The barrier is rarely interest
People do not stay inside because they dislike lakes. They stay inside because a kayak is a purchase, a rack, a garage decision and a guess about whether they will use it.
Renting turns that into an afternoon. If you love it, buy one later, knowing which one.
What idle gear is worth
Most of the equipment in this region is used a handful of weekends a year and sits the rest of the time.
An owner putting that gear back into use is not just earning from it — they are handing somebody a first trip.
Start small
A short paddle on sheltered water. An afternoon on a bike path. A night at a campground twenty minutes from home.
The big trips are built out of the small ones.