Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Lewis.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Our story starts with a love of the water. My husband Charley and I got hooked on stand up paddle surfing in the late 2000s, when it was still under-the-radar on the East Coast. The more we did it, the more we realized there was nowhere in North Carolina to try gear or get real guidance from people who lived the sport. In 2011, we opened Stand Up Outfitters in downtown New Bern — the first SUP specialty shop in the state.
In 2015, we expanded with a waterfront location on Lawson Creek so we could put customers directly on the gear in real conditions. There’s been a lot of trial, error, and just showing up along the way — including rebuilding after Hurricane Florence demolished our business in 2018. Slowly, what started as a passion project grew into a destination shop with a loyal following.
As the sports evolved, so did we. Foiling came into our world and we were all in — wing, wake, and surf. We expanded our lineup, and a few years ago we rebranded as Banx Watersports to reflect the multi-sport shop we’d become. Most recently, we launched First Light Paddle Tours as an Airbnb Experience to share the magic of sunrise on the river.
Fifteen-plus years in, we’re still doing what we love every day. The five-star reviews and repeat customers tell us we’re staying true to why we started this: to help people fall in love with being on the water.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road. Running a small, niche shop with seasonal cash flow has thrown just about every kind of curveball at us. One of our first big tests came in 2017, when the SUP industry hit a real downturn. The market had been booming for years, and suddenly there were more boards being manufactured than customers wanting to ride them. We had to get creative about moving inventory and it taught us to manage resources more carefully going forward.
Then Hurricane Florence hit in 2018, and we had to rebuild — physically and emotionally. Anyone who’s lived through a major storm knows you don’t just lose product; you lose time and energy. Getting back up while the community around us was also recovering was a growth experience.
COVID flipped everything the other direction. Suddenly everyone wanted to be on the water, and demand went through the roof — but the supply chain was a mess. We spent a lot of that period scrambling to source product and keeping customers patient while we waited to open the doors and receive shipments.
Underneath all of it is the constant challenge of capital. Most of our revenue comes in seasonal windows, but the operating costs don’t follow that same rhythm. Funding growth and weathering slow seasons is something we’re always working on. If there’s a thread through all of it, it’s that we’ve stayed adaptable — and we keep showing up because we genuinely love what we do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At our core, we’re a small business that’s genuinely excited about helping people live active lives on the water. We have four main offerings: Foil Sports — equipment for wing, wake, and surf foiling; Paddle Sports — stand up paddleboards, paddles, and accessories; First Light Paddle Tour of Historic New Bern, an Airbnb Experience; and Training Programs for watersports athletes.
What we’re best known for is our expertise and customer service. We’ve earned a five-star Google rating because we don’t just want to sell you something — we want to make sure you understand what you’re investing in and that it’s right for your level, your goals, and your conditions. That education-first approach is what sets us apart.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the way watersports have helped our customers become healthier and happier. People come back and tell us they’ve lost weight, made healthier choices, bonded with their families, learned new skills, recovered from injuries, or just found more peace in their lives — all because they invested in gear that got them outside and on the water.
We’re also excited about our partnership with the Surfrider Foundation, supporting river and beach cleanups and hosting chapter meetings. The water gives us so much — protecting it is part of who we are.
When you walk into Banx Watersports, you’re getting more than gear. You’re getting honest information and supporting a small business invested in building a community.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
New Bern
What I love most are the city parks along the water and the bridges. There’s something about a town where the rivers are part of daily life — you can walk a few blocks and find yourself looking out over the Trent or the Neuse. It’s a constant reminder of why we built our business here.
What I like least is the lack of bike lanes. For a town so naturally suited to being explored on two wheels, I’d love to see more dedicated infrastructure for urban cyclists.
What I love most about Raleigh is the trees. You can be right in the middle of the city and still feel like you’re deep in the forest — it gives the whole place a calm that’s rare for a city of its size.
What I like least is the traffic. It’s a wild driving experience coming from sleepy New Bern.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.banxwatersports.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banxwatersports
- Other: https://airbnb.com/x/paddlenewbern
