For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Area Sports Commission recognized Kim Kinsey with the 2020 MVP award, at the annual MVP Celebration held Sept. 15 at Hotel Mead, Wisconsin Rapids.

Kinsey is the proprietor of SUP the Rapids, LLC, a local standup paddleboard company offering rentals, tours, lessons, and fitness classes.

Her anonymous nomination described her as “a passionate advocate for both the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle and sharing the beauty of our community from the water.”

“Stand up paddle boarding is a great core workout that everyone of any age can enjoy, plus it is a great family or team-building activity,” noted Kinsey “… and participants are naturally socially distanced.”

Each year, the Wisconsin Rapids Area Sports Commission MVP Award acknowledges an individual who demonstrates “commitment, creativity, and dynamic energy” toward the growth of sports tourism in the community.

Fellow nominees included: Justin Tritz, Track Wrestling and the Acts of Kindness Program; Kari Pagel, South Wood County Youth Hockey Association; and Fritz Thistle, Wisconsin Trapshooting.

“The selection committee, comprised of previous MVP award winners, had a difficult task; all the nominees contributed to our economy and more importantly the people in our community” noted Sports Commission Chair Matt Zakowski, program operations director of South Wood County YMCA.  “Kim embodies the spirit of the Sports Commission to collaborate and promote our area as a destination.”