I had been looking at fishing kayaks for a few months, but was always hesitant to pull the trigger (I'm a bigger buy and that limits options). I was looking at a couple used ones on craigslist but decided to walk into Clavey's with my father on the recommendation of several friends a few days ago. Jeff was very helpful, but also laid no pressure and was pretty hands off- he explained the choices thoroughly, paddles, PFDs, and carts, and then let us spend some time looking at all of them. Very nice to see that kind of no pressure attitude in a sales environment! Today, we went in and picked up an Old Town Sportsman 106. Clavey's is a great business and Jeff was wonderful to do business with. Highly recommend! read more

Helpful, knowledgeable and Jeff has always provided great advice. I always enjoy visiting the store and looking around.

So glad I found this spot. I purchased a new Delta kayak from Clavey and the service was excellent. We came from Sacramento and it was 100% worth the trip. They even strapped the kayak to the top of my jeep like a pro, which was a nice lesson for me. We'll be back! (Thanks Jeff!). read more

Clavey Paddlesports - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Petaluma, California

These people know their paddlesports! Their passion for ensuring customer satisfaction resulted in me getting exactly the kayak and paddle that was right for me. With three months of experience with my Eddyline Caribbean 10 under my belt, I am 100% satisfied. They also helped me load the kayak onto my SUV and showed me the tricks that enable me to easily load it myself with no damage to either my car or kayak. I have driven hundreds of miles at high speed ith full confidence. They also have all the necessary accessories and will help you choose the best for your needs. I highly recommend this business. read more

Clavey Paddlesports - Kayak - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Petaluma, California

Had a really exceptional buying experience that I wanted to share . Jeff ( owner ) not only spent time going over some safety tips but also advised me on buying the right rack and options on paddles , life vests and skirts. To top it all off, he put on my newly purchased kayak roof rack on and loaded my beautiful new red Delta 12.10 Kayak on to my car roof and walked me through the in and outs . Fair prices, central location, and great customer service . Highly recommend ! read more

Clavey Paddlesports - My new Delta 12.10 ! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Petaluma, California

They were highly informative, kind, and have a great selection of products for all of your paddling needs! I lost my hand pump on a trip and couldn't find anything at Dicks to inflate my board. Thanks to these guys, I was able to replace my pump and still get a paddle in on the Russian river the same day when I initially thought I'd have to order something and wait to use my board again. Very appreciative. read more

Did a lot of internet research looking for a new touring kayak, but couldn't really get the information I needed. Went to Clavey Paddlesports and talked at length with owner Jeff. He was very helpful, and took time to go over everything. Bought a Eddyline Equinox. Felt much more comfortable about my purchase with his help and advice. Price matched or bettered anything I found on the internet. Would recommend highly. read more

I wanted to say how helpful Clavey has been. I took a 1-1 kayak lesson with Kristin who was absolutely fabulous. Even though I have been kayaking for awhile, I learned so much. Jeff, the owner, was very helpful in the store explaining things to me. I highly recommend them. read more

Have been on the lookout for kayaks for several months, and contacted Clavey Paddlesports to see if they had any in stock. Jeff was incredibly helpful and set me up with a couple of back ordered kayaks. Great fast communication, terrific advice and he also installed new racks for the the top of the car. Have taken out my new Delta 15.5 GT's several times since and am so happy. Its clear that great customer service is a defining quality from Clavey. Would recommend without reservation! read more

Great staff and knowledgeable about all things water sports! Got my raft outfitted and ready for action! Couldn't be happier! Thanks Clavey!!! read more

The store owner, Ann, helped us and really was genuinely interested in making sure we got the correct product, even if it wasn't the most expensive item. She was clearly knowledgeable about the products. read more

WOW. SO AWESOME. I can't rave enough about bioluminescent kayaking with Clavey's guides. We were fortunate to get high density bioluminescence last night. COOLEST. EXPERIENCE. EVER... I've travel to 5 countries a year, work with the latest augmented and virtual reality technology - and yet, THIS? was at the top of the coolest experiences I've ever done. Seeing your paddles glow in the night, your hand print in the water and fish swimming around? Fairytale disneyland-like experience. The guides were very friendly and informative: packing list sent ahead of time, and they provide some waterproof gear. Spoiler alert? During our break they even served us snacks and hot chocolate which was so clutch, as it was pretty chilly. Tips: - $5 for parking, cash+credit accepted - Bring some waterproof stuff for cool pics - Bring cash to tip (recommended 20%) - No cell service nearby - Eat beforehand. If afterwards (11:30pm+), closest restaurants in Petaluma Can't wait to come back for other fun activities!!! (and to give them their tip bc I didn't get a chance to hit the ATM beforehand, sorry guys!) read more

Always been interested in Kayaking and so glad I stopped by Clavey's. Jeff provided great service, listening to my needs and giving me great options/price ranges to choose from. The store is surprisingly well stocked. Initially I was considering Costco and Dick's Sporting goods, but I would not have got what I needed. Jeff installed my car rack, trained me on how to strap on kayak and I left with a killer sit on top kayak that is great for river and lakes. The climb-in Pelicans at big box would not compare. The prices are also competitive even with the 5-star service. Kayaks are right at retail (no great price breaks anywhere if you look) with everything else 10-15% off. Join the email list for further discounts. They also have classes, outings, and great accessories that will have me coming back. I even called and stopped in to receive further advice from the experienced staff. It was actually one of the finest, no pressure purchases, I have ever experienced. Thanks Jeff! read more

See all

I used Clavey to repair two of my kayaks. They did great work on each one, we're quick, and communicated very well. I enthusiastically recommend them. read more

Full disclosure I did not use them because they charge a four hour rate even if you only use it for one hour in Petaluma which is very much a tourist price read more

I bought a sit-on-top kayak from this store and I couldn't be happier. The owner took the time & patience to explain the kayak and fit me with a life vest. You don't see this kind of service anymore. She went over safety, suggestions to make experiences on the water more enjoyable, and answered all my questions in detail. If my husband decides to buy his own kayak, he'll buy one here. This is a locally owned business for the last 27 years. Feels good to support an owner operated business. read more

My daughter and I wanted to graduate from our tandem to a couple solo kayaks, a big decision with so many variables! Jeff was a wonderful resource, helped us navigate all those options, making the selection, purchase and pick up of everything we needed so easy and painless despite the challenges of COVID! I'd highly recommend the team at Clavey for anyone looking for real service, advice and support on all things paddling! read more

I probably can't say anything that others haven't mentioned, but take my word for it, Clavey Paddlesports is awesome!!! I found the place after being let down by one of their competitors and I am so glad I did. I can rave about all the obvious things like how knowledgeable they are, how well outfitted the shop is, how they seem to have nice trips and even some classes. However, these are the things that really stuck out from our trip. They were able to rent us a paddle board on super short notice. When we explained our travel plans for the day, they used they gave us some advice on modifying the route that made all the difference. To top things off, as we were switching cars and dropping off the board after the trip, I realized we forgot their straps to put the board on the car (we had our own too). I offered to pay for them, but they declined and just asked us to drop them off on a different day or drop them in the mail when we got back to the Bay Area. They didn't know us from anyone and we were already being treated like regulars. If you need some water equipment with some great advice, definitely stop by Clavey's. It is worth the trip even if you don't live in the area. read more

We bought two kayaks at Clavey Paddlesports, paddles, and a car rack system. Jeff helped us out, he spent an hour installing the car rack and teaching us how to load our boats. The entire experience was wonderful. We've paddled twice this week, we love our new kayaks. Thank you Clavey! read more

I just purchased my third kayak through Clavey. With the first two, the Clavey team brought them out to the Petaluma river for me to play around in and make sure I was happy. This time, I just took Ann's word for one on sale since I fully trust their recommendations and they listen to what I like or want to change up. Jeff also was super helpful in getting me set up to put kayaks on roof of my 2500 dodge quad door truck that would still work with a 5th wheel travel trailer.I had talked to Rack and Road in San Rafael about it, and they acted like they had never heard of such a thing and were clueless. The load extender and roof rack Jeff recommended will work with or without the trailer, and have added benefit of using it for lumber rack. Pricing was excellent (especially after the 10% off since I'd bought the kayak), installation totally worth a few extra bucks since it was a bit tricky. Getting the right equipment and making sure it fits absolutely well (i.e. paddle vest) will make all the difference if you really want to get out and use your gear. Their selection and knowledge is worth your trip. read more

After being told (nicely) by Blue Water Kayakers and Point Reyes Outdoors that we most likely would not be heading out on a bioluminescence tour Sat Oct 11 (wait list was many deep), we were told maybe Clavey Paddlesports could help. Gave them a ring, spoke w/Tom, and after a couple of emails, was set up for a private tour w/Scott. At this point we were just super grateful we were getting out on the water. I've done a couple of bio tours before (w/the groups listed above), and both times was blown away. Bioluminenscence is just so freakin' cool! And the bay of course so interesting and serene. But going w/a guide, especially Scott, took the experience to an entirely different level. We looked for bat rays and leopard sharks, checked out the oysters, watched different birds, and once it became dark, played in the amazing water. Scott shared w/us the history of the bay, and all of the interesting experiences he has had on the water. He was patient, calm, and very intuitive of our needs. The evening was truly magical! I've already recommended Tom/Scott/Clavey Paddlesports to others, and w/o question they will be the first people I call when I went to head out on the bay again. Thanks guys! read more

Scott, Debbie and Laney - thank you. Thank you for great equipment including waterproof jacket, tight kayak skirt, dry seat and what seemed like new paddles. Thanks for the surprise hot chocolate when we had reached the beach at dusk on the west side of Tomales Bay. Thanks for the easy access down the ramp at Nick's Cove restaurant. That was convenient. We had a very good supper of their own farm vegetable dishes and shared scallops and oysters before we left at 7.00 p.m. Anyway, it was a fun 4 hour bio-luminescence adventure conducted with safety always at the top of Scott's agenda. We saw Bat rays, cormorants, and stirred a rush of sea lions, (or were they seals?) than created a noisy white lit up wave west of Hog Island. We were back at 10.45. On the road by 11.00. We tipped $10 per person. $5 for the parking. And here's the best: we were only 6 kayaks, 12 people in the group. Thanks. read more

Very friendly and helpful from start to finish. I showed up the boards were ready, attatched racks to my suv and off we went. Super easy and simple. reasonable prices. I will definately rent again, and perhaps purchase my SUP from here when im ready to invest! Thanks guys! read more

Well above expectations with the Clavey experience. I thought i was in for a little kayak on the bay. What I got was something way more genuine and engaging. Not only was the tour they led amazing and challenging, they themselves are superb tour guides with a wealth of experience and knowledge that came in handy once the lights went off. Highly recommended read more

My father recently tried purchasing a kayak from this location. Upon arrival, store attendant was very standoffish and told my father that he would not order a kayak for him due to the assumption that my father would "annoy him by calling him constantly waiting for when his kayak would arrive". The kayak was an oldtown powered by minnkoda 106. He then proceeded to profile my father (who is Mexican/American) and assumed that my father would need the pdl due to his weight and presumed "laziness". My father was deeply sadden by this interaction because he wanted to shop locally and support this business, but the rudeness he experienced was unacceptable. read more

We went on a night kayaking trip with Clavey to see the bioluminescence in Tomales Bay on Aug. 4, and,wow! What a great evening! The leader was Christine, with back-up by Chandal, and assistance by Bree, all of whom were 100% professional and calm, pleasant people. We waited for the wind to die down enough to get going, just after sunset. The leaders made sure we were outfitted correctly, set the foot pegs in our kayaks comfortably, knew how to paddle, and other instruction. Each of the 3 leaders checked their radios, turned on their safety lights, and gave a vibe that they take their responsibilities seriously. About half way out, we heard someone blowing a whistle in the dark water. It was a guy whose kayak was sinking! Our leaders took control of the situation instantly, helping him get to shore and radioing Coast Guard, who ended up coming by helicopter - pretty exciting! But Christine didn't forget our purpose for the trip - the bioluminescence - and calmly called us back to the subject with a brief talk about the tiny water critters that glow in the dark when the surface is disturbed. It was mesmerizing! We took off again, paddling back to where we started, watching the water twinkle with these aquatic stars with every paddle stroke. Loved it!!! If you're considering a night paddle like this, I HIGHLY recommend Clavey Paddlesports . Their equipment is in good shape, they're safety-conscious, and a lot of fun, too. read more

Superb bioluminescence tour with Clavey on Tomales Bay last Sunday evening. Excellent organization, knowledgeable guides, great equipment. And hot cocoa on the beach across the bay was an enjoyable surprise. There's a reason the Clavey tours sell out fast. The enthusiasm is warranted. read more

See all

Great store, staff. Recently purchased a Delta 14 kayak, rack and accessories from the store. Worked with Stephanie. Very helpful and knowledgable. Well worth the drive from the Peninsula, where I live. Can't wait to go on one of the tours! As with the other reviews, highly recommend the store! Isabelle G read more

Clavey Paddlesports is off-the-charts in terms of being THE most professional and top notch paddle store. Truly the BEST - from top quality product lines, to a huge selection of everything imaginable, PLUS a staff that defines customer service. I honestly can't recall ever having experienced customer service as great as theirs. Scotto and Randy went above and beyond helping -- staying almost 2 hours after closing to help us get the new boats strapped onto the car, ensuring we were set with our purchases -- even taking the time to provide training on the best way to paddle. WHen we left, we just wanted to hug these guys as they felt like our new best friends. They're so incredibly honest and great to work with -- and best of all, you can see just how passionate these guys are about paddling and truly wanting everyone to have the best experience possible. We can't wait to go back and have already vowed to make the trek up to Petaluma for any future paddling needs. NO WAY will we be taking our business anywhere but here from now on. We love you guys!! Thanks for making our experience so delightful. Still home smiling over the great experience and can't wait to try out the new boats tomorrow. THANK YOU Clavey Paddlesports! You guys truly rock (extra bonus for being dog lovers too!!)! read more

Scott, one of the owners was beyond helpful. I think we spent almost 3 hours with my wife and I. They not only sell SUP, but also rent premium SUP. They were able to set me up with a Thule rack, new Bamboozle, bumper guard. Scott took the time to actually install the bumper and protective guard. He went out of his way to be helpful even after the sale was finalized. They even let me borrow a nice life vest for the weekend of Labor Day. This kind of service was worth the drive from Folsom. read more

I went on a bioluminescence tour on October 4, 2015, in Tomales Bay. This was rescheduled from an earlier date, on which the tour was cancelled due to high winds. This company has their clients' safety as a top priority. Although I was disappointed the first tour was cancelled, especially after my long drive to get there, I fully agreed with their decision to cancel. As an experienced paddler, I know that is tough to paddle in the wind, and even tougher with inexperienced paddlers. The Oct. 4 paddle was led by Scott, with assistance from 2 others. Again, they had the safety of participants in mind as they went through the gearing up process and preliminary instruction. We were in very stable 2-person boats. Scott led us at a comfortable pace up to the oyster beds, then across to Pt. Reyes. We stopped on a small beach to stretch and have a small snack. By that time, it was getting dark enough to see the bioluminescence. Spectacular! Scott maintained an easy pace as we paddled along the shore line, then across to Hog Island, then back to our start point next to Nick's Cove. This was everything one could hope for! A big thank you to the guides for being so professional and helpful. Everyone on the tour enjoyed it. I highly recommend Clavey for any paddling tour. read more

These guys hardly need another 5-star review... they've obviously got a track record for good service. But I can't help tossing in my own vote just because they really deserve credit. My purchase was relatively small: a half-day SUP rental, but the equipment was top notch, the staff was friendly and helpful, and they went out of their way (and scheduled store hours) to give me a hand. Thanks, guys. I will definitely be back. read more

Was able to get an beautiful kayak thanks to Jeff and the team! Came to pick it up and was on my way. Very good customer service. Will make this my new home for anything kayak related read more

I went to Clavey to buy a sit in kayak. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. When I got there and sat in the kayak I wanted I realized it was not comfortable for my back (I have low back issues). They worked with me trying to find lumbar supports that I could use but nothing worked. I tried other sit in kayaks as I was determined that was what I wanted. They had me sit in a few sit on top kayaks and I found one that was so comfortable from the moment I sat down. They were so helpful and explained everything about each of the kayaks I was looking at. The best part, you can demo the kayaks. I was able to test out a couple different kayaks so that I could find the perfect one for me. Being able to test a kayak out before you buy is the way to go. I thought I was going to buy a 12 foot kayak (because I am only 5'2 but it turned out the 14 foot was easier for me to turn. I highly recommend Clavey if you are buying a kayak. They also rent paddle boards and kayaks out by the hour/days. They are wonderful local people who will help you find the right kayak for your need. read more

Place is wonderful...great work and they came through...we ordered stuff for the fire department and they gave us a great price but more importunity;y they insured our delivery in a crunch...thanks so much! read more

My girlfriend and I wanted to buy some SUP's and we luckily found Clavey Paddlesports. The reason I say luckily is due to the fact that they are very knowledgeable about all of their products, they were in no rush to sell us or even pressure us to buying a board, and they even (without me asking) helped me figure out how to load both boards safely onto my truck for the ride home. I strongly agree with what John H. ^ said about them they REALLY do understand the customer service part and I will always recommend Clavey Paddlesports to all of my friends and family! 5 Stars because this store IS as good as it gets! read more

we bought two used kayaks from Clavey yesterday. Scotto must have spent an hour with us going through all the different kinds of boats, their advantages and disadvantages and his personal opinion. Once we figured out which boats we wanted, he then took the time to talk us through fitting into each boat and making the necessary adjustments. We then talked about accessories and I needed some additional pieces for the car rack, which I couldn't find anywhere else, but the had 'em in stock. After we completed the credit card processing, Scotto then helped us put the racks on the car and spent all the time he needed to showing us the best way to put the boats on top and how to secure them. All in all, one of the best purchasing experiences I have ever had. Everyone at Clavey was friendly, patient and very knowledgeable about what they sell. The shop closes at 6pm, but Scotto was still helping us put the boats on our car at 6:30! I highly recommend buying stuff from these guys. Odds are, they have exactly what you need somewhere in their large store, and they'll be friendly and helpful to boot. read more

Very rude and judgy service. Apparently I don't look like enough of a kayaker to be treated with respect or provided with any service. I guess my money isn't good here. Would not recommend. Avoid. read more

Last weekend I spent two hours at Clavey and by the end of it, I knew exactly what I wanted, thanks to the expert and patient help of Anne, who really knows her stuff. This place is great. I have a demo lined up so I can try my pick (the Eddyline Sitka ST) in the water. BTW: other sport stores that carry a range of outdoor gear can't offer you a demo in the water like this place can! Besides, Petaluma is a fun place to visit. read more

Clavey Paddlesports entire staff is amazing. I went in to look at options for a paddle board and their knowledge and expertise was over the top. The staff really took their time helping me pick out the right board for my needs. They also installed my rack and made sure I had the proper gear. I learned so much more about how to use my board correctly that it's made a difference out on the water. If you are thinking about purchasing a board, please go check them out. The big box stores are not going to provide you the service and quality of Clavey Paddlesports. read more