Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth And Bob Turner.
Hi Beth and Bob, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
GHOUL RUNNINGS KAYAK ADVENTURE started in 2021 We offer guide assisted 2 hour River Trips down the scenic Sandusky River and trainings and Sunset Floats on the Fremont Reservoir.
Now… you may be wondering… why we named it GHOUL RUNNINGS… well… you see… my husband, Bob (Also known as “Crazy Bob”) and I have owned and operated the Haunted Hydro Dark Attraction Park in Fremont for 34 years. We sold it in 2023. The Hydro borders the Sandusky River and was built in 1910 and was a Hydro Electric Power plant that was fully operational until the mid-1940’s. So “GHOUL” was an obvious name choice… LOL! “RUNNINGS” is the river path and when you combine the two you get GHOUL RUNNINGS. It is also a fun take-off of the 1993 movie: “COOL RUNNINGS” about the Jamaican Bobsled Team that overcame many obstacles to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Sorry… I know I am showing my age… but it is a fun movie… so if any of you Millennials or Gen XYZ’s out there… ask your family about it or rent it… best part… it is based on a true story!
We started with 25 kayaks the first year… had 50 on year two… 75 or year three and this year we have over 100 kayaks, a couple canoes, paddle boats and are looking at teaching small boat sailing as well this year! We have single kayaks both sit-in, sit-on-top, fishing, tandems and XL styles. We also have 15 Kokopelli single adventure rubber rafts for when
the River is flowing fast. We currently have 3 – 15 passenger shuttle buses that transport people to and from launch and take out locations.
We cater to groups of all sizes… we will take groups of 2 to 100 and more. We offer corporate and business team building activities and employee appreciation events as well. We have certified American Canoe Association Instructors and Guides as part of our crew. Safety comes first and foremost with every trip we take.
We also are a part of the H2Ohio River Clean up initiatives and do our part to keep our River CLEAN by holding several clean ups each year and educate our paddlers on how important the eco system and our environment is to everyone. Bob is also a member of the Sandusky Scenic River Advisory Council.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owner, Beth Turner says this was like a “Dream come true” for her. It all started in 2028 when the City of Fremont tore down the old Ballville Dam. Beth Turner and her husband Bob had operated Thornwood Public Golf and the F.O.R.T. facility for 15 years from 1988 – 2003. They continued to run the Haunted Hydro Dark Attraction Park for 34 years. Both these businesses border the Sandusky River. When the Ballville Dam was in use it required all watercraft to portage any trip using the Sandusky River. Since removal of the dam they have noticed quite a change in the water levels and its true potential usage. Also with Lake Erie levels at an all-time high this is a contributing factor for more enjoyable river opportunities. Either way Beth, her family and the Hydro cast and crew members had been enjoying runs down the River for many years. It convinced her it was time to start a business once again to offer both locals and visitors a chance to see the scenic river sights.
In discussions with Mayor Sanchez and the City of Fremont an opportunity arose of utilizing the old Portage Trail Canoe Livery A-Frame and Parking area on River Rd. adjacent to the Fremont Reservoir. This came as an extra bonus for Beth, as she was a teenager when her brother-in-law Tom Kashmer ran a similar business for 25 years. Beth admits this was so surreal to fix up what will be the “Yak-Shack” and be able to revitalize and reinvent a new watercraft business the same site as her family who put their blood, sweat and tears into it 40 some years ago. It was Beth’s goal to bring her business full-circle and use today’s marketing and technology, the love of the great outdoors and nature to create a successful and exciting new business for Fremont and Sandusky County.
The A-Frame location had been neglected for over 18 years and it took Beth and Bob almost a year and a half to make both the outside property and the building presentable again. Many long days and nights were spent fixing things up to be able to open for the 2021 season! It was true LABOR of LOVE!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Bob and I consider ourselves business entrepreneurs of every shape, form and fashion. We enjoy creating FUN for people and we think we are pretty darn good at it! Bob is 71 and I am 64 and our daughter wonders when we will slow down and retire. We keep telling her and other people… we are not ready to roll over and play dead yet… LOL… and we have at least one more EVENT to put together… in us…! Some of the things we are most proud of include:
* Owned and operated the Haunted Hydro Dark Attraction Park in Fremont, Oh for 34 years
* 15 years running Thornwood Golf Course and the F.O.R.T. Facility complete with Clubhouse, Banquet Hall, Swimming Beach Pond, Liquor License, Restaurant and more!
* 4 years developing and operating a Medieval Fantasy Faire Event on the Golf Course Property to include a jousting field, 4 stages of entertainment, merchants, vendors, food and more
* Worked with Hollywood Horrors from Australia to train and Bob and I trained and sent 26 American Actors to work their Haunted House at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand over a 6 year time period. Bob went 4 out of the 6 years himself to be a part of this event!
* We created a makeup/Special FX competition that we hosted and ran for 4 years called MONSTER MAKE-OFF
* Started GHOUL RUNNININGS KAYAK ADVENTURES in 2021 right after Covid and continue to operate that currently
* NEW this year… we are starting a historic adventure event we are calling OHIO PIRATE CON that will be held at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds July 26/27 this year. We have a 5-year plan in place for this event. You can find out more about this at our website at www.OhioPirateCon.com
We consider ourselves business and event visionaries who have proven themselves time and time again over the years of developing businesses that bring creative folks together.
SIDE NOTE… When Bob turned 60… 11 years ago… we had a party for him renting a large cabin in Hocking Hills and having a dozen of our near and dear friends with us… we started an unofficial group we called the VACATION PIRATES and we continue to this day to STEAL time away whenever we can with many of these friends! Life is too short not to enjoy adventures and fun experiences!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
* Believing in yourself every step of the way
* Balancing friendships with professional contacts
* Allowing people to express their creativeness
* Finding niche markets that excite and energize not only ourselves… but others…,
* and finally… always keeping up with trending ideas, advertising, marketing and more!
* Ohhhh and one more thing… you have to have a whole lot of CRAZY in you too… LOL!!!!
Pricing:
- Ghoul Runnings Kayak Adventures opens officially Memorial Day Weekend thru September. We are open mainly weekends and most Holidays. River Trips start at $35 and Sunset Floats – $20. River Trips need to be reserved online a minimum of 2-hours in advance.
- OHIO PIRATE CON our new event… Admission is $2 – $5 and the following groups receive FREE entry: 5 and under, 65 & over, Military, Veterans, Police, Fireman, Sheriff, State Patrol, EMTS
Contact Info:
- Website: www.GhoulRunnings.com and www.OhioPirateCon.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069281333398 and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573822695591
