Thursday, January 10, 2013

The 2013 Toronto International Boat Show Is Here!



Hey Paddlers!

It's that time of year again, the 2013 Toronto International Boat Show is here! This year we've got some great products, activities, and events scheduled, and we're looking forward to showing everyone what's in store this year. Let's get to it, shall we? 

1) Who's At The Show?

This year we're fortunate to have reps from all our major brands on-hand to answer questions, help you find the right product for your needs, and perform daily demonstrations at the indoor lake inside Ricoh Coliseum. Here's a full list of who you can find in the Swift booth:

- Swift (Skip Taylor, Charlie Wilson, Bill Swift, and Bob Stinson) 
- Hobie Kayak (Brian Smith) 
- Starboard SUP / Werner Paddles(Johnno Foster/Mark Scriver) 
- Badger Paddles (Mike Ramsey) 
- BluWave SUP (Aaron Pilon) 






Note- some reps will only be available on certain days/weekends. Please call us at 1-800-661-1429 if there's a particular rep you'd like to talk to and we'll let you know when he/she will be available!

2) New Products & Upgrades

This year we've made some major re-designs and upgrades to many Swift products. We've also brought some new products on board from Wilderness Systems, Perception, Starboard SUP, Badger Paddles, and BluWave SUP, that we're all REALLY excited about. Here's what you can find at Swift stores this season: 

The All-New Saranac 14 Sport

Swift is proud to introduce the ALL-NEW Swift Saranac 14 Sport. With a smooth new re-design, combined with new composite hatches, the new Saranac 14 Sport now completes our popular Saranac line-up. It's mid-range waterline, roomy cockpit, and smooth chines make the Saranac 14 a popular choice for adventurous paddlers who need a balance of performance and comfort. Standard with our high-back seat with lumbar support, the Saranac 14 is ultra comfortable for paddlers of all shapes and sizes.

The very first 2013 Saranac 14 Sport
Welcome to the Family
Upgraded Carbon-Kevlar Trim

Swift's unique Carbon-Kevlar trim has become a hallmark of our canoe fleet, and for 2013 we've redesigned it with a new braid pattern and options. All Swift canoes can be made with a standard one-piece Carbon-Kevlar trim system, or for those who like a little more style, it can be upgraded to include a black or brown vinyl outer strip at no extra cost. Cherry wood outers and end caps emblazoned with the Swift logo are available as a $200 upgrade, and believe me, they're beautiful.

The 2013 Carbon-Kevlar Braid Pattern
Flax Fusion Eco-Laminate

Released at the 2012 Toronto Boat Show, our Flax Fusion eco-friendly laminate has been a huge success. For 2013 we've refined the process even more, reducing unncessary waste and making a canoe from all-natural flax-fibre cloth that is even stronger than its predecessor. On par with our popular Kevlar Fusion laminate, Flax Fusion is available in both canoes and kayaks and offers a unique mix of traditional aesthetics mixed with modern technology.

Read more about Flax Fusion here HERE.

Flax Fusion Kipawa with Carbon-Kevlar trim/Cherry Wood Outers and End Caps
The 2013 BluWave SUP Series

BluWave SUP has made some major changes for 2013, and this year's lineup offers some brand new board designs that are as easy on the eyes as they are perfect for the water. Building from the popularity of the 'Woody' and 'Easy Rider' series, the 2013 line-up includes the all new Wave Rider and Catalina series boards. The Wave Rider series is perfect for the skilled paddler who wants to ride the toughest water Ontario has to offer, and the Catalina series contains 3 ultra-modern displacement boards that are excellent for touring paddlers. You gotta see these boards, they'll have you chomping at the bit to hit the water this spring!


The 2013 BluWave SUP Lineup


The Wilderness Systems Aspire 100 and Aspire 105 

Wilderness Systems makes some of the best poly recreational and touring kayaks on the market, period. This year they've come out with the Aspire 100 and 105 series kayaks, and these boats are fantastic for multi-purpose users. From their website:

"Great on flat or slow moving water, the versatile Aspire combines easy handling and maneuverability with great stability, thanks to its strong chine lines and volume. The up-swept bow helps shed water and the molded-in console, with a two-position bottle holder, offers plenty of storage options to keep things within easy reach. "

Come by the booth and check out these great new boats! 

For more information on the Aspire series, click HERE

Perception Sport Conduit Series Kayaks 

Perception Sport has expanded its line of kayaks for 2013, and these new designs make a great addition to our lineup. From the Perception website:

"Freedom means plenty of room for comfort and performance to go where you want. The Conduit 13 is a paddler-friendly and unrestrictive kayak with enough stability for beginners to feel confident on a leisurely cruise, but features speed and tracking loved by those wanting longer paddles. A great boat for touring lazy rivers or doing some exploration on smaller lakes."


The Perception Sport Conduit 13

For more information about the Conduit series, click HERE 

Perception Sport Expression Series Kayaks 

The larger brother to the Conduit, the Expression series kayaks are a true touring style boat offers great performance at a very reasonable price. They can say it better than I can:

"The Expression 14.5 is for the adventure-seeker who wants the best of both touring and sea kayaks: a fun, maneuverable day-kayak that remains stable and predictable when loaded down with gear. "


The Perception Sport Expression 11.5
For more information about the Expression series, click HERE

Badger Paddles New Shapes for 2013 

Badger Paddles have been a staple in our stores for several years now, and this year they've upgraded their product line to offer some awesome new paddle shapes. These paddles are not only functional, they're pieces of art. Badger reps will be at the show all week with us too, so if you want to get your hands on one of these beautiful paddles, stop by the booth and ask for Badger Mike!


For more information about Badger Paddles, click HERE

3) Indoor Lake Schedule And Events

We're going to be doing daily demonstrations at the indoor lake inside Ricoh Coliseum, so if you're at the show stop by 'the lake' and check it out! We'll be doing the daily Canoe/Kayak seminar, the Stand-Up Paddleboard Demo, and the Hobie Adventure Island demo. You can check out the lake schedule HERE. Come hit the water with us!


Skip Taylor doing what Skip Taylor does best: sharing his enthusiasm for paddling. 
4) Get Your Tickets

If you still haven't picked up your tickets, you can save money if you buy them online before the show. Hit up THIS link to make your purchase!

5) More Information

Interact with us online and stay up to date with the latest news and information. Even if you can't make it to the show, give us a call at 1-800-661-1429 and we can help you find what you need!