Sea to Summit, the maker of backpacking and adventure travel gear,  has created a Water Sports Division with Josh Simpson as its new manager. In 2007, Sea to Summit North America expanded its offering of water sports gear as the exclusive distributor of SPT Lockable Tie Down Straps and Traction, manufacturers of kayak/canoe storage systems, to the existing range of Sea to Summit dry bags and related paddling gear.

Sales for the company in this category have grown substantially during the previous two years. Andrew Dunbar, president of Sea to Summit, sees even greater potential in the future.

“We have some unique products to offer to paddle and surf retailers with the same powerful merchandising story that gained us so much market share with outdoor retailers. Josh brings significant personal business experience to our team as an owner and operator of a paddling store during his previous 7 years in Australia. He is the perfect choice to grow these brands with paddling and surf retailers because he’s been in their shoes,” Dunbar said.

Simpson co-founded Traction in 2006 with Simon Ilsley in Melbourne, Australia where he was based before relocating to Boulder. Simpson will continue his role as a principal in Traction conducting that company’s international sales and marketing operations from Boulder.