Jo Holahan and Connee Wilson of Cazenovia came to Paddlefest for classes- Paddle Like a Girl, Kayaking 101 and Easy Paddling for All Skill Levels
Last weekend’s Paddlefest 2013 was another resounding success with the event’s big sellers being standup paddle boards (SUPs), lightweight kayaks, rack systems for cars and super lightweight paddles, according to John Nemjo, owner of Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company.
Nemjo was pleased that his new nine foot lightweight canoe, “The Adirondack Passage”, sold very well at the show. He said it rivals Hornbeck’s “Lost Pond” boat.
“Hurricane kayaks, Warner paddles and Wilderness Systems kayaks also proved especially popular,” Nemjo said.
Luy Lindeyer and Skip Taylor pose with a line of Swift kayaks. Photos by Wende Carr
The manufacturer reps love coming to this show, according to Nemjo, because of the setting and the fact that it’s one of the few where folks can test paddle the boats.
“They go to a lot of shows in auditoriums in big cities, but this is where paddle sports happen,” Nemjo said. “They love coming here.”
Many of the folks who come to work at Paddlefest go out for paddles themselves in the evenings.
Customers at Paddlefest came from as far away as Maine, Canada and England.
One vendor representing K-racks, a kayak loading system from Australia, made his initial contact with the U.S. market at Paddlefest this year. Nemjo expects to become a distributor of his products.
He said it’s not the first time Paddlefest has seen the debut of international companies’ gear in the U.S.
“Folks were jazzed to be here! It’s contagious,” said Mike Farmer, Director of Tourism. “The company representatives here for Paddlefest are a really fun group who enjoy the crowds. They’re of the same ilk, and it carries the day. The way Mountainman staff runs it, it’s conducive to comradery. It’s really well run.”
Nemjo extended his thanks to all Paddlefest partners, businesses all around town who supported the event and had signs up indicating that fact.
“We appreciate the support of all the local businesses who help us put on the event. That’s what makes it work,” he said, “the restaurants, hotels and shops who make the vendors and customers happy and give them a whole weekend of things to do.”
Nemjo thanked the Town of Webb whose staff have allowed the event for 15 years. He hopes to hold Paddlefest for another 15+ years. He also extended a big thanks to Subaru for supporting Adirondack Paddlefest for 15 years.
