Explore on your own: Rent a kayak and discover the beautiful coastline around Kristiansand and Lillesand at your own pace. Paddle through calm waters, explore small islands and enjoy the Norwegian archipelago at your convenience.
Kayak Rental in Kristiansand and Lillesand
In Kristiansand we only rent kayaks on the local water Gillsvannet.
Only people with a valid Wet Pass or extensive experience can rent kayaks at sea in Kristiansand and Lillesand — both areas have a lot of boat traffic, currents and waves. If you are new to kayaking, we offer lake rentals to ensure you have a safe experience.
**Booking: ** All rentals must be agreed in advance as the location is not staffed all day.
**Multi-Day Rental: ** Available upon request and requires experience in kayaking.
**Paddling in Kristiansand city center: ** Only for people with a valid Wet Pass or extensive experience — the area has a lot of boat traffic, currents and waves.
- Kayak, oar and life jacket. You do not need to bring your own equipment.
- Where: Rentals in Gillsvannet (Kristiansand) and in Lillesand - choose a location when booking.
Padlegleden is a southern-based experience and expertise environment that makes kayaking safe, accessible and inspiring — for beginners, families, businesses and visitors. We offer courses with Wet cards, guided tours of archipelago and river, team building for businesses and equipment rental. Our goal is simple: safe mastery, great service and memorable natural experiences.
This is how we work
We believe in small groups, clear and friendly instruction, and equipment that provides peace of mind. All of our products -- from intro courses to longer tours -- are designed for ordinary people, not for top athletes. The most important thing is that you feel cared for and go home with the experience of having learned something new.
The Entrepreneur's Story
The paddle trail was started by Hakeem Teland in 2023. Hakeem started paddling as a ten-year-old and early on became one of the country's top paddlers and has behind him a career at the top level — including a string of NM golds and international placings. After setting up as an activist, he wanted to use the experience to lower the threshold for others: give people a confident start, teach them good habits on the water and show off the South Country's nature from its best side. Today, Hakeem leads a small, dedicated team and is himself an active instructor and guide.
Lars Magne Ullvang
Our team also includes the national paddler Lars Magne Ullvang. He qualified for the Tokyo Olympics (2021) in the K-1 1000 m, and has several royal trophies and national titles on his merit list.
In addition to international experience, he has a background characterized by purposefulness and communicative ability, which makes him very well suited as a safe, calm and educational guide on the water. Several editorial reviews shed light on both his merits and his journey as a top athlete.
Why Choose Us
• Safety first: certified instructors, good safety regime and stable, custom kayaks.
• Mastery in focus: you get concrete, manageable steps — from boarding and disembarking to manoeuvring and rescue.
• Good experience: friendly follow-up, small groups and leisurely pace, so everyone hangs out.
• Proven customer satisfaction: Padlegleden has established a solid reputation in Sørlandet through good reviews and award-winning service.
• All year round: courses and tours are set up consecutively in season; team building and tailoring by appointment.
Vision and Ambition
We will be the first choice for safe and meaningful paddling experiences in Norway. That means delivering high quality every day, while sharing knowledge that makes people independent and safe on the water — whether they're joining a trip, taking a wet card, or building a new hobby for life.
Get in contact
Do you have questions about which scheme is best suited, or do you want a tailor-made scheme for family, group of friends or company? Send an email or call — we'll help you quickly find the right option.
Sincerely,
Team Paddle Trail