ALL ABOARD THE JOYRIDE: Meet Joyride Boat Club Co-CEO Allison Fischer and Captain Taryn Weston
our first local business highlight featuring our October partner
by paisley piasecki, founder of sq. TWENTY-FIVE
Salt air, bright pink sunsets, and the whisper of trees in the distance is just some of the beauty of taking a boat cruise with Savannah’s newest Joyride Boat Club.
Joyride, which is co-owned by locals Allison Fischer and Audra Wilford, provides leisurely, captained, eco-chic cruises curated specifically for you and your guests. Want to bring some champs? Absolutely. Need to add on a cheese board? Can do - they’ll reach out to a local business to hook you up. It truly is the best and most fashionable way to explore Savannah’s waters.
I was pleasantly surprised and honored to be invited to enjoy one of their debut sunset cruises, and it was an unforgettable evening. The night began with a short drive into Thunderbolt with an inviting view of the water as we crossed the bridge, our cruise was full of laughter and storytelling, and the grand finale was experiencing the sunset glowing over the marshes and Bonaventure Cemetery. Allison and Captain Taryn were our guides and provided so much detail about our surroundings as well as the blessings of being near the water and in such a supportive community.
Here is a sneak peek into the Joyride story and where they’re headed:
S25: Taryn, tell us more about you and your career as a captain.
T: I started driving boats about seven years ago. I started sailing my own 22’ sail boat, then a 32’, and then a powerboat. I have also worked for charter companies on Tybee and was leading fossil hunting, eco tours, dolphin searches, and Little Tybee tours. And by word of mouth, I fell into Joyride’s lap, and it has been a great change of pace and scenery.
S25: Joyride is a woman-owned business and mostly woman-operated. Tell us more about that and what that means to you personally.
A: As someone who worked in a male-dominated industry, I am excited to offer a woman-owned business. Audra and I have a vision to support women in the marine industry. Women make up 7% of the marine industry nationwide - that’s not enough. Women can rock this and do a phenomenal job. One of our captains worked in Alaska and all of her fishing charter captains were female. I would love our visitors to have that same experience. It’s extra special to me personally to be able to cultivate that level of camaraderie and support, and to offer that to future captains.
S25: What are some fun facts about Joyride trips and the surrounding nature?
T: The most popular thing we see out here besides water is the marsh grass. Savannah is home to 30% of the nation’s marshland, which is all protected. Though there are some houses here and there, the majority of the area on the water is the marshes - and it’s gorgeous. You can come here and calm down, take it all in, and smell the sea salt.
S25: What has been one very surprising part of starting this business?
A: The level of support that the Savannah community has shown us so far. People’s genuine excitement about us being here is sincerely appreciated. You never know when you’re starting from scratch. Being excited personally and seeing others light up about the idea of entertaining and hosting family and friends with us is a wonderful surprise.
S25: What’s next for Joyride Boat Club?
A: There are so many ideas that Audra and I have been thinking about and working on. We would love to have a fleet of multiple boats and be able to expand to other areas. We are also excited to see what we can offer with local partners. We have big dreams!
sq. TWENTY-FIVE is so excited to be partnering with Joyride this month to provide a splashing surprise! For the month of October 2024 (ending 10/31), the sq. TWENTY-FIVE community can access 50% OFF their Joyride by using code S25FIFTY at check-out. Joyrides must be purchased in October, but may be enjoyed later. Have a lovely time!
