How Ottawa Valley Air Paddle Made Outdoor Adventure Portable

Ottawa Valley Air Paddle didn’t start with a grand business plan—it started with a single inflatable paddleboard and a small downtown apartment. Founders Scott and Lana were 28, living in Ottawa, and like many outdoor enthusiasts, were looking for a way to get on the water without the storage demands or price tag of a traditional kayak. “Scott had always wanted a kayak,” Lana recalls, “but it just wasn’t practical in the city. We were tight on space, and tight on money.”

Instead, they turned to what was then a growing trend: inflatable paddleboards. Lightweight, compact, and surprisingly stable, stand-up paddleboards (or SUPs) were gaining traction for good reason—they could be deflated, rolled up, and stored in a closet. The couple bought their first one on Amazon and listed it on a local rental platform, Ruckify, to help recoup the cost. “That platform really launched us,” says Lana. “We were able to rent the board so often that we covered the cost and bought four more.”

By the time they moved to Arnprior in 2020, paddleboard rentals had become a side hustle—and a surprisingly successful one. “We actually used the money we earned from rentals to help with our down payment,” Scott says. That year, they officially incorporated Ottawa Valley Air Paddle (OVAP), naming it after the inflatable nature of their gear: “air” paddleboards for outdoor adventure, like an Airbnb for paddling.

Scott and Lana, co-founders of Ottawa Valley Air Paddle, turned a single inflatable paddleboard into Canada’s largest portable kayak retailer. The couple opened their Arnprior storefront in 2023.

Their first step beyond rentals came by demand. “People kept asking where they could buy boards,” says Lana. Taking the leap, they ordered 40 paddleboards and had them delivered right to their driveway. “It was terrifying,” Scott admits. “But they sold out faster than we could have imagined.”

From there, OVAP evolved into a full-service paddlesports shop with a unique focus: portability. Unlike traditional boats or kayaks that require trailers or garages, OVAP’s product line is built around inflatable and foldable models that can fit in a car trunk or even an airplane. Today, they carry the country’s largest selection of portable kayaks—offering performance and durability without the logistical headache.

“Not everyone has space for a twelve-foot kayak,” says Scott. “We’ve been there. That’s why we’re so passionate about curating gear that works for real people—people in apartments, people who travel, people who just want to get on the water easily.”

Scott demonstrates the lightweight design of an ORU Kayak—part of OVAP’s mission to make outdoor adventure more accessible through portable gear.

Scott’s background in sales and marketing, and Lana’s in design and photography, helped shape OVAP’s brand from the beginning. Both come from entrepreneurial families and both spent their childhoods on the water—Scott at Camp Mishewah and the Rideau River, Lana at her family cottage in Muskoka. “That early love of lakes and rivers is at the heart of everything we do,” she says.

In 2024, OVAP opened its first retail storefront at 67 Madawaska Street in Arnprior. “Moving the business out of our house and into a real shop was a huge step,” says Lana. “But the response from the community made it worth it.” The shop now carries a broad lineup: portable folding, inflatable and modular kayaks, traditional hard-shell kayaks, inflatable and hard-shell paddleboards, paddling accessories and outdoor lifestyle gear. In winter, the product range shifts to skis, snowboards, and snowshoes—an expansion that lets them support year-round outdoor living.

Inside Ottawa Valley Air Paddle’s Arnprior shop, customers can find portable folding, inflatable and modular kayaks, traditional hard-shell kayaks, inflatable and hard-shell paddleboards, paddling accessories, outdoor lifestyle gear, and curated accessories for year-round exploration.

Their gear selection includes top brands like Oru Kayak, known for origami-style folding boats, and other innovative portable models, such as the Pakayak and Tucktec, which can’t be found anywhere else in Canada. Every item is tested by the OVAP team. “If we wouldn’t use it ourselves, we don’t carry it,” says Scott.

The company also offers something most outdoor stores don’t: a full on-water Demo Centre. Launching each May long weekend, it gives customers the chance to try gear before they buy. “You wouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it,” Scott says. “Why should a kayak be any different?”

Beyond sales, OVAP has become a hub for community and adventure. The couple hosts themed paddling events throughout the season—from their popular Light at Night Kayaking to the award-winning Kaleidoscope Kayaking tour. “Paddling isn’t just about equipment,” says Lana. “It’s about experiences—sharing the water with friends, connecting with nature, and building memories.”

With a growing customer base, expanded gear lineup, and a packed summer event calendar, OVAP is charting a course beyond Arnprior. “We’d love to grow our presence across the region,” says Scott. “More events, more tours, more opportunities to help people fall in love with paddling.”

The goal is simple: make the outdoors accessible, one adventure at a time.

Scott and Lana outside Ottawa Valley Air Paddle’s storefront at 67 Madawaska Street in Arnprior. Along with Canada’s largest selection of portable kayaks, the shop offers on-water demos at their nearby Demo Centre—open every season starting May long weekend.