By Julia Lucey
Tod’s Point is well known and loved by Greenwich residents old and young all year round, but most especially during the summer months. One of the many things that makes our beach so special is the seemingly endless number of activities Greenwich Point has to offer — swimming, sunbathing, walking, running, and so many more. But if you’re searching for something new to do at Tod’s Point, try checking out the rentals available at Greenwich Community Sailing (GCS). GCS is located on the side of the park facing Manhattan and is just around the corner from the Old Greenwich Yacht Club. Their office is open from 9 am to 6 pm seven days a week for hourly boat, paddleboard, and kayak rentals.
In terms of sailboats, GCS offers five different boats.
For more intermediate and advanced sailors: the Hobie Getaway, a 17 foot Catamaran, is available to rent at $60 per hour and seats five people.
For intermediate sailors: the Laser, a 14’ racing dinghy, which seats two people and rents for $32 an hour.
For novice to intermediate sailors: the Hobie Wave, a 13’ catamaran, seats 4 people, costs $50 an hour.
For more experienced novices: the Hunter 140, a 14’ Sloop Dinghy, can be rented for $28 an hour and seats four people.
Children can join in too — the Bug, a 9’ Dinghy, seats two children with novice level sailing abilities and rents for $20 an hour.
Renters are trusted to know their own experience when requesting a vessel, but GCS staff are able to restrict rentals based on participants’ skills. (Rentals may also be limited based on weather conditions).
For non-sailors, Greenwich Community Sailing also has paddleboards and kayaks ready to take out on the water! Their single kayak seats one person and can be rented for $25 an hour. Their double kayak allows two people to paddle together for $30 per hour. Finally, their stand up paddleboards are suitable for one person per board and go for $25 per hour.
For all rentals, GCS students receive a $2 per hour discount, and Old Greenwich Yacht Club members enjoy 10% off.
When going to rent, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an easy and safe renting process. First, GCS requires anyone using their boats to be over the age of five, and ages five through seven must be accompanied by adults. Children ages eight and up may go alone, but anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent’s signature on their rental waiver. Rental waivers are still required for all ages and can be found and completed on GCS’ website, greenwichsailing.com, prior to leaving for Tod’s Point. When packing up your beach bag, also make sure to have with you a photo ID to be held in the office through your rental period. It’s also recommended to bring a waterproof watch to keep track of time, as well as shoes that are okay to get wet. And, unique to this summer, don’t forget your mask for when you are checking out your rented boat!
To rent, simply head over to the GCS office for assistance with your rentals. Reservations not required, but they are recommended, especially for their more popular vessels such as the Hobie Catamarans, as well as on holiday weekends or if you are interested in taking out multiple boats at a time. Reservations can be made by calling 203-698-0599.
Once your boat is rented and you’ve left the shore, being out on the Sound is a great way to enjoy Greenwich Point. From the cove to Great Captain’s Island, renters can sail or paddle out and take in the beautiful scenery around the point — as long as the GCS beach remains in view! As you ride out, the inlet is populated with beautiful sailboats and has a small island at its center. The island, often called “Hobo Island,” is always a fun spot to rest your kayak or paddleboard on the shore and climb through its wooded area, where you’ll find stunning views of the cove, looking out toward the sound or in toward Old Greenwich. From the island, be sure to check out the osprey nests, which sit atop two poles on either end, and while you’re out on the water, you may also come across an egret wading through the seagrass. If you’re on a paddleboard or kayak, you also may choose to attach to a mooring for a little bit and go for a refreshing swim to cool off under the summer sun.
If you choose to boat out in the direction of Captain’s Island, you’ll be able to take in the gorgeous image of the Manhattan skyline above the Long Island Sound as well as some of Greenwich’s impressive waterfront homes. At low tide, a sandbar forms adjacent the GCS office where you may stop and visit, or, for those looking to stay on the move the entire time, you can head out to deeper waters. While it’s not quite a boat ride on the open ocean, Greenwich Point and its surrounding area provides unmatched vistas views fit for a postcard!
No matter how you choose to spend your time on the water, renting a vessel at Greenwich Community Sailing is a must this summer if you’re looking to enjoy every aspect of our beloved Greenwich Point.
