Kayakers can recycle their old boats at the legendary Gauley Fest this year thanks to a partnership between Jackson Kayak and Patagonia. The goal of the Take Back/Give Back program is to reduce landfill waste and backyard clutter, by recycling and, when possible, reusing old, unused boats.
The program is quite simple. Participants can bring their old boats to a Jackson Kayak trailer set up at Gauley Fest, Sept. 22 – 24 in Summerville, WV. Broken boats will be taken to the Jackson Kayak factory, disassembled, cut up and recycled for use as paving material. Functional boats will be shipped to a developing country where there is a shortage of whitewater boats for instructional programs.
“The goal of distributing boats to developing countries is to create more kayaking enthusiasts who will become river stewards to help protect endangered, exploited and polluted rivers,” said Jackson Kayak founder and president Eric “EJ” Jackson.
In exchange for recycling their kayaks, boaters will receive a long-sleeve Capilene® shirt by Patagonia.
Jackson and his children, Emily and Dane are Patagonia Ambassadors. “We applaud the Jacksons achievements on and off the water and cant wait to see how many boaters take part in this new Take Back/Give Back program,” said Patagonia Athlete Program Coordinator Susie Sutphin.
Jackson said Patagonia’s use of earth-friendly raw materials and environmental advocacy have inspired him to always seek ways to make Jackson Kayak as green as possible. In addition to the Take Back/Give Back program, Jackson Kayak is the first kayak manufacturer to become a member of 1% For the Planet. Jackson donates his company’s one percent of sales to American Whitewater. The mission of AW is to conserve and restore America’s whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.
