Winners of the third annual Outdoor Inspiration Awards presented by Adidas Outdoor were honored Jan. 24 at an awards ceremony during Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. The awards recognize individuals, groups and companies that motivate others to become active in the outdoors through their moving stories of personal achievement and an unending passion for the outdoors.
The 2013 winners are: Bill Sweasy, CEO, Red Wing Shoe Company, in the individual category; The Sierra Club, Mission Outdoors Volunteers and Soldiers to Summits for the group category; and Outdoor Afro and Suunto for the company category.
Every winner is playing an integral role in showcasing the importance of outdoor activity, said Greg Thomsen, managing director for Adidas Outdoor North America. In their own way, theyve inspired others to experience the outdoors, and in many cases, changed lives forever. Sharing their experiences has made a significant difference for those they impacted and we are all grateful for their contributions to our community.
Fred Beckey, 90, iconic mountaineer and author, was presented with a special Lifetime Achievement award. Beckey completed more first ascents than any other human and has been a legendary figure in the world of mountaineering for more than 70 years.
Bill Sweasy, an avid skier and mountaineer, was awarded the individual award for his long time involvement in outdoor advocacy and with the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center (RW-ELC), a non-profit organization started by his father in 1970. RW-ELCs major premise is to provide opportunities for young people to develop an appreciation for the environment and outdoor recreation.
The Sierra Club, Mission Outdoors Volunteers represent over 6,000 individuals that donate their time encouraging Americans to go outdoors. Since the clubs first local outing in 1901, volunteers have shared their love of nature, outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship with countless participants.
Soldiers to Summits (S2S) is a powerful program that uses mountain climbing to help injured veterans recover from the wounds of war. In S2S, mountains serve as both metaphor and training ground for stretching goals, building world-class teams, innovating through adversity and stepping up to lead and serve others. The program integrates with the rehab process and helps soldiers restructure how they approach their past and future.
Suunto has been an industry leader in innovative, functional outdoor sports instruments especially designed for adventurers for over 76 years. Suuntos Ambit GPS watch is the only GPS watch that can be adjusted to consumers evolving needs. With this watch, athletes build their own apps to measure distance and speed to more specific measurements like heart rate and pressure. The Suunto Ambit is the first ever GPS watch combining the advanced training and heavy duty outdoor features.
Outdoor Afro reconnects African-Americans with natural spaces and one another through recreational activities such as camping, hiking, biking, birding fishing, gardening, and skiing. The organization uses social media to create interest and to partner with regional and national organizations that support diverse participation in the great outdoors.
“Ive climbed a few Beckey classics, and he stands tall in the annals of American climbing, said Kenji Haroutunian, vice president and group show director for Outdoor Retailer. He has inspired me and thousands of climbers to push the edges of adventure. Ive also had the pleasure of climbing with Bill, so Im personally honored, and on behalf of Outdoor Retailer, proud to be part of this celebration of inspiration. Recognizing exceptional leadership and the adventurous spirit is an important initiative in the industry, and the award winners stories will be told (and embellished) for years to come.
