Sue’s Blog Post – Taking a Brief Look Back..and Forward

After the Outdoor Retailer Show and our  new products launch, I’ve had a (fleeting) second to look back over the past year and put the future in focus.  My approach since I’ve been at Confluence has been to really listen to the customer – whether they sell or own our products.   

Our new product line really reflects this input, as do the changes large and small to what we’re doing. Our goal is to be seen as a partner, not simply a supplier or manufacturer. We want our customers to see parts of their own fingerprint and feedback in the background of everything we do. Being selected by retailers as Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s Boat Manufacturer of the Year is the type of award you’re proud of since it’s a direct reflection of how our customer feels about what we’re doing, not how we think we’re doing. We have a great team that is committed to making the paddling experience positive and fun and we greatly appreciate your contribution to our success.

This year’s introductions include the Wilderness Systems Commander. It’s a 12 foot family recreation boat which is also an amazing fishing boat. It offers great stability and high functionality with our SlideTrax system. It’s going to be available at retail in September. I’m very excited about this boat.

Another great family boat is our new ultralight Mad River Explorer LT 16 Canoe. There’s plenty of room for the family, great stability, and at 65 lbs. the canoe is lighter than most boats in its class.

Also launched was the Dagger Axis. It’s an all-around recreational boat great for the novice all the way up to the more experienced. This boat was a really fun paddle for me. It will be available in retail stores in October.

Another great boat, especially for families, is our new Perception Tribe series. 3 sit-on-top kayaks with incredible stability that are perfect for first time paddlers or as a rental. The comments I get over and over are that the hull speed is amazing for a sit on top. It’s value priced so the whole family can join in on the fun. It’s available now at your authorized Perception retailer.

Thanks for being a part of the conversation….keep the ideas and comments coming. As I always say….nobody is as smart as everybody!

Sincerely,