With less people in the shop, (and out on the water), I have been using some of the quiet time to cast about for some more clarity in our reason for being here and have had a few things surface for me. One of the best things about being part of Paddlecraft, is that I still get a big thrill out of customers who start off paddling with us and begin to discover something new about themselves.
I realize that everyone values connection, such as connection with people that like the same things we do and do the same things we like doing, so we seek to nourish those bonds. We have a lot of customers that come back to us to join our groups, or start out hiring the most stable kayak and then move on to buying their own kayaks. We rarely have anyone return from a paddle without a big smile on their face and it is a great feeling to be able to conjure up that magic in a person’s life. I respect those connections!

Getting out onto the water just feels good, and I just always focused on that when confronted with all the lifting of kayaks, unpredictable weather and wind or even fair weather paddlers dropping away, so I am on my own! Generally within a few minute’s strokes, the good feelings come rolling in and I am glad I am off paddling.

I made another connection recently, when I read about research being conducted in the UK studying the impact of water based activities on people’s mental and physical well being. The program is “Blue Gym Research” and has found growing medical evidence that access to the natural environment can prevent disease and help people recover from illness. The statistics of the average amount of time that people spend outdoors is really depressing and I am doubly thankful to be sitting here on the edge of paradise! I am hoping to be able to develop different paddling opportunities for people in need and would like to hear from anybody that knows a group or an organisation that would suit this endeavor.