IR- the very, very beginning

November 21st, 2008 · 9 Comments

I was cleaning out my office desk last week and I came across this:

This is the receipt for the home sewing machine my parents got me for Christmas in 1995. I spent the next two years teaching kayaking and sewing boardshorts and fleece shirts in my basement on that machine until 1997, when Kara and I decided that we might actually be able to make a career out of this hobby. Anyway, a bit of nostalgia I thought I would share with you all…

Tags: General News

9 responses so far ↓

1 Chuck Armentrout // Nov 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm

Thanks for sharing that. It is very inspiring. It ensures the fact you can make it happen!
2 Hiro // Nov 23, 2008 at 7:11 pm

John,
It was really nice story.

Can I translate to Japanese and put on this article for my blog？
3 John Weld // Nov 24, 2008 at 8:59 am

Sure Hiro, that would would be fine. And thanks Chuck!
4 Doug Koziol // Nov 26, 2008 at 11:34 am

Thats Awesome!
5 Cooper Waldron // Nov 27, 2008 at 7:07 pm

I just wanted to thank you all for forcing many much needed changes in the industry. I learned to paddle at riversport in 1997, just when you guys were getting started, and I was 14. The only thing I could afford was the original “boof” t-shirt. I had it until a few years ago. Thanks.
6 TONY // Nov 29, 2008 at 3:35 am

JOHN, THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL STORY, I JUST SHARED IT WITH MY WIFE, BOTH OF US ARE MOVED AND INSPRIED!
7 John Weld // Dec 1, 2008 at 10:08 am

Hey guys- Thanks for the nice words. I am really surprised at all of the feedback that we got from this one post. I guess it is surprising to think that IR started from that one sewing machine, but really IR has been the product of the hard work of a collection of like-minded people. To single out people for recognition would be difficult and unfair (we have had over 50 people work with us over the years), but suffice to say that without them, IR would have been nothing but a good idea…
8 Dakota // Dec 29, 2008 at 10:38 pm

As one of those fifty or so people, I’m very proud to have been a part of the experience. I draw from what I learned at IR often .

You and the hogg mean a lot to me!

I hope our paths cross again…..
9 Ricardo // Jan 2, 2009 at 12:26 pm

Hi John !
It has been such a long time since I stayed at your place in Confluence !
I do remember visiting your now historic basement, filled with gear and prototypes of the IR products… you and Kara have really worked hard and succeded !
Happy 2009 !
Ricardo Lugo