Kim Beaumont can put just about anyone in a kayak. Children as young as three have jumped into one of her brightly-colored vessels, and last year she hosted an outing of 13 senior citizens from Plainville who ranged in age from 65-82. "It was a hoot. I'm constantly amazed at who my clients are and how far they will travel for the experience'' says Beaumont, the owner of Downunder Kayaking in Rowayton.
Variety is the key for Beaumont. She hosts birthday parties, kids programs, sunset paddling, moonlight paddling, fishing by kayak, paddling and yoga, a trip to the grounds of a nearby convent and a unique meditation journey. In the latter, the kayakers paddle to a creek where they meditate for 15-20 minutes and return. "When they get off the boat, they're different,'' Beaumont says. "It's transformative."
Those are some of the unique programs at Downunder, which Beaumont has run for six years and owned for four. She sends guests out in "sit on top" kayaks, which are safe and easy to paddle and most importantly, self-draining if they tip. "We include a mini lesson to ensure they're comfortable and confident and that their experience is a positive one,'' Kim says. In addition to kayaking Beaumont is now offering Stand-up Paddle Boarding rentals, lessons and tours. Beaumont has a diverse background in office and personnel management, and more recently teaching children's yoga. She tripled both profits and client base in her first year in the business and has shown steady growth and significant success in subsequent years.
Just as important to her business is Kim's commitment to the community and the environment. She runs programs for many non-profit groups, leads beach clean-ups, is the safety director and a participant in Kayak For A Cause, and leads water testing for Harborwatch. "We're marine stewards and we like to think we instill that sense of responsibility in our clients too," Beaumont says. She takes special satisfaction in teaching children and people with special needs to kayak. "They come away feeling good about themselves and like they accomplished something,'' Beaumont says. "That's the biggest thrill for me, seeing how good kayaking is for people, and how happy they are when they return."
To learn more about Downunder, click here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
