- May 9, 2024
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Live music and the aroma of barbecue filled the air as friends, family and guests celebrated the grand opening of Ormond Beach Kayak Center on May 17 at 1644 Ocean Shore Blvd. in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
“It’s back from the ashes like the Phoenix,” said one of the owners, Mark Pritchard.
A shop with the same name operated at the site until the building was damaged by Hurricane Matthew a few years ago. The new version has two new owners, Pritchard and Paul Murphy, but they retained the original owner, Bill Muller, to handle the kayak end of the operation, and he has big plans.
“We want to develop a kayak ecotour system for the whole county,” he said. “One day we’ll be mountain biking. Another day we’ll kayak through the marsh at Highbridge.”
The shop, which has been remodeled and expanded, rents surf boards, kayaks, paddle boards and boogie boards, as well as electric bikes and beach cruisers. There’s also a bait and tackle shop, where they have live shrimp.
Customers can take lessons, go on a tour or rent gear for their own adventure. They launch in the river at Bicentennial Park, the Seabridge area or Highbridge Park and they are across the street from the ocean. They will take customers to the water.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Muller is a former professional kayaker, taking part in national championships in the 1990s in both slalom and whitewater. His business partners took advantage of his knowledge in selecting equipment for the shop. Muller also previously worked with the city, supplying kayaking for Enviro-Camp, and wants to get that started again.
Pritchard said he could never change the name of the business, because it had such a great reputation.
“I Looked at the reviews online,” he said. “People would go on for paragraphs about what a great time they had. He took them on the time of their life.”
They are hearing from many former customers, he said.
Five family members of Murphy came down from Massachusetts to celebrate the Grand Opening.
“I’m so stinking happy. And you can quote me,” said his mother, Joanne Murphy. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
DOLPHINS AND MANATEES
Murphy has been an informal guide in the past. He said he had three kayaks at his home. Family would come down for a visit and he would take them to the Highbridge marshes and out into the river.
“I’m so stinking happy … and you can quote me.”
JOANNE MURPHY, mother of new business owner
“Everybody loved it.” He said. “I’d show them the islands. They’d see dolphins, manatees, pelican nests.”
He said Bicentennial Park is a good launching place because it’s across the river from Tomoka State Park. A person has to know where they are going in the channels to get into the park, so they offer tours.
Muller plans a kayak fitness program where he will take 10 to 15 people to the river and lead a conditioning class.
“Kayaking uses the whole body,” he said.
Visit ormondbeachkayakcenter.com or call 386-315-0179.
