The Global Paddling Community

For 2012, AT is ready to give back to the industry with a number of national sponsorships and donations

Wilderness Systems is teaming up with three major national media outlets for a high-profile angling sponsorship package developed by The Heliconia Press.

On April 8th Matthew White and Skye Marchesi will depart on a sail assisted kayak expedition from Olympia, WA, to Glacier Bay, Alaska through the Inside Passage, with hopes to raise $100,000 for the Seattle area YMCA Camp Orkila.

Kokatat, the leading US manufacturer of technical apparel and accessories for water sports, is pleased to announce its support of OAR Northwest, an ocean adventure rowing and adventure education organization, based in Seattle, WA. OAR Northwest will be using Kokatat gear during its upcoming expeditions: a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island and Atlantic Ocean crossing.

Kokatat, the leading US manufacturer of technical apparel and accessories for water sports, donated over $20,000 in product to the local Arcata, CA organization Disabled Adventure Outfitters (DAO), for use in its watersports programs for people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

The “First Family of Kayaking” is set to compete for berths on the men’s and women’s Olympic kayaking teams at the USA Canoe/Kayak National Team Trials in Charlotte N.C., April 15-17.

New talent from every corner of the industry joins the team.

2012 Team Wave Sport is more well-rounded and experienced than ever before

Andrew Holcombe will again serve as Team Manager.

Canada’s largest whitewater festival returns to Petawawa - May 11 to 13 Petawawa, ON March 1, 2012 – Now in its fourth year, the Hell or High Water Weekend, presented by Ottawa Paddleshack. has grown to become the largest whitewater event in the country. Held from May 11 to 13, this year's event has added dragon boat races on the flat water of the Ottawa River, and is expected to draw close to 1000 participants. Bringing together multiple whitewater disciplines, on a challenging course, the event has grown rapidly in popularity. Unique to the Hell or High Water event, the raft race allows even inexperienced rafters to test their mettle against some of the best teams in the country, and learn more about whitewater paddlesports in the process. Jon Booren, a three-year participant and member of the top competitive Canadian raft team attests to the quality of the event, noting that in particular “It is an awesome event. Hell or High Water really provides a great venue for our sport. It brings new people out to experience whitewater. It is delivered in a safe environment, but it still provides plenty of excitement, and spectators are...

Final opportunity for paddlers from the Continent to qualify for the Olympic Games. Lausanne, Switzerland February 1, 2012 – This weekend Ash River, Bethlehem in South Africa will host the 2012 African Canoe Slalom Championships. The event which is organized by Canoeing South Africa takes place from 3 – 4 February and will also serve as an Olympic Qualifier; it will be the final opportunity from which canoe slalom paddlers from Africa will be able to qualify for the Olympic Games in London this summer.

Pelican Announces 2012 Line-up: Adds Nine New Kayaks LAVAL, QUEBEC, January 30, 2012 –Pelican International, the world leader in boating innovation, continues to respond to the growing popularity of water sports by introducing products tailored to an increasing number of market segments. This year, with the addition of several new models, including six new kayaks and three Sups, to its well established line of kayaks, fishing boats, pedal boats, stand-up paddle boards and canoes, Pelican truly offers something for everyone. Whether for a day of family fun on the water, a romantic sunset paddle, or a trek to a favorite fishing spot, Pelican has the ideal model to suit every boater’s needs, skill level and budget.

Encinitas CA ( January 25, 2011) Boardworks announced today that 17 year old SUP phenom, Slater Trout, has signed on to join the Boardworks Elite Team for 2012. “We are so stoked to have Slater join our team. He is such an amazing athlete and ambassador for the sport and a great friend of the Boardworks family as well. With the new Slater Trout Infinity SUP models we are introducing for 2012, having Slater on the team makes perfect sense. We look forward to a fantastic year. We are also in the beginning phases of creating a Slater Trout paddle line - stay tuned,” commented Boardworks owner Mike Fox. "It's a great feeling to be part of the Boardworks family, I'm looking forward to the future. I believe the boards that will be coming out are going to be the next level and raise the bar with their T.E.C (Thermal Epoxy Compression) technology," added Slater.

Confluence Watersports is now operating in full from its new campus in Greenville, S.C. The move into the consolidated facility enables the company to optimize its growth plan and offer a new, enhanced environment for its employee community.