We have over 20 years of experience as wholesale canoe and kayak sales reps. We were at the forefront of the emerging paddle sport trend. With that, we decided to bring our expertise to where we live and are happy to offer you:

• Rentals: canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes
• Sales: outdoor gear, trout flies, river T’s, and much more
• Area hiking options
• Vacation getaway lodging through Airbnb

Our philosophy is to provide knowledgeable, respectful services. The Battenkill is a beautiful, natural wild resource.

Tucked against the hills, adjacent to a state hiking trail, our off-grid business offers outdoor experiences to folks of all levels, and advice for regional adventures.

BVO offers secure parking, change rooms, flush bathrooms, and spacious grounds to picnic on, if desired. We draw clientele from all over the world and hope to offer you a memorable experience as well. Reconnect with friends and family…. Come discover with us!

Meet the Team

Don Otey- co-owner & river rat from a young age. He co-authored several guides to paddling in Georgia and Appalachian whitewater. He has paddled the Grand Canyon multiple times, Costa Rica, Canada, and all over the East Coast. In an earlier chapter, he ran a rafting company on the Ocoee. He was one of the founding members of the Battenkill Conservancy, and served as president of the board for several years. 

Lisa Otey – co owner and office manager. She creates the look and feel of the business with graphics, ads, and displays.  Also a founding member of the Battenkill Conservancy serving as bookkeeper and graphics.

Sue Gibbons – multi year employee whose meticulous attention to detail has kept our fleet afloat with great cleaning & repair work. Sue has a background in Special Ed. She loves the classroom, and it shows when she helps get you set up for the river. In the winter, you will find Sue on any local ski mountain.

Mark Ericksen– multi year employee who also offers so much toward maintaining the vehicle aspects of the fleet and tractor! Mark has a background in aeronautical engineering. Now retired, he lives on a lower section of the Battenkill with his wife and dog, and has great insight of the river at all seasons. He can tell a story or two!

Pete Carner – river guide on the Hudson. Pete has been with BVO a long time, has helped set up programs, and offers expertise and guidance to all customers. He teaches forth grade at Schuylerville, and a summer youth adventure program thru Skidmore. Pete lives on the Hudson with his dog, River.

Norman White- this is Norm’s second season with BVO. A linebacker for Cambridge high school, he can hoist that boat wherever you want it!

Manny Trembley- also two years new to BVO. This guy’s great smile and personality will carry you through the day! He and Norm are great friends.

Tico & Ella -the BVO greeters and mascots. These two dogs love to welcome you, enthusiastically! If you have any fear or dislike of dogs, please let us know. We will respectfully keep them out of your sight. Please let us know in advance if you plan to bring your dogs along. 

We scout the river, watch the levels, and understand the changes to weather and conditions as best we can. 
The BVO team works hard to make sure you are well cared for.