c&k#35 dps-m spg - Canoe & Kayak

I was at a crossroads,determined to spendmore time focussingon activities thatchallenged myselfand others. Thecourse helped me todecide that I eitherhad to get seriousabout my dreams orthey would only everbe just that - dreams.I didn’t want to lookback ten years laterand wonder, “Whatwould my life hadlooked like if I hadtaken that risky step?”Of course, at that time I didn’t know what that risky step really was! What Idid know was that I wanted to work in the outdoors and with people at theirgrowing point.All this was a far cry from my role as a Presbyterian minister of some sixteenyears. This, however, was coming to a close as financial constraints meantthat the church could no longer afford to employ me. So here I was, strandedbetween the end of what I knew, and the beginning of the unknown.Ever been there? It’s a very uncomfortable place, but also one that enables amove forward into new territory. The possibilities expand, and newopportunities present themselves. And so it was for my wife Joy and myself.Joy was busy with a private counselling practice of her own, but she too knewthat we were heading in a new direction. One day we dropped into theHamilton shop and saw the business was for sale. A few phone calls, a fewmeetings, a few sleepless nights, and suddenly, we’re in a new place that wecould never have imagined a few short months previously.Joy and I are slowly getting to grips with how to operate a busy little shopand we’re already realising the need for help! We will sometimes call on theservices of our children, Amanda aged 19 and Sarah, aged 16, but we knowthat we also need to employ people who can guide and instruct. We do havesome future potential help in the form of a grandson, Sairis, (sounds like“Cyrus”), who is 6 months old. We have to wait a bit for that help but we lookforward to influencing him as our first little “paddle rat.”Do drop in the shop and say “Hello”. We would love to catch up with youand discuss your kayaking interest and needs.Tony BarrettWaikato PaddleratWAIKATOKILLARNEY ROADSH1BYPASSDUKE STREETKAHIKATEA DRIVENORTHGREENWOOD STDUKE STREETKAHIKATEA DRIVEThe Corner Greenwood St& Duke St, State Highway 1 bypassHamiltonTelephone: 07 847 5565For SaleKayak ShopsInterested inowning your ownkayak shop?Canoe & Kayak Ltd is ready toopen Licensed Operations inWhangareiand at selectedSouth Island locationsPhone: 09 473 0036Peter TownendManaging Director, Canoe & Kayak Ltdand I’ll be glad to have a chat.All approaches will be dealt with in confidence.ISSUE THIRTYfive • 2006 17