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Churchill River Canoe Outfitters Owner Sells After 35 Years

the previous and new owners of Churchill River Canoe Outfitters shake hands
Ric Driediger (left) hands the reins to CRCO over to Martin Bernardin (right). | Feature photo: Courtesy CRCO

After 35 years owning and running Churchill River Canoe Outfitters (CRCO), Ric Driediger has decided it’s time to step away and go paddling.

Located in the little town of Missinipe in Northern Saskatchewan, CRCO offers full canoe trip outfitting, guided trips, paddling courses, shuttle services and cabin rentals to those looking to explore the wild Churchill River and surrounding lakes and rivers. Although the company has seen many owners over its 60 years, Driediger has ferried it from modest beginnings—at first only serving a couple hundred clients each year to now close to 6,000.

Driediger says he loves running the business, but last summer he began to notice he wasn’t enjoying the administrative aspects of it as much as he used to. That realization combined with the fact that he’ll be turning 70 this year got him thinking it might be time to sell.

“If I wait longer, pretty soon I won’t be able to do the canoe trips I still want to do,” he explains. “It just felt like I have to move into this next chapter of my life while I still can, rather than have the next chapter be lay down and die.”

two men sign documents at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters
Driediger (left) and Bernardin (right) making the sale official. | Photo: Courtesy CRCO

Making the sale

Driediger figured it might take a while to find the right buyer. The ‘right buyer’ to him being somebody who wouldn’t break up the company and sell it off in pieces. And someone whom he could entrust his clients to.

“My guests have become really good friends in a lot of cases,” he says, “and I wanted to know they would be looked after.”

His process of looking for a buyer was simple: start talking to folks he knew who he thought might be a good fit, including some of his staff.

“The embarrassing thing was, the guy that was really interested, he didn’t cross my mind,” laughs Driediger. “And he’s absolutely the perfect person.”

That person would be Martin Bernardin, owner of Kisseynew Canoe Company and Montreal River Outpost. Both companies are located 80 kilometers south of Missinipe, in La Ronge, providing Bernardin and Driediger plenty of opportunities to work together over the last decade. They share many of the same clients through their outfitting businesses, and CRCO even rents out Kisseynew canoes.

Bernardin heard through the grapevine that Driediger was looking to sell and decided to give him a call.

“I didn’t really think he was serious about selling,” says Bernardin. “But when I called him and said ‘Hey, Ric, everybody that comes into the store here is telling me you’re trying to sell. Is this real?’ he’s like ‘Martin! This is perfect!’ And basically since that moment, in Ric’s mind, the business was sold. So then it was more on me, like holy smokes is this really what I want to do?”

After some more consideration, Bernardin decided it was the right choice and the deal was made.

“This will help us grow our business,” he explains. “We could either continue to grow Montreal River Outpost and grow organically, or we could take a huge step forward and take over CRCO and all that entails. This way we were able to have a step changing growth versus what would’ve taken us years to grow on our own.”

Driediger knew Bernardin was the perfect fit not only because he knows the industry and shares many of the same clients, but also because they “have the same kind of commitment to looking after people.”

“I have felt really good about this sale,” Driediger says. Not least because he says he doesn’t like to think about what the outcome would have been had he been unable to find a buyer.

At some point, he explains, he would have put the business on the market in a more official manner. But if that still didn’t yield a sale, he would have ended up breaking the business up and selling it off in pieces.

“But then the business would be gone,” Driediger says. “That is not what I wanted to do.”

Thankfully, it didn’t come to that.

view of lakeside buildings at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters
Bernardin has already implemented a new online reservation system for trips and cabin rentals. | Photo: Courtesy CRCO

Making the transition

Bernardin has already begun running operations at CRCO and has been keeping busy with summer bookings rolling in.

CRCO offers a few services Montreal River Outpost doesn’t, including guided trips and cabin rentals.

“It’s challenging and it’s exciting,” says Bernardin. “It’s a people thing, but it’s also a big logistics plan. It’s coordinating all these things that all have to work together in order to run the business effectively and efficiently.”

Despite the learning curve, he says the similarities between the businesses have made the transition easier. As have some early changes he’s made, including implementing an online booking platform. Due to the distance between the two outfitters, he’s also working on getting systems up and running that will make it easier for him to manage things from La Ronge.

He’s also asked Driediger to stick around CRCO and continue to do what he loved most about the job: telling stories and talking to groups. And while Driediger has agreed, he’s being cautious about the commitment.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like to be there and not running it,” Driediger comments. “I think I can do it. But if I can’t, I’m just not going to be there because it’s just not fair to the new owner.”

a large canoe rack with canoes in winter at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters
There will now be a greater integration of gear and boats for purchase and rent between Montreal River Outpost, Kisseynew Canoe Company and Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. | Photo: Courtesy CRCO

Looking back and looking ahead

While Driediger helped grow the client base throughout his time running CRCO, business boomed during the pandemic. With travel out of province and internationally limited or not recommended, many Saskatchewan and Alberta residents chose to explore closer to home.

“Our business went way, way up during Covid,” says Driediger.

Once restrictions lifted, however, many of CRCO’s new clients began tripping elsewhere. This didn’t result in a downturn in business post-Pandemic, though.

“Now we’re starting to get the European people back again, and we’re starting to get the American people back again,” explains Driediger. “We’ve had some bookings from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and B.C. And we weren’t getting those during Covid.”

“I thought Northern Saskatchewan would become a more popular canoe destination. Because it’s the best canoe country in the world.”

He wonders if CRCO will see another increase in business in a couple years, once the new clients they picked up during the Pandemic have had time to explore elsewhere.

“I expect we haven’t lost those customers,” he says.

Still, Driediger says he expected to see a lot more growth during his time at CRCO.

“I thought Northern Saskatchewan would become a more popular canoe destination. Because it’s the best canoe country in the world.”

He has some theories as to why this growth hasn’t happened—transportation woes being a leading cause. It’s difficult to get to Saskatchewan period because of a lack of flights, and then the 80 kilometers of road between La Ronge and Missinipe is a rough drive.

“Saskatchewan has a reputation of being just prairie,” Driediger adds. In fact, one-third of the province is Canadian Shield.

Bernardin is on board with the dream of increasing the popularity of canoe tripping in Northern Saskatchewan.

“Eventually we want to develop CRCO into a larger business,” says Bernardin. “Especially on the guided side of things, it’s pretty untapped up here. I think there’s a lot of potential to improve or grow the business. Getting people from Ontario to come to Saskatchewan.”

As a start, he’ll be traveling to the Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto, Ontario and Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin in the spring. And while he isn’t sure tradeshows will be the answer, he feels confident they’re a good place to start to get the lay of the land.

“You get a good feel for people’s aspirations and goals and what they want to do,” Bernardin says. “You can talk to customers and see what they know about Saskatchewan.”

From there, he can start tailoring guided trips to what prospective clients are looking for. And figure out how to better reach paddlers with the message that Northern Saskatchewan is a canoe tripping paradise.

the previous and new owners of Churchill River Canoe Outfitters shake hands
Ric Driediger (left) hands the reins to CRCO over to Martin Bernardin (right). | Feature photo: Courtesy CRCO

Driediger says he thinks Bernardin will be successful in drawing more paddlers to the province. As he passes that mantle on, he reflects on what he was able to accomplish at CRCO.

“The reason I got into this business was because I love sharing wilderness with people,” he says. “I’m hoping that’s something I’ve instilled in my staff and in the people that come through here. That that kind of an attitude, that kind of a love of wilderness and a love of sharing wilderness with people continues.

Ric Driediger (left) hands the reins to CRCO over to Martin Bernardin (right). | Feature photo: Courtesy CRCO

 

Alpacka Launches Its Highest Performance Whitewater Packraft Ever

MANCOS, Colo. – Alpacka Raft today announced the release of the Valkyrie V3. Since its initial release in 2022, the Valkyrie has been widely recognized as the pinnacle of inflatable whitewater performance. Not content to sit on their laurels, the Alpacka Raft team made significant updates to the design of this latest edition, dramatically improving the boat’s capabilities.

After extensive testing, Alpacka Raft designed the Valkyrie V3 to be lower volume and more responsive than previous versions, making it easier to do everything from ferrying and eddying, to rolling and carving. The Valkyrie V3 is a true inflatable kayak, closer to a hardshell kayak than any other inflatable kayak has come to date. The patented Valkyrie Planing Hull and Valkyrie’s signature inflatable floor, paired with Alpacka’s patented whitewater features makes this packraft more rigid and better to paddle than previous versions for paddlers to push their limits.

“We’ve been working on high performance whitewater packraft designs for over 15 years,” said Thor Tingey, CEO and co-founder of Alpacka Raft. “We wouldn’t be where we are without Sheri’s design innovations, tester feedback and willingness to take untested shapes into harder whitewater runs, and the entire team’s relentless efforts to improve. We really like where we’ve made it with the V3.”

The Valkyrie V3 features the brand’s lowest profile tubes, modern creek boat shaping, generous bow and stern rocker, and a spacious and comfortable cockpit. The patented floor sits below the bottom of the tubes to create stability when the boat is put on edge, allowing paddlers to more easily cross eddylines and carve through features. The bow and stern rocker keep the boat high and dry, making it incredibly easy to boof over and skip out of holes and steep drops.

“During my first experience in the Valkyrie, I could hardly believe I was paddling an inflatable,” said Tyler Bradt, a professional kayaker and Red Bull athlete. “It rolled with ease, boofed like a dream, surfed waves, and edged so well. I’m so happy to see that every rendition of this boat is a leap above the last, and the boat that is now on the market is undoubtedly the gold standard of packrafts by which all others will be measured.”

The Valkyrie V3 comes in medium and large sizes, weighs 13.7lbs in the medium size, and retails for $2,350. The new boat is available for purchase at alpackaraft.com

About Alpacka Raft

Founded in 2000 by mother and son team Sheri and Thor Tingey, Alpacka Raft makes the world’s best packrafts. With packrafts designed and handmade by a talented group of makers in its Mancos, Colorado facility, Alpacka Raft packrafts have been used and trusted on expeditions by some of the most well-known adventurers on the planet. Alpacka Raft is committed to building a diverse community of boaters and is proud to provide high-quality, living-wage manufacturing jobs in a rural, mountain-town economy. For more information, visit alpackaraft.com

International Whitewater Hall of Fame Honored Six Legends

Takoma Park, MD – The World River Centre, on behalf of its hallmark program, the International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHoF) begins the year by highlighting members of its Class of 2023. Six honorees join an amazing group of paddlers bringing the total number of inductees to 61.

Honored attendees included 2023 Champion Manfred Vogt (Germany), and Advocate Peter Skinner (USA), accompanied by family members. 2023 Pioneer Bryce Whitmore (USA) and Advocate Isamu Tatsuno (Japan) provided acceptance videos and Mr. Tatsuno was represented on site by Patrick Fitzgerald.

Individuals inducted into the International Whitewater posthumously were Explorer Mike Jones (Great Britain) was represented by IWHoF Class of 2021 in the Explorer category, Dave Manby and 2023 Champion Jamie McEwan (USA) was represented by his sons, Keith Boynton and Devin McEwan. See the Class of 2023 International Whitewater Hall of Fame video reel here and at iwhof.org.

“I was surprised and delighted being inducted into the IWHoF in 2023 for my work helping AW survive extinction,” notes Pete Skinner, one of the two Class of 2023 Inductees in the Advocate category, “then spark whitewater conservation advocacy that now burns like a wild fire across the USA.  Rubbing shoulders in Strasbourg with other outstanding whitewater icons was a joy and privilege: there are many other leaders and pioneers in the whitewater community that deserve similar accolades!”

“Honorees or their representatives reminded us how important it is to understand our history, and that real people have built our sport with innovative solutions; ignored precedent to accomplish the unthinkable; dominated in their discipline; changed how and when rivers flow through regulatory change; or built a country-wide system to promote paddling,” says World River Centre President Risa Shimoda. “They deserved this special recognition, and the paddlesports trade had an opportunity to meet them at  The Paddle Sports Show in late September.”

About the International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHOF)

The International Whitewater Hall of Fame is a program of the World River Centre, designed to recognize and celebrate significant contributions to Paddlesports and led by an international Board of Directors. Nominations are submitted through IWHOF Affiliates around the world and screened by an international panel. The IWHoF electorate casts votes in each category to determine the honorees.  See past inductees and find more information at:  iwhof.org.

How A Former Canoe Guide Landed The Boundary Waters On The New York Times’ 52 Places To Go In 2024

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was recently featured in the New York Times' 52 Best Places to Go in 2024.
Featured Image: Lee Vue on Unsplash

“Over summers in college, I worked as a guide in the wilderness. We carried a canoe over Gichi Onigaming (known as the Grand Portage), an 8.5-mile-long path used for centuries by the Ojibwe, French voyageurs and other explorers to reach Lake Superior,” Stephanie Pearson shared of the Boundary Waters in a behind-the-scenes look at the New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2024.”

How the Boundary Waters landed on the New York Times’ 52 Places To Go

These days, the former canoe guide is a contributing travel writer for the New York Times, Outside and National Geographic. In the “52 Places to Go in 2024,” she shares with 10 million readers what paddlers have long known: few places in the world can compare with the wilderness of northern Minnesota.

Pearson regaled how her great-grandfather emigrated from Sweden to Minnesota in the 1800s. Her grandfather and father grew up paddling and fishing the waterways, and the travel writer herself began taking trips on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness around the age of five.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was recently featured in the New York Times' 52 Best Places to Go in 2024.
Featured Image: Lee Vue on Unsplash

“Today my sister and I escape to the Boundary Waters for canoe trips whenever our schedules allow,” Pearson shared of her enduring connection to the paddler paradise. “On a trip in 2018, our food pack was ripped to shreds by a black bear. I always naïvely thought this wilderness would remain pristine forever, but it is under constant threat from mining.”

The ongoing fight to save the Boundary Waters

This latter thought is a significant reason why the Minnesotan felt compelled to include her home waters on this year’s venerable travel list. The one million-acre wilderness area is home to some 1,200 miles of canoe routes connecting over 1,000 lakes. However, the prospect of copper mining activity has increased in the area over recent years, and many conservationists fear the impact extraction industries could have on this place of irreplaceable freshwater value.

The fight by conservationists and paddlers to save the Boundary Waters from the effects of copper mining has been ongoing. Famously, in 2014, Amy and Dave Freeman canoed from their home in Minnesota to Washington D.C.—collecting petition signatures on their Wenonah Itasca over the 2,000-mile journey. Conor Mihell’s 2015 article for Paddling Magazine’s former title, Canoeroots, looked at the efforts of the Freemans as well as heard from members of the communities surrounding the wilderness wetland.

“We have a unique moment in time when we the people can ask for public lands to be withheld from mining,” Becky Rom, an Ely, Minnesota-based environmental activist, said in Mihell’s article. “We have an opportunity to finish the job.”

For the time, efforts of conservationists such as the Freemans and Rom have prevailed. Pearson notes in the 52 Places article that in 2023, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed a 20-year moratorium on toxic mining on 225,000 acres within the Rainy River Watershed in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The ban created two decades of protection for future generations of canoeists such as Pearson to immerse in the watery wilderness of the Upper Midwest and the opportunity for the writer to share the cherished value of the waters with readers worldwide.

New Leadership At Mustang Survival and Wing Group

Vancouver, BC – Outdoor industry professional Kenny Ballard has been appointed Mustang Survival’s new President. Ballard takes over responsibilities from Juanita Killen, who stepped into the role of Interim President in 2023, leading the company through a challenging year of growth and evolution. Additionally, Lance Richardson, an expert in domestic manufacturing and efficiency, takes on the newly created role of VP, Manufacturing and Innovation for the Wing Group, Mustang Survival’s parent company.

Ballard brings a wealth of experience from previous executive roles with renowned brands, including Osprey, SwissGear, Wenger Outdoor, Kelty, and, most recently, his own successful consulting firm. Having once worked at Mad River Canoe, Ballard returns to his roots by re-immersing himself in the water sports industry.

Andrew Branagh, CEO of the Wing Group, expresses: “Kenny’s history of exceptional leadership across a diverse spectrum of outdoor businesses uniquely qualifies him as the ideal candidate for this pivotal role at Mustang Survival. Kenny has consistently worked across the retail sector and knows how to navigate the complexities of commercial and military operations.”

Photo by Mustang Survival – Kenny Ballard
Photo by Mustang Survival – Kenny Ballard

In response to his hiring, Kenny Ballard shared his excitement: “I’m ecstatic to be working with a brand that has a heritage of innovation, saving and protecting lives and enabling everyday marine adventures.”

Ballard continues: “It brings me back to my watersports roots—some of my fondest memories and grandest adventures have been on and in the water. Sailing, paddling, and fishing: the Mustang brand DNA, product portfolio, and most importantly the global team are built around these activities, and I am excited to align business with my passions.”

Ballard will lead from the Mustang Waterlife Headquarters Vancouver, BC, which includes the local manufacturing facility. He’ll be overseeing the newly moved and expanded Jacksonville, Florida, plant, operations in Spencer, Virginia, and the overseas office in Salisbury, UK.

Photo by Mustang Survival – Lance Richardson
Photo by Mustang Survival – Lance Richardson

Lance Richardson will have his desk next to Ballard’s at the Vancouver headquarters so as not to miss a beat of the manufacturing processes. As an Arc’teryx and Herschel alumni, Richardson’s supply chain and manufacturing expertise will fold seamlessly into the needs of the Wing Group. He says: “I am excited to join the Wing Group, which, across its brands, has an incredible history and future in making purpose-built safety products for people who need and use them. It’s an honour to join the team and work to enable, protect and save lives.”

Andrew Branagh adds: “I am thrilled to have Lance join the Wing Group on the corporate level to implement iterative efficiency process to manufacturing. We are starting the year strong by adding these two experienced professionals to the workforces of Mustang Survival and the Wing Group as we’re looking ahead to continue to serve our customers and consumers better with the best products available.”

About Mustang Survival

Pioneer in the design and manufacture of lifesaving solutions since 1967. Mustang Survival is committed to the protection and enhancement of those who push themselves to extremes, whether for work, duty, or to escape the daily grind.

About The Wing Group

The Wing Group and its companies (Wing Inflatables, Henshaw Inflatables, Patten Company, FabTek Industries, and Mustang Survival) deliver confidence to the world’s most demanding marine and aviation users through innovative and high-quality technical solutions – on, over and under the water. The Wing Group is the world leader in inflatable boats, life rafts, flotation, dry suits, and other tactical and survival solutions for recreational, commercial, and military customers.

You Don’t Have To Be An Expert Kayaker To Break A World Record

Dave Alley paddles the Murray River, setting a new speed record on Australia’s longest waterway
Dave Alley paddles the Murray River, setting a new speed record on Australia’s longest waterway. | Feature photo: Courtesy Dave Alley

Dave Alley had only 18 months of paddling experience when he climbed into his sleek and slender kayak on the Murray River last November and set out to challenge a 30-year-old speed record for paddling Australia’s longest waterway. Securing a new record would require Alley to paddle the 2,278-kilometer river that’s been compared to North America’s Mississippi in less than 16 days, six hours and 58 minutes. Thankfully, the 47-year-old paddler from Pottsville, New South Wales was no stranger to pushing his body to the limits.

You don’t have to be an expert kayaker to break a world record

map of Australia's Murray River
Australia’s Murray River. | Image: Historicair/Wikimedia Commons

“I’m drawn to leaving my comfort zone and challenging myself to try and achieve what otherwise seems impossible,” says Alley, who previously set and still holds speed records for cycling and running Australia’s full 13,383-kilometer perimeter in 2011 and 2015, respectively. “I thought I was happily retired from the ultra endurance game but was seeking a different form of training to mix things up with my general fitness program.”

Alley’s plans to paddle the Murray River originated with a suggestion from his wife.

“I had bought an expedition kayak and had hardly used it,” he says. “I live in a beautiful seaside village and my house is approximately 1.5 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean and a creek. I took the advice of my wife and took the kayak down to the creek with no set agenda other than to use the kayak as a form of training.”

Casual outings quickly turned into an obsession for Alley. “I quickly fell in love with kayaking, the feeling of being in the boat and the time on my own,” he says. “This turned into thoughts of another epic adventure and what I could do. I did some research and the idea of tackling Australia’s and one of the world’s longest rivers was born.”

Alley acknowledged his lack of paddling experience and sought to become “like a sponge” in fast-tracking his skills progression on the water, while also drawing from his previous endurance challenges.

Man paddles down Australia's Murray River as part of a speed record attempt
The record Dave needed to beat was 16 days, six hours and 58 minutes. | Photo: Courtesy Dave Alley

“At 47 years of age, no prior kayaking experience and having never been on the river was deemed by most as laughable,” he admits. “This record had been held for 30 years and all those who had previously attempted such a feat were seasoned, highly skilled and trained kayakers. I was effectively self-taught and it was a real process of trial and error.

“I used the same principles and process that were successful for me on the cycle and run. Essentially building distance over time while giving great thought preparation to the mountain of logistical work required. But it was a much shorter preparation for the kayak adventure. My thinking here was that I’m 47 years old and it’s now or never.”

The record attempt begins

On November 1, 2023, after driving three days to the Murray’s headwaters, Alley launched his custom-made, six-meter-long Fusion LR6 TK1 sea kayak and began his speed record attempt.

The epic started inauspiciously when Alley knocked his phone into the river. “I had downloaded audiobooks, podcasts, and music to keep me entertained and as a distraction only to have it gone,” he recalls. “It actually didn’t phase me. I just smiled and thought, this is what it is all about. Adapt and overcome.”

Greater concerns on day one of the trip included subzero temperatures, thick fog, low water and “a tough, technical section of river with multiple hazards,” Alley says. “In total, I capsized six or seven times throughout the record attempt due to fatigue, fallen trees and submerged objects.”

Low water levels throughout the trip meant he’d need to push extra hard to attain the record; especially considering when David Armytage made the fastest-known descent in 1993, he did so during a major flood. Add to this steady headwinds and temperatures ranging from minus three to 41 degrees Celcius, and it was clear Alley had his work cut out for him.

Alley’s six-man support team was integral to the expedition, allowing him to paddle up to 23 hours per day.

Dave Alley launches his kayak at night during a speed record attempt down the Murray River
A large part of expeditions like this is the mental aspect, in particular dealing with sleep deprivation. | Photo: Courtesy Dave Alley

“I had hallucinations and my expected pace was reduced significantly due to the low water and headwinds, which meant only one thing: if I wanted the record I had to forego sleep and keep paddling,” he says. “It was tough, but I knew it was possible. I only had to look at my crew members and what they were pushing themselves through to see me do the job to know quitting wasn’t an option. They motivated and inspired me.”

Through the hardships, a sense of satisfaction

Alley admits he missed the opportunity to take in the stark contrasts of plains and long stretches of sheer cliffs that make the Murray a world-class waterway. But when he finally reached the river mouth, just south of Adelaide, Alley succeeded in shaving nearly 20 hours off the previous record, with a final time of 15 days, 11 hours and 33 minutes.

Dave Alley and support team pose with his kayak after the record-setting trip
Dave with his support crew and custom kayak. | Photo: Courtesy Dave Alley

“The cycle, run and kayak were obviously different experiences due to being completely different sports,” says Alley. “However, dealing with the pain, sleep deprivation and having to get up day after day after day were similar experiences. Once you get through this and achieve your goal against all odds, you’re filled with a sense of deep satisfaction, pride and memories that I can’t put into words. I don’t do it for fame or fortune. I do it to prove an ordinary Aussie bloke can achieve big things through mental toughness.”

Dave Alley paddles the Murray River, setting a new speed record on Australia’s longest waterway. | Feature photo: Courtesy Dave Alley

 

Astral Buoyancy Co. Expands World’s First Bluesign Life Jacket Collection

 SEATTLE (January 10, 2024) — Since 2002, Astral has led the outdoor industry in designing high performing equipment with the priority of protecting soil and water resources through the production process. Today, Astral proudly unveils its latest innovation in performance and sustainability with the introduction of the YTV 2.0 – the fifth addition to Astral’s premier collection of life jackets that features a bluesign® approved 100% recycled polyester shell.

Astral’s collection is the first of its kind in the paddlesports industry to use bluesign® approved materials and marks a significant leap forward in eco-conscious design combining style, performance, and environmental responsibility. The YTV 2.0™ is a high mobility, low profile freestyle personal flotation device crafted from bluesign® approved, 100% recycled polyester, PVC-free Gaia and PE Foam. The YTV 2.0™ maintains the same low profile, proprietary Torso Lock™ architecture as its predecessor, the YTV™, while increasing the quantity and volume of pockets.

Designed for paddlesports enthusiasts seeking a blend of style, lightweight durability, and a ‘less is more’ ethos, the YTV 2.0™’s low-profile, minimalist design provides unparalleled freedom of movement. The smooth front ensures unimpeded transitions, enabling easy re-entry into a raft or onto a paddleboard. This expansion of Astral’s bluesign® life jacket collection perfectly blends the brand’s emphasis on removing toxic chemicals while enhancing performance.

“When it comes to water quality issues, paddlers are the “canary in the coal mine”. We feel, smell, and see when industry or agriculture is polluting water,” explains Philip Curry, Founder & CEO of Astral. “In our never ending quest to protect the maximum amount of soil and water, bluesign® is the trusted partner to help us ensure that the chemicals we use have the least possible impact on water quality.”

The YTV 2.0™ retails for $150, and is available now at astraldesigns.com and at participating retail partners. For additional information about Astral, please visit astraldesigns.com.

ABOUT ASTRAL

Established in 2002, Astral designs high performance wilderness equipment created in the least toxic, lowest impact ways. Built on decades of experience and experimentation, Astral has assembled athletes, artists, and craftspeople to build the cleanest, most beautiful, and highest performing gear. Astral has significantly reduced toxic PVC foam from the PFD industry, invented breathable life jackets, won awards for their paradigm changing footwear designs, and developed the stickiest rubber ever worn on wet rock. Visit www.astraldesigns.com for more information.

Melker of Sweden Annouces Partnership With PaperShell

In an inspiring move towards sustainable innovation, PaperShell (papershell.se) and Melker of Sweden (melkerofsweden.se) are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership. As we move into the new year, this collaboration marks the start of a journey to challenge each other to redefine kayaking with a focus on environmental stewardship and cutting-edge design.
Photo Courtesy of Melker of Sweden
Photo Courtesy of Melker of Sweden

Melker of Sweden, known for its commitment to sustainable outdoor experiences, and PaperShell, a pioneer in eco-friendly material innovation, are joining forces to create a new era of kayaks. Drawing on PaperShell’s expertise in sustainable material technology and Melker’s design prowess, this partnership is dedicated to creating kayaks that are not only top-performing but also environmentally friendly. Our initial focus is on incorporating the material into smaller components of the existing kayak’s, with the ultimate goal of constructing the entire kayak using PaperShell.

“We are diversifying our kayak production by collaborating with PaperShell and their eco friendly material. Alongside continuing to produce our existing premium models using plant-based composites, a new model segment will now involve PaperShell. This shift represents our commitment to sustainable practices and reflects our collaboration with PaperShell, marking a major stride in our journey towards more environmentally-friendly kayak manufacturing. This partnership is a step towards realizing our dream of a completely sustainable kayak.”

Pelle Stafshede – CEO & Creative Director of Melker of Sweden.

Photo Courtesy of Melker of Sweden
Photo Courtesy of Melker of Sweden

The collaboration beginning with the production of vital components for Melker kayaks from January, is not only a significant move to broaden Melker of Swedens current product range but also a strategic effort to reach new target groups. This initiative goes beyond conventional manufacturing, representing a bold venture into the realm of sustainable outdoor equipment. By integrating PaperShell’s innovative materials into the kayaks, we are not only diversifying the offerings but also appealing to a wider audience, including environmentally-conscious consumers and enthusiasts of cutting-edge design, thereby reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability and innovative design. Our calculations show that transitioning to PaperShell will yield notable positive outcomes, both in terms of economic performance and in accelerating our shift to more sustainable materials.

“Kayaks are among the most beautiful products on the market. It’s the outdoor sports version of fine dining. It’s nature! Art & Science. Aesthetics sustainability in every sense. Pelle shared a vision of kayaking in northern parts of Norway where there are whales. In a kayak made of PaperShell produced in our highly automated lines. Do I share that dream? Hell yes!

Anders Breitholtz – CEO & founder of PaperShell.

Photo Courtesy of Melker of Sweden
Photo Courtesy of Melker of Sweden

With visions of kayaks gliding through serene waters, silhouetted against sunsets, embodying the perfect blend of nature and human ingenuity. This partnership goes beyond mere production – it’s about creating a legacy of sustainability and excellence in outdoor sports.

How PaperShell could be a better choice

PaperShell reverse engineering paper back into high tech 3D-wood components. 100% fossil carbon free. Storing atmospheric carbon in products instead of wasting it on single use items. Stronger than plastics, versatile like glass fibre and lighter than aluminium. Enabling companies to switch materials towards a circular bio economy. Where science meets art and finance supports Nature.

About Melker of Sweden

Founded in 2015, Melker of Sweden aims to revolutionize the Outdoor Hardware industry with a focus on balancing environmental ethics and economic viability. Our approach involves continuous innovation and sustainable practices, ensuring our products not only meet user needs but also contribute positively to the planet. Central to our ethos is the joy of working with like-minded partners, friends, and family, as we strive to create a legacy for future generations and a sustainable, impactful business.

www.melkerofsweden.se

About PaperShell

PaperShell is reverse engineering wood into high-tech 3D free-form components. It is stronger than plastics, as versatile as glass fiber, and lighter than aluminum. This enables partner companies to transition towards a circular bioeconomy, where science meets art and finance supports nature, aiming for carbon net zero and beyond.

www.papershell.se

Montgomery Whitewater Park to Host 2024 Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Olympic Team Trials

Montgomery Whitewater Park

Montgomery, Ala. – Jan 4, 2024 – Montgomery Whitewater Park, Alabama’s new, world-class outdoor adventure park and lifestyle destination, announced today that the American Canoe Association (ACA) has selected it to host the 2024 Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Olympic Team Trials on April 13 and 14, 2024. This is the first time Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross will hold its Olympic Team Trials in the state of Alabama, and the first of two selection events to be held before the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Photo courtesy of Montgomery Whitewater Park

Known as an iconic Civil Rights destination and home to the internationally renowned Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors in recent years, Montgomery will now welcome some of the world’s best paddlesport athletes and become part of the Olympic story.

Montgomery Whitewater Park opened in July 2023 and hosted the ACA’s Age Group National Championships in Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross. The facility is the newest and most advanced of only three Olympic-caliber pumped whitewater courses in America capable of hosting the highest-level international events and offering recreational kayaking, canoeing, rafting and instruction.

Canoe slalom is contested by two types of boat, canoes and kayaks. In canoe, a single-blade paddle is used by an athlete who is kneeling in their boat. In contrast, kayakers use a double-bladed paddle and are sitting. Canoe and kayak competitions are timed events where competitors navigate a whitewater course by passing through a combination of gates. Upstream gates are designated by the color red and downstream are green. Time penalties can be incurred for touching a gate (two seconds) and missing a gate (50 seconds).

Photo courtesy of Montgomery Whitewater Park

Kayak Cross is the latest addition to the Olympic Program and will debut in Paris. This exciting new Olympic event puts four kayakers in a head-to-head format, racing down a section of whitewater while negotiating several inflatable gates. The race starts with four kayaks on a ramp above the river. After launching 10 feet into the river, the athletes paddle around a series of red and green inflatable “gates” and complete a full kayak roll under a “roll zone” marker; the first boat to cross the finish line wins.

The Olympic Team Trials at Montgomery Whitewater Park will be open to the public and a schedule will be published when available at montgomerywhitewater.com, along with more information on the park and its other events. This will be the first of two team selection events with the second one taking place at RIVERSPORT in Oklahoma City, OK on April 26-28, 2024.

Photo courtesy of 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.

 

High-Speed Drainage Ditch Boatercross (Video)

The Lions Bay drainage ditch in British Columbia has become infamous for the occasional high-speed kayaking video. A group of three kayakers upped the ludicrous ante in a head-to-head race down the concrete slide, as seen in this video shared by GoPro.

According to the GoPro post, Stu Telfer, Harrison Stacey, Jarrah Anderson and Chloe Pocock made the trip to the Lions Bay drainage ditch once some rain started coming down. They lowered their boats, positioned themselves at the edge, and went full send toward the Pacific Ocean. The fact all three made it to the bottom in one piece on this head-to-head race is a feat in and of itself.


Feature Image: GoPro // YouTube