Loveland Paddlesports: Summer Tradition on the Little Miami

The arrival of warm weather sets Loveland buzzing with activity, and no place is busier than the hub of activity at Loveland Paddlesports. Set on the banks of the Little Miami River, in the heart of historic downtown, Loveland Paddlesports (formerly Loveland Canoe & Kayak) has become a Loveland institution – owned and operated by the Bersani family.

The business was born in 2004, when Mark and Robyn Bersani bought Bruce’s Loveland Canoe from the Crutchfield family. For nine years, the Bersani family lived in the apartment above the livery/shop while they built up the business. “From the beginning, we have been very family oriented and community focused,” stated Mark Bersani. “We want this to be a place where families can come to create memories together. In fact, many of our customers have made an outing on the river with Loveland Paddlesports an annual tradition,” he continued. “It’s a source of great satisfaction for us to see the same smiling faces year after year.”

The Bersani family has several reasons for pride related to their business, starting with their stellar reputation – not only in the Loveland community, but across greater Cincinnati. Theirs is a business known for outstanding customer service, community engagement, environmental stewardship and youth education. Whether talking with customers, employees, fellow business owners, schools or youth organizations across the region, you will hear the same refrain… ‘great people… great to work with… generous… committed.’

Loveland Paddlesports works with dozens of schools and community organizations in the area to make the river experience accessible and affordable for youth. Both Mark and Robyn dedicate time to environmental stewardship of the Little Miami River. Mark serves on the board for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Little Miami Scenic River Council, while Robyn serves on the board for the Little Miami Conservancy.

Another sign of the culture at Loveland Paddlesports is the high rate of return for student employees from local high schools and colleges. “We don’t advertise for employees,” stated Bersani. “Most of our seasonal high school employees return year after year – into their college years – and recruit friends and family,” he continued. “Our family is always grateful to hear the positive customer feedback about our friendly staff. We love that these kids choose to return year after year, and even stay in touch and come back to visit years after they’ve left our employ. I credit my wife, Robyn, for treating our employees like family and setting a great example for customer engagement,” he said.

Cee Cee Collins, President and CEO of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, reflects on the commitment of the Bersani family and their impact on the Loveland culture and economy. “Mark and Robyn Bersani, and their two daughters, took a big risk many years ago when they purchased an older business offering canoe rentals down the Little Miami River. Today, it is a thriving business that residents and out-of-town guests can’t imagine living without on a hot summer day.”

Collins continued, “Loveland Paddle Sports is a pinnacle to Loveland’s economic growth. They employ many people through the season and offer hundreds of river trips that conclude in the downtown area, where guests can eat, shop, and enjoy the beautiful downtown scenery.”

Today, Loveland Paddlesports remains a family-owned and operated business. In the 22 years since starting Loveland Canoe & Kayak, Bersani has seen a lot of change. Over time, customer preference and water safety prompted a transition from aluminum canoes to all kayaks (single and tandem) in the company’s rental fleet (also prompting the name change from Loveland Canoe and Kayak to Loveland Paddlesports). Wildlife population on the river – eagles, osprey, otters, even beaver – has improved dramatically. And business is good. Bersani estimates that their customer volume at the Loveland location has roughly doubled since buying the business in 2004.

In 2025, the Bersanis opened a second livery, River Dogs Paddlesports, in South Lebanon, opening up a new section of the scenic river for their customers to explore. While both Mark and Robyn are still very active in the business, their daughter, Anna, now leads the day-to-day operations and is taking the business into some exciting new ventures. Youngest daughter Elena is a vet assistant at a local practice, but still finds time to work in the business to keep things running smoothly.

As another summer begins along the Little Miami, Loveland Paddlesports continues to do what it has done for more than two decades… bring people together through adventure, family and community.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Loveland Paddlesports at https://lovelandpaddlesports.com/ or call 513-683-4611.