Community Spotlight Series: Take Off Adventure Rentals

Our Community Spotlight Series lets you learn more about our locals and what they love about living and doing business in Parksville Qualicum Beach. This month, we spotlight the team from Take Off Adventure Rentals in Coombs: Julie & James Babiy, Linda Berry, and Ambrose Weingart.

The team’s mission is to provide hassle-free fun in the form of high-quality adventure rental gear. The founding members describe themselves as a bunch of grown-up kids from the ’70s and ’80s, fondly remembering when they played outside past dark, had no cell phones and no internet, and would go camping or on a bike ride whenever they wanted. They remember there was freedom - and this is what they want to bring back for their customers.

We spoke with them about life in Parksville Qualicum Beach and some of their favourite local spots.

What do you love about where you live?

"We have access to all the outdoor adventure opportunities, and we are close to the mountains, ocean, rivers, and lakes. It is a great, supportive community and a wonderful place to raise our children."

Where do you take family and friends when they visit?

"Englishman River Falls / Parksville and Qualicum Beaches
/ Hammerfest / Cathedral Grove / Milner Gardens / Cameron Lake."

What other businesses should people see during their visit?

"There's a long list ahead because there is a lot in the area to love, to name a few:

Restaurants: Fern + Cedar and Mount Arrowsmith Brewery, Realm, Q Burger, Courtyard Cafe, Qualicum Beach Cafe at the QBI, Craig Street Pizza, French Press, Creekmores.

Attractions: Milner Gardens & Woodland, Butterfly World, North Island Wildlife Recovery Center, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, Horne Lake Caves, Hamilton Hobby Farm, Riptide Lagoon Mini Golf.

Markets: The Errington & Qualicum Beach Farmers Markets, Parksville Street Market, Springford Farm Market, Silver Meadows and Coombs Market.

Other locally owned businesses: Edge Outdoors, Big Grin Bikes, Arrowsmith Bikes, Wild & Sparrow, Weinbergs, Soak Lifestyle Boutique, Alcove, The Other Side, Shades of Green."

What experiences make up your perfect day in PQB?

"Well, waking up at dawn with a Creekmore's coffee in the comfort of our homes. Then, we headed to the Little Qualicum Estuary to fly fishing for salmon. On the way back, stop at L'ilete for a mouth-watering fresh pastry and coffee before gearing up and heading to our local mountain bike trails at Hammerfest. After working up an appetite, we see Max at our favourite food truck, The Dragon Bowl, for a Budda Bowl. Packing up with family and pups for an afternoon hike along the Englishman River or the Nile River. For dinner, head to Fern + Cedar for some tasty food & beverages. Ending the evening with a late-night paddle board with the phosphorescence at Rathtrevor Beach, warming up with a sauna at the Grotto Spa and a nightcap at Cedars."

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