Point 65 in the news (Swedens Financial Times)

Following the Popular Science Magazine award Swedens leading business daily, Dagens Industri featured this impressive full page spread on Point 65 and the award!

Click on the image, use the zoom -take a Swedish class -Read!

Tequila! wins the Popular Science -Best of What’s New!!!

I am very proud to announce that the Tequila!, designed by Magnus de Brito, has won the Popular Science -Best of What’s New 2010 award- in the recreational category.

This award acknowledges the Point 65 Tequila! as a breakthrough product representing a significant leap forward in technology in its class. Each year thousands of new and innovative products are considered for this award. Winners are selected based on the potential to improve our way of life or to change the way we think about the future.

We are extremely honored and excited to be recognized by Popular Science. This is a tremendous example of the type of practical, cutting-edge technologies Point 65 is commercializing on a continual basis. It encourages us to continue innovating.

“For 23 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us − those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future.” said Mark Jannot, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science Magazine.

Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world's largest science and technology magazine; with 6.8 million monthly readers. Popular Science reviewes thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations of the year; breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories. The winners—the Best of What's New—are awarded inclusion in the much-anticipated December issue of Popular Science, which has been the most widely read issue of the year.

Sailfish bigger than Tequila!

Very very cool fishing video. Huge sailfish cought of a Tequila! (Singapore)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLONdqiZxwQ

Axeline and Nigel Foster

My daughter Axeline is hacking along with her low angle paddle style and much to long stick.
I'm sure Nigel Foster will convince her to switch to the soon to be released Point 65 Nigel Foster though!

WYNIT Inc to distribute Point 65 Kayaks Sweden

The kayak business has brought me to the most unexpected corners of the world and I have recently found myself in the land locked metropolis of Syracuse NY, home to Syracuse University, a major research university and the world famous Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Restaurant, co owned by billionair George Soros.

The reason for my travels there is our recent partnership with WYNIT Inc, one of North America’s leading outdoor distributors. And I'm happy to announce that WYNIT is launching a new division dedicated to paddle sports and enters the industry by becoming the exclusive US distributor for Point 65!

Paul Hosner, who heads up the new paddle sports division outside WYNIT's head office

WYNIT, based in Syracuse, N.Y., distributes such legendary outdoor brands as Brunton, Leatherman, Johnson Outdoor Electronics, Gerber and Garmin. WYNIT is known for competitive pricing, no minimum-order requirements, product availability, same-day shipping, expert sales support and an integrated product mix. WYNIT operates multiple warehouses providing coast-to-coast coverage.

Wynit billboard at Syracuse Hancock International Airport

WYNIT has built a significant business providing products from Johnson Outdoor, Brunton, Leatherman and Garmin to outdoor retailers. The colaboration with Point 65 will allow them to enhance their offer to those dealers. Point 65's with our innovative, unique and market- changing products, is the perfect vehicle for WYNIT to include paddle sports retailers to their existing customer base, while introducing Point 65 to their existing outdoor retailers.

The salespersons get thebest parking space on the lot!

I am extremely pleased that Point 65 has been chosen by WYNIT as their vehicle to enter the paddle sports business. With WYNIT’s massive national distribution set up, experience and track record in the Outdoor industry, WYNIT is able to offer paddle sport retailers a unique business opportunity with an exceptional level of service. It is the ideal solution for us to enter the US market and we look forward to finally beeing able to offer US retailers our products!

Erik -man of the hour

There is one man that can make the impossible happen, Erik Norefors, Point 65's logisics maverick and event coordinator. Erik is the guy who can build a block stand virtually by himself in 12 hours and then be the last man standing at the following dinner.

Erik as the Swedish chef at Kanumesse

Erik easily arranges a 70 person dinner with a kayak demo going on at the same time. He get's 20 kayaks in and out of the water while simultaneously entertaining VIP guests and trying some boats himself.

Erik power napping after some gruelling event.

Unloading a 40 foot container with 80 kayaks is a breeze. Erik does that before lunch and spends the afternoon fixing some kayaks beaten up after some heavy beach landings.

Erik with the Bourbon Orca and Emil Kellander of Point 65 Norrköping

Erik arranges a kayak marathon for hundreds and is back in his office the next morning hammering out packing lists while managing his warehouse guys.

The start of the 2009 Point 65 Stockholm Kayak Marathon masterminded by Erik

Chaos is when Erik really get's going. When things are crazy Erik is the calm in the centre of the storm.

Erik in a blur at the Point 65 demo dinner at Kanumesse 2010

Erik is a great paddler and loves the sport. He is most often the first one out on the new Point 65 prototypes (he receives the shipments, unpackes them and is on the water before anybody else even knows the new boat has even arrived). I guess Erik has been the first to roll half of our kayaks.

Erik in the Martini in the demo pool at Kanumesse 2010 with Jeff Rivest of Point 65 Canada. Will he manage to roll this baby?

On his vacations Erik likes to go of to do some volunteer work for some crazy snow board event or multi sport competition like Ö till Ö.

Erik with Tideraces David Felton and Alled Williams

Erik is the man that makes Point 65 tick while I'm on the road weeks at end.

ERIK, THANK YOU!

Martini, "Biggest news of the Show" Kanumesses 2010

Check out this link where Playak, the worlds leading paddle sports forum has chosen the Point 65 Martini as the "Biggest news of the Show" for Kanumesse 2010!!!

http://playak.com/article.php?sid=9551

The Point 65 Martini is created by design maverick Magnus de Brito who's exceptional talent once again shows why companies like Porsche, Scania Trucks, Pirelli Boats and Point 65 choose to work with him. Congratulations and big thanks to Magnus for a job well done!

I believe that the Martini will be very popular as it addresses the three main objections when purchasing a kayak:

1. Transportation
2. Storage
3. Solo/tandem combination

While you are at, it check this video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqiOCigawTA&feature=player_embedded


Here what Playak wrote:

Trends

Still overwhelmed by 2 days full of impressions it’s difficult to say what struck me as the biggest news of the show. Choosing one: the Martini of Point65 is a very innovative product. Last year Fluid and Point65 both introduced a modular snap-on concept with (relatively simple) sit-on-tops which can be extended from a single into a double, triple, or even more, craft. The Martini takes this concept to the next level on a closed cockpit-kayak. The Martini is fully equipped with front and rear stowing compartments with watertight hatches, an ergonomically designed seat, seat pad, cup holders, paddle park, built-in carrying handles and a great integrated rudder controlled by foot pedals. Extending the Martini from a single to a double or triple kayak works amazingly simple and effective; the proof of a well thought-out design!

Frenchy -Queen of the Oceans

Point 65 donated a bunch of kayaks to SSHL, a school in Sigtuna, Sweden near Stockholm. The student who has been the most persistent user of these kayaks, Frenchy, has become a fanatic sea kayaker and is now planning her first expedition.

Frenchy not in her kayak

Frenchy will sircumnavigate the island of Gotland solo in the summer of 2011. Quite a feet for a 18 year old first year paddler.

Gods speed Frenchy and Point 65 will support you and spread the word all around the world of your impending adventure!

Tandem kayak in a Toyota Prius!

Point 65 Tequila! Tandem inside a Toyota Prius.

This picture was provided by a Point 65 Tequila! Tandem owner in the US with the followng message: "Check this out... all 3 pieces of my Tequilla Kayak in the back of my Prius... the door closes and I had room to go to Costco...! Linda"

Now read this from www.treehugger.com:

Break Me in Two, Pleads Point 65's Tequila! Kayak (Video)

by Warren McLaren, Bundanoon, Australia

Roof racks decrease a car's fuel efficiency by anything from 5%, through 10% or more. And that's empty racks. Stick our favourite sports toy up on your cars roof and watch you fuel economy plummet by up to 27%, according to Ecomodder.

Folding mountain bikes like the Montague Paratrooper can be slipped inside, to return a car to its designers intended aerodynamic sleekness. But a robust roto-moulded polyethylene kayak? The only time they fold is when they get wrapped around a boulder in a whitewater river, right? Not anymore. Sweden's Point 65 now offer a snap-apart Sit On Top kayak.

Introducing the Martini

Here our new modular kayak, the Martini!

There is a video at the bottom of the page

The Martini is a great looking 9'4'' / 285 cm sit in kayak.

It snaps apart in a couple of seconds

and you have two manageable 24 lbs / 12 kg sections,
each about 5' / 140 cm

Ad a mid section...

And it's a 13'8'' / 416 cm Tandem

Dry hatch aft and bow, thigh braces, paddle park,
cup holders, keel rudder.Great performance

Time to go home,Just throw it into the back of your carThe Martini will be available in a kayak store near you very soon!

If you cant see the video here, try this link: http://www.point65.com/point.martini/introducing_martini_4.mov

Tequila! 41' (12,5M), Worlds longest kayak?

At the recent US trade show, Outdoor Retailer we put together 8 midsections and created a 41 foot, 12,5 meter Tequila! kayak for 9 paddlers. Is this a world record?

It was lot's of fun and created an incredible amount of attention. Perfect for demo days and company team building activities!

Half way through the paddle I dismounted the kayak in the middle so the 5 front paddlers took of...

leaving me and my 3 co-paddlers behind struggling without a bow!

Jeff Rivest, Camilla and me at the OR demo day

John Turner paddling the aft section.

A Tequila! tripple seater

Assembling a 3 seater

All photos by Helga Imahasly, Playak

Jeff Rivest (founder of Riot & Azul Kayaks) joins Point 65 Kayaks Sweden.

I'm excited to announce that Jeff Rivest and Point 65 are joining forces. Jeff will head Point 65’s rapidly expanding business in North America. While Jeff will focus mainly on Canada, he will also head US sales until a US sales manager has been found.

The collaboration takes effect immediately and Jeff will be instrumental to Point 65’s presence at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City. Point 65 has established offices and warehousing in Montreal, Quebec.
Jeff and I have been friends for years and our companies have been close. I’ve been trying to woo Jeff into working with us for a long time. I’m ecstatic that he has decided to join Point 65 in its expansion. This says a lot about the opportunity Point 65 has created for its customers around the world.
Jeff brings key insights into the nuts and bolts of the North American paddle sport market as well as valuable knowledge within product development and manufacturing.

Jeff Rivest, founder of Riot and Azul Kayaks:
“Point 65 is just too good an opportunity to miss, and despite my obvious mixed feelings about leaving the company I founded, they are well compensated with the possibilities from Point 65 Sweden’s incredible level of innovation and exceptional brand focus. Point 65’s sales have a huge potential in North America and can expand very quickly, so I am delighted to be in on that ride. The fact that Richard and I already share a great working rapport was also important to my decision.”

Article in Paddle World Magazine

The latest issue of Paddle World Magazine features a 5 page spread on paddling in Stockholm "Stockholm, Urban Paddling in the Venice of the North" written by yours truly.
I love paddling in Stockholm and I'm really happy to get this opportunity to share this with the paddling world. The great photos are taken by Shinju Horikawa at Scoop Out, Japan. Check it out! You can order the magazine here.

Swedish cabinet member paddles!

Swedish cabinet member Gunilla Carlsson loves kayaking. Here a feature in the latest issue of Swedish Outside Magazine.
Gunilla Carlsson is a Swedish Moderate Party politician, since 2006 Minister for Development Cooperation

and a member of the parlament and deputy chairman of her party.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunilla_Carlsson