Hi, I’m Annslee Bottoms, founder of Zephyr Paddlesports.
I grew up where the water was always close and adventure was never far away. That access shaped my love for paddling—the freedom to launch, drift, and follow the wind.
In my early twenties, that passion became a profession when I became a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide, leading families and adventurers along the waters of Acadia National Park. Over the years, I guided more than 200 trips to uninhabited islands and helped 2,500+ guests explore the Atlantic Ocean.
Guiding taught me something unforgettable: when people get out on the water, something shifts.
They slow down.
They reconnect.
They become present.
And whether it’s their first paddle or their hundredth, there’s always a moment when the nerves fade and the joy takes over.
Helping people discover that moment is what made me fall in love with teaching paddlesports.
A Life Chasing Wind and Water.
After leaving Acadia, I traveled chasing wind and water around the world.
I solo kayaked through the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, learned to surf in Bali and Puerto Rico, and even taught a traveler how to paddleboard in Gili Air, Indonesia.
Everywhere I went, I searched for the same thing: a board, a stretch of water, and the freedom to explore.
Eventually, life brought me to Charlotte.
I loved the energy of the city—but something was missing.
I missed being on the water.
I missed introducing people to paddling.
Most of all, I missed the freedom of launching and simply seeing where the wind takes you.
Access Changes Everything
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Access Changes Everything 〰️
Charlotte is surrounded by beautiful lakes and waterways. But for many people, getting on the water isn’t as simple as it should be.
Paddleboards are expensive.
Storage is tough.
People Don’t know where to go
So even people who love the outdoors often feel like paddling is just out of reach.
The water is nearby.
But access to it isn’t.
That’s why I created Zephyr Paddlesports.
At Zephyr, we meet you at the water with everything ready to go, and we make it easy.
Whether it’s a peaceful solo paddle, a sunset with friends, or a weekend adventure, Zephyr makes it easy to step away from the city and onto the water.
ZEPHYR
The name Zephyr comes from a soft, gentle wind—the kind that moves quietly across the water and carries you forward.
Because adventure doesn’t have to be extreme to be meaningful.
Sometimes the best moments come from slowing down, drifting for a while, and letting the water take you somewhere new.