Earlier this summer Larry Laba announced the news that this would be his last year of renting out inflatable kayaks for self-guided floats down the Russian River. He founded his business, Russian River Adventures, 26 years ago, and he thinks it might be time for someone else to have all the fun. He said pretty much the same thing last year, but this time he means it.
“I’ve always believed this business has to be owner-operated,” Laba said from his current warehouse/office on upper Healdsburg Avenue, not far from Memorial Bridge. “You can’t manage the river experience from an office. The stewardship, the customer service and the relationship with the river all require someone who’s here every day.”
Now in his 70s, he remembers “getting into this line of work” when he was about 40. “You know, we were drinking leftover sangria from my 40th birthday party when I had the idea of starting my own business,” he said. “That’s when SOAR was created.”
The rugged SOAR boats, kayak in shape, were “designed for multi-day wilderness river expeditions,” he said. “They needed to be tough, rugged, reliable, and hold people and their gear. And, in the hands of people who know what they are doing, capable of handling some pretty big water.”
SOAR was a success for Laba, though in 2024 he sold the brand and name SOAR Inflatables to Trailhead River Sports in Missoula, Montana, which sells a wide variety of boards for outdoor recreational pursuits.
Despite various interpretations of the meaning of the acronym, SOAR stands for “Somewhere On A River, which is always where I dream of being,” Laba said, as if he knew from the outset what motivated him. “I really purposely chose a lifestyle business. I knew that I wouldn’t make a ton of money, but [I was] really going for the lifestyle. And quite honestly, I’d say I’ve been living the dream.”
He and his wife, photographer Barbara Bourne, plan to now do a bit more travel, and have a stake in Colombia where they’ve lived for the past few winters.
“Barb and I, we know we have lots of great options,” Laba said. “We’re just waiting to see how we come out with Russian River Adventures.”
After a slow initial response from the outfitter business, interest in purchasing the company recently picked up. “I am talking to several people that appear very interested. A couple of people are now in what I’m going to call the ‘due-diligence’ stage. I mean I’m feeling pretty optimistic,” he added.
Over the years Russian River Adventures spun off a couple of sidetrips, including a guided e-bike tour and a “Roads 2 River’ combo adventure. A foray into balloon tours never really took off. Its bread and butter remains the 9-mile self-paddle from “Larry’s Launch” at Memorial Beach to Wohler Bridge.
But time is running out. The final reservation for the 9-mile float is Oct. 11, aside from a large charter that comes every year from Southern California.
“They paddle out to Jenner,” Laba said, with a touch of envy in his eye. “I’ve spent decades helping people explore remarkable places and create lasting memories. It has truly been my pleasure and my honor.”
Russian River Adventures can be reached at russianriveradventures.com.
