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Welcome
to
the 2016
All PADDleSPoRtS BUYeRS GUIDe
New trends, new products, new concepts, new companies. Does that ring a bell? That is what visitors find each year at the annual international rendez-vous of the Paddlesports professionals, PADDLEexpo. What began as a slogan has become a fact: “PADDLEexpo is the place to be.” The goal of this guide is to reflect what paddling enthusiasts got to see at this year’s show.
The 2015 PADDLEexpo was full of energy and innovation, creating a feast for all manner of paddlesports fanatics. From green orientated production processes to new fabrics, new companies and new countries represented, this year’s show was solid proof that the paddlesports industry is very much alive and kicking!
This year, the growing geographic diversity of both visitors and exhibitors (companies that produce kayaks, paddles, and equipment) was particularly noticeable. Paddlesports is truly a global phenomenon.
Also impressively demonstrated once again this year is the exceptional versatility of the paddlesport industry. Our sport attracts, and retains, athletes, designers and enthusiasts because no one has to fit into a single mold. There is plenty of room to pursue new avenues and interests while still remaining in the world of paddlesports. Kayak anglers, SUP surfers, extreme whitewater kayakers, and bird watchers in canoes all share a passion for exploring the water. With so many disciplines available, paddlesports hold appeal for every age, interest and skill level, making it a key player in the outdoor sports arena.
The incredible number of downloads and online views for the Buyers Guide last year (over 185,000!), in addition to the 30,000 copies printed, is a confirmation that we are on the right track – that this guide answers the needs of those like you, and us, who love getting out on the water with all the right gear to suit our skill level, our location, and most importantly, our passion. Some have even dubbed it the ‘paddlesports bible’!
So, here it is gear addicts, the 2016 All Paddlesports Buyers Guide. The awaited annual collection of all the products available on the market is now out - in print and digital format and at no cost to you!
Thanks to those folks at PADDLEexpo, this guide gathers 700+ products and, whether you are a newcomer to paddlesports or an expert, it is your annual fix for dream gear.
Enjoy.
The 2016 Buyers Guide is a special issue of Kayak Session magazine (0720k83428 - ISSN 1638-0177) edited by Kayak Session Publishing. Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Philippe Doux - Philippe@kayaksession.com Buyers Guide Editor: Martina Wegman. Assistant to the editor: Debbie Tencouleur - Art Director: Joseph Florian. Copy editor: Alisa Royem - Contributing photographers: Peter Lintner - Contributing Writers: Woody Callaway, Mark Deming, Corran Addison, Craig Jones, Benoit Treguilly, Pete Astles, Angela Greenwell - Advertising & Editorial office: Kayak Session, 1 rue des Rivières 69009 Lyon France +33-(0)472-198-797 tel, info@kayaksession.com. (Free Supplement to Kayak Session #56 - cannot be sold seperately).
Warning: The activities shown in Kayak Session carry a risk of personal injury or death. Whitewater kayaking, and others outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. The owners, management, and staff of Kayak Session recommend you do not participate in these activities without first seeking qualified instruction and/or guidance, understanding the risks involved, and personally assuming all responsibility for those risks. Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or Publishers. References to waters do not necessarily imply that access or passage is legally permitted or that they are safe in all conditions. The editor and/or publishers cannot be held responsible for any omissions of references to hazards from notes on these waters. They do not necessarily support advertising claims nor do they hold themselves responsible for inadequacies in items of equipment reviewed here.
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PADDLE-EXPO 2016 BUYERS GUIDE