Untitled Document

Canoeing

	Extreme Sea Kayak World Mourns Loss of Eric Soares
	The extreme sea kayaking world lost one of its most ardent pioneers with the recent passing of Eric Soares, a founding member of California’s Tsunami Rangers, a kayaking club specializing in big-wave feats along the rocky California coast. Soares died unexpectedly on Feb. 1 at age 58... Read more.

	Pelican Unveils 12 New Boats for 2012
	Pelican International is adding 12 new models to its line-up this year, including six new kayaks and three SUPs... Read more.

Freya Hoffmeister South America Circumnavigation Update ("It was the worst decision-making mistake of my life...")

In 2009 Freya Hoffmeister—a 46-year-old former sky diver, gymnast, marksman, and Miss Germany contestant—paddled alone and unsupported 9,420 miles around Australia, breaking Paul Caffyn’s record set 27 years earlier. Now she’s at it again, this time nearly 150 days into her expedition to circumnavigate South America alone and unsupported. Click on for clips from her blog, which include surviving three brutal days on a deserted pile of rock called Isla Deceit while scratching her way to Cape Horn... Read more.

Turk, Boomer Earn Nat'l Geo Adventurers of Year Award

Finally, some accolades for all those walrus attacks, kayak-dragging, freezing temps and kidney failures. After completing the first successful circumnavigation of Ellesmere Island this summer, kayakers Jon Turk and Erik Boomer have been recognized as National Geographic Adventurers of the Year for 2012. And you, as paddlers, can vote to help them win the coveted People’s Choice award... Read more.

	Emotion Kayaks Sold to Lifetime Products
	In the latest merger news in paddlesports, Emotion Kayaks of Pennsylvania has been sold to Lifetime Products of Clearfield, Utah. PL checks in with Emotion founder Tom Strauss for the lowdown... Read more.

	Cuba Shines at 2011 Pan-American Games
	The Cuban Team finished on top of the medals table with nine medals, including four Golds, while the Canadians grabbed seven medals at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Led by Carrie Johnson with two golds, Team USA claimed the third position on the medals table, earning two starting positions at the London 2012 Olympic Games... Read more.

	Basque, UK Shine at World Surf Kayak Champs
	The U.S. might be slaying it in the stand-up surf scene with the likes of Slater Trout, but when it comes to surf kayaking, Basque Country and the UK are barreling to the top of the line-up -- and podium. That’s how things played out, at least, at this year’s World Surf kayaking Championships, which recently wrapped up at North Carolina’s Outer Banks.... Read more.

	NOC Opens New Store in Asheville
	In a sign that the paddlesports retail world is, if not riding a wave at least creating ripples, on October 22 the Nantahala Outdoor Center opened the doors of its groundbreaking experiential retail and outdoor activity concept shop, NOC Asheville, inside Asheville, N.C.'s The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa.... Read more.

	2011 Whitewater Hall of Fames Inductees Honored
	The International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHOF) moved to the banks of the South Fork American River Oct. 14-16 to honor members of the Class of 2011, including this year’s inductees: Explorer - Richard Bangs (USA); Champion - JP Burny (Belgium); and Advocate - Oliver Cock (UK)... Read more.

	Zimmerman Leaves Legacy
	Legacy Paddlesports LLC announced today that Andy Zimmerman has decided to leave the company to pursue other interests.... Read more.

	The Ultimate Compliment
	Sure, Budweiser just named EJ an ambassador for its Budweiser American Ale. But does he have a beer named after him? The late Ed Lewis, a mild-mannered canoeist from the Midwest, has even EJ the Olympian beat. His moniker’s on a malted beverage... Read more.

	Metro-Vac Debuts New Rapid-Deployment Pumps
	Perfect for Inflatable Kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboards, Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Company of Suffern, New York, has introduced a new generation of rapid-deployment Magic-Air Electric Inflator/Deflators. Read more.