Robert Outlar “Big Rob” shows off the life vest he won in a raffle at The Garagery, where a “Paddling Films with Friends” was held by Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters and Celebrate Paddling ADK on June 13. Rob has never kayaked before, but he wants to get into the sport. He was walking by The Garagery when he saw a crowd and decided to stick around. He was holding a raffle ticket, hoping for his number to be called. “I never win these things,” he said. Numbers on either side of his were called. “I feel like Charlie from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’” Rob said. Then, on the last raffle number, his was picked. Rob was ecstatic. He said he’s excited to get out on the water. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

Langton Douglas and Freyja the Samoyed hang out by a pile of whitewater kayaks outside The Garagery, where a “Paddling Films with Friends” night was held on June 13. Douglas was born in Lake Placid but moved to Rochester when he was 12. That’s where he got into whitewater kayaking. He learned to paddle at the Lock 32 Whitewater Park on the Erie Canal. “I’m really stoked on trying to get this wave built back here,” he said, pointing at the Saranac River nearby, where the proposed Tom Boothe Whitewater Park would be. He said he wants a fun place to play in the waves, but he also wants the park to be a place for kids to learn to love paddling like he did. “I went to college. I learned a lot more from kayaking,” he said. “Not even about kayaking, just life.” (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)