Hi Blondieny3,
Sorry to hear that your experience at Paddle Barbados was as bad as you say. We truly value our customers and their feed back. Typically this feed back is positive and is reflected in our TA reviews. Unfortunately, reading your review it upsets me to hear that your experience was not typical.

Although we meet many people from around the world every day, remarkably I am able to remember your specific visit to our shop. As an experienced and responsible water sports operator my first course of action is to assess my customers’ ability to independently operate the equipment so that I know what level of assistance will be necessary. We do not have a rigid format for this but we do make the assessment through casual conversation and observation. I do remember replying awkwardly to your ‘amateur’ self assessment as you did not appear to be dressed appropriately for the activity. I do not mean this to be offensive but it put up a red flag. I also remember that I watched you keenly as you set off because you had a struggle to put on the standard life jacket that was supplied. I thought that you were nervous but I never thought that you were offended. I am sorry for not recognizing that and it was probably due to my obligations to other customers at a busy time.

‘Don’t kayak to South America’ is something that I say to many of my customers and is intended as an ice breaker. It is followed by specific instruction and until now, always appreciated as humor and not sarcasm.

We will take kayaks to the water and we will help you into them if specifically requested but for amateur paddlers we simply make sure the kayak is empty of water, provide a paddle and rest the kayak on the sand, 50 feet from the water. From a safety perspective if the renter is unable to get the equipment into the water and climb into it unassisted in the shallows then they should not adventure away from shore. Getting into your kayak unassisted is a requirement if you fall out. It is “unsafe” to neglect this fact. I do remember being relieved when I saw that you returned safely to the beach.

I appreciate the hotel’s watersports staff being supportive of you and angry about your complaint as I would be if I had independently heard this.

The message on our phone explains that we are sometimes in the water and will get back to you if you leave your details and we did less than two hours after you called via email. Please recheck your correspondence to confirm this. Not immediate but certainly not neglect.

Once again I am sorry that you felt this way and I hope that we did not ruin your vacation.

For anyone interested in booking with us despite this negative review please be open to a skills assessment as part of the rental experience.

Truly,
Jason