In this episode, the guys sit down with Nikki DuBois, founder of Boomerang Boat Tours in Washington, DC. She shares her remarkable journey from high school teacher to owner of a thriving multi vessel charter operation. Nikki discusses how she identified market opportunities, evolved from party buses to party boats, and built a business that now operates successfully with remote ownership. The conversation dives into critical topics for watersport operators, including cashless operations, preventing theft, team accountability, hiring and firing decisions, navigating the challenges of COVID-19, and leveraging technology to manage vessels from afar. Nikki's story offers valuable lessons on leadership, adaptability, operational efficiency, and long term business growth in the charter and watersports industry.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys share stories from Kevin’s unforgettable trip to Japan. Then they take a deep dive into how AI is rapidly transforming the travel and tour industry. The conversation focuses on what watersport operators need to do right now to stay competitive, from tracking conversion rates and maximizing phone sales to adapting for AI driven search platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. The hosts explain why traditional SEO and paid ads are becoming less effective, how platforms like Google Things to Do are changing online bookings, and why authentic reviews, social content, and AI optimized websites are becoming essential for visibility. They also explore the future impact of AI on entrepreneurship, marketing, and business operations, encouraging operators to stay proactive, embrace technology, and build lean, highly engaged businesses that can thrive in the next era of tourism.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys dive into the often overlooked realities of addiction and mental health in the watersports industry. They unpack how environment, personality, and daily habits can quietly limit both personal well being and business growth. The guys explore the difference between physical and psychological addiction, why industry culture can reinforce unhealthy patterns, and how many operators unknowingly hit a ceiling because of lifestyle choices rather than market conditions. They break down practical paths forward from peer groups and mentorship to fitness, mindset shifts, and emerging therapies while emphasizing that real growth starts with the operator, not just the operation. For anyone looking to scale their business, improve their leadership, or simply feel better day to day, this conversation highlights why investing in your health, environment, and education is one of the highest ROI moves you can make.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys sit down with Kevin Walsh to break down how AI and telematics are quickly becoming must have tools for watersport operators looking to run tighter, safer, and more profitable fleets. The guys unpack how platforms like Boat Fix give you real time visibility into your boats tracking engine hours, usage patterns, battery health, and more so you can stay ahead of maintenance, reduce downtime, and make smarter operational decisions. They also dive into how this data is starting to impact insurance rates, improve safety through real time alerts, and even help recover stolen boats. Whether you’re running a high volume fleet or a small mom and pop operation, the big takeaway is clear: you don’t need complex or expensive systems to start leveraging data and AI just the right tools and mindset to work smarter, not harder.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys kick it off with stories from Miami, where rave culture, luxury waterfront lifestyles, and a chaotic but unforgettable bareboat charter experience spark bigger conversations about the future of the industry. What starts as a fun recap quickly turns into a masterclass for operators, as they unpack the massive opportunity in professionally managing privately owned boats as an asset light rental model, share why early investments in events like The Port can accelerate business growth, and break down how economic shifts could actually drive stronger local demand for water sports in the 2026–2027 seasons. The episode closes with one of their most practical discussions yet on AI, showing operators how to use it for pricing, scheduling, delegation, and high level strategy so they can spend less time working in the business and more time building a scalable, resilient company.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys sit down with Brian Mazanti of KCBK Group, the podcast’s newest sponsor and a leading expert in the commercial marine space, for a deep dive into what it really takes to build a profitable rental fleet. From the explosive growth of the upcoming port event and the jet ski trailer parking competition giveaway, this episode is packed with opportunities for operators looking to level up. Brian breaks down how KCBK helps rental and boat club businesses source the right pontoons, deck boats, trailers, and financing solutions directly from OEM partners, while avoiding the common mistakes that hurt profitability. The conversation dives into fleet lifecycle strategy, how to price for resale, when to rotate high hour boats, why commercial grade builds matter, and what manufacturers still don’t understand about the rental market. 

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by KCBK Group, Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys sit down with Boatsetter CEO Michael Farb to break down how the peer to peer boat rental marketplace is transforming the boating and watersports industry. The conversation explores how platforms like Boatsetter and GetMyBoat are turning underutilized private boats into revenue generating assets while expanding access to boating for millions of new customers. Michael shares insights on the key innovations making this model work from usage based insurance and certified captain networks to data driven fleet growth and marketplace technology. They note challenges faced in the watersports industry including regulatory challenges, rising marketing costs, platform integrations, and managing high risk equipment like jet skis.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys sit down with insurance expert Chris Murray to break down what water sport operators actually need to know about commercial insurance from decoding complex policy language to avoiding fraudulent or inadequate coverage that can sink your business. Next they dive into why safety documentation, maintenance logs, and operational discipline directly impact your premiums, underwriting experience and how long term carrier relationships can stabilize rising costs. They also explore the realities of today’s insurance market, the difference between part time rental operators and scalable legacy businesses, and the massive untapped opportunity in the peer to peer boat rental space.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys dive into how local regulations are tightening, license caps are expanding, and operators are feeling the squeeze. Then they break down the real world impact of Sarasota’s controversial medallion system and what it signals for boat rental and water sports businesses everywhere. From moratoriums and insurance requirements to political blind spots and media narratives. Next they talk candidly about why waiting it out isn’t a strategy. If you operate on public waterways, this is a practical, no fluff discussion on protecting your livelihood and staying profitable in an increasingly regulated environment. 

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/

In this episode, the guys dive into how AI is quickly becoming a practical tool not a scary buzzword for water sports and tour operators looking to grow without burning out. Featuring Evan Tipton and Ivy Duncan from TOMIS and Yonder, the conversation breaks down how AI powered chatbots, voice assistants, and marketing automation can handle everyday customer questions, follow up with leads, and improve bookings while still keeping a human touch where it matters most. The guests share real world examples from operators using AI today, lessons learned from surviving COVID era disruptions, and why staying consistent with marketing especially during uncertain times pays off.

[SPONSORS] - This show is sponsored by Take My Boat Test and WaveRez.

Show Links:
Website: https://www.watersportpodcast.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/awgpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1155418904790489
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awg_podcast/