Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

If you have additional questions or would like to connect personally, feel free to give us a Call us at (203) 744-9884, whichever is more convenient. You can also send us an Email at info@lakesidewatersports.com.

We will be happy to help! In the rare event that these members of the team are all out on the water at the same time, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

DO YOU RENT JET SKIS?

No, we do not rent jet skis. Although jet skis are fun to buzz around the lake on, there are laws that prevent operating a jet ski without a proper Personal Watercraft/Safe Boating Certificate. Also, they can be dangerous on a big public lake like Candlewood Lake during the summer. For this reason, we don’t rent jet skis. Please check local and state laws to confirm where you might be able to rent a jet ski.

Do you rent Kayaks, Paddleboards, or Watersports Equipment at Lakeside Watersports?

No, we do not rent any equipment. We don’t rent or provide equipment to anyone externally from coming out on our boats. We provide all the equipment necessary when you come out with us, but we don’t rent or provide any equipment for your personal use on Candlewood Lake.

Can we rent the boat to drive on our own?

No, you will never drive or operate a Lakeside Watersports boat yourself. We have a full staff of trained professional experts who will help you with everything on our boats. Every Boat Session comes with a Boat Driver & Spotter on the boat who will help assist you with everything on your boating journey with us at Lakeside Watersports on Candlewood Lake.

What’s a Boat Session?

A Boat Session is Lakeside Watersport’s terminology to describe a watersports lesson, boat ride, boating experience. a Boat Session is also the name of the services we provide. A Boat Session is a Boat Rental at Lakeside Watersports.

What’s a Custom Boat Session?

A Custom Boat Session at Lakeside Watersports is a Custom Booking for longer durations or to plan a party or event with us.

How to create a Custom Booking?

When you’re planning party’s and events at Lakeside Watersports on Candlewood Lake, it’s best to contact us at 203-744-9884 or Email info@lakesidewatersports.com

Examples of Party’s and Events we have at Lakeside Watersports.

Bachelor Party, Bridal Party, Birthday Party, Corporate Event, Family Event

How does Scheduling work at Lakeside Watersports?

We have built our own custom software specifically for the use of Lakeside Watersports. Our schedule works by time slots. The max time slot is 1.5 hours. If you want more than 1.5 hours you would then book the time slot after if available giving you more time. You also can call or email us for a Custom Session Booking for events or parties. We operate this way because letting our guests book whatever times left gaps in our schedule. We also would like to maximize time and schedule staff efficiently.

HOW MANY People Fit on the Boat?

10 is the maximum number of guests that we can take on any of our boats at one time. This leaves room for the driver and the spotter to operate the boat safely and legally. If you have a group size larger than 10 total, please call us. We are happy to offer creative solutions to make sure everyone in your group can find a way to enjoy the Lake. For groups of 7 or more, a 20% gratuity is automatically added.

What if my party is larger than 10 people?

We understand some of you have big families or more friends than you can count. If you are attempting to have more than 10 people come out during your appointment, please call us to discuss. We can offer some creative solutions.

How do I book a longer Boat Session?

You may book a longer than 1.5 hour Session at Lakeside Watersports by purchasing more time slots or creating a Custom Booking.

CAN YOU DRIVE MY BOAT?

Absolutely! We would be happy to assist with driving your boat, regardless of its location near Candlewood Lake. Our Head Instructor is experienced in driving various types of boats and can teach you how to operate your boat safely and efficiently. Additionally, if you're interested in water sports instruction, we offer beginner to advanced lessons for a variety of activities such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, and Wakesurfing. We're dedicated to helping you enjoy your time on the water to the fullest, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, and schedule a lesson.

What is the age limit?

We do not have any age restrictions. We have taught people as young as 4 to waterski and had someone 91 years young waterski behind our boat. People even younger have gone for a tube ride and hung out on the boat.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

At Lakeside Watersports, enjoy a hassle-free boating experience with our flat hourly rate of $300 /Hour (This is not a per person charge). Perfect for groups of any size (Max 10 people), this rate covers everything you need including the boat, experienced driver, spotter/instructor, fuel, watersports equipment, and essential safety gear. To secure your reservation, a 50% deposit paid via credit card at the time of booking is required. With a 20% gratuity automatically added for groups of 7 or more, book your unforgettable boating adventure today and discover the ultimate water sports experience.

should i tip the crew?

The Lakeside staff strives to offer the absolute best time on the water while keeping you safe. It’s customary to offer gratuity, but never required. Gratuity can be added during checkout with a credit card or cash can be handed directly to the crew.

HOW MANY ACTIVITIES CAN I TRY DURING MY APPOINTMENT?

We are incredibly accommodating and are willing to let you and your guests try whatever watersports you would like during your appointment time. Just tell us what activities you’re interested in before we leave the dock, and we will be sure to stock the boat with all the necessary equipment. The cost remains the same per hour regardless of how many activities you try.

What if i Don’t want to go in the water?

We will never force you to go in the water. There is plenty of room on the boat if someone wants to go for a boat ride, stay dry and watch the watersports. We are also happy to offer guided lake tours without any watersports. The cost remains the same per hour for this service.

What if there is bad weather DAY OF MY APPOINTMENT?

Our weather policy is we will inform you either the night before or the morning of your appointment whether we need to cancel lessons due to inclement weather.

WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR MY APPOINTMENT?

Connecticut: We are located at Echo Bay Marina, 227 Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, CT 06804.

WHERE SHOULD I PARK?

Connecticut: At Echo Bay Marina, there is a designated parking location for Lakeside customers during the week in front of kiosk. During the weekend you will be directed across the street by a parking coordinator at Echo Bay Marina when you pull into the lakeside part of the marina.

Connecticut: We can pick you up anywhere on the lake, so long as there is a safe docking location. Pickups are subject to the travel time schedule based on lake address as noted above.

Note: We will do everything we can to get to your location by the requested start time, and faster than travel times. We ask that you be patient based on lake and weather conditions.

Can I bring it?

Follow these easy steps to enjoying fun on the water this summer:

Step 1. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Lakeside Watersports books by appointment only using our self-service online booking system. This system works on a first-come, first served basis and shows up-to-the-minute availability. All bookings will be done on our booking software.

If you are interested in reserving time, please visit our online schedule.

• Select a length of time you would like to book.

• Choose from the open dates and times available to accept. Once you have chosen a date and time this slot will be held for 10 minutes.

• Input your contact information details.

• Input your payment information. Entering a credit card here holds the appointment and protects us in case of a no show. We take payment day of service, please bring your preferred payment method (cash, check, credit card) in the rare case there’s an error taking payment.

Cancellation Policy

Linked below in Terms & Conditions

Step 2. FILL OUT THE WAIVER

We book our appointments back-to-back, which leaves a short window of time between groups to get your group fitted for life jackets and the boat stocked with all of the equipment. To save time on appointment day, please fill out the Liability Waiver before arriving. Every person who will be going out on the boat needs to fill out the waiver regardless of if they will be going in the water. This is a non-negotiable, if you do not have a waiver on file, we cannot let you out on the boat. We only need one waiver filed per person per year. If you filled one out in 2024, you are all set.

Step 3. ARRIVE ON TIME

Arrive 15 minutes in advance of your appointment. This will ensure you have time to use the bathroom, get fitted for a life jacket, and choose your equipment. If you show up late, this will likely eat into the time you had booked. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to extend beyond your appointment window and offer the full time if there is another group on the schedule directly following you.

Similarly, if you show up super early, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to take you out right when you arrive. it is likely we will be out with another group and the door could be locked. We have not forgotten about you! We will be back in time for your appointment start time. Please make yourself comfortable while you wait for our crew to return.

Step 4. HAVE FUN

Unwind and make memories on Candlewood Lake with Lakeside Watersports! Let us take care of the driving, docking, and equipment handling while you sit back and enjoy the scenic beauty. Choose the level of instruction that suits you best for a relaxing and enjoyable day on the water.

Step 5. Write a review

For us, reviews make the world go around. Honestly, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer an incredible and seamless watersports experience. It would mean so much to us if you felt inclined to share your experience on any of these major platforms:

Waivers:

• Click HERE to read and complete the 2024 Liability Waiver

• All customers must fill out our liability release waiver completely before stepping aboard the boat.

  • Even if you aren’t planning on getting in the water, all passengers on board must have a waiver on file each season.

• A parent or guardian must fill out the waiver for any participant less than 18 years of age.

Pricing:

• 2024 Prices Flat-Rate

  • 1 Hour: $300

  • 1.25 Hour: $375

  • 1.5 Hour: $450

  • 2 Hours: $600

  • 2.5 Hours: $750

  • 3 Hours: $900

  • 3.5 Hours: $1,050

  • 4 Hours: $1,200

• For more information about pricing click HERE.

• When you book, everything is included in the flat-rate fee for the time you selected. That is the total price, not per person. If picked up from dock on Candlewood Lake, we have implemented a Travel Time dependent upon location.

• All boat safety and watersports equipment are included in the price of the lesson.

  • If you are more comfortable with your own gear, that’s cool too. Bring it with you!

• We accept all major credit cards: Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, Cash, Check

Cancellation Policy:

• All cancellations of Lakeside Watersports appointments for sessions are completed online at www.lakesidewatersports.com.  No cancellations will be accepted by other means (phone, email, text, etc.).

• For appointments cancelled more than 5 Days prior to the day of your appointment, you will be entitled to a 100% refund of your deposit.  As previously stated under Deposit and Payment Policies above, if you cancel your appointment 5 or less days prior to the day of your appointment, your deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Cancellations by Lakeside Watersports due to, among others, weather, equipment issues, scheduling/employee issues or otherwise are made in the sole discretion of Lakeside.  In such event, customer shall be entitled to a 100% refund of amounts already paid for the Lakeside cancelled appointment if cancelled in advance by Lakeside.  In the event Lakeside needs to cancel a session during an appointment due to reasons stated above in this section customer will be entitled to a refund for that part of the shortened session missed.

Safety:

• Lakeside Watersports reserves the right to close all operations for lightning or any other form of severe weather at our discretion. We will do our best to notify our appointments if the weather is threatening.

• Safe Boating, First Aid and CPR certified Lakeside Watersports staff members are the only people who will be driving the vessel throughout the duration of your appointment.

• The Boat Driver/Captain reserves the right to terminate a lesson if they feel there are any unsafe circumstances at play (including but not limited to severe weather, boat traffic, impaired customers).

• No alcohol of any kind will be permitted on the boat at any time. Watersports take a lot of athletic effort, we require that you not be impaired in any way when attempting to enjoy time on the water with us.

• No dogs allowed on the boat. We love pets, but sometimes pets aren’t so friendly to our boats. Please make arrangements to keep them at home.

LAKESIDE WATERSPORTS (LW)

CUSTOMER POLICIES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Appointment Bookings, Deposits, Cancellations and Refunds

• All LW appointments for sessions are booked online at www.lakesidewatersports.com.  Call Us for Custom Bookings.

  Deposit, Payment and Refund Policies

• NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO LW’s DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT POLICIES

• At the time of booking an appointment, a 50% deposit is required. Deposits are 100% refundable up to 5 Days prior to the day of the scheduled appointment.  For appointments made 5 days or less before the day of the appointment, the deposit is non-refundable.

• The remaining balance becomes due and will be charged to the credit card used at the time of initial booking at 12:01 am Eastern Time the day before the date of your appointment, so your session will have been paid in full prior to the day of your appointment.  This minimizes time spent at the dock on administrative issues which can potentially reduce time spent on the boat. Please ensure a valid credit card is available for the balance payment.  In the event payment for the remaining balance cannot be effected by 2:00 pm Eastern Time the day before your appointment, LW reserves the right to cancel your appointment with no return of the previously non-refundable deposit.

• For appointments made either the day before or day of your appointment, the entire 100% of the session fee is payable at time of booking and is non-refundable.

Cancellation Policy

• All cancellations of LW appointments for sessions are completed online at www.lakesidewatersports.com.  No cancellations will be accepted by other means (phone, email, text, etc.).

• For appointments cancelled more than 5 days prior to the day of your appointment, you will be entitled to a 100% refund of your deposit.  As previously stated under Deposit and Payment Policies above, if you cancel your appointment 5 or less days prior to the day of your appointment, your deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Cancellations by LW due to, among others, weather, equipment issues, scheduling/employee issues or otherwise are made in the sole discretion of LW.  In such event, customer shall be entitled to a 100% refund of amounts already paid for the LW cancelled appointment if cancelled in advance by LW.  In the event LW needs to cancel a session during an appointment due to reasons stated above in this section, customer will be entitled to a refund for that part of the shortened session missed.

  Liability Waiver Policy

• A LW Liability Waiver MUST be executed in advance of your appointment by ALL parties that will be on a boat during a session.  The Liability Waiver can be found when booking your appointment or HERE.  Failure to execute a Liability Waiver will preclude a customer’s ability to enter onto a boat.  Failure to execute a Liability Waiver for ALL customers in your party prior to arriving for your session can and may delay departure for your appointment and reduce the amount of time for your session. 

  Appointment Arrival Times

• Customers are advised to arrive for your appointment NOT LESS THAN 15 minutes prior to the start of your appointment so equipment selection and administrative tasks can be undertaken without delay to your scheduled departure time.

• Due to the necessity of LW operating strictly according to appointment times in order to not inconvenience other customers, no time will be added to customer appointment times for delays caused by customer for reasons of lateness (arriving less that 15 minutes prior to your appointment time), failing to execute Liability Waivers in advance, choosing equipment or otherwise.