvous, be careful.
Kayaking on Lake Erie has many potential hazards, including cold water, fog, wind, waves, squall lines, high concentration of power boaters in many areas. Some are reckless.
There are zero organize paddles and zero safety boaters for the Rendezvous. Just like any other paddle you normally go on or decide to go on you are responsible for your own safety.
If you are prone to doing dumb stuff stay at home. Tell your friends the same thing.
Check weather forecasts, consider staying within swimming distance near the state park.
Do not count on somebody being there for you, or being able to help you if they are there. Avoid getting in over your head and take care of yourself.
Make smart and informed decisions. If you have any doubt at all about anything stay on shore.
Have a like minded paddling partner. Have a plan with that partner.
Stay away from shoals when there are waves.
Do not paddle close to shore unless the shoreline you are paddling is protected from waves.
Do not follow a group anywhere unless you know that you and your partner are both 100% ready to handle separating from the group at any time.
Do not count on a stranger or feel you are safe just because there is a group. Nobody is responsible for yourself except you.
Try to make sure everybody is safe.
If you see somebody that needs help, or is in a uncomfortable or un safe situation please help them get to shore.
Do not be afraid to mention something about safety to another kayaker.
Do not exceed your skills. Encourage others to not exceed their skills.
The waters near South Bass Island are very exposed. If you venture far from land it is like being in the middle of the lake. Since Lake Erie is relatively shallow the waves tend to be steep and close to each other.
If you are anywhere near a point of land that boats would use as a turning point / cut stay very close to land & do not linger in these areas. Wear bright colors, and keep all in your group close together.
Make sure the combined & every bodies individual skills in your group are adequate to avoid and deal with potential problems.
If you have any doubts in your skill, or people you paddle with take the ferry, and stay close to shore.
Do not go on a paddle that you think may exceed your skill level or anybody else in the groups skill level.
Here is a partial list of what you should have if you venture far from shore:
- Make sure you have the skills to deal with what can happen on the water.
- Let somebody know where you are going and when you will be back.
- Do not be late if you do not have a plan to communicate that you will be late.
- Bring with you the following
- Life Jacket (Always where your life jacket)
- Flotation and / or water tight bulkheads.
- Thermal protection for potential swim. Dress for immersion.
- At least 1 competent paddling partner.
- Adequate clothes
- Pump
- Paddle Float
- Spray skirt
- Properly equipped boat with grab lines
- Bright colored equipment and clothes.
- Helmet if you are in breaking waves and or playing in rock formations.
- At least 1 person in your group should have 1 of the following, and know how to use it.
- VHF radio
- GPS – Make sure you have way point for land. If visibility drops, you will need it.
- Compass
- Tow Line
- Spare Paddle
Pictures
Activities
Activities – Talk with other paddlers. They are usually very friendly & like other paddlers.
Friday night Pot Luck – Friday night starting at 7pm
Every year there is a Friday night pot luck dinner at the shelter near the park entrance . This could be the best part of the Rendezvous!!
If you are interested in a Saturday night pot luck, be social at the camp ground and start inviting people to participate. There will be a guest speaker and a raffle.
Friday night camp fire
Usually somebody has a camp fire going. Don’t be shy! Stop on by and hang out. Kayaker are a friendly bunch of people. They want to meet you. If you have some scrap wood bring it to the fire.
Saturday night Dinner plans
Usually a good size group of people walk into town for dinner at the Board Walk. They are known for lobster rolls, lobster bisque, crab legs and other sea food. They even have all the boring stuff for people that do not like sea food.
www.the-boardwalk.com
Saturday night camp fire
There has always been a Saturday night camp fire somewhere on a beach front site. Stop on by and hang out.
Sunday morning breakfast
Usually a group of people go into town for breakfast. Of course many of them paddle into town.
Other food options
You can take your own food and eat in the park, or you can take advantage of the dozen or so restaurants in the town of Put-In-Bay. The Boardwalk is a great place for lunch and dinner. Frosties is a favorite place for breakfast.
Party Options
The park is a fairly quiet place where you can relax. If you want to party you can venture into the town of Put-In-Bay.
If you like to listen to music and go to the bars, you will have endless opportunities. There are 1 man bands, huge party bars and everything in between. They say what happens in Put-In-Bay stays in Put-In-Bay.
Other things to do on the Island
Other On the Island Options
Visit and observe the Lake Erie Islands from the 352 foot high Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. The national park service has a museum to help you learn about the Battle of Lake Erie and one of the last times the Unties States and the United Kingdom were at war.
https://www.nps.gov/pevi/index.htm
Visit the docks in town. The South Bass Rendezvous is always the same week end as the Mills Trophy Race – an over night well known large sail boat race that has been a Lake Erie Tradition for over 100 years. This attracts a nice array of sail boats to check out and enjoy.
There is lots of interesting shopping. Do not let Put-In-Bays party reputation keep you away. 95% of South Bass Island is 100% peaceful 100% of the year. Most South Bass Rendezvous participants are there to paddle and spend very little time in town.
If you are looking for a crazy time its easy to find in town. Bring your beads.
There are many on land options for having fun.
Other info
Wind being one of the most important weather factors learn about the forecasts for the day. Wind Guru is a great forecast site for granular forecast details.
https://www.windguru.cz/map/?lat=41.59240853327674&lon=-82.78550536228198&zoom=10.214457197830162
Go here to see extensive NOAA/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conditions and forecasts.
https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/
Click Here to see kayak sails made by Falcon Sails, LLC. Stop by site 105 and surrounding sites to meet a group of Falcon Sailors.
Maps
See You There!
South Bass Rendezvous 2025