Around late September / early October every year, we tear down the showroom in our Darley Dale factory, load it into the back of our vans and make the long drive out to Germany for the annual Paddle Expo paddlesports trade show.
Paddle Expo is the biggest paddlesports show in the world and sees manufacturers, retailers and industry professionals from all around the globe converge on the Nuremberg Messe for three days. It is always great to see our existing customers and to meet potential new ones, and to see exciting new innovations within the industry.
One of the highlights of the show is the industry dinner and awards night. We have a great history at Paddle Expo with our custom printed range and the Racer ST both taking away awards in recent years and we had high hopes once again this time around, with our brand new Wrap PFDs attracting lots of attention.
The Wrap PFDs (Ocean & River models available) utilise a innovative wrap-entry system allowing for vest style storage with a front entry PFD, and a unique foam layout for women. We were not disappointed as the Wraps took Product of the Year in the Apparel and Equipment category. It was great to see other UK companies Palm and Pyranha also taking away awards.
We had a great (and busy) three days, and once the stand was taken down and back in the vans, it was time for a celebratory pizza / beers before heading back to the UK!
Once again we would like to thank everyone who came to see us and everyone who joined us on social media during the show. A huge congratulations to all the other manufacturers on some impressive and ground breaking products helping to push the industry forward. Thanks also to our friends Steve and Ute at
Kayak School Arlberg for their help and invaluable translation skills once again!
Finally a great big thanks to all the team at Paddle Expo and Kayak Session for putting on another fantastic event.
See you next year!
