Broker Taylor Barker Paddles Fish Creek to Work!
A lot of us walk or even bike to work. A few even get to ski. Local Realtor Taylor Barker one-ups all of us with a video he made last summer kayaking Class IV-V Fish Creek, onto the Yampa, and straight into his office at Colorado Group Realty. With his work clothes under his drysuit, he then slipped on his loafers and strolled inside, ready to greet the day and his customers. We caught up with him for a few more comments on his commute:
SC: How great is it to be able to paddle a run like that right to work?
Barker: It is absolutely awesome, and something you can only do in a place like Steamboat. I think it’s pretty cool to be able to paddle four miles of Class V before you sit down at your desk, and it’s one of the many reasons why I love living here.
SC: How did your co-workers react?
Barker: They thought it was pretty cool; some didn’t even know you could even kayak Fish Creek from the falls, much less all the way to our office. Several coworkers also made their own videos showing them living the Steamboat lifestyle, which turned out great as well.
SC: Get any odd looks changing back into your work attire?
Barker: I had all my work attire on under my drysuit, so all I had to do was take my drysuit off when I got out of the river and stuff it in my kayak. There were people hanging out at the park where I got out who were pretty surprised to see me wearing a button-down shirt and long pants underneath my drysuit when I started unzipping it.
SC: How hard was it to film?
Barker: Not bad. Where we put in at Fish Creek Falls always has lots of tourists, who are usually surprised to see kayakers getting in there because the river is so fast and steep. This time we were filming the start of the run with a gimbal, cameras, and drones, so there was even more intrigue and hubbub from the tourists. Several families with kids were there watching the whole thing. Hours later, when we finally got to the downtown park to film the exit, those same families were randomly hanging out there when I pulled up in my kayak. They recognized me, asked what we were filming, and asked if they could take my picture with their kids. They had no idea what we were filming, but they still wanted a photo with their kids.
SC: How was your work day that day?
Barker: It was awesome. I was already fired up from paddling and ready to bring the energy to selling real estate. I think I sold six houses that day! Just kidding. In reality, the entire day was spent filming the video. But I can’t think of a better work day than paddling my favorite river several times over because “we have to get another shot” and with several friends who came out to help and be safety so I didn’t have to paddle alone. It was awesome.
SC: How was the response to the video?
Barker: It was great. A lot of people thought it was a creative way to advertise myself as a broker. And I got some good comments online, including “How do you get back home?” And all my paddling buddies still razz me about the video to this day, especially the line, “It’s truly my favorite thing to do.” What can I say y’all—it truly is! I haven’t had someone randomly view it and then call me for real estate services, but I have had several clients mention they had seen it and knew who I was before someone recommended me to them. Also, my girlfriend has since told me that she found and watched it while internet stalking me before our first date (we hadn’t met before)—and she still agreed to go skiing with me, so I’ll take it.
SC: What were you trying to highlight by it?
Barker: I was trying to show how awesome it is to live in Steamboat where you can do and have all of these amazing outdoor adventures, even on a work day. I was also trying to show something unique about me and who I am as it relates to my real estate business, where I work, and why I care about what I do for a living here in Steamboat.
Watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F7ZRMjKwdQ&t=41s
