Visit Skyview Outdoors at the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show

It's a busy weekend in the lower mainland of British Columbia for a number of our dealers.  The weather forecast does not look great for the next few days so go check them out indoors at the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show and the BC Boat & Sportsmen's Show.  Skyview Outdoors based in Surrey, BC will be at the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show and Western Canoeing and Kayaking based in Abbotsford will be at the BC Boat & Sportsmen's Show.

Vancouver Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show is at the Vancouver Convention Centre 

March 3 & 4.

Hours:

Saturday, March 3, 2012 ~ 10am - 6pm
Sunday, March 4, 2012 ~ 10am - 5pm

Admission:

Admission: $12
Youths 12 - 17: $10
Seniors 60+ : $10
Children under 12: Free

cash only accepted at the door 

For details about the BC Boat & Sportsmen's Show CLICK HERE

Idaho Sportsman Show - Boise, ID

Idaho Sportsman Show/Expo Idaho

March 1 - 4, 2012.
 

Hours: 

Thursday & Friday 5-9 pm

Saturday 11am-9 pm

Sunday 11am-5pm
 

Admission: 

Adults $5

Seniors (62 and older) $4

Children 12 & under free

It's definitely the start of show season across our large territory!  Visit the great folks of Alpenglow Mountainsport at the show this weekend to check out all things paddling. 

 

BC Boat and Sportsmen Show - March 2-4

Check out the BC Boat and Sportsmen Show

Friday March 2nd-Sunday March 4th in Abbotsford, BC at the TRADEX.  

Show Hours 

Friday, March 2nd 12Noon - 9:00pm 

Saturday, March 3rd 9:00am - 6:00pm 

Sunday, March 4th 10:00am - 5:00pm  

Admission 

Adult (17+) $12.00 

Senior (60+) $10.00 

Juniors (6 - 16) $8.00 

Children (5 & Under) FREE 

Family (Max. 2 adults)$30.00 

Western Canoeing and Kayaking, our Jackson Kayak dealer in the lower mainland will be there with our fishing kayaks - the Coosa and the Cuda.  Stop by their booth #133 and sign up for one of their demos days.  First demo day of the season is Saturday March 24th on Mill Lake in Abbotsford.

You might even be lucky enough to run into the Fish Whisperer, Len Zilkowsky our sponsored Jackson Kayak Angler at the Western booth.  Len is full of local angling knowledge and can tell you about his experiences with the Cuda and the Coosa.

Jackson Kayak Cuda Review by Len Zilkowsky

Werner Paddles G.U.I.D.E. training and Werner TV

The sun is out in Chilliwack this morning and while I would like to be out on the water enjoying the cold and DRY weather I did some Werner Paddles G.U.I.D.E. training this morning.

Danny Mongno, Field Marketing Coordinator and Regional Sales Manager at Werner, is the brains behind our G.U.I.D.E. training literature and videos.  This morning Danny "rattled the cookie jar" so to speak and got us thinking about G.U.I.D.E. for the 2012 season and what great new products, selling tips and instructional tools we have.

The #1 tool we have for our customers and our dealers is WERNER TV a fantastic online resource.  Here you can find all sorts of videos specific to product and instruction.  We also include some footage of our athletes and testimonials.

Check out one of our NEW 2012 SUP paddles, the Recreational Fiji, available in a 1 pce. and a 2 pce. adjustable.



Fiji from Werner Paddles on Vimeo.

More videos will be added to our selection soon.

If you have any suggestions for video topics please email me at nikki@rekman.ca

UPDATED - 2/28 - Samples and Demos for Sale

UPDATED - 2/28/12 8:16PM

1 x Werner Tybee FGIM 2 pce. standard shaft 215cm $60.00

1 x Werner Premium Shuna 2 pce. BENT small shaft 210cm (orange) $200.00

1 x Werner Performance Little Dipper BENT small shaft 220 (carbon) $189.00

1 x Kokatat OutFit PFD Medium Cobalt $70.00

1 x Kokatat OutFit PFD XL Cobalt $70.00

1 x Kokatat MsFit PFD Medium Mango $70.00

1 x Kokatat MsFit Tour PFD Large Glacier $40.00

1 x Kokatat Southwester Hat (beige) $5.00

1 x Seals Splash Deck (fits 1.2-4.2) - brand new $25.00

1 x North Water Paddlefloat w/counter balance $15.00

1 x North Water cockpit cover $5.00

1 x North Water Canoe Thwart Bag $20.00

1 x Footprint for MSR Elbow Room 3 tent $15.00

1 x Set of tent poles for MSR Elbow Room 3 $25.00

2 x Collapsible Sea to Summit Bowls (blue) $5.00 each

1 x Patagonia Expedition Weight Capilene Long Sleeve Top Large (blue) $10.00

1 x Patagonia Expedition Weight Bottoms Large (black) $10.00

1 x Patagonia Expedition Weight Long Sleeve Top 3/4 zip XL (black) $10.00

1 x Patagonia Capilene Bottoms Large (black) $5.00

1 x Patagonia Capilene Bottoms Medium (black) $5.00

1 x Men's Brooks Ankle Neoprene Booties size 9 (black/gray) $5.00

1 x Outdoor Research Goretex Ball Cap (blue) - brand new $15.00

Contest for our dealers floor staff STARTS TODAY!

Every staff member that signs up to follow this blog will have their name put in a draw to receive a schwag package from one of my manufacturers (Jackson Kayak dealers will get schwag from JK, Werner dealers will get schwag from Werner and Kokatat dealers will get schwag from Kokatat etc.)

The blog is active and it will be a place for staff to learn about new and existing products, events, selling tips, etc.  Don’t forget to email us within a week or two of your events and we will promote those too.

Staff can double their chances by also LIKING the NikkiRekman Sales Facebook Page.

To make sure we get your name in the draw leave us a message here or on our FB page!

Good luck. Contest closes March 15, 2012.

Werner Paddles Responds to Growing Number of Kayak Anglers

Werner Paddles announced yesterday that they are making their best-selling, high angle Tybee Recreational Kayak paddle available in lengths up to 250cm.  In fact, ALL of their straight shaft high angle touring paddles will be available in lengths up to 250cm.

The Tybee has been selling well to kayak anglers but for some who are paddling the Jackson Kayak Coosa or Cuda with their comfortable elite hi-lo seat in the high position, they are requesting a longer length paddle.

The Tybee is available in FGIM (fiberglass injection molded) and CFIM (carbon injection molded) for more information contact your local dealer or leave me a message here!

Western Canadian Kayak Fishing Team

Kayak Angling is a growing concern here in Western Canada and we are committed to being a part of the excitement and the growth.

Nikki Rekman Sales with help from Jackson Kayak, Kokatat Watersports Wear and Werner Paddles have created a Western Canadian Kayak Fishing Team.  Currently we are working with two anglers, Stephen Laurie (Calgary, AB) and Len Zilkowsky (Chilliwack, BC).  Both anglers are very active in their angling communities both on the water and online.

Online you can find them on the Canadian Kayak Anglers forum under fishnhound and fishwhisperer as well as on their blogs http://fishnhound.canadiankayakanglers.com and www.thefishwhisperer.ca

Steve is busy heading up the Eastlope Kayak Fishing Classic which will be on June 23rd at Glennifer Lake, AB and Len is prepping for the Kayak Fishing Seminar at Western Canoeing and Kayaking in Abbotsford, BC on March 16th at 7PM.

Both anglers will be fishing in their areas a lot this season so if you are out on the water, feel free to take their Jackson Kayak Coosa's and Cuda's for a paddle!!!

Steve

Len

Stay tuned as we hope to feature additional anglers both in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Wild Coast Publishing Announces New Book and New Waterproof Maps

We have been working with Wild Coast Publishing for quite some time now selling their recreational maps.  Currently they have six (6) maps available and three (3) are being re-printed this Spring on waterproof paper.

North Coast Trail $9.95 retail (non-waterproof)

Broughtons/Johnstone Strait $9.95 retail (non-waterproof)

Gulf Islands $9.95 retail (non-waterproof)

Waterproof Maps available May 1

Broken Group/Barkley Sound $11.95 retail
Clayoquot Sound/Nootka $11.95 retail
Desolation Sound $11.95 retail

 Also available in early May is the The BC Coast Explorer and Marine Trail Guide, Volume 1.  This new book will replace what many of you know as The Wild Coast Volume 1 : A Kayaking, Hiking and Recreational Guide for North and West Vancouver Island.  We are currently accepting pre-orders and the book will retail for $34.95.

Email us today at nikki@rekman.ca to place your pre-order for maps and books.

http://www.coastandkayak.com/orderonline/index.html

Werner Paddles Gets Behind SUP Events in the West

I'm thrilled to announce that Werner Paddles is sponsoring some premier SUP events in Western Canada in 2012!

Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Tuesday Night Race Series starting April 10th
Tour de Indian Arm May 20th
Board the Fjord SUP Race September 16th

Kalavida Surf Shop's Kal Classic June 23rd and 24th on beautiful Kalamalka Lake in Vernon, BC 

Contact Deep Cove and Kalavida today for more information and to register!

A great opportunity for you to demo the new Grand Prix SUP Racing Paddle along with all of our other fantastic SUP paddles.

Jackson Kayak Journey Series

Check out this awesome overview of the Jackson Kayak Journey Series done by Jason Self and the crew at Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak in Portland, OR

The Journey is available in a 13.5' and 14' version.  The best-in-class for Day/Light Touring!!!

Demos are available to try out at your local dealer or if you are in the Chilliwack, BC area drop me a line and we'll get on the water with you!

Kokatat CUSTOM Drysuits

Kokatat is known around the world for the best performing and best quality drysuits.  Did you know that we do custom drysuits?  This is a significant benefit to choosing a Kokatat drysuit over another manufacturer - we can build a suit that is just for YOU!

A few things to note, we can lengthen or shorten the following on your custom drysuit:

Sleeves:

WS, SM, WM, WXLS = + or - 1”
MD, WL = + or - 1” or 2”
LG, XL, XXL = + or - 1”, 2” or 3”

Torso:
SM = + 1”
MD, LG, XL, XXL = + or - 1”
* No torso adjustment on women’s dry suits
* No torso shortening on GME or TME

Rise:
WS = - 1”
SM, WM, MD, WL, LG, XL, XXL = + or - 1”
* No rise adjustment to GORE-TEX® dry suits

Inseam:
WS, SM, WM, WXLS = + or - 1”
MD, WL = + or - 1” or 2”
LG, XL, XXL = + or - 1”, 2” or 3”

We can also add a Men's lowered relief zipper to women's drysuits, add sleeve pockets, reflective tape and even suspenders.

Is there a special colour you like in our line up of GORE-TEX® fabrics?  We can give you the colour you want too!

Contact your local dealer for pricing information and our website to see stock sizing information.

Paddle into Nilkitkwa Lake Photos

Here are some photos from our paddle into the cabin on Nilkitkwa Lake.  The wintery surroundings suggest the temperatures are colder than they are, we were fortunate and it was only -1 Celcius on the paddle in.  The water was super clear and we could see lots of salmon skeletons at the bottom of the river.


Getting the canoe down to the water.



Loaded up and ready to go!

 


Our fellow winter travellers appreciated the canoe as we were able to pack in all the heavy items like food and beverages while they snowshoed into the cabin.

Mark enjoying himself in the stern!

Paddling out was a little more work as we paddled against the current to get back to Fort Babine but again so worth it.



Mama Moose and her Calf at the rivers edge

This is the snowiest paddle we have ever done and the plan is to head back this summer and paddle from Tukii Resort on Lake Babine down Rainbow Alley and into Nilkitkwa Lake.  This will be about 20 miles so we will camp out one night en route - looking forward to that trip already.



All buddled up!





Sunset from the cabin

Night time view from the cabin from the lake

Traditional group shot before heading out

Tiffiny, Peter and Melaney - where's Waldo aka. Mark





The End of an Era

It is with sadness this morning that I respond to the rumours that Boreal Design has filed for bankruptcy. Truth be told I can't officially confirm or deny these rumours because I have not heard anything myself. What I do know is that working for Boreal as their Western Canadian and Pacific Northwest Sales Rep was one of the highlights of my career. I am saddened knowing that 45+ people will be out of work, some of whom I have worked with daily for the last 3 years. www.borealdesign.com

Paddling in Northern BC

Tomorrow morning I am headed up to Smithers, BC, recently made famous on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart when actor Liam Neeson was a guest.  Neeson filmed his recent project, The Grey in the beautiful northern town.

Smithers is home to two of my oldest, university friends, Ron and Tiffiny as well as my good friend, Susan Smith owner of Aquabatics. 

We are going to mix a little business with pleasure by visiting Aquabatics and paddling into a remote cabin on Nilkitkwa Lake http://g.co/maps/tdrse

I honestly did not think we could paddle up there at this time of the year where the average 24 hr. temperatures are: -8.5 Celsius/16.7 Fahrenheit but local knowledge says we should be able to put in at Fort Babine and paddle down Rainbow Alley into Nilkitkwa Lake.  I am super excited and we've got the gear!  I'll be suiting up in my Kokatat Goretex Whirlpool Bibs and Paclite Anorak while Mark will be, in his Tempest Pants and Paclite Full Zip.

We'll bring our camera so we can post some photos of our adventure in the wintery north!

There is a ton of stuff to do in the Smithers area and while I am not much of a skier, their snow is worldclass!  Don't forget to check out the Eddyline Bistro when shopping at Aquabatics.  It's the newest cafe in town to find great coffee, delicious food and good people.

Welcome to Smithers sign!  I suspect we will see more white stuff!