Water Sports · Fishing · Ontario
A canoe and kayak store and rental centre in South Frontenac, ON, known for honest, hands-on advice, test paddles on a nearby lake and strong after-sale support, though one recent shopper found service slow.
Frontenac Outfitters is a paddling shop and rental base in the lake country north of Kingston. Plenty of reviewers drive several hours to get there, and most say the trip was worth it. The store carries boats, paddling gear and outdoor clothing, and one shopper singled out a wide selection of PFDs in every size.
The service is what people talk about. Buyers describe staff who ask questions on the phone before you arrive, let you try several kayaks on a lake nearby, and help secure the boat to your roof racks before you leave. After-sale support gets repeated praise: one customer who found a manufacturing defect had a replacement kayak delivered to their home by the owner. Deposits over the winter and part orders for older boats are handled without fuss.
Renters use the shop as a starting point for canoe trips and backcountry paddles in the surrounding lakes. They report a quick pick-up, help loading canoes onto cars, and an equally quick return with a simple damage check. Anglers looking for a fishing kayak are regulars too.
The rating is very high, but one recent visitor had a poor experience, describing long waits and staff who seemed stretched or indifferent. Busy summer weekends are likely the time this happens, so calling ahead or visiting mid-week may help if you want a proper test paddle.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 252 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre directly.
