Canyon Voyages Adventure Company spends its season offering gear and adventure packages to tourists so they can experience the natural beauty of Moab. Along with serving visitors, though, owners Brian Roe and Chris Martinez aim to use their business to make sure locals get the same opportunity to explore this area, beginning with their annual block party, taking place this year on Saturday, Oct. 13.
“We know that without the Moab community, the people who live here, that we wouldn’t be as successful as we are, so it’s our way of giving back a little bit,” Roe said.
The block party will be held at the Canyon Voyages store from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will feature music, food and a store-wide sale. “Everything in the store is at least 25 percent off,” Roe said. “We also sell our rental boats and our rental SUPs (stand-up paddleboards) and canoes and recreational kayaks — whatever we’re going to upgrade for the following season.”
The rental gear that will be sold will be heavily discounted, giving locals the opportunity to purchase items they may not have the ability to otherwise. Stand-up paddle boards will be available for $600, and inflatable kayaks, normally priced at $1,500, will be sold for between $800 and $900.
“This might make it easier for someone to get out on the river,” Roe said of the sale.
The block party is in line with Canyon Voyages’ mission to give back to the community they are a part of, Roe explained.
“One of the reasons Chris and I think this (block party) is a big deal, and why we give discounts to river guides so they can buy what we need, is that we feel that the people who live here should get the same opportunity to experience the things the tourists come here and spend a lot of money to experience,” Martinez said. “It’s an end-of-the-year party, wrapping it up for the river season, bringing the river community and the Moab community all into one place.”
Canyon Voyages is deeply rooted in Moab’s community, contributing to 23 local charitable organizations and nonprofits, and focusing on both the needs of their customers and their employees. “We concentrate on the people who work for us getting a living wage,” Roe said. “It’s not all about us making a profit. These people may not have a long-term buy-in with our company, but we feel it’s important they’re able to live well.”
Roe said that having great people on staff is essential to taking great care of the savvy outdoor enthusiast who come to Moab.
“Today’s adventure enthusiasts are more sophisticated customers, who know what they want,” Roe said. “They demand professionalism, expect a high level of customer service and don’t settle for substandard quality.”
Roe said Canyon Voyages is also proud to be a contributor to Moab Pride Festival, an event at the forefront of the community at this time of the year.
“They’re a super huge supporter,” said Cali Bulmash, an organizer of the festival. “They are monetarily a big donor, and we are also working with them to organize a trip with the kids and working on an apprenticeship.”
The Canyon Voyages block party is an all-day event, and Roe said that anyone who spends $100 at the store will be entered into a raffle drawing at 4 p.m. where items such as stand-up paddle boards and Chaco sandals will be given away.
Annual affair aims to bring locals out for music, food and deals
When: Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Canyon Voyages, 211 N. Main St.
More info: Call Canyon Voyages at 435-259-6007
