Liquidlogic Kayaks and the Outdoor Retail Show 2009

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

The Outdoor Retail show is the biggest week of my year as far as work goes.  Its this week that all my projects from the year need to be ready for all our dealers to see.  This year I was busy.  I noticed I hadn't posted in several months and its this show that has kept me as busy as I could possibly be.

This year I did three new designs, which isn't a huge number.  All three designs were boats I had never done on my own before.  I designed two sit on top kayaks, a stand up paddle board design, and we developed all the accesories for those boats as well as a new throw rope that is really cool. 

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

This is the stand up paddle board called the Versa Board.  Its a cross between a sit on top and a stand up board.  Its so stable anyone can jump on it and go and it is a great platform for all kinds of fun.  The fishermen are stoked on it because you can trick it out for fishing.  Including a swivel seat that rotates 360 degrees.  I am stoked because I am going to go out and paddle with a dog or two on it with me.

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

This is the sit on top called the Coupe.  Its a 10 foot sit on top with handling characteristics of the Remix XP.  So its just as at home on the lake as it is in class 2 whitewater.  It has a drop down skeg that tracks it out nicely and a Remix XP hull to deal with a little whitewater.

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

This is the tandem version of the Coupe 10.  Its called the Deuce Coupe.  Again its based on the Remix XP but in a tandem version.  Its a very easy tandem to paddle.  Most tandems are tough to turn or handle in tighter spots but this one is very maneuverable with the skeg up.  Then all you have to do is drop the skeg and it tracks like a dream for longer flat water travel.

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

This is a really nice touring boat that Native designs came out with.  Its called the Inuit.  There are three sizes fitting a wide range of paddler sizes and skill levels.  The 12.5 is great as an entry level light touring boat and the 13.5 and 14.5 are sized models of a slightly higher performance light touring boat.

The way the show works is the first day is a demo on the beach so all the different retail shops can try out all the new product or familiarize themselves with a line they may pick up.  It is total chaos.  At the demo there were something like 30 or more different boat or board companies.  The beach was packed and the water was covered with people trying everything out.  Its actually pretty hilarious.  Not everyone came away dry I will just leave it at that.  With that many people on the water at the same time someone was bound to crash.

The next four days is full of meetings and presentations of new and existing product to current dealers and future hopeful dealers.  Its a cool show for me because this is the one chance I get to meet all the dealers that sell our stuff.  They all come through to check it out and I get to talk with them about the concepts and ideas behind all the designs.

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

Here is the entrance to our room.  Kind of fancy.  Especially after I have been spending most of the last couple months in the shop completely covered in dust.

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

Folks checking out the new Liquidlogic Stuff.  Including the new Liquidlogic throw bag.  We are calling it the speed loader.  Its the first throw bag that opens up like this to make it super easy to load.  Then it compresses down to a small packing size that still throws while compressed.  Simple design but it works and makes it all sooo much easier to deal with.

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

This is the Mariner series.  Its a sit on top that can actually be paddled, peddled, motored or sailed.

Not recommended for running waterfalls though.  If you goose the motor or peddle too hard you may land flat off of tall drops.

From 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

The new Inuit series was a big hit with the dealers.  They had been looking for us to do a day touring  boat for a while and I think we nailed it on this one.  We also fitted it out with outfitting like the whitewater boats so they are all day comfortable.

We had an awesome show with lots of excitement for the coming year.  We don't have any more info up on the new product yet on our webpage but we will.  I will try to fill you in more as well.

Keep your eyes open at http://liquidlogickayaks.com for news on all our stuff.

Cheers

Shane