Appomattox River Company, owned by Bob Taylor, has been in business since 1977. Bob's interest in paddle-sports began with canoeing local creeks and rivers in Virginia, including the Appomattox River which is adjacent to our warehouse. Appomattox River Company has grown right along with the paddlesports industry having been in the game from the beginning. Bob Taylor is an icon in the boating industry. His passion for paddle-sports, on the water and in our show room, has made Appomattox River Company the largest canoe and kayak specialty store around.

Appomattox River Company has 43 years of doing what we do best; offering the best deals, and making sure our customers are fitted with the right paddlecraft and gear for their adventures. Our staff of experts are enthusiasts who are knowledgeable in all paddle-sports, from classic "old school" paddling to the newest iterations : Whitewater Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP), Sea Kayaking, and Kayak Fishing. Our staff is approachable, making our customer's experiences with us easy, real, customized, accommodating, and affordable. Appomattox River Company staff cater to all boaters: young and old, novices and experts, men and women, families and individuals, classic and eccentric! All are welcome and encouraged to shop with us..

Customers return to Appomattox River Company again and again. Why? Because we love what we do, finding the right boat for you.

Our Staff:

BRIAN VINCENT is our general manager and Bob Taylor's son-in-law, and he’s mostly known as Vince here. He’s always loved the outdoors, and after selling boats here for over seven years, Vince can’t help but love kayak fishing. He serves on the Farmville Town Council and is active in state and local politics.
Where would you be if you weren’t at work today?
Either fishing for bass in Briery Creek Lake or riding my mountain bike.
What’s your favorite Al quote?
“Telephone booth and a cape.”
Would you get in a tandem kayak with your wife?
Yeah, we’ve done that a lot. First time in a tandem was whitewater kayaking in the New River Gorge in WV, and we still paddle together!

JEFF SMITH is the office manager and keeps the computers running and the payroll…rolling at ARC. He’s a familiar figure around Main Street and a self-proclaimed fitness freak. When he’s not at work here, he runs a soap-making company and spends a lot of time working out.
Where would you be if you weren’t at work today?
Working out!
What’s your favorite spot around Farmville?
Farmville Fit.
Would you ever get in a tandem kayak with your wife?
No.

 

SPENCER POSTANS is ARC’s warehouse manager and a Farmville native. Between running trucks to our Hampton and Ashland stores and organizing boats in our two Farmville warehouses, Spencer keeps the whole multi-store system running smoothly. He’s also kept boats from falling on us for four and a half years now.
Where would you be if you weren’t at work today?
At Walmart, buying all the discounted Halloween stuff.
Where’s your favorite spot around Farmville?
The Fishin’ Pig.
Favorite Al quote?
When it rains, Al likes to say “well, boat’s wet—voids the warranty!”

 

COLTIN COSBY often complains that his back hurts from carrying this company on his shoulders, and we’re pretty sure he’s not lying. Coltin came to work at Appomattox River Company not long after graduating high school in 2012, and he’s been here ever since. At work, Coltin loves unloading Hobie trucks all by himself, and at home, he’s probably playing Battlefield V.
What would you be doing if you weren’t at work today?
Killing a bear with my bare hands.
What do you paddle right now?
I have a Tarpon 120.
What’s your favorite Al quote?
“FENDER. WASHERS!”
Would you get in a tandem kayak with the person you love most in the world?
NO!

 

TRAVIS COSBY started out at our old Midlothian store, then managed our Ashland location, and now helps keep Farmville running smoothly, and he’s been with ARC for ten years now. If you have questions about whitewater boats, we’ll probably put you on the phone with Travis. When he’s not at work, he’s either paddling or watching history documentaries.
Where would you be if you weren’t at work today?
Somewhere in the woods or in a boat.
What’s your favorite spot around Farmville?
Main Street!
Would you get in a tandem kayak with your special lady friend?
Negative. And she’s too smart to get in one with me anyway.
What’s your favorite Al quote?
“I know nothing; I am a mere husband.”

 

AL QUINLIN is Appomattox River Company’s resident canoe and kayak repair expert. He’s still an enigma to all of us, so we really can’t say much about him, except that he’s been patching up boats here at ARC since 2000, and he says his favorite thing about the job is satisfied customers.
Where would you be if you weren’t at work today?
At my house chopping firewood.
What’s your secret to finding things in your shop?
Not to let anybody else touch them.

 

 

BO TUCKER is your man here at Appomattox River Company for anything canoes. He’s been with ARC on and off since the 80s, and he says he’s glad he stuck around. He’s loved paddlesports since he was a boy scout, when your options for a canoe were either green or red. Bo’s favorite part of the job here is learning about new brands and styles of canoes as they come out (and then answering all of our questions about those canoes).
Where would you be if you weren’t at work today?
In a canoe, fishing.
What’s your favorite Al quote?
“There’s no education in the second kick of a mule.”
Would you get in a tandem kayak with your wife?
Yeah, sure.

 

CHARLOTTE WALTERS is a newer face around ARC and handles most of our Amazon shipments. She started paddling while working for state parks, and then got a degree in history and hopped around the state doing history things for a few years before coming back to Farmville. When she’s not at work, Charlotte enjoys trying new recipes and spending too much time looking at old buildings.
Where would you be if you weren’t at work today?
Hiking with my dog, hopefully somewhere in the mountains.
What’s your favorite spot around Farmville?
High Bridge, especially during their firefly and meteor shower hikes.
What’s your favorite Al quote?
“Red boats are faster.”
Would you get in a tandem kayak with your significant other?
No. But I would get in a canoe with him.

 

 

PARKER ROSS is our weekend salesman and SUP connoisseur here at Appomattox River Company. He began in paddle sports as a summer job in high school, where he started raft guiding on the James in Richmond and eventually trained as a SUP guide. He’s led over 150 trips on the Upper James, and coordinates ARC’s individual demos out at Wilck’s Lake. Parker is a senior at Longwood University studying English and Children’s Literature, and eventually wants to start his own guide company.
Where would you be if you weren’t working today?
Probably surfing.
What’s your favorite spot around Farmville?
The Lee Woodruff Blueway!
Favorite Big Al quote?
“If it’s too easy, you did something wrong.”
Would you get in a tandem kayak with your significant other?
Yes, absolutely. I think tandems are fun.