A new chapter for Action Watersports.
In July 2024, we—Chris and Michelle, took over Action Watersports, excited to begin a new chapter for a business. As small business owners with over a decade of experience in custom picture framing, we were drawn to AWS not just as a new venture, but as a way to connect our love for the outdoors with our local community.
It hasn’t been without its challenges. Unforeseen issues meant we had to rebuild much of the business from the ground up. But we've worked hard to restore the professionalism, energy, and community focus that defined AWS in its early years.
Teaming up with some great people in the Fishing and Paddle industry, sponsoring our local Angling Club and meeting new and previous customers has been a joy. We are very thankful for the help from Alan at FishingMad and Peri & family from All Out Fishing, as well as help from Neil the original owner and Tristan his offsider.
Now in a new location in Belmont and with a new store and fresh digital presence, our goal is simple: to offer expert service, great products, and a welcoming space for paddlers, anglers, and families alike.
As we look ahead, we also want to honour where it all began. The story of AWS (formerly Action Kayak & Sail) started with a love for fishing, a chance encounter at a boat show, and a garage in Creswick — a journey started by Neil and Lyn May, whose vision and dedication shaped the business into what it is today.
We’re proud to share their story below.
—Chris & Michelle
The Beginning - a few words from founders Neil and Lyn May
Having just retired we moved to Creswick, and I joined the Ballarat Fly Fishers club. It wasn’t long before I worked out that I needed a small boat to fish the local waters chasing that trophy brown trout. A mate and I went to the 2003 Melbourne Boat Show in search of a tinny. We were amazed to see a new product called a Hobie Mirage Drive Kayak. This was a pedal drive kayak that was very stable and had a comfortable seat. We proceeded to look for the ideal tinny to no avail, so I kept going back to the Hobie Kayak. It was a car topper and seemed to be the ideal solution to get me on the water. Short story is that I purchased 2 Hobie Sport Mirage Drive kayaks before leaving the show.
Once delivered and used on the local St Georges Lake it was obvious to me that this craft was a winner. One day I was showing another fly fisher all the positives of the Hobie Kayak when he said that you sound like a Hobie salesman. This prompted me to make some enquiries with Hobie Australia, and we ended up as a sub dealer selling from Hobie Kayaks my garage at home.
In 2004 we rented and old used car lot and built a big garage on it to serve as the first Hobie Shop west of Mornington. We registered the trading name “Westvic Hobie Kayaks”. We traded at the Creswick lot until early 2008 when we made the decision to move the business closer to where the action was and that was Geelong. In the meantime, I was able to convince Hobie to give us a full Hobie Dealership. As well as selling Hobies we were able to get a Victorian dealership for Cavalier Campers, so we were now a destination for kayaks and camper trailers. With the addition of the camper trailers, we changed the trading name to “Westvic Kayaks & Kampers”
In 2008 we rented a factory in south Geelong and moved the business. The sport of kayak fishing was growing at a rapid rate with many fishermen being able to get on the water with a moderate outlay. As at that time the kayaks came reasonably bare, with pedal drive, seat and paddle. It wasn’t long before we were trying to work out how to fit the likes of rod holders, fish finders and other accessories. Being involved also in the camping and leisure scene there was also a need for recreational kayaks for those that just wanted to explore local waterways and for those travelling Australia with a kayak on the roof of the 4x4. We had a lot of couples that just enjoyed the tranquillity of kayaking together in a tandem pedal kayak (Hobie Oasis or Hobie Outfitter).
We soon grew out of the wood street location and when the premises in Portarlington Road became available it was time to Relocate the business and expand the kayak side of the business while dropping Camper Trailers. In this expansion process we lucked onto extra help that walked in the door as a customer and turned into a big part of our business, and that was Tristan. He was a fabulous part timer that could cover any part of our business be it shop front sales to workshop. The kayaking fraternity was growing very quickly with the introduction of a sailing pedal kayak, Hobie clothing and accessories. We needed to grow with this exciting sport and so renamed the business “Action Kayak & Sail”, introduced a new website and themed up the showroom that now was full of kayaks, SUP’s, fishing accessories, kayak accessories, Hobie clothing, life jackets etc. The worshop side of the business was another growth area with the fitting of fishing and kayaking accessories. This growth in AKS would not have been possible without the help of some AKS ambassadors. These were customers that became friends and helped grow this wonderful sport. I can’t name them all but Rhino, Peter and Mark along with all of our customers were an important part of this AKS growth phase. We had only one major business strategy and that was that all customers whether they purchased a kayak or not had to be happy and excited when they walked out the door.
Along this great journey we were invited to the Hobie Factory in Oceanside California where we attended a Hobie World Dealers meeting. This was a highlight of our Hobie time but not as big as the relationships that we built with our customers. We had built a business that had outgrown our ability to continue servicing it as it should be. So in 2013 we sadly sold it and fully retired driving out the gate with 2 Hobie Kayaks on the roof of our 4x4.
Thank you to all that were part of our Hobie journey.
Neil & Lyn May