Paddling Forward: Reflections from Our 2025 Journey
- Ann Osman
- 23 minutes ago
- 3 min read
If there’s one thing the ocean keeps teaching us, it’s this:
Some days you glide.
Some days you paddle hard.
And some days, the waves surprise you — in good ways and challenging ones.
2025 felt a lot like that for us at Xtreme Paddlers.
It was a year of shifting tides, new beginnings, problem-solving on the fly, and moments that reminded us why we love doing what we do.
And as we look back, we wanted to share a little story of where this year has taken us.
A New Office, A Fresh Chapter
One of the highlights in the start of 2025 was moving into our new office at 1Borneo Hypermall.
It may look like just a new location, but to us, it felt symbolic , like moving into a space that matches where we’re heading next.
We moved to a bigger unit, easier for people to locate us and it has a training room - a place for physical programs or a place for us to run Xtreme Academy education programs and to discuss ideas.
It reminds us that progress doesn’t always come in big dramatic moments.
Sometimes, it’s quiet but deeply meaningful.
Our New Base at Tanjung Aru Beach — Closer to the Ocean, Closer to You
Opening our watersports base at Tanjung Aru beach was a huge milestone that meant a lot to us.
From here, everyday, we now run:
Sea kayaking
Paddleboarding
Surfing lessons
Being right on the beach has changed everything. People can now:
👉 stroll up, ask questions, book on the spot
👉 try something new
👉 bring friends and family to experience the ocean in a safe, guided way
Since opening in August 2025, we’ve welcomed hundreds of guests — first-timers, returning paddlers, travelers, kids, and entire families. Watching people discover the joy of water sports here has been truly special.
Building Community Through Events & Collaboration
We also had the chance to support and collaborate in events like Sub Showdown and host beach jiu jitsu open-mat sessions.
We love moments like these — where people meet not just for competition or activity, but for connection.
Shared energy.
Shared laughter.
Shared courage.
Seeing communities come together around nature and movement reminds us that what we do goes beyond sport.
Our Rafting Roots — Still Going Strong
And of course — our rafting adventures continued to thrive.
We reinvested into our boats and equipments, strengthened relationships, and stayed committed to the values that have guided us since day one:
✔ safety first
✔ care for the environment
✔ meaningful, memorable experiences
The river is where Xtreme Paddlers was born. Every trip reminds us of that beginning — and how far we’ve come.
Almost a Decade on the Water
Next year, we turn 10 years old.
Ten years of building something we genuinely care about.
Ten years of highs, lows, and everything in between.
Ten years of learning, adapting, and staying true to our purpose.
We survived the pandemic.
We expanded into new adventures.
We welcomed new faces and said goodbye to some — each shaping our story in their own way.
And we’re still here.
Still passionate.
Still learning.
Still paddling forward.
Gratitude — From Us, to You
We want to take a moment to appreciate the people around us — the ones who make all this possible.
To our team — thank you for your grit, heart, and commitment.
To our guides — thank you for caring deeply about safety and experience.
To our vendors — thank you for supporting us behind the scenes.
To our collaborators and partners — thank you for building alongside us.
And to our customers — the adventurers who choose to keep coming back…
Thank you for trusting us with your memories.
Your love for adventure keeps us moving.
What comes next
Looking ahead, our promise is simple:
We’ll keep improving.
We’ll keep listening.
We’ll keep creating experiences that are meaningful, safe, and full of heart.
And whatever comes our way…
we’ll keep paddling forward — together.
We’re also stepping into this next chapter with something new:
a new Xtreme Paddlers logo — one that reflects who we’ve grown into, while still honoring our roots.
See you on the river, at the beach, and out living the adventure!
Andrey & Ann
Founders of Xtreme Paddlers
IG: @xtremepaddlers
