New kayak shop in Cleveland: Paddle Mad

SPECIALISED service is becoming harder to find in the marine industry, with more and more businesses opting for a general approach in an effort to stock the widest variety of gear possible.

This can be well and good, and these businesses often become ‘one-stop shops’, however the flipside is that with so much gear in stock, there’s no way the staff will know everything about every item.

Those customers new to the industry are often left frustrated by a lack of helpful knowledge, sometimes leaving a shop more confused than when they entered. Bucking the ‘one size fits all’ trend is Paddle Mad, located in Cleveland on Brisbane’s bayside.

As the name depicts, business owners Darryn and Michele Sewell are mad about paddling. Stocking a range of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surf boards and associated gear, the husband and wife team have the specialised knowledge and experience to help paddling newbies become paddling professionals. Personalised service and advice is the name of the game at Paddle Mad, with Darryn and Michele striving to help everyone who walks through the door fit into a product that will suit them.

Guiding people through the occasionally tricky process of finding a kayak, SUP or surf board that suits their unique style is key, and demo models give potential customers the opportunity to try before they buy.