Confluence Watersports kicked off the 2004 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, held in Salt Lake City with Wilderness Systems being named the 2004 Manufacturer of the Year by Canoe and Kayak magazine. The annual award honors excellence and outstanding achievement in the promotion, sales and service of paddlesports and are voted on by paddlesports industry members themselves.
“We are pleasantly surprised to get the Award after some of the challenges we faced last year in getting all our boats delivered,” stated Confluence's SVP of Marketing and Sales, Kelley Woolsey. “But we have excellent boat designs that sell well, and our sales reps and customer service people do an awesome job for our customers- We want to thank our dealers for their support.”
At the IR Big Guns Show, a video/ photography kayaking contest awards show, Team Wave Sport paddler Tanya Shuman won the American Whitewater Queen of Air competition with a huge pan am on the Ottawa river in the new Wave Sport EZG 42 kayak. In 5 of the 6 award categories Wave Sport athletes placed in the top three.
“This year everyone has stepped it up with huge moves, all stuck clean on the wave or hole and we've moved beyond huge air to crash & flush and into the realm of perfection,” said Jimmy Blakeney, Wave Sport field marketing director and 2003 IR Big Guns King of Air Champion. “Our sport is truly evolving and maturing, and the IR Big Gun Show is an event that fosters this growth.”
At the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Confluence Watersports introduced the new Velocity line of paddles. On the final day of the show Velocity was awarded Best of Show in the OR Daily Magazine.
“This a great first step for the Velocity brand,” said Buff Grubb, brand manager Confluence Watersports.
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Wilderness Systems and Mad River Canoe also garnered Best of Show recognition in the OR Daily Magazine. Wilderness Systems received recognition for its new Duralight plastic, which will lighten the weight of current Wilderness Systems boat designs by 20% or more, and for Phase3 Light, a new generation of the patented seating system Phase3, but without the vertical back adjustment used in Phase3.
Mad River Canoe's IQ2 was also recognized for Best of Show. IQ2 is a fixed seat and vinyl gunwale version of the IQ Modular Gunwale System that gives easy customization of canoe outfitting. With IQ2, an IQ option is now available for all Mad River Canoes, except the Adventure 16 rotomolded canoe.
“We're working every day to improve and knowing that retailers and the industry have responded favorably really gives our people a lift,” said Woolsey. “All their hard work is paying off.”
To determine the winners of the Manufacturer of the Year, Canoe & Kayak mailed ballots to more than 700 retail stores who vote for the two manufacturer awards, while 650 paddlesports/outdoor manufacturers were polled for the retailer award. Retailers were asked to consider the following criteria in making their selection for Manufacturer of the Year: overall promotion of paddlesports (conducting national, regional and local advertising & promotional campaigns, providing co-op advertising opportunities, etc.); innovation in product development and design; providing retailer support and education through clinics, demos, videos, safety instruction, professional rep service, on-time delivery of product; and providing community service & support.
Wilderness Systems had previously won the Manufacturer of the Year award in 1995.
