We recently connected with Ashley Coil and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Rocky Mountain Paddleboard’s Mission:

Our mission is to cultivate moments of joy, peace and adventure as we connect, educate and inspire the Colorado paddling community.

The Story Behind Our Mission:

Rocky Mountain Paddleboard was born from a deep passion for pursuing bliss. Our founder, once confined to a corporate job, envisioned a way to turn his love for the outdoors into a way of life. In 2012, he took the first step by loading up a trailer full of paddleboards at Boulder Reservoir. His commitment to delivering exceptional experiences through high-quality service, gear, and genuine enthusiasm quickly fueled RMP’s growth. This momentum led to a rental shop at Union Reservoir and eventually the full management of rentals at Boulder Reservoir.

Recognized as one of the best outfitters in Colorado, we’ve expanded our operations to include Bear Creek Lake Park, Union Reservoir, Barefoot Lakes, and Cherry Creek Reservoir. As we continue to grow, our goal remains the same: to provide the best paddling experience across the Front Range.

We aim to break away from the routines of everyday life, not just for our customers but for our team as well. In Colorado, water is a precious resource, and we are dedicated to making it as accessible as possible, understanding its powerful impact on both mental and physical well-being. As we embrace the opportunities that come with growth, we stay grounded in our roots as outdoor enthusiasts, committed to creating moments of joy, connection, and peace for everyone who finds their way to the water.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At Rocky Mountain Paddleboard, we’re in the business of creating meaningful moments on the water. While we offer rentals, lessons, and events, what we really provide is space. Space to breathe, reset, connect, and play.

What started as a small, seasonal operation has grown into a thriving community of paddlers and outdoor lovers across Colorado. Today, we operate five locations throughout the Front Range, offering paddleboard, kayak, canoe, party board, and pontoon rentals. We also offer SUP lessons, SUP yoga, kids camps, and a full lineup of community events like full moon paddles, dog paddles, and sunrise/sunset sound bath sessions.

We’ve built our business around more than just rentals, we create experiences. We aim to make paddling accessible for all and provide a welcoming, laid-back space for people to unplug, recharge, and find adventure.

One of the biggest challenges we help solve is accessibility. Getting on the water can feel intimidating, expensive, or just logistically hard. We remove those barriers by offering high-quality equipment, friendly instruction, and beautiful locations across the Front Range that make it simple for people to show up and paddle. We also recognize that not everyone needs a rental, which is why we’ve developed a calendar full of bring-your-own-board events to build community and keep people coming back, board or no board.

What sets us apart is our balance of professionalism and laid-back Colorado energy. We genuinely care about the people we serve, and it shows, in how we train our staff, in how we design our events, and in how we show up for our community. We’re proud to be locally grown, people-powered, and mission-driven.

We’re most proud of the community we’ve created. From local families to world travelers, from solo paddlers to big group outings, we’ve been lucky to witness thousands of people discover the magic of paddling in Colorado. We’re here for the people who want more than just a rental , we’re here for the ones looking for connection, adventure, and a little peace on the water.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After COVID, like many businesses, we experienced a major shift, but not in the way most people might expect. The 2020 season turned out to be our busiest yet. With travel restricted and people craving safe outdoor activities, paddleboarding skyrocketed in popularity. Suddenly, it felt like everyone in Colorado had their own board.

At first, it was exciting to see the sport grow, but we quickly realized it posed a new challenge for our rental-based business. If most people already owned a board, how would we keep them engaged? How could we continue to serve our community if they no longer needed to rent from us?

That moment sparked a big shift in our approach and led to one of the most important evolutions in our business: focusing on community activation.

Instead of focusing only on rentals, we began building out a full calendar of events that invited people to bring their own boards and still take part in what we do. We launched full moon paddles, sunrise and sunset meetups, dog paddles, and more, all with a focus on connection, fun, and shared experience.

The response has been incredible. Our paddling community has grown even stronger, and we have created space for people to keep showing up, even if they bring their own gear. That shift reminded us that what we offer is so much more than equipment. It is a sense of belonging, a way to connect with nature, and a reason to get back on the water again and again.

That pivot not only helped us adapt to a changing market, it made us more creative, more community-focused, and more aligned with our mission than ever before.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Our social media audience has grown pretty organically over the years, and the key has always been staying true to who we are. We focus on sharing real moments on the water, beautiful landscapes, and the joy our customers and staff experience every day.

One thing that has helped us build our following is consistency. We show up regularly, especially during the busy season, and we stay engaged with our audience. We answer DMs, share user-generated content, and highlight events, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments so people can really get a feel for who we are. We’re not trying to be overly polished or perfect. We want people to feel like they’re part of something and that they’re invited to join the fun.

For anyone just starting out, our biggest piece of advice is to be authentic. Don’t stress too much about algorithms or trends. Focus on your community, your values, and the kind of content that feels real to your brand. Ask yourself what your audience wants to see or learn and make it easy for them to connect with you.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of local engagement. Connect with other businesses, share local happenings, and be part of the broader community. Word of mouth is still incredibly powerful, and social media is just a modern version of that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rockymtnpaddleboard.com/
• Instagram: @rockymountainpaddleboard
• Facebook: Rocky Mountain Paddleboard
• Youtube: Rocky Mountain Paddleboard
• Yelp: Rocky Mountain Paddleboard
• Other: Tik Tok: @rockymountainpaddleboard

Image Credits

Susie @ Crimson Cat Studios (Dog Pictures)