May 11, 2023 – Today, Hobie announces a new partnership with Locally. This partnership will allow shoppers to more easily find and purchase their favorite Hobie products at nearby stores.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Hobie to help create a smooth online-to-offline shopping experience for their customers,” says Mike Massey, Locally founder and CEO.
“We look forward to making it easier for our loyal enthusiasts to find and purchase the perfect Hobie products in stock locally, and to ensure they make the most of their Hobie experience through our world-class local dealer family. Have a Hobie Day!” adds Fred Persia, CRO, Hobie.
What this partnership means for Hobie shoppers:
• Hobie’s website will now utilize Locally’s Product Locator, which sources real-time inventory from over 21,000 retailers. Hobie can show shoppers exactly what products are available for purchase nearby.
• Hobie shoppers will now have more options for Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) and Reserve Online, Pay In-Store through Locally’s retailer network.
• Online shoppers can find and buy Hobie’s quality products nearby without a wait.
Photo: Courtesy of Hobie
About Hobie
Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water and quality products. From their headquarters in California, Hobie Cat Company and its global subsidiaries produce an impressive collection of watercraft for worldwide distribution. With their founding legacy in surfing and sailing Hobie continues to be the innovation leader for fun on the water, including pedalkayaks, pedalboards, inflatables, eyewear, and apparel. They are well known for their comprehensive array of parts and accessories to take your Hobie experience to the next level.
About Locally
Locally creates an integrated shopping experience for consumers by bridging online and offline retail. With tech implemented by over 1,000 major brands, Locally is the industry leader in online-to-offline shopping solutions. Locally’s tools are powered by real-time inventory from over 21,000 retailers worldwide and are utilized by millions of shoppers every month. To learn more about Locally’s online-to-offline shopping solutions, visit join.locally.com.
Denver, CO, May 8, 2023:The Big Gear Show today announced the release of its exhibitor list and floor plan for its upcoming show this June at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The floor plan is a unique design incorporating a central product demo zone available to all showgoers attending Big Gear and the colocated e-bike expo, (e)revolution.
Discovery brands from several nationwide accelerator programs are featured, as well as established leading brands and new category elements. In addition to showcasing dozens of new exhibiting companies, The Big Gear Show will feature several firsts for veteran outdoor industry trade show attendees. Collaborating with leading organizations invested in creating a broader and more accessible industry, The Big Gear Show will highlight diversity in action through its partnerships with:
Over two dozen new companies led by industry innovators from non-traditional communities will be exhibiting at The Big Gear Show. Sponsored by national retailers REI and Moosejaw, along with the non-profit Founded Outdoors, these inspiring brands will be centrally located on the show floor. The Adaptive Adventures exhibit and demonstration area will showcase outdoor gear built to enable participants of all abilities to enjoy all kinds of outdoor adventures.
“This year, specialty retailers, working media and consumers will be able to meet with a variety of exhibitors they will not see at other shows this year,” said Kenji Haroutunian, show director for The Big Gear Show. “Our industry is looking for a broader palate of exhibiting companies and a new model of show experience. The Big Gear Show delivers that new model focused on greater value for attendees, sponsors and brands. It also brings to life a unique experience of a national show.”
Additionally, the show will be the first official Colorado stop of the Get Outside Tour—a key part of presenting sponsor Outside Inc’s mission to ‘get everyone outside.’ This new tour anchors the show’s education program, adding its multiple outdoor expert ambassador teams to a diverse lineup of speakers and panels. Attendees visiting the tour can participate in presentations by YouTube sensations Miranda Webster and Rainer Golden from Miranda Goes Outside, and artist and creators Alina Drufkova and Lyle Frenkel.
Complementing its growing exhibitor list, The Big Gear Show is colocated with (e)revolution, the first-ever national e-bike trade and consumer show. (e)revolution has over 100 exhibiting companies, including over 60 e-bike manufacturers, offering outdoor specialty retail attendees, OEM VIP’s, working media, and the public an opportunity to learn about the growing e-bike market.
All show attendees have full access to both shows’ exhibits, education sessions and special events. The Big Gear Show and (e)revolution will feature indoor demonstration areas where attendees can test products such as e-bikes on a professionally designed track or climbing gear on an indoor climbing wall. They can get hands-on demonstrations with adaptive outdoor gear and practice various outdoor skills in the family camp zone.
Haroutunian adds, “Together, The Big Gear Show and (e)revolution will have over 200 exhibiting brands. In addition to seeing a wide array of outdoor recreation product categories, attendees, can also participate in indoor product testing and demonstrations as well as educational programs.”
The Big Gear Show is redefining what an outdoor industry trade show should be. By embracing a wide range of outdoor recreation activities, this new B2B2C experiential model prioritizes meeting the needs of specialty retailers and their customers. The Big Gear Show features the gear that gets people outdoors, amplifying the stories of innovation and access for a new outdoor consumer base. Now in its third year, the event will not only gather professionals from the top outdoor recreation specialty retailers, brands, and media but will also be the first of its kind to invite consumers to attend.
Bren Orton has made it his life’s work to travel the globe as an elite whitewater athlete, and part of that work includes sharing his exploits. Orton publishes some of the most fun and fascinating footage on the internet. In this video, he shares his tips for capturing great GoPro shots.
Aspiring whitewater paddlers take note. Orton’s help may be vital to upping your edit game. Tips not included: how to match the British paddler’s whitewater swagger.
Adrian Kiernan Boater Cross. Feature Image: Photo Credit: Mountain Cat Images, Graham Gerry 250-925-4537
There’s no better way to spend an August weekend than getting tossed around on a warm, big-water play run—a fact Clearwater Kayak Festival goers have been privy to since the event’s beginnings in 2007. But the story behind this remarkable gathering goes well beyond the wild whitewater.
Party wave on Pink Mountain. Photo credit: Graham Gerry/Mountain Cat Images
A Kayak Festival To Celebrate The Clearwater And A Paddler’s Legacy
The Clearwater River in British Columbia is known for its whitewater. The most popular section is an exciting stretch of class III-IV flowing through Wells Gray Provincial Park above the confluence with the North Thompson River. Come the summer months, the Clearwater warms as it passes through the park’s six lakes, before it reaches the lower Clearwater, where kayakers and rafters spend the day bouncing through cross curlers and holes found on rapids like Mosh Pit and The Wall. Meanwhile, freestyle paddlers hold long sessions getting aerial at Pink Mountain Wave.
[ Plan a trip to Wells Gray Provincial Park ]
This eight-kilometer stretch of the Clearwater is a treasure of the province’s paddling scene, and in 2007 a local guide and kayaker named Ben Earle decided it was worth celebrating, starting the first-ever Clearwater Kayak Festival. Unfortunately, a year later Earle tragically passed away during a first descent expedition of the nearby Finn Creek. The prominent paddler left behind a family including his wife Robin, a three-year-old daughter, and seven-week-old son. The Clearwater paddling community was compelled to continue the festival the following year, both in memory of Earle, and to help out his family.
Ben Earle’s children Rio and Finn presenting the award named in his honor. Photo credit: Graham Gerry/Mountain Cat Images
Ben’s children Rio and Finn are now teenagers and remain close to the festival 15 years later. And the gathering itself has never forgotten its roots. Each year the Clearwater Kayak Festival makes a charitable donation in Earle’s name to First Descents—the non-profit started by kayaker Brad Ludden to provide outdoor experiences to young adults affected by cancer.
“He’s still giving back to the outdoor community he loved so much,” shares co-organizer Mat Kasunich who was a close friend of Earle’s. “That’s the reason I keep doing it. I live five hours away, but it’s such a special event to be a part of.”
In 2023 the Clearwater Kayak Festival will continue as the longest-running whitewater festival in Western Canada, and for good reason.
Adrian Kiernan Boater Cross. Feature Image: Graham Gerry/Mountain Cat Images
What to Expect At The 2023 Clearwater Kayak Festival
Paddlers congregate at the Clearwater Ski Hill each year to participate in the kayak festival. The 2022 event saw some rowdy water levels, and paddlers can expect more of the good times the Clearwater is known for in 2023.
Kayakers participate in events over the course of three days, including the Adrian Kiernan Boater Cross and a freestyle competition often held at Pink Mountain, though the chosen site is water level dependent. In addition, whitewater standup paddlers have the opportunity to take part in some race action themselves. When each of the three days concludes, music and evening festivities await back at Clearwater Ski Hill.
[ Find more boater gatherings in the Paddling Events calendar ]
Outside of recreational competition, there are also beginner clinics and plenty of opportunities to paddle the lower stretch of the Clearwater in an effort to share what the river is all about with progressing paddlers.
Post-river festivities at Clearwater Ski Hill. Photo Credit: Graham Gerry/Mountain Cat Images
To top it all off, one paddler is honored with the Ben Earle Award. The award is meant for the paddler who most embodies the festival’s spirit set forth by Earle. In 2022, young Linden Gillman was presented with the award for kayaking at the highest water levels he’d ever seen on the river, and not letting a big swim get in the way of his stoke for the Clearwater—a positive sign the big water run can look forward to another generation of celebration to come.
The Clearwater Kayak Festival kicks off on August 4, 2023 at the Clearwater Ski Hill and runs through August 6. See a schedule of the weekend’s events below. You can also find more information about exploring the river and surrounding region at wellsgray.ca.
2023 Clearwater Kayak Festival Schedule:
Friday, August 4 Early bird registration, chili, and beer at Clearwater Ski Hill Lodge
Saturday August 5
The Adrian Kiernan Boatercross
Advanced SUP Downriver Race
Beginner SUP Downriver Race
Backcountry Bowls Food Truck onsite
Race Awards
Raffle
Ben Earle Award
Musical Acts: Tim Johnson, Soul Tide, Richard Maggs Band
Sunday August 6
Freestyle Competition
Beginner Kayak and SUP lessons
Paddler Scott Miller has a score to settle with the Mississippi River speed record.
This May, Miller and his three teammates Paul Cox, Judson Steinback and Wally Werderich, will attempt to break the record for “rowing the length” of the mighty river, journeying 2,296 miles from the headwaters in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to the Gulf of Mexico.
“It’s sort of like a Lord of the Rings or Huck Finn-type odyssey, to get to experience that thrill of adventure,” said Miller in an interview.
A Score To Settle With The Mississippi Speed Record
The endeavor, dubbed Mississippi Speed Record (MSR), is years in the making. The pandemic scuttled Miller’s plans in 2020 with teammate KJ Millhone. Then, in the spring of 2021, Miller and Millhone formed rival teams and launched just weeks apart. Millhone’s team paddled the river in 17 days, 19 hours, and 46 minutes, breaking a record that had stood for 18 years.
Two weeks later, Miller’s team was on the final stretch through Louisiana when a tropical depression brought big wind and waves and sank their canoe.
“I knew pretty quickly I wanted to try again,” Miller shared. “There’s so much we learned from the last attempt that will give us a chance to be even better this time.”
“We have the benefit of the experience but also the burden,” said Mike “Moose” Dougherty, who will reprise his role as support team leader. “Sometimes it’s better not to know what’s coming.”
Feature Image: Mississippi Speed Record
What It Takes To Paddle The Length Of The Mississippi
The fourth-longest river system in the world will take them from the remote and wild headwaters of Minnesota, past towering bluffs in Iowa and rolling hills in Illinois, to the mile-wide stretches in the South.
The risks are many, especially at night: The northern headwaters are the most physically demanding and technical, full of winding turns, rocks, rapids, strainers and portages.
When the river opens up near Minneapolis, the team will encounter locks, dams and potential boat traffic delays.
“Vast is the best way to describe the lower river,” Paul Cox said of the final 1,000 miles.
They hope to paddle 200-mile days through this section, navigating fast water, floodplains and massive ocean-going vessels. These barges carry grain, gravel, gasoline and even rocket ship parts — as seen on one training run when the team passed United Launch Alliance’s RocketShip, which transports rocket components from its Alabama facility.
Image: Mississippi Speed Record
Going Fast And Far Together
The team will abide by a strict schedule while on-board the canoe 24/7.
“When you stretch a race out to this long, it becomes as much about teamwork, logistics, planning and strategy as it does about pure paddling ability, athletics and being in shape,” said Miller.
Miller and his teammates are well versed in what it takes to stage a successful campaign. Each has a resume of long-distance paddling and endurance race accomplishments, including finishing some of the most grueling events like the Great Alabama 650.
For 16 hours of the day, three will paddle while the fourth gets four hours of rest, rotating every four hours. For the remaining eight hours at night, two will paddle while the other two sleep in four-hour shifts.
Without a sleep schedule, “your brain just stops functioning,” said Cox. “It’s a race against the clock, but at the same time you’re trying to stave off as much physical suffering and decline as you can.
Their 23-foot Wenonah Minnesota 4 canoe has been heavily modified, featuring a canopy in the middle for sleeping, a foot-controlled rudder, navigation and running lights, GPS trackers, spray skirts, a bilge pump and, most crucially, cut-outs in the middle two seats to deploy WAG bags.
“It’s almost more pleasant to go in the boat because you can cover yourself and have privacy,” said Miller. “On shore, you’re in a big hurry.”
No Small Roles In A Record Attempt
A support team will follow by boat and on land, resupplying the canoe every 12 hours and communicating with ships, locks and dams.
“It’s overwhelming and humbling that they want to volunteer their time to come out and drive up and down the river in literally Nowheresville,” said Cox.
“Everybody’s got a role to play, everybody’s just as important, and at the end you’ve got great stories to share hopefully for a lifetime,” Cox added. “You create bonds that are pretty unique because you see each other in the good, the bad, the dirty and nasty.”
[ Find Wenonah Canoes fit for an expedition in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
Though there will be suffering, stink and sleep deprivation, Miller and Cox say they look forward to experiencing the river end-to-end.
“It’s so iconic,” said Cox. “I don’t think we can contemplate how important it is to everything, the economy, history. It is special to be paddling something that you have learned about from [when you were] a kid.”
MSR is partnering with 1 Mississippi, a program created to restore and protect the river ecosystem through conservation, cleanups and sustainable agriculture.
The team plans to launch May 7 but will be watching the river closely, waiting for ice-out and ideal water levels.
For all their planning, Miller says success will remain a luck of the draw: “If you have really bad weather or bad water levels, or if you get delayed at a lock for a really long time, that could be the end right there.”
San Diego, CA (May 2nd, 2023) — ISLE, the original surf and SUP manufacturer out of San Diego, California, is excited to announce the creation of an entirely new inflatable watercraft category dubbed Inflatable Hardboards. The new category will debut under the PRO series collection, which will be offered in two models and five sizes of their iconic, bestselling Pioneer and Explorer models.
The PRO series, a breath of fresh air in the SUP and kayak categories, now offers consumers the best of both worlds: the performance of a rigid board with the convenience of an inflatable package. Inflatable Harboards utilize InfinityFiber, a patented, ISLE-exclusive material innovation that makes Inflatable Hardboards 200-300% more rigid than typical inflatables.
The PRO models also incorporate PowerFuse technology, a mechanically fused rail structure in the outer board circumference that decreases potential air leakage, improves maneuverability, and prolongs the board’s lifespan. The solution eliminates common pain points within the inflatable watercraft categories by drastically improving stability, glide, performance and durability.
Photo: Courtesy of ISLE
This unique construction eliminates the commonly experienced ‘taco’ effect of inflatable boards once on the water. By increasing the stability and rigidity, users will notice greater efficiency in paddle strokes, increased glide and speed, and less ‘wobble’ when paddling in choppy water. By drastically improving these performance areas, users will appreciate spending more time on the water with friends and family without fatigue.
Jimmy Blakeney, VP of product, mentioned, “One of the most common questions we get from customers is ‘Should I get a hardboard or an inflatable?’ Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a product that offers the stability and performance of a traditional hardboard with the convenience and portability of inflatable watercraft. The PRO series delivers the best of both worlds, and we’re excited to see how this innovation transforms the industry in the years ahead.”
In line with ISLE’s innovative design considerations, the PRO Series encompasses intuitive, user-centric features across the PRO models and accessories. All boards will feature ISLE’s patent-pending ISLE-Link Ecosystem, a nose-to-tail connection system allowing users to customize their paddle setup to their preference. Easily attach accessories like ergonomically designed kayak seats and footrests to transition from SUP to kayak in mere minutes on the water, or strap down layers, dry packs, and paddle accessories to a preferred location with the gear management system that replaces typical bungee tie-downs.
Other features include a ‘click-and-go’ fin system for easy installation and removal, a two-part folding fin box for more compact storage, a camera mount on the front of the board, and a premium wheelie backpack for effortless transport.
All PRO models, offered in various lengths and widths for preferred stability, performance, speed, and distances on the water, will be sold in bundle options on ISLE’s website, allowing customers to create customized packages for their specific paddling style and needs.
The Pro Series will be available to purchase directly at ISLE today. To learn more, you can visit: islesurfandsup.com.
Pro Series Specifications:
Explorer Pro Series – offered in two models
MSRP: $995, $1095
Length: 12′, 14′
Weight: 23 lbs, 27 lbs
Capacity: 325 lbs, 375 lbs
Pioneer Pro Series – offered in three models
MSRP: $895, $995, $1095
Length: 9′ 6″, 10′ 6″, 11′ 6″
Weight: 20 lbs, 23 lbs, 26 lbs
Capacity: 195 lbs, 325 lbs, 450 lbs
Photo: Courtesy of ISLE
About Isle
ISLE believes life is better in balance, and that creating balance can be as simple as taking your first paddle strokes or catching your first wave. Established in San Diego, California, ISLE is the original surf and SUP company manufacturing products and accessories to keep you balanced, equipped and inspired for adventures on the water.
Since its inception in 2004, the brand has expanded its watersports offerings to include variations of hardtop and inflatable paddleboards, surfboards, hybrid kayaks, paddles, bags, and accessories. Learn more at: https://www.islesurfandsup.com/
Outdoor Retailer’s (OR) summer event is set to take place June 19-21, 2023 after making its return to Salt Lake City at the winter event this past January. As the summer show dates get closer, more news has been trickling out about what the event will hold.
Most recently, the reimagined floor plan was released. OR says this layout was designed to encourage attendees to explore and have an improved shopping experience. The show floor organizes brands by activity, falling under the following categories:
Camp & Hike
Climb
Lifestyle
Overland & Travel
Retail Services
Run & Cycle
Sourcing
Stewardship
Venture Out
Water
Booth space is still available for brands who wish to attend. To date there are 1,197 retail stores and importer/distributors who are registered for OR Summer.
Outdoor Retailer is being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. For everything OR, you can check out their newly redesigned website here.
After 47 years serving paddlers on Canoe Lake in the famed Algonquin Provincial Park, the owners of The Portage Store, Sven and Donna Milgin, were hit with unexpected news. In January of 2023, Ontario Parks announced the Miglins would no longer operate the lease of the Canoe Lake Store concession—the buildings which the outfitting services and restaurant known as The Portage Store ran out of. The next 10-year lease of the buildings would instead be awarded to a larger local business, Algonquin Outfitters.
It was a decision that could have completely shuttered the Miglin’s decades-long service. Instead, it was the first stage of a new venture outside the Park boundary as The Portage Outpost.
The Portage Store’s Journey To The Portage Outpost
The awarding of the lease to Algonquin Outfitters stirred up conversation among the Park’s paddling community, mainly in regards to the consolidation of services available within Algonquin’s boundaries. But, more directly, it was a staggering blow to the Miglins, as the lease on Canoe Lake was the sole location of their business. After Ontario Parks made the announcement, The Portage Store was unsure if they would have a future in outfitting at all.
In an interview with Cottage Life, Sven Miglin shared, “I’ve got 47 years worth of history. My kids were partners in the company and now they’re looking for jobs. It’s pretty stressful.”
In the months since, the story of The Portage Store has taken a new turn.
“Initially, the sentimental aspect and the logistical one were overwhelming simultaneously,” says Vincent Ouimet, co-owner and manager. “The Portage Store was our identity.”
Twenty years ago, Ouimet met and would marry Liana Miglin, Sven and Donna’s daughter. Ouimet joined the family and eventually the family business. 13 years ago, he and Liana became largely responsible for operating the store on Canoe Lake and raised their family around the Park.
When the news of the lease hit, Ouimet explains it was an emotional process to walk through, as they faced the loss of of not only their livelihood and attachments, but also their staff—some of whom worked with them for as long as 40 years. While grieving the loss of the site they had operated for nearly half a century, they had to take on the task of breaking down shop and moving 100 canoes. Not to mention figure out what would come next.
The new digs for The Portage Store. | Photo: Courtesy of The Portage Outpost
An Outfitter’s Search For A New Home
“One of the first things that got us moving forward was realizing ‘Okay, we are all healthy,'” says Ouimet. “Then we started to dissect what really makes us happy at a fundamental level. The answer was engaging with our customers, talking canoe routes with people, and going on outings ourselves.”
With this answer in mind, the family business began searching for new locations outside the Park—one that would check as many boxes as possible when it came to fitting their needs and would allow them to run an operation that would have some semblance of what made The Portage Store special.
“The Portage Store was unique and quirky. Those kinds of places are hard to come by,” Ouimet says. On the flip side, he continues, this was an opportunity to reshuffle the deck and consider new prospects.
The Miglins would find their new location on Highway 60, at a spot referred to as the last stop before Algonquin’s West Gate. With the new site comes a new identity, and so, they are now The Portage Outpost.
Ouimet explains the new location outside the Park will have its own benefits and changes to how they approach their business. They will have a lower cost of operation, which will, in turn, provide value savings to their customers. And they will deliver canoes to access points around the Park for the first time. When it comes to the outfitting side of their business, Ouimet believes the new location will better focus their services.
On a personal level, Ouimet shares he and Liana are excited at the prospect of having a fresh canvas. “We pride ourselves on finding creative ways to serve our customers. When you are in the same place for as long as we were at The Portage Store, it becomes more about maintaining.
“Now it’s flowing naturally. It brings Liana and I back to a time 13 years ago where we have the potential to do this or that. The excitement that comes with a new location. We are bringing a hammer, nails and a bucket of paint.” Both figuratively and literally, Ouimet adds.
Algonquin Park. Photo: Dylan Mcleod / Unsplash
Paddlers Can Expect Some New And Old At The Portage Outpost
The new location will host The Portage Outpost’s guided trips and outfitting services as well as a small retail store with gear you may have forgotten at home. Portage Store regulars will also find some comforts of the old place at the new Portage Outpost, including a piece of machinery Ouimet says they couldn’t part with.
“We kept our espresso machine, because we love espresso. Is there a sound business model to have an espresso bar here?” Ouimet chuckles. “Perhaps not, but it’s a great way to keep people happy.”
Online bookings for backcountry rentals are now open on The Portage Outpost website. Ouimet expects to have outfitting packages online in the coming weeks, and they’ll be offering daily guided tours this summer. Of course, you can always stop by The Portage Outpost to talk routes over a steaming cup of espresso.
Ed Vater, released back into his natural habitat. | Feature photo: Courtesy Branches
For two decades, Ed Vater was the general manager and under-the-radar owner of Branches LLC, the Wisconsin-based manufacturer of Bending Branches and Aqua Bound paddles. Vater joined Branches in 2002, brought it back from the edge of bankruptcy, and quietly purchased the company in 2015.
In April 2022 he sold the business to three members of the company’s leadership team he personally recruited and mentored. We caught up with Vater just after his first post-retirement paddling trip—“Whole trees were getting torn out and floating downriver… We spent a day drinking coffee and telling lies, and when we were able to get on the water it was just ripping”—to get his take on paddlesports after the boom, manufacturing in North America and passing the reins.
Branches’ Ed Vater reflects on 20 years in the business
PB: You could have sold Branches to anyone, but you kept it in the family, so to speak.
EV: I think it’s obvious I could have gotten more by selling it to some outside party, and I would have never lived with myself if some big outfit bought it and hooched it all up and everybody lost their jobs.
Paddlesports is too small an industry for companies to be run inactively. You need somebody with their heart in it. If you’re making pharmaceuticals at 30 percent pre-tax profit, you can be really sloppy and keep it going. But prior to the Pandemic, the average manufacturing company was making three or four percent pretax. If you hooch that up, you’re done.
Passing the torch: Vater with the new Branches ownership team, from left Cory Novinska, Brian Boyea, Vater, and Jason Eccles. | Photo: Courtesy Branches
PB: Would you say that’s the secret sauce at Branches?
EV: I sure think so, but it’s no secret. It’s just whether you actually do it or not. And to me, it starts with the people. There’s kind of a magic to hiring the right people where they’re professionally competent but also enthused about the sport. They can’t just be a lifestyle person. They’ve got to be somebody who can run a business, and who would walk through fire to make it work.
PB: Well it’s working. I read in the release announcing your retirement that Branches is the world’s largest paddle company.
EV: That’s true.
PB: Isn’t there a whole city in China where they make nothing but paddles?
EV: You have to define what market you play in. The low-end paddle that Dick’s Sporting Goods sells is the same paddle that West Marine sells and the same paddle people sell on Amazon. Those guys certainly win on units, but if you look at market share data for any of the specialty retailers—the REIs, the L.L. Beans, any of the 1,200 independents, the Rutabagas—Branches is the dominant player. We’re just not going to make something at $23 and sell it at Walmart.
PB: How have you, as a U.S. domestic manufacturer, managed to reach that scale despite higher costs for labor, materials, overhead and all the rest?
EV: You just have to be differentiated and have something you stand for. And it is going to cost more. I really like Graham [Mackereth] at Pyranha, and if you look at his products, he’s not going to be able to do what Pelican can do. He can never be that cheap, so he’s got to be there on performance, quality features, service integrity, brand strength.
“You can’t spend half an hour talking to somebody about a paddle and then sell it for $23.” — Ed Vater
The biggest challenge for paddling—has been and will continue to be—is the size of the overall market, and whether it’s big enough for quality players to carve out a space. If Branches had to do half its business in $23 paddles, it would no longer exist because the per-unit margin on that stuff is so microscopic. If it just sits on a rack and sells itself, fine. But you can’t spend half an hour talking to somebody about a paddle and then sell it for $23. Now if you carry Branches or Werner and you’re selling a paddle for $350, you can definitely spend the time to get somebody into the perfect product.
PB: Paddling saw a huge influx of new users in the past couple of years. Does that change the calculus?
EV: A million new paddlers bought gear during the Pandemic. Some of them are the most casual of users and there’s no chance of turning them serious. But what percentage are like you and me when we first got exposed and said, “Well, this is fun. We’re going to keep paddling, and we better upgrade our gear.”
Because so many of those people are being dealt with through e-commerce, the retailers know who they are more than ever before. So the question is what kind of outreach as an industry can we do to try to engage those people into being a little bit more hardcore.
I see this short-term challenge: All the brands are so busy dealing with the demand and the supply chain issues and the labor market, and they don’t have the time to think about how to capture and engage these new customers.
PB: So the challenge is also the opportunity?
EV: Yes, and I see that as a challenge especially for folks sourcing largely in Asia. We’ve seen where the Pandemic demand is outrunning supply by a whole bunch and they’re encountering huge delays. By the time the product is finally showing up, the demand is waning. Picture yourself being one of those companies, and all of a sudden another 20 container loads show up. You’ve finally got a lot of inventory right when you don’t need as much inventory.
Ed Vater, released back into his natural habitat. | Feature photo: Courtesy Branches
PB: There’s a risk of overshooting?
EV: It seems inevitable to me. So I think domestic players are a lot stronger because they haven’t had to deal with that. You’re dealing with the increased costs of production here, but during the Pandemic, you were able to score because you weren’t waiting for containers. And after the Pandemic, you’re not going to have millions and millions of dollars of product sitting around and struggling with cash flow.
PB: Final thoughts?
You don’t know the value of an industry until you leave it. I decided to go work at Canoecopia next spring as a volunteer, just to see those really good friends I see maybe twice a year at Canoecopia, the Big Gear Show or overseas in Europe. I didn’t realize how emotional it would be to get out. And then you realize just what a nice industry we have with so many tremendous people in it.
This article was first published in the 2023 issue of Paddling Business. Inside you’ll find the year’s hottest gear for canoeing, kayaking, whitewater and paddleboarding. Plus: Industry leaders on the post-pandemic landscape, 50 years of paddlesports, the rise and fall of ACK and more. READ IT NOW »
Ed Vater, released back into his natural habitat. | Feature photo: Courtesy Branches
Local news station ABC 11 shared the recent undertaking of a team of archaeologists, indigenous community leaders, and volunteers to pull a 1,000-year-old Native American Canoe found in Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina.
According to the news report, a group of teens found the ancient Native American canoe when swimming in the lake outside of Wilmington. Archaeologists collaborated with area members of the Waccamaw Siouan tribe in the process of pulling the canoe from the lake.
In an interview, Waccamaw Siouan Chief Michael Jacobs, shared, “That canoe at 28 feet long would have carried many a brave. We feel like in our heart, it’s a history that we’re still exploring and understanding because this is the first time we’ve had access.”
Dugout canoes have been used around the world for thousands of years. They are a significant part of culture to the Native American tribes of the Southeastern United States.
The dugout canoe found in Lake Waccamaw will be taken to a lab in Greenville, NC for further study and preservation.
This article was first published in the 2023 issue of Paddling Business. Inside you’ll find the year’s hottest gear for canoeing, kayaking, whitewater and paddleboarding. Plus: Industry leaders on the post-pandemic landscape, 50 years of paddlesports, the rise and fall of ACK and more. 
