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Show Canyon Voyages enjoys rewards from expansion "... vve work on that 'underwater Comfort level. " Een 10 years ago the river guide trade was competitive business. Yet thats the business Denise and Don Oblak chose when friends who lived in Moab told them to pick a business - any business - and make a move from Phoenix, Arizona. Our friends invited us out here and told us it was wide open as far as starting a new' business in town, Denise said. We thought about a hardware store, a bed and breakfast, and after a bit vve decided to open a river company. Neither Don or Denise had experience at the time as professional guides, but both had been private river runners. Denise had run the Green River in this area, and both spent leisure time on the Salt and Verde Rivers in Arizona. We started by offering guided trips, Denise explains. Over the years we built up the retail business and added tours, but Now we not hard-cor- e have hiking tours, too and a lot of retail and boat rentals. Canyon Voyages has outgrown its space at least three times since 1991 when the business began in what is now Eklecticafe. The first move was made in 1995 to a store next to the Moab Brewery on South Main. Although this space was fine for booking trips and selling an inventory of sportswear and boating gear, most of the rental equipment was stored at yet another location - a warehouse on North Main Street. Each step brought us closer to what we really wanted, which ultimately was to put it al' together, Denise said. That happened two years ago with brand new construction of the Oblaks current location - still on Main Street, but much more centrally located. Don designed the building himself to suit the personality ever-growi- he likes to think the business has; casual, spacious and of high quality. We try to be quality oriented rather than volume oriented, Don said. We like doing trips with families and small groups, or couples. And even our kayak school focuses on small groups. Don sits down with each client and tries to Don Oblak customize their trip for them, Denise added. Canyon Voyages travels the Mighty Colorado at Westwater Canyon and Fisher Tow ers; the lower part by Carrie Mossien community spirit. You really can make a difference in peoples lives in a community like this, Denise adds. We get to open our clients eyes to Canyon Country. Canyon Voyages is located at 211 North Main Street. More information about the services offered, including the new hiking tours offered by Rory Tyler, 1 is available by calling 259-939- of the Dolores River; and the Labyrinth on the Green River. Some of the trips are coupled with bicycle tours offered by local professionals.l Denise and Don say they love what they do. Weve always said it is a pretty great job to help people to have fun, Don said. Thats a good reason to be working. Don gets on the river more ng than Denise, they say, as she runs the business from the office and he is a licensed guide and teacher. The business employs 18 people, including managers Judy Christian and Molly Taylor, and the retail store is open year-rounThey have 23 rafts, 16 rubber duckies, whitewater and sea kayaks. Kayak school is ongoing, and helps people find a level of underwater comfort, an essential, Don says, if youre going to d. . kayak. The difference between kids and adults in a kayak is that kids will be more comfortable turning back in an upright position if they tip, Don said. Thats why we work on that underwater comfort level. Canyon Voyages also offers two demonstration days in late June and early JuJy to offer the general public a chance to try out the equipment free of charge. Used boats are sold at a discount at the end of the boating season, which Don points out has been extended from a once June to August season to what is now March to September. During an average year we probably do 5,000 guided trips, and that would include the kayak school, Don said. This town has evolved and we love being part of that t Hi V p r v . ebismifisni last (ftmmguwm mi mmt: Don Oblak created the design for Canyon Vogages new building with comfort in mind. |