Werner Blog

Werner Paddles Changes Canadian Rep Force

Werner Paddles has announced additions to their rep force and changes to their rep structure.  Effective July 1, Western Canada will be serviced by Nikki Rekman and Eastern Canada will be serviced by Mark Scriver. 

“Nikki and Mark are both experienced Canadian paddlers and sales reps.  Most dealers and industry folk consider them to be two of the finest reps servicing Canada today.  They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will enhance Werner Paddles presence in Canada and enrich our total Sales Team.” says Doug Ragan, Sales Director for Werner.

Mark Scriver: SUPing 

Nikki and Mark will remain independent reps adding Werner to their other fine lines including Kokatat, Boreal Kayaks, and Esquif Canoes. Nikki began her career 15 years ago in retail. Later working in the manufacturing sector as the Sales & Operations Manager at North Water Rescue & Paddling Equipment and now represents several prominent brands in paddlesports.  “Nikki has a great history in promoting paddlesports through her work with the Trade Association of Paddle Sports and as former Director of the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium; she bring a big picture view to the industry and our dealers needs,” says Jim Miller, Werner’s Marketing Manager. Mark Scriver has been in the paddlesports industry since 1980 as an instructor, guide, boat designer, author, retail paddlesports buyer and manufacturers sales representative. He has competed internationally for Canada in whitewater freestyle and Open Canoe slalom and helped organize, local and international competitions. He enjoys all aspects of paddling from canoeing to sea kayaking, to SUP.

 Nikki Rekmann: Canoeist Extraordinaire

In other Werner rep news; Danny Mongno will now service Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Danny is one of the most experienced and well respected paddle sport reps in the industry and has covered the Northeast for Werner with great success as well as handling Mid-west Field Marketing for a number of years. 

“We look forward to our new representation in Canada and the changes in the upper mid-west, to bring an even greater level of service and support to our dealers in these areas,” says Jim Miller.

Werner Paddles is the leading manufacturer of high quality kayak, canoe, and stand up paddles, operating near the banks of the Skykomish River in Sultan, WA. For more information call 800.275.3311 or visit us at www.wernerpaddles.com

Werner Paddles Listens to Dealers: New 2010 “Go to Dealer” Strategy

Werner Paddles has created their most flexible “go to dealer” strategy to date.
Werner has a three pronged strategy for reaching out to their dealers with 2010 pre-season program information.  They will host a web based conference call, create a DVD and have their dedicated rep force visit with dealers in person; all in an effort to communicate the new 2010 product, programs and support.

“In light of our decision not to attend Summer Outdoor Retailer, we thought about how best to serve our dealers.  We want dealers to have access to all of the same information they would receive at a sit down meeting with us, in an environment and time frame that meets their needs,” says Jim Miller, Werner Paddles Marketing Manager. 

Werner will deliver a series of web based conferences for their US and Canadian Dealers the week of July 13, 2009. The conference will cover the 2010 product line; including additions and changes, program, pricing, marketing and rep support. For those dealers who can not attend one of the scheduled “live” conferences, Werner will archive the presentations on their Dealer Resource web site.
Additionally, Werner will mail a DVD with their pre-season program covering much of the same material. This will ship the week of July 20th, 2009.

“We are making a concerted effort for our reps to hit the road and visit dealers in person.  We are trying to be sensitive to the message that was delivered to us from our dealers. They told us; ‘We want more information, in a more flexible format and in a more flexible time frame,’  Our strategy to reach our dealers with our 2010 information meets these needs,’ says Miller.

Werner Paddles is the leading manufacturer of high quality kayak, canoe, and stand up paddles, operating near the banks of the Skykomish River in Sultan, WA. For more information call 800.275.3311 or visit us at www.wernerpaddles.com

Canoecopia Sales & Attendance Indicates Strong Paddlesports Category

Kayak, canoe and paddling accessories manufacturers attended Canoecopia, the worlds largest consumer paddlesports show, March 13-16, 2009.  “At Werner Paddles we look to early season sales in Florida and consumer events hosted by Mountain Man, Rutabaga, Jersey Paddler and Kittery Trading Post as key indicators for the upcoming season.  If the 2009 early season trend holds true, consumers are out there ready to spend,” says Jim Miller Werner Paddles Marketing Manager.  Both traffic and dollars were up at this year’s Canoecopia.

Here is what a few manufacturers had to say:

“We were very pleased. Overall, Canoecopia was a really good show for us.  We were busy the whole time and we sold more dry suits this year over last year.” - Michael Duffy, Director of Sales and Marketing for Kokatat.

“There was a lot of activity around the Easky 13’ and 15’ touring boats and the Fusion our new hybrid river running/touring boat.  It was a really good show, I am feeling solid going into the season,” - Jim Hagar, Sales Director of P&H.

“Perhaps it is the mid-west, but people really responded to the fact that Werner Paddles are manufactured in the US and that we are giving back by partnering with non-profits through our Healthy Waters initiative.  We did not have any problem moving people up from our recreational product to our Premium and Performance Core lines.” – Jim Miller, Marketing Manager, Werner Paddles.

There are two trends that resonated with many manufacturers; people are looking for activities close to home (staycations), as well as activities that allow for family together time.  “Families are being cautious, but not afraid to spend on paddling gear.  They view paddling as a way to get everyone out, without breaking the bank,” says Werner’s Jim Miller.

You can see a video of the show that Byran Smith and Lise-Anne Beyries of Reel Water Productions put together here.

 

Werner Unveils Innovations In Stand Up Paddle Range

 

Werner Paddles recently unveiled new innovations in its Stand Up Paddle range at the Surf Expo Trade Show in Orlando Florida.  The Werner Nitro is a smaller, Performance Core, carbon paddle and the new Adjustable 3-piece shaft which can be found on all of the SUP models.

The new Werner Nitro has a carbon blade with a foam core, which adds buoyancy for effortless paddling, and comes with an all carbon shaft.  The longer narrower blade is perfect for dynamic surfing, quick turning and lends itself to higher cadence paddling.  The carbon shaft is indexed, adding comfort control and is light weight.  The Nitro comes in at just 20 ounces for a 78” 1-piece paddle.  Get in line now because the Nitros’ initial reviews have been stellar.  The Nitro starts at $299 and will be available at Werner Paddles dealers in April 2009.

Another innovation from the folks at Werner is the Adjustable 3-piece paddle.  The top piece telescopes its length and locks in at four settings, each 1.5 inches apart.  This is great for moving between touring/cruising (a little longer) and surfing (a little shorter) or sharing with a friend (you’ll tell them to get their own soon enough).  The shaft also takes apart closer to the blade, creating the ultimate travel paddle. The Adjustable 3-piece paddle will brake down easily to pack into your carry on luggage.  “We got a lot of request for a smaller break down paddle for traveling.  Many people are happy to rent a board when they travel, but want their trusty Werner Stand Up Paddle when they are on the road”, says Jim Miller, Werner Paddles Marketing Manger.

The full range of Werner paddles now come in four shaft configurations. 1-piece; the lightest weight option and best value. 2-piece; which takes apart with push button ease, a great choice for those who travel with their paddle.  Adjustable Length 2-piece; with four telescoping lengths for those who move between touring and surfing. The NEW Adjustable Length 3-piece; combines the telescoping feature and the take apart travel feature in the ultimate traveling paddle.

Werner Dealers Top List in Retailer of the Year Awards

Werner Paddles would like to recognize the 2009 SNEWS/Backpacker Retailer of the Year award recipients.  The awards were presented at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market on Thursday, January 22.

We are proud of these retailers for providing best-in-class service.  They were chosen  based personal and customer experience, reputation in the outdoor community, quality of customer feedback from the nomination forms received, and overall store excellence based on demonstrated excellence in community involvement, sustainability efforts, store training levels, and more.   

2009 Retailer of the Year: North Cove Outfittersin Old Saybrook, Conn
Best in sustainable business:  Half-Moon Outfitters in Charleston, S.C.
Best in community involvement: Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, Colo.
Best in conservation: The Alpine Experience in Olympia, Wash.
Best in youth involvement: Outdoor Kidfitters in Helena, Mont.
Best in growth of outdoor sports: Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, Minn.
Best in on-line: Rock Creek Outfitters in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Werner Paddles: #2 Best Company To Do Business With

Werner Paddleswas voted the second best company to do business in the Outdoor Industry, in the 2008 SNEWS Outdoor Retailer Dealer Survey.  The survey appears in the January issue of SNEWS magazine and full results will be posted on line by the end of the month.

Werner moved up two places, from number four, in the same survey in 2007.  “It is such a great honor to be named in top positions, two years in a row.  This is especially important to us, in that it is our dealers who cast the votes.  We are really firing on all cylinders; great product design, quality production, on time delivery, and our sales, service and marketing teams focusing on helping our dealers sell through, says Jim Miller, Werner’s Marketing Manager.

The SNEWS survey lists the best and worst vendors to do business with.  Werner landed right behind The North Facewho took the number one position. (TNF also made the worst list.)  “We look forward to working in partnership with our dealers in the coming paddle season. Our service really is a margin builder,” says Miller.

 

Werner Paddles Donates to Senator's Foundation

 

We are here at the Surf Expo trade show in Orlando Florida, when we had a distinguished guest drop by the booth.  Senator Lee Constantine and his aides came by to learn more about stand up paddling and request a donation for the Senator's foundation which puts on a great event here in Florida - Charity Challenge. The event has raised over $3,000,000 since it's inception in 1987.  This money then is distributed to close to 100 charities.  We were happy to donate one of our Premium Advantage SUP's to this worthy cause. To learn how you can participate in this great event or support it by biding on a silent aution item check out their site.

Werner Paddles Healthy Waters Initiative & The Surfrider Foundation

Werner Paddles will make a check presentation to the Surfrider Foundation at the Surf Expo Trade Show in Orlando Florida the night of January 16th. Werner Paddles supports several non-profit partners, including the Surfrider Foundation, through its Healthy Waters Initiative. 

Healthy Waters, a first of its kind program, allows Werner customers to direct dollars to a non profit of their choice. It works like this; the consumer, post purchase, goes to www.wernerpaddles.com and chooses the Healthy Waters button.  This takes them to a short questionnaire about their demographics and purchasing decision.  At the end of the questionnaire they can choose from a list of non profits and Werner will make a donation in their name.  “We are very proud of our commitment to the natural world.  Healthy Waters is a great program for differentiating our product from the competition while giving the customer the ability to support a non-profit whose focus is access, water quality or education. This is a win for our customers, our dealers, our non-profit partners and for Werner Paddles,” says Jim Miller, Werner’s Marketing Manager.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. The Central Florida Chapter of the Surfriders is hosting a movie presentation of Out There on January 16 at 6;30 pm, in room 320S AB at the Surf Expo Trade Show as a way to call attention to their 25^th anniversary and raise some funds. Prior to rolling the film, Werner Paddles will present a check to the Surfrider Foundation.  We invite you to join us for the presentation and a great film.  A five dollar donation is requested for the film.

Werner Paddles Attending Surf Expo in Orlando Florida

Werner Paddles will be attending  Surf Expo in Orlando Florida, January 15-17, 2009.  We look forward to meeting a bunch of new SUP dealers and making even more paddling friends.  Our booth number is 1294.  Give us a ping if you would like to schedule an appointment with us there.

Werner Paddles 2009 Event Listings Are Live

Werner Team Paddler, Steve Maynard, plays in Sullivan Falls, you can too at the Down East Sea Kayak Symposium in September. Photo by Danny Mongno.

As late autumn weather finds a majority of the country in colder temperatures and the end of day-light savings has certainly put a damper on after work water time, many of us are starting to store away our water craft for the winter.  Even the most die-hard of winter paddlers yearn for the coming spring as they pull latex dry suit gaskets over their cold heads and listen to the ice crunch beneath their feet as they approach the waters edge. 

With thoughts of warmer days on the water we are happy to announce our 2009 Events Schedule is up on the Werner Paddles Web Site.  Be sure to check in from time to time as we are certain to be adding new events.  From the early indoor shows to the late fall symposiums, stand up paddling events, river festivals and everything in between, the team at Werner Paddles will be there to support our passion with instruction, seminars, participation and of course the best paddles in the world.  We look forward to seeing you on tour in 2009.