From Side Hustle to Splashy Success: How an Arnprior Couple is Making Waves with Ottawa Valley Air Paddle

What began as a single inflatable paddleboard in a one-bedroom Ottawa apartment has evolved into a flourishing retail and events business that's redefining how people explore the water in Arnprior and beyond.

"I really wanted a kayak, but we were living in a one-bedroom apartment, so that wasn’t realistic," Scott said. "I came across this inflatable paddleboard and went on a limb and bought it. I told Lana we can rent it out whenever we’re not using it."

That spur-of-the-moment decision in 2018 turned into a steady stream of rentals. 

“In one year we paid for the paddleboard, so we bought another one,” Lana said. “In year two we never ended up using them because they were always rented out and it just blew up from there…all of a sudden we were accidental business owners.”

Both were still working desk jobs—Scott in sales and Lana in marketing for a real estate team, but as demand grew, so did their vision. In 2020, they moved to Arnprior and began selling boards in addition to renting them.

“It was a leap,” Lana said. “We ordered 40 boards on our credit card and were terrified because we thought we would have them in our garage forever.”

Unsurprisingly, the boards did sell - fast! 

Then, in 2021, Scott and Lana added Oru folding kayaks to their growing lineup, another pivotal moment in the OVAP story. Selling those Oru kayaks right out of their garage, they began shipping across Canada, opening up an entirely new market.

“Oru Kayaks were the perfect addition to inflatable paddleboards. They sparked the idea to hone in on “portable” boats that people can throw into their trunk, backseat, or closet when they aren't using them,” said Scott. “This opened up the ability to get out onto the water for so many people who may not have had a chance to otherwise.”

The shift toward e-commerce provided the momentum they needed to take the next big step. “Shopify changed our business,” Lana said. “It gave us the financial strength to open a retail store in Arnprior in April 2024.”

By then, OVAP had become much more than a garage startup. “It was definitely the right move for the business,” Scott said. “It allowed us to hire some staff and have a place for them to work.”

Selling portable, easy-to-store, and transportable boats remains at the heart of their business. “We totally understand the burden of not having the storage space,” Lana said. “But we’re also pleased to offer a full lineup of traditional hard kayaks and SUPs for those who do have the space and/or live on the water.”

Scott and Lana’s fledgling business now includes hands-on demo days throughout the summer, curated kayak fittings, and guided paddle tours. Their popular “Demo Centre” at McLean Beach in Arnprior allows customers to try out inflatable paddleboards and foldable kayaks before buying—a solution to the most common customer concern: “Will it float?”

“As the business progressed, we realized we weren’t just selling kayaks and paddleboards, we were creating an accessible way for people to get out on the water, whether it’s an inflatable board or a foldable boat,” said Scott.

So far, the response from the community and visitors has been overwhelming. From LED-lit night paddles along the Rideau Canal to their signature Kaleidoscope Kayaking events synced with fireworks shows, Ottawa Valley Air Paddle has carved out a unique niche. They’ve diversified into rentals, sales, and experiences, all while staying true to their community roots.

Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Lana echoed Scott’s commitment to meeting customer’s needs, adding that “customer service is everything.”

“If someone walks away with the right kayak to help get them out on the water, and not just any kayak, we’ve done our job."

As they look ahead, the couple is embracing growth, but on their own terms. “We’ve almost transitioned to not adding any more products or experiences and instead adding team members and occupational capacity,” Scott said. “Now it’s about improving what we’re doing.”