Austin native Brian Pirmantgen has enjoyed canoeing and the outdoors all his life, and now he wants to share that joy with others.

The Cedar River Canoe and Kayak Rental Service will begin to rent equipment out of Brian and his wife, Dorothy’s, home next Wednesday.

“I want to get more people to enjoy the river,” Brian said.

Brian previously rented canoes from Rent N’ Save, but after they stopped carrying the equipment he wanted, he decided it’d be easier to buy them himself. He started off with just a couple boats, but has increased his collection to three canoes, two kayaks, and a paddle boat.

“When you go, all your friends want to come with,” Pirmantgen said.

A native of Austin, Brian has always been an outdoorsman. His parents owned a yacht on the Mississippi River and he traveled to the great lakes often during his childhood. He would even build boats out of crates with his friends.

“I’ve always just enjoyed being around the water,” Brian said. “All my life, we’d go around and see all the boats.”

Brian plans to rent equipment from mid-May through the end of September. Customers must stay on the Cedar River and within a 20 mile range of Austin.

Their office is located at 309 11th Ave SW in Austin and will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are $2 an hour with a $10 minimum. Pick up and drop off is available for an additional fee as well.

For more information, call 507-438-7755 or email bpirmantgen@charter.net.

Rentals at the Nature Center

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center also rents out kayaks and canoes as well for use on Dobbin’s Creek to East Side Lake.

Rentals are available Monday through Saturday for $10 for up to three hours. Punch cards are also available to receive five canoe or kayak rentals for half the fee.

Patrons are responsible for transport to and from the pond or Dobbin’s Creek. Rentals are first-come, first-served, and reservations are not available.