In 2014, Nim made a bold decsion that would lead Paddle Nepal into a new chapter.
We moved into our purpose-built operations office in the newly completed Lakeside Center, becoming the first business to open in the complex.
The story had begun a year earlier when we signed a lease before the building had even been constructed. At the time, there was little more than architectural drawings, foundations, and a shared belief that something special was being built.
Working closely with the developers, Nim helped design an office around the guest experience—and, as we quickly discovered, he had a vision for every last detail. Far more than a sales office, the space became an introduction to the Paddle Nepal experience. The hand-carved pine reception counter, inspired by a paddle flowing into the outline of Nepal, greeted guests, while solid handcrafted timber furniture, native plants and bright orange river ropes were woven throughout the design. A custom-built iron and mango wood staircase led upstairs to more locally crafted pine and bamboo furnishings, creating a relaxed lounge that opened onto a balcony overlooking the heart of Lakeside. Expedition photographs, trophies, kayaks, and paddles throughout the office celebrated the adventures and achievements that had shaped Paddle Nepal’s journey. It was a place where every detail reflected the spirit of Nepal’s rivers before guests had even left town.
Looking back, creating this new office wasn’t simply about expanding.
It was about believing in the future.
And that belief didn’t stop there…
That same year, we opened our very first Kayak Shack, just a five-minute walk from our new Lakeside Center office and even closer to the shores of Phewa Lake, making it easier than ever for visitors to rent kayaks and head straight onto the water.
We also introduced a small fleet of stand-up paddleboards, becoming the first company to offer SUP rentals on Phewa Lake. At the time, stand-up paddleboarding was virtually unknown in Pokhara. Today, paddleboards have become a familiar sight across the lake, and we’re proud to have played a small part in introducing this new form of recreation to our Lakeside community.
Over the years, Lakeside Center has grown into one of Pokhara’s best-known commercial landmarks, home to a vibrant mix of shops, cafés, restaurants, and a lake-view yoga studio. Thousands of travellers pass through its doors each day, and countless Paddle Nepal adventures have begun from our office.
More than a decade later, after many unexpected twists and challenges along the way, our operations office is still in the same place. Our original Kayak Shack is still just around the corner, down by the lake, now joined by a second location. And every day, guests continue to walk through those same doors, eager to discover Nepal’s rivers and mountains.
That belief in the future was well placed.
(To be continued…)
This reflection is part of Paddle Nepal’s 20-year journey on Nepal’s rivers.
