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Runners in the Old First Night Run/Walk

Sports Club

Sports Club closed and will reopen June 22, 2024.

The Chautauqua Sports Club offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational and leisure activities during the Summer Assembly Season. If you enjoy being on the water, you will love taking your family out on one of our beautiful pontoon boats from the Main Dock just steps away from the Athenaeum Hotel. The Sports Club also offers kayaks, SUPS, canoes and paddleboats for rent, guided kayak sessions and sunrise paddling. If you prefer to stay onshore, Sports Club is the place to go for fishing rods and live bait, sports equipment, shuffleboard, lawn bowling and outdoor ping pong. Fees vary.

Contact Information

Sports Club
Deb Lyons
Director of Sports Club  
716.357.6281 (summer only)
sportsclub@chq.org 

Recreation
Meg Pickard
Director of Recreation Services  
716.357.6351 (year-round)
mpickard@chq.org

Pontoon Boat Rentals

(Weekly/Multi-Day/Daily/Half Day)

• Three New 23′ Pontoon Boats available  
• Prop insurance available 
• Pontoon Boats docked at Chautauqua Main Dock 
• All safety equipment included with rentals 


Weekly: 50% non-refundable deposit to reserve. Reservations accepted in the pre-season by emailing sportsclub@chq.org.

Multi-day: Reservations accepted up to 2 weeks prior to rental date with full non-refundable payment either by email to sportsclub@chq.org during pre-season or by calling the Sports Club at 716-357-6281 during the season.

Single day: Reservations accepted up to 1 week prior to rental date with full non-refundable payment. Boat reservation times must be within Sports Club daily hours and returned 30 minutes prior to Sports Club closing time.  

Half day: Reservations accepted 1 day before rental date with full non-refundable payment.


Boats are docked at slip at Chautauqua Main Dock. Slip is included in the rental.   

Prices do not include tax and gas. 12-passenger maximum.  

Valid ID, signed contract and credit card is required for all rentals. Renters are responsible for any damages or missing equipment. Born on or after Jan. 1, 1984 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2024. 

All safety equipment included with rentals. Prop insurance also available. 

Click here to watch our video about renting a pontoon boat.

Kayak/SUP/Canoe/Paddleboat Rentals

Sailboat rentals available at John R. Turney Sailing Center. 

Valid ID, credit card and signed waiver is required for all rentals. 

1 or 2 hour rentals. Boats must be returned during Sports Club hours of operation.  

Life jackets and paddles included with all boat rentals.

Special 1 hour Sunrise Kayak/SUP held on Wednesdays and Fridays. Weather permitting. Reservations required!

Group Kayak tours are held on Mondays (Eco Tour) and Wednesdays (Historic Tour). Weather permitting. Fee applies. Reservations required.


Frequently Asked Questions

View a list of frequently asked questions regarding renting kayaks, SUPs, canoes and paddleboats. 

What are the age and weight restrictions for your kayaks, SUPs, canoes and paddleboats? 

All renters and occupants of the kayaks, canoes, SUP’s and paddle boats are required to sign a waiver and wear a lifejacket. Minors must have their parents or legal guardians fill out the waiver and accompany them on their trip. 

One must be 14 years or older for single kayaks and SUPs. Children 10 to 13 years must be accompanied by an adult on tandem kayaks and canoes. Children under 10 years are only permitted on paddle boats and must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. 

Single kayak maximum capacity is 250 lbs. 

Tandem kayak maximum capacity is 400 lbs. 

Stand Up Paddleboard maximum capacity is 220 lbs.  

Paddleboat maximum capacity is 545 lbs. It can hold max 4 adults and 1 child.    

How far in advance can I book a reservation? 

You can book 1 day ahead for kayak, SUP, canoe, paddleboard rentals.  

I’ve never been on a SUP, should I try it? 

Stand-Up Paddle Boards (SUP) are great for adventurous and free-spirited individuals.  Excellent core workout.  Sit down if you get tired. 10-foot and 11-foot boards available. No experience necessary, however, you must get in the water first and be able to get yourself on your SUP.  Life jackets are provided and must be worn at all times. First timers may especially enjoy our sunrise SUP hour as the lake this time of day usually the calmest.  

What kind of kayaks do you rent? 

All our single and tandem kayaks are sit-in vessels (with the exception of one sit-on tandem kayak). 

How far out on the lake can I go?  

For safety reasons, all rentals must not go past the Packard Manor (to the north) or the John R. Turney Sailing Center (to the south) and stay within 100 yards of shore.   

Can I swim from the boat and pick up others at the beach? 

For safety, no swimming from boats or deliberate capsizing.  Beach docking is not allowed. Boats must depart from and return to Sports Club slip on the Service Dock. No switching passengers.  

What if it’s raining or windy? 

Boats embark at the discretion of the director and staff. Boat rentals are always dependent on weather conditions. 

What if weather conditions force the Sports Club to halt launches? 

In the event the Sports Club needs to halt new departures due to severe weather, participants will have the ability to reschedule for later time (within current summer season) or receive a monetary refund.  If participants are already out on the water when the Sports Club halts new departures, users are strongly encouraged to seek safe shelter and come back when safely able. Staff will wait for you to return and help as needed.

What if I am late or fail to show up for my reservation? 

We recommend that you plan on arriving 10 minutes earlier than your reservation start time. This will ensure you have enough time to find the Sports Club, buy concessions, complete any paperwork that is needed, get suited up, and use the restrooms at the Central Dock before your start time. Late or no-show policies apply, so be sure to give yourself enough time!  

If you and/ or your group are 15 minutes late or later for the reservation, the booking is considered a no-show and subject to the No-Show Policy. No-shows are not eligible for monetary refund, credit, rescheduling of the reservation, or any other reimbursement. The entire reservation cost will be forfeited.  The No-Show Policy is applicable to all participants, including individual participants within a group reservation.  Reservations are considered a no-show 15 minutes past a reservation slot.  We must respect the other reservations for the day.

Softball Leagues

All are welcome to join the men’s and women’s slow pitch softball league. Softball Co-commissioners Mark Altschuler and Carrie Zachry will help you find a spot on a team. Fee per team for softball league.

Kids drop-in softball will available.

A fun, free softball Exhibition game will be held between the Jamestown Tarp Skunks vs Chautauqua at Sharpe Field.

Recreational Activities

Fees vary

• Shuffleboard (Must be 12 to play without adult supervision)

• Lawn bowling (Age 14 and older)

• Fishing (live bait and fishing poles for sale)

Free Activities

• Outdoor Ping Pong

• Small equipment loan (basketballs, volleyballs, frisbee)

• Cornhole

• Cross Net

Indoor Activities

Fees vary

• Duplicate Bridge

• Guided Mah jongg

Available for sale

OFN t-shirts, OFN posters, water shoes, Gatorade and water

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