Customer Testimonial – Linda Kay Hudder
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
One of our favorite parts of working at Tumalo Creek is hearing the stories shared by customers who have embraced the boating lifestyle and taken their kayaking (or rafting or canoeing) to the next level. One of these friend’s of the shop is Linda Kay Hudder. It all started with a simple Basic Skills Kayaking Class and now she has paddled all over the world, from Alaska to Mexico. She had developed a great group of paddling friends, and is one of the main organizers of the Christmas Kayak Event every year. Thank you Linda for sharing your story. I hope it inspires others to find their kayaker within!
Linda says:
I moved to Bend in 2004, and couldn’t wait to try kayaking. The river looked so inviting, and I had always wanted to kayak.
Finally, in the Summer of 2005, I went down to Tumalo Creek and signed up for a lesson. John took me out on the river, right out their back door.
It was so easy, it was so wonderful! It changed my life forever.
A girlfriend and I signed up for the Basic Skills Kayak class at the old Alder Creek, before Geoff owned it. It was offered through COCC. We had such a great time learning to play on the water. She did not want to get out of the kayak. Since then, both my friend and I have bought boats.
Since then, I have been kayaking in Alaska, (twice). Baja California, Mexico, in the Sea of Cortez 4 or 5 times.
Also, I have been involved in the annual lighted Christmas Kayak Float every year since its inception.
The people I’ve met and the places I’ve seen are just too fun and fantastic for words. My life has changed forever, all because of that first kayak class.
I have kayaked almost all of the Cascade Lakes, Lake Simitusis, Lake Billy Chinook, Prineville Resevoir, and Ochoco Resevoir. Not to mention many of the lakes on the Oregon coast. I have met some wonderful people, had great parties and have a ton of tales to tell.
