HVH2O is Born!

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

So I actually got my act together and started the motions of making this dream idea come true. My nonprofit is going to be called HVH2O (Hudson Valley H2O). I've had three meetings so far, and last night was our first public meeting. I've got two other people with me on this project who are educators. The idea is to make a watersports/environmental center on my local waterfront. This will serve the entire community, creating access to the river for everybody as well as educating the local populace and schools about environmental issues.

It looks like this thing is going to happen. I had a former mayor and a current councilperson at the meeting. Everyone was very interested, especially considering that we're building this up as a community effort. My local waterfront has been getting developed more and more over the years — in a good way — but water access has been ignored. I want to make that happen.

The watersports part won't be a pure SUP thing. Kayaks are really popular on the east coast, so they must be an important part of our plan. I'll handle the SUP part, and we have people who are interested in helping who will be kayak instructors. It's all good that way. The important thing is getting people out on the water, not dictating what they ride. The watersports and environmental part merge together because getting out on the river is one way we learn about the river.

I attached our vision of what we want the site to look like, along with some pictures of what it looks like now. This is already park land zoned for a kayak rental operation, but nobody ever bit. I'm currently working with the city to gain use of that land, which they have expressed interest in.

I'll keep you guys updated! I hope in five years or so I can make this my full time gig. Things will calm down during the cold months, so the educational programs will be very important to keep creating revenue. I'm sure I'm leaving things out, but this is the basic idea.

[stoneaxe]

Very cool Ian...good luck!

[yugi]

Cool!

Don't forget the beer and burgers. That's the way to finance everything.

[eastbound]

exciting, icky--best luck

[burchas]

Awesome! Hope to see it in action soon.

[WhatsSUP]

VERY VERY cool!

Hope this takes off Ich! 

[yugi]

How are we supposed to pronounce HVH2O?

May I suggest you spend some time in yoga classes doing a little market survey of various name options. I find those ladies with those nice outfits have a very sensitive flaire for that kind of thing. Listen to them. They are your future clients.

[yugi]

How many places along the river do you have for winter sauna's, sweat lodges, or wood stove hot tub? Complete with tea room? (and maybe yoga area)

There's your winter period covered.

It's always so cleansing by the water. Capitalise on that.

[stoneaxe]

How many places along the river do you have for winter sauna's, sweat lodges, or wood stove hot tub? Complete with tea room? (and maybe yoga area)

There's your winter period covered.

It's always so cleansing by the water. Capitalise on that.

Shit...get those put in and you might see me Icky.... .

[TallDude]

That's awesome. We have a similar program in the our harbor located at the youth docks. They do kids sailing lessons as well. Here's a link to their site.

http://www.westwindsailing.com/

I know they have agreements with some local private and charter schools to provide private group lessons throughout the week.

[Night Wing]

I hope starting your non-profit  endeavor is a resounding success and blossoms into many years of enjoyment for anyone and everyone associated with it.

[burchas]

How many places along the river do you have for winter sauna's, sweat lodges, or wood stove hot tub? Complete with tea room? (and maybe yoga area)

There's your winter period covered.

It's always so cleansing by the water. Capitalise on that.

You're hired yugi!
We'll set you up on a lodge by the river, sauna and tea room built-in.
I'll throw-in a custom board, condition specific, to sweeten the pot.

All you have to do is recreate your Lake Geneva experience.

[Off-Shore]

Awesome to see this Ichabod! I really get your access to the water thing! I'm amazed how difficult and controlled everything is here in the US regarding access to the water. "What can be imagined can be achieved!"

[addapost]

Awesome! Good luck, let me know if you need any help on the certification front.

[surfcowboy]

Love it man. Make the world better and make your own job. Great idea.