California Watersports

What California Watersports does

California Watersports is a privately held watersports rental and recreation operator founded in 1972 and based at a 1.7-mile by 0.5-mile section of Agua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad, California. The company rents a diversified fleet that spans motorized craft (Yamaha Waverunners, mini boats, Bayliner/Tahoe runabouts, and Suntracker pontoons seating 2-10 passengers at 25-45 mph) and non-motorized craft (Wavestorm paddleboards, Perception single and tandem kayaks, Aquacycles, swan pedal boats, and pedal fishing kayaks). Beyond rentals, the business monetizes five private event venues (beach areas, decks, and The Hut tiki space for groups of 8-75), structured youth programming including the H2O Extreme Summer Camp and Spring Break Fishing Camp for ages 6-14, an Annual Passive Pass membership, recurring events such as the Kayak Fishing Contest and Row in the Dark, and ancillary streams including boat storage, launch permits, used equipment sales, and gift cards. Pricing is predominantly usage-based, ranging from $25 for non-motorized hour-long rentals to $1,675 for a full-day large pontoon, with subscription and one-time-fee structures layered on top. The operation is exclusively direct-to-consumer at a single physical site, with bookings flowing through the Peek.com platform and waivers managed via Smartwaiver; corporate and group inquiries are routed through a dedicated email channel. There is no proprietary technology platform, no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, and no institutional ownership; the business appears to be independently owned with 101-250 employees and no parent company or funding rounds documented.

Name

California Watersports

Legal name

California Watersports

Website

https://carlsbadlagoon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

California Watersports is a privately held, single-location watersports rental operator on Carlsbad's Agua Hedionda Lagoon, offering motorized and non-motorized watercraft, private event venues, youth camps, and recurring events to individual, family, and corporate recreation customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watersports and recreational equipment rentals

NAICS

Recreational Goods Rental (532284), Marinas (71393), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Recreation Rentals & Tours Retail Counter (On-site Sales) (CRAMAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB), Private Charters & Yacht Experiences (Crewed, Bareboat, Day Charters) (THAJAJAB)

Keywords

• Watersports rentals
• Boat rentals
• Kayak rentals
• Paddleboard rentals
• Lagoon recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlsbad

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Equipment Rentals: Hourly and daily rental fees for motorized watercraft (Waverunners, pontoon boats, runabouts, mini boats) and non-motorized equipment (kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, aquacycles). Pricing varies by duration from 1-hour to full-day rentals.
2. Private Party Space Rentals: Hourly/daily rental of private decks, beaches, and 'The Hut' tiki venue for events including birthdays, corporate events, and family gatherings. Starting at $250 for small beach areas up to $600 for The Hut.
3. Youth Camps: Multi-day summer and spring break fishing and watersports camps for children ages 6-14, priced at $449 per child with sibling discounts.
4. Annual Passive Pass: Annual membership offering daily 2-hour paddleboard, kayak, or aquacycle rentals. One-time fee of $399 or $99 down plus $29/month after first month free. One-year contract with month-to-month after.
5. Events and Contests: Kayak fishing contests and special events like 'Row in the Dark' with ticket pricing. Fishing contest tickets from $59-$299 depending on entry type.
6. Equipment Sales: Sale of used paddleboards and kayaks at end of season. Currently selling 12-foot Liquid Shredder paddleboards and Perception kayaks (single and tandem).
7. Boat Storage: Covered and uncovered boat storage offered at the lagoon for customer boats. Pricing provided upon inquiry.
8. Launch and Permit Fees: Daily permits sold for $9 to launch personal kayaks/paddleboards. $10 launch fee from beach area.
9. Gift Cards: Gift cards sold with custom values and no expiration date.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

California Watersports operates a watersports rental business at Carlsbad Lagoon in Carlsbad, California, offering hourly and daily motorized rentals (Waverunners, pontoon boats, runabouts, mini boats) and non-motorized rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, aquacycles, fishing kayaks), alongside private party spaces, youth camps, and seasonal events. Bookings are processed through the Peek.com platform with digital waivers handled via Smartwaiver. The company also sells gift cards, used equipment at end of season, daily launch permits, and an Annual Passive Pass subscription membership.

Product overview

California Watersports operates a watersports rental business at Carlsbad Lagoon offering a diverse portfolio of motorized and non-motorized watercraft rentals, private event spaces, and youth programs. The motorized fleet includes Yamaha Waverunners (two-passenger, 45 mph), Mini Boats (two-passenger, 25 mph), Runabout speed boats (Bayliner/Tahoe, 40 mph), and Small and Large Pontoon boats (Suntracker, 35 mph). The non-motorized portfolio comprises Wavestorm paddleboards, Perception single and tandem kayaks, Aquacycles (water tricycles), Swan Pedalboats, and pedal fishing kayaks. Private party venues include The Hut (tiki hut, fits 30), Large Deck (fits 50-75), Small Deck (fits 25), Large Beach (fits 25), and Small Beach (fits 8-10). Youth programming includes H2O Extreme Summer Camp (ages 6-14) and Spring Break Fishing Camp. Seasonal events feature a Kayak Fishing Contest and Row in the Dark evening adventure. A subscription product called Annual Passive Pass offers daily two-hour passive rentals for $399/year. All bookings are managed through Peek.com, and waivers are processed via Smartwaiver.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waverunner Rental Two-passenger Yamaha Waverunner rentals at Carlsbad Lagoon offering up to 45 mph, with safety orientation included. Renters must be 18 or older.
• Mini Boat Rental Two-passenger speed boats with a 25 mph top speed and 435 lbs weight capacity, designed for zipping around the lagoon.
• Runabout Rental Bayliner and Tahoe speed boats reaching 40 mph with capacity for up to 6 passengers.
• Small Pontoon Rental Eight-passenger pontoon boat with couch-like seating and bimini shade for comfort on the lagoon.
• Large Pontoon Rental Ten-passenger Suntracker pontoon boat with life vests and gas included, reaching 35 mph. Renters must be 21 or older; no boating license required.
• Paddleboard Rental 10-foot Wavestorm foam paddleboards with 300 lbs weight capacity, suitable for sitting, standing, or kneeling.
• Single Kayak Rental Single-person Perception kayaks with 250 lbs weight capacity, including life vests and paddles.
• Tandem Kayak Rental Two-person Perception kayaks with 550 lbs weight capacity, including life vests and paddles.
• Aquacycle Rental Two-person big-wheel water tricycles for pedaling around the lagoon, with a 400 lbs weight capacity.
• Swan Pedalboat Rental Swan-shaped pedal boat fitting 4 people with a 500 lbs weight capacity, including life vests and orientation.
• Fishing Kayak Rental Pedal-driven fishing kayaks with hands-free performance for solo or group angling on the lagoon, suitable for all ages and skill levels.
• The Hut Private Rental Tropical tiki hut with indoor space (refrigerator, freezer, sink, microwave) and outdoor patio (artificial turf, standing bar, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, propane BBQ) accommodating up to 30 people for full-day events.
• Large Deck Rental Private deck overlooking the water with 3 picnic tables, 4 Adirondack chairs, and BBQ, accommodating 50–75 people for full-day events.
• Small Deck Rental Private deck between the beach and boat dock with 2 picnic tables, 3 Adirondack chairs, and BBQ, accommodating up to 25 people for full-day events.
• Large Beach Area Rental Fenced-off private beach space on the waterfront with 2 picnic tables, 3 Adirondack chairs, and BBQ, accommodating up to 25 people for full-day events.
• Small Beach Area Rental Private beach space with 1 picnic table, 2 Adirondack chairs, and BBQ, accommodating 8–10 people for full-day events.
• H2O Extreme Summer Camp 5-day summer youth camp for ages 6–14 offering stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, pedal boating, beach games, and boat drives. Runs Monday–Friday 9am–2pm at $449 per child with $399 sibling discount.
• Spring Break Fishing Camp 5-day spring break camp teaching fishing skills, knot tying, bait/lure usage, and fishing from kayaks and boats for ages 6–14, priced at $449 per child with $399 sibling discount.
• Kayak Fishing Contest Annual catch-and-release kayak fishing competition for all ages and skill levels, with singles ($59), partners ($99), and 6-angler team ($299) divisions. Kayaks are included with ticket purchase.
• Row in the Dark Evening glow-themed paddleboarding, kayaking, and aquacycle event with live music, campfire, and beach games.
• Annual Passive Pass Annual membership offering one 2-hour daily rental of paddleboard, kayak, or aquacycle. One-time fee of $399 or $99 down plus $29/month, with a one-year contract converting to month-to-month thereafter.
• Gift Cards Gift cards with customizable value and no expiration date, available for purchase through the Peek.com booking platform.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Gelato Spring WaterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of the Carlsbad Lagoon Kayak Fishing Contest event. Provides product support for the fishing tournament.
• Sun BumminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sun care and sunscreen brand sponsor of the Kayak Fishing Contest. Logo displayed on event sponsorship section.
• Sure RideminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of the Carlsbad Lagoon Kayak Fishing Contest event.
• Loss PreventionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of the Carlsbad Lagoon Kayak Fishing Contest event.
• PelicanminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Kayak manufacturer sponsor of the Kayak Fishing Contest. Logo displayed in event sponsorship section.
• Carlsbad Lagoon Happy PaddingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Local partner sponsor of the Kayak Fishing Contest event.
• Bitchin SauceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Food/snack brand sponsor of the Carlsbad Lagoon Kayak Fishing Contest.
• WavestormminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Paddleboard brand (Wavestorm) sponsor of the Kayak Fishing Contest. California Watersports uses Wavestorm paddleboards for rentals.
• Kai OlaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor of the Carlsbad Lagoon Kayak Fishing Contest event.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lake Havasu Water Sports: A Lake Havasu-based jet ski, boat, and watercraft rental company offering single-location experiences on calm inland water — functionally equivalent to California Watersports' enclosed-lagoon positioning with comparable fleet composition.
• Newport Beach Boat Rentals: A Southern California-based boat rental operation in Newport Beach offering motorized watercraft and water toys for tourists — directly comparable to California Watersports in regional geography, target customer (Southern California tourists), and product offering (motorized craft by the hour/day).
• Mission Bay Aquatic Center: A San Diego water sports rental and lesson center operating on Mission Bay, offering kayaks, paddleboards, sailing, and other water recreation — directly comparable to California Watersports in both product mix (rentals + lessons/guided activities) and Southern California regional geography.
• Action Water Sports: A Door County, Wisconsin water sports outfitter renting pontoons, kayaks, paddleboards, and Waverunners from a single waterfront location — a direct functional analog to California Watersports in fleet mix, single-site rental counter model, and motorized + passive offering.
• Atlantis Watersports: A water sports tour and rental operator in the Bahamas offering jet ski, parasail, and banana boat rides — a direct functional analog in the rental-tour-experience product category that competes in the same watersports rental vertical as California Watersports.

Broad incumbents

• Hornblower Cruises & Events: A larger water-based experience operator running cruises, charters, and corporate events across major U.S. ports — overlapping with California Watersports' private-event/corporate-event channel and event-services revenue stream.
• Boatsetter: A peer-to-peer and rental boat marketplace operating in coastal U.S. markets, including Southern California — directly competing for pontoon, speedboat, and watertoy rental demand that California Watersports serves through its own fleet.
• GetMyBoat: A peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace aggregating private boat owners globally — overlapping with California Watersports' core motorized rental offering by providing a competing supply-side channel for short-duration watercraft rentals.
• Carefree Boat Club: A membership-based boat club offering shared fleet access via recurring fees — structurally analogous to California Watersports' Annual Passive Pass subscription product, capturing recurring revenue from recreational boaters without ownership.

Regional players

• Enterprise Boat Rental: Part of a national rental brand network offering boat and watercraft rentals in select coastal markets — comparable to California Watersports in core rental activity but operating across broader geographies with potentially different fleet economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/carlsbadlagoon
• Facebookfacebook.com/californiawatersports
• Instagraminstagram.com/carlsbadlagoon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carlsbadlagoon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Watersports