Lotus Designs to Host Events during Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow
Posted on Tuesday, July 29 2003
Lotus Designs to Host Events during Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow:
Lotus Designs is hosting two events during the upcoming Outdoor Retail Tradeshow. The first event is a fundraiser for the U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team. Lotus Designs will be auctioning off PFD’s worn by members of the U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team at the paddle tank during the tradeshow. Beginning on Thursday August 14th at 3:00 p.m. they will auction off two-time world champion Eric Jackson’s PFD. On Friday, August 15th at 4:30 p.m. Tanya Shuman’s PFD will be up for grabs and on Saturday, August 16th at 2:30 p.m. bidding will be open on current world champions Brooke Winger and Jay Kincaid’s PFDs. All proceeds from the auctions will go to support the men and women of the U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team.
On Saturday August 16th Lotus Designs will also be hosting a screening of the documentary “Riversense.” The Kate Geis film shares the stories of whitewater kayakers William Nealy, TR Yon, BJ and Katie Johnson and Dunbar Hardy and their adventures in the whitewater community. The screening will begin at 5:30 at the Wyndham Hotel (across from the west entrance to the Salt Palace) and will include complimentary hors d’oevures and a cash bar. Stop by the Lotus Designs booth for a free invitation and donations benefiting American Whitewater are encouraged.
Don’t forget to stop by and pick up a Lotus Design’s postcard at the booth. Fill out the information on the back and enter it into a drawing to win a Lotus Designs Homestretch Dry Top. For more information check out www.lotusdesigns.com.
Hobie Cat Signs Hank Parker
Posted on Tuesday, July 8 2003
Hobie Cat Signs Hank Parker
Hobie Cat Company recently landed a big one in sponsoring professional fisherman Hank Parker. Not coincidentally, the company released their new fishing sit-on-top this season, the Hobie Mirage Outback Fisherman, a Hank Parker Edition. Parker, widely regarded as one of America’s best bass anglers, is now the celebrity spokesman for Hobie’s entry into the fishing boat market. The Mirage Outback Fisherman is the only sit-on-top on the market that is pedal-driven.
Dubbed “the rod-‘n-reel answer to Michael Jordan” in popularity and talent, Parker is a seasoned competitor in bass fishing tournaments who hosts his own weekly show on TNN called the “Hank Parker Outdoor Magazine Show.” As expected, he will be integrated into the company’s advertising, promotions and tradeshow activities. Parker will also do hands-on work with Hobie’s engineers and product development for future products. Says Hobie’s director of marketing, Dan Mangus, “Anybody acquainted with Hank knows that he wouldn’t endorse any product unless it could pass his rigorous real-life tests. We’re looking forward to having Hank on our team.”
--Peter Koch
Utah BLM Employee Named River Manager of the Year
Posted on Tuesday, July 8 2003
Utah BLM Employee Named River Manager of the Year
By protecting watershed from degradation, increasing volunteer and interagency cooperation, the BLM’s Dennis Willis of Price, Utah, has been recognized as “River Manager of the Year” from the River Management Society (RMS). Willis also served as president for the RMS Southwestern Chapter. “The leadership Dennis has demonstrated while managing the Green, Price and San Rafael rivers is exemplary of the BLM’s dedication to manage resources through innovative partnerships, interagency collaboration and conservation,” says Utah BLM State Director Sally Wisely. “The health of these canyons, tributaries and corridors is a direct result of his work.”
From helping college students produce an interpretive dance of the Green River, to hosting groups of juvenile delinquents on river trips, Willis found unique ways to educate people on the values of rivers while also protecting the resources. “These waterways have a way of changing people’s lives,” says Willis, the BLM’s outdoor recreation planner and supervisory range manager in Price. “When we teach more people about the resources in these rivers, we will have more partners to help us protect and manage them properly.”
Willis’ efforts also include the formation of an interagency management agreement with the Utah State Division of Fire and Forestry for Labyrinth Canyon. This created more management consistency throughout Green River. He also enhanced public access to Desolation/Gray Canyon by replacing and updating the quarters and contact station at the launch site. More space for staff has extended the season for recreational use. “Rivers are special and unique places,” says Willis. “As you look at the expansion of colonial America and the West, waterways played an integral role. From ancient cultures to modern day people, rivers have influenced our way of life in innumerable ways.”
Pelican Floats RamXcel
Posted on Tuesday, July 8 2003
Pelican Floats RamXcel
Pelican International has launched two new touring canoes this summer built with a new material called RamXcel, which takes the inherent advantages of rugged and time-tested RamX and incorporates a rigid, closed-cell core. The core is permanently fused between two layers of RamX, allowing Pelican to offer upper-end canoes at mid-range prices, according to company president Christian Elie. “When it comes to innovation, quality and value, Pelican has established itself as the leader in the small boat business. With the advent of RamXcel, this tradition continues.”
By using RamXcel, RamX is enhanced to provide high quality exterior and interior finishes and flotation. It also increases the hull’s rigidity and impact resistance, as well as providing greater insulation from cold water and noise. The two RamXcel touring canoes, available in a 14-foot-6-inch model and a 16-foot model with base prices starting at $449 and $549, respectively, are available in both the Pelican and Coleman brands. Info: www.pelican-intl.com.
OIA Survey Shows Paddling on the Rise
Posted on Tuesday, July 8 2003
OIA Survey Shows Paddling on the Rise
Paddlesports have continued to be a popular activity for many Americans, despite a struggling economy, adverse weather conditions and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, according to a survey from the Outdoor Industry Association. According to the 2001-2002 survey (the most recent results available), canoeing had the greatest participation levels among paddlesports with 10.8 percent of Americans participating. The highest participation levels were in the northeast and the north central regions. New Hampshire, with 37 percent of its residents using a canoe for primary recreation, had the highest level of participation in the country.
Rafting was the second most popular with 5.7 percent of the nation participating each year. Wyoming had the highest participation rate for rafting at 18.2 percent, with Montana, Idaho and Colorado following closely. The Western region of the U.S. had the highest rafting participation levels per capita than any other region with 8.2 percent of the population participating.
Sea kayaking is the most popular form of kayaking in the U.S. with 2.7 percent of Americans participating. Vermont reported the highest level of participation at 10 percent with New Hampshire following closely with a 9.3 percent participation rate.
Recreational kayaking, or the use of sit-on-tops, is also a popular among Americans, showing a 2.1-percent participation rate. New Hampshire and Delaware have the highest rec boating participation rates in the nation with 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
The survey also reported that 1.3 percent of the population participates in whitewater kayaking. Once again Vermont had the highest participation level per capita with 10 percent of residents participating. In the Western region (including Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico) nearly 2 percent participate in whitewater kayaking compared to 2.4 percent in the Northeast.
The survey also tracked merchandise sales, an area that also showed steady growth. The survey response indicated that Californians spend an estimated $1.7 billion annually on merchandise and Texans an estimated $1.2 billion. The report points out that this data was based on the estimated amount consumers spent and that the results are not intended to exactly mirror retail sales.
--Maegan Lokteff