Evy Leibfarth on the Montgomery course set to host U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Feature Image: Montgomery Whitewater Park
American whitewater slalom and kayak cross athletes seeking a berth to compete in this summer’s Paris Games will take center stage on April 13, when the Olympic Trials stream on Peacock.
The whitewater trials are part of NBC’s Making Team USA Presented by Nissan, a campaign to air over 200 hours, including 35 of prime time coverage on NBC, showcasing the road for U.S. athletes to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
“All the drama we love about the Olympics begins with Making Team USA, when our nation’s best athletes vie to make the most competitive team in the world. In some events, it’s harder to qualify for the U.S. team than it is to win a medal at the Olympics themselves,” shares Molly Solomon, Executive Producer & President of NBC Olympics Production.
Evy Leibfarth on the Montgomery course set to host U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Feature Image: Montgomery Whitewater Park
Catch The U.S. Whitewater Team Trials
The U.S. canoe and kayak whitewater team trials will take place in two stages. The first leg will kick off this weekend at the recently opened whitewater park in Montgomery, Alabama on April 13 and 14, with live coverage streaming on Peacock starting at 10:00 am ET each day.
The second part of the trials unfold later this month at Riversport Rapids in Oklahoma City on April 26 and 27. Live coverage will air on Peacock also starting at 10:00 am ET each day.
This year, canoe slalom will share the whitewater course with kayak cross, the fresh event making its Olympic debut in Paris. The promise of kayak cross is an exciting, head-to-head race in creek boats, engaging to both spectators and whitewater enthusiasts.
Team USA has a rich history in slalom, but haven’t won an Olympic medal since Rebecca Giddens took silver in the women’s kayak in 2004.
This year, attention will be on phenom Evy Leibfarth, a strong contender on the women’s side, but first she will have to put on a display in Montgomery and Oklahoma City to claim her place at the Paris starting gate. So whether you are at home or hanging at the takeout, pull up the Peacock app and tune in for Olympic whitewater action.
Dates and Coverage for the 2024 U.S. Canoe Slalom Team Trials (Eastern Time)
It’s not often a sea kayaking video opens with a viewer discretion warning. Then again, it’s rare to encounter a paddling film so brutally raw and with scenes so haunting they’ll keep you up at night. Vancouver-based filmmaker Richard Chen’s Beyond the Salish tells the story of a sea kayak expedition that nearly ended in tragedy—and will certainly provoke plenty of hand-wringing and commentary from audiences at stops on this year’s Paddling Film Festival World Tour.
Chen was introduced to sea kayaking by his friend, fellow 24-year-old Vancouverite William Chong. Chong was looking for a partner in paddling adventures, having previously kayaked solo from Prince Rupert to Klemtu along the Inside Passage of British Columbia’s northern coast. The pair spent last summer practicing their skills along the Vancouver waterfront, in preparation for a seven-day trip from Cougar Creek to Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island in late September.
“There’s nothing like learning by doing,” Chen says early in the film. “This journey would be my rite of passage.”
Photo: Courtesy Richard Chen and William Chong
From the outset of the film, it’s evident to viewers—if not the paddlers themselves—that Chen and Chong are in over their heads with the 150-kilometer route, most of which is exposed to the open Pacific Ocean. They were challenged by choppy seas and headwinds as they ventured out of sheltered waters on the second day. Chen remarks there were “points when I couldn’t even see Will” in the growing swells. In the moment, he says to the camera that he’s contemplating calling SOS with his phone.
Chong was equally concerned. “Conditions were getting out of hand,” he recalls. “I was worried if Richard could finish the trip.”
Going from bad to worse
The pair were slow to get started on their third day, and they finally hit the water around noon to find rising seas as the tide changed, forcing them a kilometer offshore to avoid breaking waves and shoals.
“As we navigated past the second reef, a rogue wave blindsided my kayak,” says Chen. “I yanked my sprayskirt, bailed out and screamed for Will.”
“For a brief moment, I thought, ‘Why did I decide to go with Richard?’” admits Chong.
Photo: Courtesy Richard Chen and William Chong
Photo: Courtesy Richard Chen and William Chong
From the water, Chen made an SOS call. Amidst surf and exposed rock, the pair struggled for 10 minutes to pump out Chen’s flooded kayak. Their attempts failed and after abandoning the boat, Chong tried to tow his partner out of harm’s way. This effort was also futile, and Chong says he knew he would be in the water soon, too. For the viewer, the panic in the friends’ terse communication, laced with expletives, is haunting.
“My initial reaction watching the footage was something along the lines of, ‘How did we not see this coming?’”
For Chen, the situation was “desperate.” He reached for Chong’s boat just as a “monster wave hit, snatching my glasses and phone.” Chong capsized and was now in the water, too. “At that moment,” says Chen, “it felt like all hope was gone.”
“My initial reaction watching the footage was something along the lines of, ‘How did we not see this coming?’” admits Chen. “Unlike many people who’ve experienced near-death experiences, our experience was self-inflicted, and criticizing us is perfectly valid. We had no business doing the kayak trip on that route with our experience both as a team as well as individuals. I think what’s important to know is that there are always risks to taking any expedition and it’s important to know where the edge of what you’re comfortable with is, and how far you can push yourself beyond your comfort zone. This is the lesson we’ve learned—is to take manageable risks and know when to pull back.”
Rescue comes by chance
In the point-of-view footage of the disaster, viewers can see an aluminum boat bobbing in and out of the background. Commercial fisherman Rick Williams just happened to be boating by, and he tenuously navigated the choppy waters and pulled Chen and Chong from the sea.
“He found us in distress completely coincidentally,” says Chen. “What I felt when I was pulled out of the water was perhaps the biggest relief of my life. I collapsed onto the deck and I couldn’t muster anything else but a ‘thank you’ out of my mouth.”
Photo: Courtesy Richard Chen and William Chong
“The fact that we came out alive and unscathed is something beyond luck and human comprehension,” adds Chen. “Often filmmakers make the hero’s story a long-winded journey of struggle and failure that in the end leads to success. At the heart of Beyond the Salish is a humbling experience where two young men, optimistic with big dreams, come face to face with the obstacles of a harsh reality.”
Moscow, Idaho — Northwest River Supplies (NRS), the world’s leading supplier of equipment and apparel for water recreation, safety and rescue, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated suite of innovative new products, set to revolutionize the outdoor industry and enhance the adventure experience for enthusiasts worldwide.
With a rich history rooted in a passion for rivers and outdoor exploration, NRS continues to push the boundaries of possibility, leading the way with cutting-edge solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of adventurers. The new suite of products showcases NRS’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its dedication to providing customers with the tools they need to embark on unforgettable adventures with confidence. Designed with input from top athletes and outdoor experts, NRS’s new line of paddling gear sets a new standard for comfort, performance and versatility. Each product in the lineup represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and reliability, meticulously crafted to enhance the paddling experience.
Highlights of the new product suite include:
Life Jackets / Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
All new PFDs are specifically designed to fit all genders and body types thanks to the new NRS Orbit Fit System. Orbit fit’s flexible pre-curved shape immediately wraps around and embraces the paddler’s torso for a snug, secure fit without having to over tighten. Full PFD line release coming March 12, 2024.
Ninja, Ninja OS and Ninja Pro — A fan favorite for years, the Ninja is known for being NRS’s lowest-profile jacket. By concentrating all the flotation into a smaller surface area, the Ninja redefines what freedom of movement means while wearing a life jacket. This year, NRS redesigned the Ninja platform to better fit a range of body types and introduced rescue and touring-specific options.
Odyssey — Designed for offshore safety and convenience, the redesigned Odyssey PFD combines an unmatched fit with incredible freedom of movement to enhance the touring and adventure paddler’s experience.
Vector — We combined the superior fit of the Orbit Fit System with extensive Class V rescue-specific details to reimagine the performance of a rescue PFD. Built for guides, Search and Rescue professionals and expedition kayakers, the Vector is the lightest, most comfortable rescue vest available.
Ambient — A modern take on a classic design, the NRS Ambient PFD combines simplicity and comfort with safety and protection. With the convenience of a front-zip entry and the freedom to swim, paddle and splash, you won’t find a more comfortable recreational jacket than the Ambient.
Fishing Rafts
Building on the release of the Slipstream Fishing Rafts in 2022, NRS continues to evolve its lineup of rafts purpose-built for adventure anglers. Engineered for maximum performance and durability, NRS’s latest fishing raft models feature innovative construction materials and advanced design elements, ensuring unmatched stability, maneuverability and safety on the water, and guaranteeing to enhance the adventure angler’s experience. Full Approach and Slipstream release coming March 26.
Approach — Lightweight and easy to transport, the Approach Rafts redefine the limits of where a boat can take you. A combination of smaller tubes and a thick drop stitch insert floor enhances buoyancy, letting the Approach draft in really skinny water. With customizable features and two sizes to choose from, the NRS Approach micro-raft packages open access to headwaters and tighter, more remote waters other boats can’t reach.
Slipstream — The NRS award-winning Slipstream hits the 2024 season with next-level updates, including an increased drop stitch floor volume for superior low water drafting, improved storage and enhanced stability and comfort for standing anglers—all in a lighter package.
Packrafts
Leaning on 50 years of boat-building experience, NRS is introducing a line of packrafts that are more durable and will expand the boundaries of the adventurous spirit. Overlapping, heat-welded seams combine with interior taping, to create an incredibly strong mechanical bond for fail-proof air retention. PVC-free, TPU-coated nylon interior and exterior coating provides additional resistance to abrasion. With three unique designs purpose-built for calm, moving and whitewater, there’s a packraft for all levels of paddlers. Full Packraft release coming April 9.
Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs)
Whether living in the city, the burbs or the backwoods, NRS inflatable SUPs make getting outside accessible. In 2024, we’re excited to announce that we’re hand-shaping inflatable paddleboards in Idaho and pushing the evolution of SUP to a new level. New NRS boards boast a combination of two innovative construction methods. Integrated Shaping Technology (IST™) makes it possible to purposefully design boards for specific paddling styles while Z/Blend Core™ uses woven, rather than knit, drop stitch to build stiffer, lighter boards. Plus, all boards are backed with an industry-best warranty. Full SUP release coming May 7.
Clipper SUP — The Clipper SUP Board is a premium touring board featuring a deliberately shaped nose and tail rocker to balance tracking and maneuverability. Whether you’re challenging headwinds on the Great Lakes or crushing river miles to make camp, the Clipper handles touring and overnight adventures with ease.
Clean SUP — The Clean SUP Board turns clean-line dreams into a reality. Featuring a significant continuous tail and nose rocker, the Clean transforms rapids into a paddling playground. Downriver paddlers can choose between two sizes—a shorter playful board or one better designed for multi-day adventures.
Sleeping pad? Check. Seat cushion? Check. Cooler insulation? Check. River float? Check. The Snooze Pad is summer’s best friend. Sleep easy on three different sizes of dual-density foam covered in durable, waterproof TPU-coated nylon. PVC-free and self-inflating for a comfortable night spent under the stars.
Dry Duffels
Home to the legendary Bill’s Bags, NRS is revising its line of dry bags with the new, improved and PVC-free Expedition DriDuffel and High Roll Duffel. The heavy duty UV and wear-resistant Expedition DriDuffel sports RF welded seams that can handle the wear and tear of any outdoor adventure season after season and a TRU® Zip closure that delivers an immersion-ready waterproof seal and a self-repairing toothless “zipper,” making wilderness maintenance a non-issue.
About NRS
100% employee-owned, NRS is the world’s leading supplier of equipment and apparel for water recreation, safety and rescue. Founded in 1972 with a vision to create a better kind of company, NRS is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of its customers, employees and community.
Save the date: the Paddlesports Trade Coalition (PTC) has officially announced its first annual industry event. The PTC Colab takes place September 3 to 6, 2024 at Riversport OKC in Oklahoma City and will bring together decision-makers from across the paddlesports industry.
The itinerary of the four-day event at Riversport is still being finalized, but according to the PTC, certain elements can be expected. The first full day of the Colab, September 4, will include the PTC’s imperative element: an annual general meeting for the organization and its members to take the state of and guide the direction of the organization. Along with the general meeting, the first day is expected to have focus groups and an evening social gathering.
“I’d love to have people leave this annual general meeting seeing that we need a strong voice. That we need a member base to activate and engage,” shares Stig Larsson, CEO of Level Six and chairman of the PTC board of directors. “The goal is for this to be a member-driven organization, not 11 board members deciding what’s best for the organization. We want 1,000 members guiding the voice of the Trade Coalition.”
Feature Image: Riversport OKC
The second stage of the PTC Colab builds on Larsson’s message. Days two and three of the Colab will largely host workshops, focus groups, and guest speakers curated for the industry audience. Along with these, the Colab will also include an element of new product showcases and the opportunity to demo products on the Riversport whitewater and flatwater facilities.
“We want people to walk away from the event inspired to engage with this market as a whole.”
There is still discussion as to whether non-PTC members will be able to participate in the Colab and in what scope. Overall, though, the PTC’s hope is to grow its member base — which currently numbers 106 representatives of brands, retailers, sales reps and others — and have Colab attendees leave fired up about the paddling industry.
“Our goal this year is to give everyone a good, solid event with lots of education and opportunity,” says PTC executive director Jeff Turner. “We want to get the industry together and make sure everyone leaves saying, ‘We want to do that again.'”
“We want people to walk away from the event inspired to engage with this market as a whole,” Larsson adds. In addition to serving as chairman of the PTC board, Larsson is also leading the subcommittee planning the event.
The paddling industry nonprofit has decided to manage the Colab in-house, rather than bringing in a third party to run the event. According to Larsson, running the Colab through the PTC provides them the ability to keep the focus where they would like it directed—toward education and engagement for the industry rather than going down the path of a traditional tradeshow. And Larsson believes the PTC will do a much better job of curating the Colab experience for education and gathering.
Along with Riversport, the PTC is working closely with Oklahoma City’s tourism board—which is continuing to prioritize expanding its role with the paddlesport community—to support logistics surrounding accommodations and flights, among other components of putting on the event.
The PTC Colab is just one piece of the puzzle for the organization seeking to unify the paddlesports industry. Among other functions, the makeup of the PTC leadership continues to evolve.
Jeff Turner, who took on the role of interim executive director of the PTC when it first formed, recently resigned from his 13-year role as the sales director of Kokatat, and has now accepted the post of full-time executive director of the PTC.
The faces of the PTC board of directors have changed as well since the board election took place just two months ago. Jim MacAllister, director of U.S. sales at Northwest River Supplies, stepped down from the board alongside the announcement of his resignation from NRS to accept a position outside the paddling industry. Based on PTC bylaws, the vacant brand member seat has been filled by Phil Walczynski, owner of Colorado-based company Down River Equipment.
Associate board member Kelley Woolsey has also stepped down from his elected seat, with his vacancy filled by Cristin Plaice, director of marketing and business development and co-owner of Rapid Media (Paddling Magazine’s parent company).
“Paddling has been a source of so much happiness in my life,” shares Plaice who is excited for the opportunity to further serve the industry. “I am committed to leveraging my marketing and media experience to support the association in expanding North America’s paddlesports industries, getting more people on the water, and increasing the bottom line for our members.”
With the inaugural PTC Colab less than six months away, the organization has a full plate of plans to make, including the finalized schedule of events and details surrounding the logistics of putting on the event. For further details, visit paddlesportstradecoalition.org and continue to follow Paddling Magazine for updates.
Current Designs has changed hands once again. Founded in the late 1970s by Brian Henry on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the brand was then acquired by Minnesota’s Wenonah Canoes in 1999. Wenonah expanded the brand from its niche producing coastal touring kayaks to all manner of kayaks, including those suited to recreational pursuits, ocean play and light touring. The Current Designs lineup has long offered both composite and rotomolded plastic designs—and the brand has now been split along this divide, each division being sold to separate companies.
Wenonah’s neighbor, Sanborn Canoe Co., has acquired Current Designs’ composite division. Meanwhile, Kayak Distribution, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, has taken on the rotomolding division. Wenonah President Bill Kueper did not respond to inquiries to comment.
Current Designs sold to Sanborn Canoe Co. and Kayak Distribution
Sanborn Canoe Co.
Both located in Winona, Minnesota, Sanborn Canoe Co. and Wenonah Canoes have always been friendly with one another. In May 2023, Sanborn was putting on an outdoors festival called BaseCamp and invited Wenonah to join for demo day. Todd Randall, owner of Sanborn Canoe Co., speculates that, for whatever reason, this was what planted the seed in the minds of the folks at Wenonah about approaching Sanborn with a sales proposal.
“If I’m honest, we weren’t in any way thinking about kayaks leading up to that,” says Randall. “But it seemed like such a good opportunity, we couldn’t really pass it up.”
Photo: Courtesy Current Designs
While there was some discussion around Sanborn Canoe Co. taking on the entire Current Designs brand, Randall says based on the smaller size of their company and the fact that rotomolding is “not really their approach,” they decided acquiring just the composite side of the brand would be the best fit.
Conversations continued over the next six months, until the deal finally closed at the end of December.
“It was a process,” Randall admits. “Although pretty early on we both were committed to making it happen. So we had folks from our team going over there for six to eight weeks of training before we brought it over. We spent a lot of time, made a handful of boats alongside their crew to get comfortable with it even before we had finalized everything.”
Once the sale closed, Sanborn Canoe Co. took possession of all the Current Designs composite molds and models from the last 40 years. As of February, they were still working on getting organized.
“The kayak space Wenonah was making the boats in previously was about 35,000 square feet with an additional 10,000 worth of storage,” explains Randall. “Only half of that was dedicated to the composite side of it. Meanwhile our whole shop is 12,000 square feet. So we’re condensing it and we’re not going to be able to make boats at the same scale.”
Instead, they’ll be moving to a direct-to-consumer sales model, with a focus on a segment of the Current Designs composite line of boats. Randall says likely this will be the Danish line—which includes the Prana, Sisu and Karla—as well as the Solstice and a few others.
“But we do have all the boats available if somebody wanted something special they haven’t been able to get for a while,” he continues.
A large portion of Sanborn Canoe Co.’s business was already focused on direct-to-consumer sales. However, the split between wholesale and direct-to-consumer used to be much closer to 50/50, shifting to 30/70 coming out of the pandemic.
Part of that shift was due to shops closing. But a larger part was a result of the opposite—with a high demand for boats during the pandemic, many dealers overbought near the end of the pandemic. With product on their shelves and racks already, dealers bought less from Sanborn Canoe Co. this past year than they typically would, naturally shifting Sanborn’s focus to direct-to-consumer.
“It was somewhat intentional, but also sort of just the natural flow of things over the last three years or so,” Randall explains. “It’ll be tricky because working with dealers is really great. Because if they have a boat present, then you can put a paddler into it and see if it’s right for them. Whereas our business is going to be largely online.”
That said, with direct-to-consumer, consumers will be able to get exactly what they want—from model to colors to finishes. And potentially at a better price.
Randall says they’ll also be retaining the Current Designs name.
“The plan is to keep the brand alive,” he says. “It’s got a really rich history going back decades. We’ve talked to a lot of people who absolutely love their Current Designs boats and so we’re excited to continue that story.”
Kayak Distribution
In September 2023, Marc Pelland, owner of Kayak Distribution, heard through industry contacts that Wenonah was looking to sell their rotomolding division. He phoned up Wenonah to find out if the rumors were true. A little over a week later, the two companies had reached a deal.
“It’s no secret that the industry is struggling these days,” says Pelland. “I think there’s too much capacity and not enough demand. So it’s kind of natural that there would be some consolidation there. So we try to stay in touch with different people and see where there’s opportunities for us.”
With so many brands under their care, and therefore an extensive range of products, Pelland says they’re more hard-pressed to hear about opportunities of value to them.
“But in this case, Current Designs has been around for a while. And it made sense for us for some projects we wanted to have.”
Pelland says originally the thinking behind purchasing Current Designs’ rotomolding division was so they could use the molds to develop a private label brand. However, since making the purchase, they’ve had a great deal of interest from dealers wanting to continue to purchase Current Designs boats. As well, upon closer inspection of the boats, Pelland says there are some molds he doesn’t want to use for a private label and would instead look at producing as a more premium product.
“We’re still evaluating what the best thing to do is,” Pelland says, having just returned from China where the molds are being kept and where he had the opportunity to paddle a Current Designs boat for the first time.
Feature photo: Courtesy Current Designs
Next steps will also include reaching out to Sanborn Canoe Co. to see what opportunities there might be to collaborate. In order to continue using the Current Designs name, Kayak Distribution would need to license it from Sanborn Canoe Co. Pelland also wonders about working with Sanborn to distribute boats in the U.S.
“If not, well we might take some of the best Current Designs models and roll them into our brand,” he continues. “We did the same thing with Seaward—we bought the thermoforming division from Seaward a few years back and now the models are under our brand Boréal Design.”
The selection of those Current Design models would also be driven by the demands of dealers.
“We have a few retailers that really want certain models,” says Pelland. “We have an outfitter in Norway that wants one of the super old Current Design molds because they’ve used it forever and it works for them. I think anybody that’s got things that work for them, we’ll be able to accommodate that. It’s just what will it be called, and those kinds of details.”
Update: On May 28, 2024, the Paddler Co-op team announced via Instagram post that the community had rallied to raise the necessary funds and secure its home base on the Madawaska River in Palmer Rapids, Ontario. In total, the campaign raised $257,328.
“Thank you to each person out there who took the time to listen, show up, support and donate. This could not have been done without you,” reads the caption on the Paddler Co-op’s Instagram post.
See the Paddler Co-op’s announcement post below. The original March 26, 2024, Paddling Mag story about the fundraising campaign follows.
For over two decades, the Paddler Co-op has been a cornerstone of the river-running community on the banks of the Madawaska River in Palmer Rapids, Ontario. Now, the future of the beloved cooperative is at stake, and rallying to secure its home permanently.
The Paddler Co-op is a Valuable Slice of Whitewater Paradise
The Paddler Co-op’s idyllic 2.7-acre property is a valuable slice of waterfront real estate. Complete with highway frontage, a campground, an office building, and a garage for equipment storage and classrooms. However, the Co-op does not own the land, which is going up for sale at a value of $700,000, putting the Co-op in a situation where they could lose their beloved base. There is a silver lining though: the property owners have provided the Co-op with the first right of refusal to purchase, with a decision deadline of May 1, 2024.
Although the minimum amount the Co-op needs to raise by June 1 for a downpayment on the property is technically $150,000, according to the Co-op, this would be an unsustainable mortgage. The initiative instead aims to raise $250,000 to secure a more feasible payment, and if they can reach $350,000 they would be able to operate at a cost without impacting their current budget. With the deadlines looming within just a few short months, the Co-op is wasting no time to act.
“We want to guarantee access to the river for future generations,” Ryan O’Connor, the Co-op’s executive director, shares. “This purchase preserves a vital access point for whitewater paddlers. Palmer Rapids is a leading training ground known across Canada, and we don’t want to see that disappear.”
According to O’Connor, the current property owners purchased the land 20 years ago with the intention of leasing it to the not-for-profit paddling organization to set up shop. However, circumstances have led the owners to decide to sell the property.
The Paddler Co-op is one of the largest paddling schools in Ontario, but its impact over the last two decades extends far beyond instruction. For many, the Co-op represents a community where lifelong friendships are forged and a love for the outdoors is nurtured. “Our members have spoken about how life-changing the Co-op has been for them,” adds O’Connor of the cooperative that has welcomed more than 10,000 paddlers of all ages and abilities since 1997.
Feature Image: Paddler Co-op
A Campaign to Not Only Save a Paddling Business but Strengthen Access
As O’Connor mentioned, the Lower Madawaska is a learning ground for many Ontario paddlers, providing their introduction to whitewater kayaking and canoeing. However, all of the access points to the Madawaska in Palmer Rapids are on private land. While these access points are available now, they could become compromised with future exchange of ownership. O’Connor shares that as a not-for-profit, should they own the property, they can create a trust or fund to ensure paddlers can access the Madawaska decades from now, regardless of whether the Co-op still exists as a business.
“We believe in securing a space by paddlers and for paddlers,” O’Connor says. “If we aren’t looking at access now, we risk a day when we don’t have these places.”
The urgency of the campaign is palpable. If the fundraising goal is not met by June 1, the property will be listed for sale. Should the property be sold to someone else, there are no guarantees for the Co-op. Looking at the economics of a sale, O’Connor is certain their cost to maintain a lease would increase substantially. However, there’s a strong sense of optimism. The Co-op contributed $50,000 from its reserve funds to kick off the campaign. To date, it has now garnered more than $120,000, demonstrating the community’s support. For O’Connor and the cooperative, they are on full tilt to reach the goal and make the purchase.
“We are committed and confident, and everyone in our paddling community has told us we are doing the right thing.”
A group of stunt performers known as the Sickos decided landing a jump on skis and snowboards was just too easy. Instead, they set out to build the biggest snow jump they could fathom possible for a sled to stick. Only, their sled of choice was no toboggan but rather an inflatable kayak.
On the slopes of Mount Hood, the Sickos spend a day building up their dream sled jump. As they construct the jump, they take their Star inflatable kayak further and further up the slope to get the ramp dialed.
Fortunately, as they figure out how to launch the self-bailing hull into the troposphere, they have some soft snow to keep them intact.
Their snowy kayak stunt culminates with a run from the top of the slope. They are destined to catch some of the biggest air we’ve seen from an inflatable. But more importantly, will they stick the landing? Watch and see.
The Paddling Magazine team is thrilled to announce that we have won the People’s Choice Award for Best Print Publication at the Outdoor Media Awards. Considered the most prestigious award for media in the outdoor industry, Paddling Magazine faced stiff competition from legacy media titles, including Outside and Backpacker magazines.
Thank you to our incredible community of readers who made this win happen. Your engagement and loyalty have been the driving force behind our content, inspiring our commitment to delivering exceptional paddling stories that inform, entertain and inspire.
We’re grateful to have such incredible readers who share our love for the water—thanks for being the best part of Paddling Mag!
The official press release from Outdoor Media Summit follows.
Outdoor Media Summit is thrilled to announce the Outdoor Media Award winners for the People’s Choice Awards. After weeks of voting and anticipation, the winners have been chosen, representing excellence and innovation in outdoor media content creation.
The People’s Choice winners for the 2024 Outdoor Media Awards are as follows:
Paddling Magazine: People’s Choice – Best Print Publication
Adventure Chasse: People’s Choice – Best Print Publication
Tooth and Claw: People’s Choice – Best Podcast
Run Wild My Child: People’s Choice – Best Digital Publication
@OutThereColorado: People’s Choice – Best Social Handle
@KweenWerk: People’s Choice – Best Social Handle
Stephane Monette: People’s Choice – Best YouTube
Kyle Hates Hiking: People’s Choice – Best YouTuber
These winners have demonstrated creativity, engagement, and dedication to the outdoor media space. Their content has resonated with audiences, inspiring and informing outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.
“Congratulations to all the winners of the People’s Choice Awards! Your passion for the outdoors and commitment to producing exceptional content shows,” said Yoon Kim, founder of Outdoor Media Summit. “We’re excited to recognize your achievements and celebrate your work at Outdoor Media Summit in Missoula on October 16th.”
The Outdoor Media Summit team extends its appreciation to everyone who participated in the voting process and helped make this year’s People’s Choice Awards a success.
For more information about the Outdoor Media Summit and the Outdoor Media Awards, please visit outdoormediasummit.com.
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Montgomery, Ala. – Mar 4, 2024 – Montgomery Whitewater Park, Alabama’s newest and most technologically advanced outdoor adventure destination, was honored with the Project of the Year designation at Business Alabama’s annual awards luncheon, which was hosted last week in Birmingham.
Opened in July 2023, Montgomery Whitewater Park is a world-class recreational attraction offering adventure sports and lifestyle experiences for residents and tourists of all ages and skill levels. Designed by S2O Design and Engineering, the center boasts the world’s most advanced channel system, which simulates a natural river with class II–IV rapids to accommodate beginners, seasoned whitewater enthusiasts or professional athletes for a variety of whitewater activities including rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Photo: Courtesy Montgomery Whitewater Park
Apart from water activities, visitors can also enjoy an array of family friendly activities including a variety of free concerts, an outfitter store and restaurant, Eddy’s Restaurant and Bar.
“Since opening in July, the Montgomery Whitewater Park has drawn crowds from across the nation, helped us recruit thousands of new high-paying jobs and provided additional recreational opportunities for Montgomery County residents,” said Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton. “This prestigious honor from Business Alabama shows the strength of this investment and its continued benefits to Montgomery County, the River Region and state of Alabama.”
Photo: Courtesy Montgomery Whitewater Park
Photo: Courtesy Montgomery Whitewater Park
Montgomery Whitewater was made possible by the innovation and leadership of state, local and community leaders who formed the Montgomery County Community Cooperative District, which serves as the ownership entity of both the park and overlaying district. The Montgomery County Commission, the City of Montgomery and the State of Alabama jointly led this unprecedented partnership to enhance the quality of place for the River Region, drive economic development, boost tourism, support the military and recruit and retain talent.
“None of this would have been possible without the vision and dedication of the many elected officials and business leaders who collaborated to bring Montgomery Whitewater into existence,” said Chief Executive Officer Dave Hepp. “What resulted from that collaboration isn’t just a groundbreaking outdoor attraction, but an opportunity to enhance residents’ quality of life and foster a meaningful appreciation for the outdoors for the people of Alabama and beyond.”
Photo: Courtesy Montgomery Whitewater Park
About Montgomery Whitewater Park
Montgomery Whitewater Park is a 120-acre state-of-the-art recirculating whitewater park and outdoor adventure center located off I-65 in Montgomery, Alabama offering a variety of outdoor lifestyle activities both in and out of the water for all ages and skill levels. Developed and operated by Southern Whitewater Design Group for the Montgomery County Community Cooperative Group, this park was conceived and developed as a large-scale public-private investment to catalyze economic growth and provide health-focused recreation and employment opportunities. More information is available at Montgomerywhitewater.com.
Winter paddling on Lake Superior. Feature Image: Maddy Marquardt
Last year at a wilderness medicine course, I shared a quick story about an incident with a bee sting to the neck on the water. A woman just a little older than me approached me afterward, wanting to know who I was and where I was from.
“I’m a sea kayaker too,” she said. “I guided for two years in the San Juan Islands.”
There were only three other women in the class of more than 25. We were the only two who had taken the course before, and I could tell she did not like me. She had approached me with the intent of comparing her guiding and outdoor resume to mine—to correct me on something I had shared.
I’m a fifth-year coastal kayaking guide and people often ask if I experience sexism in the outdoors. Yes and no, I respond, and never from the direction I expect it.
The words we choose to cut each other down
Truth is, outdoorsy girls can be mean girls. We undercut each other in wilderness medicine courses, competing for who has more experience because we’ve convinced ourselves there are limited spaces for women in the outdoors. We make jokes about other guides: “Her form is shit” or “She takes her job way too seriously.”
I’m complicit myself.
Talking with a friend recently about hiking and how hard it is to find people to winter camp with, we paused to joke about another girl. “Well, I mean… she only hikes for the photo, you know?”
I laughed and didn’t think much of it until later.
People have said that about me, too—that I only go outside for the content. People have also said I am only outdoorsy because my boyfriend is. I know these things aren’t true, but they sting.
No one goes outside just for the photo, which is maybe why the phrase feels so cutting as an insult. Humans go outside because it feels incredible; it’s where our brains are happiest. Humans as a species evolved in the outdoors, and by heritage, we are all outdoorsmen. The insults imply someone is so vapid they can’t appreciate a fundamental part of being human.
When I first started guiding, I was unskilled and didn’t have a concept of to what degree. I was told by other women in the field I would have to work harder for the same respect as my male coworkers. So I worked first on my confidence and on seeming competent. In hindsight, the result as a first- and even second-year paddler was I often exaggerated my skills. There were occasions when my abilities were questioned and at the time I felt these doubts about me were unfair. Now I believe people were likely seeing through the cracks of false confidence.
This doesn’t happen anymore, because the confidence is not false, and my skills and experience speak for themselves. It’s been years since I’ve had a man whom I’m speaking with face to face truly question my place in the outdoors.
Today, almost all the insults, undermining and negativity I’ve experienced in the outdoors come from other women in the outdoor community.
Winter paddling on Lake Superior. | Feature photo: Maddy Marquardt
The self-inflicted notion of limited space
My theory is that because we see so few women in leadership roles in the outdoors, we think there are only so many spaces available and we’re all competing with each other for them. It’s as if in order to validate my own skills and experience, I must belittle hers. I must demonstrate I know better than her. That I can do what she does and look less silly, with less makeup, be tougher but still feminine and palatable. However, competency in the outdoors is not a limited resource.
Recently, I published a winter paddling image of Lake Superior and received a comment that read, “Sorry but I hope someone less experienced doesn’t feel emboldened by this post. Too many things can go wrong.” The comment came from another woman, clearly someone also active in the outdoors.
I read the comment after spending the week mulling over the phrase, “She only hikes for the photos,” feeling guilty for using it but not being able to articulate why. It came after reading the thoughts of other women outdoor creators discussing how they, too, have observed judgments being made about who is and who isn’t legitimately outdoorsy. Judgments made without knowing a person in real life or likely even really examining their content.
When we comment, “I hope you (a person who has clearly stated their specialized skills) don’t embolden anyone to take similar risks,” what are we really saying if we say it most often to women?
It seems what is being implied is that people are less likely to take risk seriously when it is attached to a person who looks like me. If something is being done by a small, blonde female, then surely it’s something that can be done by anyone. And so, the tax for the safety of others is me experiencing less and sharing less with others. I’ve been told this explicitly and implicitly since I was six.
I believe the outdoors and access to it is a right, not a privilege. Humans as a species are meant to sleep with our heads on the ground, to see trees and not concrete, to swim in cold water, to feel waterfall mist and be in movement.
Retiring a tired phrase to make the outdoors a more welcoming place
When we make casually cruel statements against other women, we strip someone we don’t know of their relationship to the outdoors as if it proves something positive about ourselves.
I’ve joked with other girls about women who wear makeup camping as if I don’t full well understand how hard it is to feel comfortable in your own skin.
I’ve watched while younger women and guides struggle like I did with forced confidence and exaggerated skill because we’ve been told we have to fight tooth and nail for respect.
I’ve looked at the pretty Pacific Northwest girls with their perfect hair and leggings and sports bras on the tops of mountains and thought, “She only hikes for the photo.” Because in their perfect photos, I see my own imperfections, how much I struggle with my own body image and how I could never look like that on top of a mountain. I’ve told myself the phrase because for some reason in order for me to be a competent outdoorsperson, she can’t be—as if there is not room for both of us.
But there is room, and it starts with the statements we make.
We can build our own outdoor spaces and communities. We can change the ways we teach about the wild and welcome people in instead of pushing them out.
Maddy Marquardt is a paddling guide and writer based in Northern Minnesota. This essay originally appeared in her newsletter Hello Stranger.
Winter paddling on Lake Superior. | Feature photo: Maddy Marquardt
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