Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to experience nature. In a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), you can enjoy the weather, spot wildlife and get some exercise. If you don’t own a kayak or paddleboard, paddle gear, or the right vehicle to transport them from lake to lake, accessing these activities can be difficult.
Western Country Rentals has the solution. This locally owned and operated paddle rental company offers a self-serve option at three lakes southwest of Edmonton. Accessing paddle gear is easy.
- Book your rental online
- Pick it up at the lake
- Start your adventure
We are big-time paddlers at Northern Explorers, and happy to promote a local business that is making the activity easier and more accessible in the Edmonton region.
About Western Country Rentals
Western Country Rentals was founded by two sisters, Jada and Kayley Micku, who grew up in the Buck Lake area. The pair have always loved exploring the outdoors and have deep roots in the local recreation community.
“Our family owned and operated West Country Leisure, a multi-franchise sports equipment business on Buck Lake, so we grew up surrounded by outdoor recreation and became very familiar with the lakes, communities and opportunities in the area,” shared Jada.
While their early outdoor experiences were on motorboats, quads and snowmobiles, they developed a true appreciation for the quiet, relaxed experience of paddling. During the pandemic, they saw an opportunity to start a small side business that would offer people an accessible, safe way to get outdoors and enjoy the local area.
They launched the rental business in 2022, initially as part of a franchise, but later transitioned to their own independent company, West Country Rentals. The business name is a homage to their family business, West Country Leisure.
“We wanted to make it easier for people to enjoy the lakes we grew up around. Kayaking and paddleboarding are great ways to explore, but owning, storing and transporting the equipment can be a barrier. By placing self-serve rental equipment right at the water, people can book online, arrive at the lake and start paddling without needing to own or transport their own gear.”
Now, West Country Rentals has self-serve kayak and paddle board stations in the day-use areas of Twin Lake, Buck Lake and Battle Lake. These lakes are located in the County of Wetaskiwin along Highway 13, between an hour and an hour and a half drive from south Edmonton.
About the Lakes
Descriptions by West Country Rentals
Twin Lake
Twin Lake is probably our most peaceful location and is a really special little lake. It is just east of Winfield, surrounded by trees, with clean, clear water and no motorboats permitted.
Because it is relatively compact, paddlers can explore the shoreline without ever feeling very far from shore. That, combined with the absence of motorboat traffic, makes it particularly nice for people who are newer to paddling as well as anyone who simply wants a quiet afternoon on the water.
Twin Lake has the feeling of one of those places people are surprised they hadn’t discovered yet and is a well-loved local gem.
Kayak & SUP Station Location: The rental stand is in Twin Lake Park, at the campground’s day-use area and dock. Free parking and washrooms are on site. You can book Twin Lake camping online.
Buck Lake
Buck Lake offers a completely different paddling experience. It is a much larger lake, so there is considerably more shoreline and a lot more to explore.
One of our favourite things about Buck Lake is the wildlife. Depending on the day, paddlers may see beavers, blue herons, loons, pelicans, ducks and other waterfowl. There are bays and sheltered areas that make the lake interesting to explore rather than simply paddling straight out and back.
From our location, paddlers can also head beneath the bridge and explore the quieter Rat Lake Conservation Area on the other side, including an always-occupied beaver lodge with a family of busy beavers. It is a great choice for someone who wants to spend a few hours exploring and seeing what they find along the shoreline.
Kayak & SUP Station Location: The rental station is at Buck Lake Campground (not the provincial park), in the day-use area next to the public dock. Free parking and washrooms are on site. You can book Buck Lake camping online.
Battle Lake
Battle Lake is perhaps the most naturally rugged of our three locations. It sits in a narrow, heavily treed valley and is the headwaters of the Battle River.
It is a beautiful lake to explore by kayak because much of the shoreline remains natural and relatively undeveloped. The area supports a wide variety of wildlife and plant life, and the lake has a very different feel from the more developed recreational lakes in central Alberta.
Motorboats are permitted, but there is a 12 km/h speed restriction on the lake, which helps make it a nice paddling destination. There are also opportunities for fishing, camping and hiking in the surrounding area.
Kayak & SUP Station Location: The rental station is at Battle Lake Campground in the day-use area next to the public dock. Free parking and washrooms are on site. You can book Battle Lake camping online.
How the Paddle Rentals Work
The rental process is simple, convenient and completely self-serve.
After booking, you’ll receive a unique access code that lets you unlock your equipment directly at the lakeside rental station.
When your rental time is complete, you return the equipment to the station, lock it up, and take a photo to send to Western Country Rentals to confirm.
FAQs:
What’s included with my rental? Your rental includes the kayak or paddleboard, an appropriate paddle, a PFD, and required safety equipment.
What if I’m a beginner paddler? While you’re booking online, you’ll be offered free access to an online paddling skills and safety course. You’ll also see a video tutorial, so you’ll get some important information and feel prepared to head out on the water.
How much does it cost? The equipment varies in price and is billed per hour, with a two-hour minimum rental requirement. After your two hours, each additional hour is only $10, and the maximum day rate is capped. Here is the pricing for 2026:
| Tandem sit-inside | Starting at $60 |
| Solo Sit-inside | $40 |
| Tandem Sit-on-top | $60 |
| Solo Sit-on-top | $40 |
| SUP | $40 |
Do I need to book in advance? Western Country Rentals has quite a few paddleboards and kayaks at each lake, so you usually don’t need to book too much in advance. If you are planning on heading out on a busier summer weekend, booking ahead is recommended.
When can I rent a kayak or SUP? Western Country Rentals offers daily rentals from spring to mid- or late-September, depending on the weather.
Let’s Go Paddling in Westaskin County!
The self-serve paddle rental model makes paddling easier to do and more convenient to fit into your day out or weekend camping trip. You don’t have to own, store or transport a kayak. You don’t have to spend time and effort transporting and inflating an inflatable paddleboard at the lake. Just arrive, get your rental and gear, and away you go.
“We love this part of Alberta, and one of the most rewarding parts of the business has been seeing people discover these lakes. Sometimes even people who have lived relatively close by for years and didn’t know they were there.”
