EASLEY, S.C. and SEATTLE, Wash. (Oct. 5, 2010) – The last time iconic outdoor American brands Eddie Bauer and Mad River Canoe teamed up in 1984, they powered Valerie Fons and Verlen Kruger to a World Speed Record for canoeing the Mississippi – from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in 23 days. Today, the occasion is a celebration of years versus days, as Mad River Canoe is partnering with Eddie Bauer to celebrate the Seattle company’s 90^th Anniversary with a special edition Mad River Explorer 16 Kevlar canoe.

The limited edition and numbered Explorer canoe features the Eddie Bauer 90^th Anniversary logo and signature pinstripes. The canoe is constructed from Kevlar, making it light, sleek and equally at home on the river or open water. Continue Reading…

EASLEY, S.C. (Sept. 14, 2010) – Confluence Watersports, a family of paddlesports brands active in the whitewater community, proudly supports the conservation efforts of American Whitewater at the 27th annual Gauley Festival in Summersville, W.Va. on Sept. 17-19, 2010.

This year, Confluence brands Dagger, Wave Sport and Adventure Technology are conducting raffles to win new boats and paddles. All proceeds from the raffles will be donated to American Whitewater.
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Confluence Watersports Receives Two Reader’s Choice Awards from Canoe & Kayak Magazine

September 14, 2010 – Confluence Watersports brands Dagger and Wilderness Systems each garnered a Canoe & Kayak Magazine Reader’s Choice Award.

Announced as the “First Annual Reader’s Choice Awards”, the magazine invited subscribers and online readers to vote for their favorite paddling brands, products and people through an online survey. In total, 3,600 Canoe & Kayak readers voted in less than 30 days.

Confluence Watersports is honored to have received the following two Canoe & Kayak Reader’s Choice Awards:

• Best New Fishing Kayak: Wilderness Systems Commander 140
• Best New Recreational Touring (sit inside): Dagger Axis

“We’re thrilled to receive two Reader’s Choice Awards from Canoe & Kayak in its inaugural year—especially for boats that are new to the market,” said Sue Rechner, CEO of Confluence Watersports.  “It’s truly an honor and inspires us to keep making great boats for people who love to paddle.”

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Just back from the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. What a great show!! For people like me it’s better than being a kid in a candy store. Everything to pursue your passions all under one roof.

From the opening demo day–where kayaks outnumbered SUP on the water–(regardless of what the trade rags say : – ) ), to the visit of Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, to the Confluence booth to the Industry Thought Leader event to the Paddle Council breakfast: Something exciting and energizing happening every minute of every day. Good thing for the nearby Starbucks (although we affectionately call it FourBucks) every morning–I would not have been able to keep up!

Me showing Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, the new Commander 140

And…..I certainly can’t forget to mention that Wilderness Systems was awarded “Boat Brand of the Year” for the second year in a row. First time ever a brand has won 2 years back to back. We are grateful to our retailers for their vote of confidence—it only makes us want to do even better.

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