How’s it going?

This is a piece I’ve considered writing for quite some time but kept putting off. Why? Maybe because I didn’t want it to sound like a pity party. Maybe because I worried it could be seen as negative for the business. Or maybe because people might think that I or we are somehow failing.

But today feels different. Today feels like the right time to talk about it. After all, this is what we stand for, isn’t it? Positive mental health. Self-care. Outdoor therapy. Community. So what sense would it make to promote these values if we don’t practice them ourselves?

“How’s it going?”

Such a simple question. One we ask and answer almost automatically. “Fine, thanks.”

At CBK’s, I get asked that question most days. And honestly? I’m all in. I know what CBK’s gives to people - the joy, the confidence, the connection. We’ve helped countless individuals start their water-loving journeys and found our place at the heart of this community. Seeing people’s faces when they come off the water - that’s what it’s all about.

But behind those smiles, there’s a side most don’t see. Running a weather-dependent business is a constant balancing act - watching forecasts, making tough calls, rearranging sessions, hoping the wind eases or the swell holds off. It’s early mornings, late nights and a lot of holding your breath, waiting for the day to play out.

We can’t control the weather, yet it controls so much of what we do. Some days are sunshine and laughter; others bring cancellations, frustration and quiet worry. But that’s part of it and it makes the good days all the more rewarding.

So why share this? Because this is real life behind the adventure. It’s a reminder that small, local, weather-driven businesses run on passion, persistence and the support of their communities. Every booking, every coffee, every kind word, every recommendation - it all counts.

At its heart, CBK’s isn’t just about watersports. It’s about people. Connection. Resilience. It’s about showing up for ourselves, for each other and for the place we call home.

And when it all feels a bit much, we do what we’ve always done, we reset by getting in the water, by taking a breath in the sauna, by reconnecting with the elements that remind us why we do this in the first place. So if you’re feeling the weight of it too, come join us. Take a dip, warm up, slow down. Let’s look after ourselves and each other, one wave at a time.

So next time you ask, “How’s it going?” pause for a moment. Really listen. Whether it’s a local business owner, a friend, or a neighbour, those small check-ins matter more than you might think. Looking out for each other is what keeps communities like ours strong through the calm, the chaos and everything in between.

Helen x