Billy Harris = Professional Author?

A real treat passed along to us in the past couple of weeks was a copy of BIlly's new instructional book for beginner paddlers.
Not only does Billy's wit and humour come through in the entire book but it is chuk full of usefull info. for new paddlers entering the sport or seeking instruction. The book covers all aspects of paddling including gear selection, terminology, outfitting, travel, etc.
The book is so good many instructional institutions have opted to include a copy with every new instructional registration they receive for the 2008 season. Way to go Billy.... an awesome read.

Billy has been with H2O since it's inception and continues to promote H2O Paddles as the best choice in paddle gear.

Copies can be purchased through the Jackson Kayak online store at this link: Jackson Kayaks

H2O-Fish Paddle
June 2008

Our new for summer 2008 H2O-Fish paddle is more a complete tool then just a paddle. Incorporating a measuring tape, scale hook and unique tip weighted blades ( better bite in shallow water ) this paddle will become your favorite piece of tackle box gear. Designed using our unique WW blank this paddle develops huge power for it's size allowing for a smaller overall blade shape to increase deck clearance and handling issues all while being one of the most durable offerings in this market.

See our new print ad coming in the summer issue of Kayak Angler Magazine ( by Rapid ).

Production for this model will begin mid-June and product updates will be added to the website as soon as it is in full production. Orders for this model are being taken now. Please contact your local H2O retailer ( or H2O ) for more info.

H2O Promo Video
June 2008

This is our Outdoor Retailer promo video from the 2007 Outdoor Retailer ( Salt Lake City, UT ) show. This video was edited together for us by Olivier Trudell Langduec who is one of our Canadian H2O Team Members. Needless to say we were incredibly impressed by Olivier's work as the video is awesome. Thanks Olivier : )

It has been circulating the web for a couple of months now but for those of you that have not seen it yet... here is the link... enjoy.

2007 H2O Paddle Promo Video

New Website Coming Soon
June 2008

One of the main reasons we have been slow in updating this site is that we have been working on a new one to replace it.
Unfortunately that work has taken a little longer than expected and we have decided to launch the new site in conjunction with some new models we are working on.

New website will be up mid-summer 2008 and will included updates to all things H2O including a new model line listing,
comparison charts, additional tech. info., team updates, etc., etc... as well as some amazing new products.

We are looking forward to the new H2O website becoming a portal for all things "paddle".

Wilderness Tours Paddles
June 2008

One of the best aspects of the H2O Paddles is thier bomb-proof reliability. Nowhere is this more appreciated then in an instructional setting in a paddling school. By using H2O Paddles as thier sole instructional paddle Wilderness Tours will both increase the performance of thier gear fleet while reducing the need to warranty paddles at the end of each season.

In addition to the instructional paddles H2O is working with Wilderness Tours to implement a purchase program, through thier
Keeners Instructional shool, in which new paddlers are able to purchase H2O Paddles as part of thier instructional package.

For those of you looking for kayak instruction in the Ottawa region we highly recommend contacting WT :

http://www.wildernesstours.com/

Jackson Kayaks Kid's Paddles
June 2008

Starting this summer Jackson Kayaks will now be the sole supplier of Kid's paddles using our unique H2O technology.
The current H2O-Kids paddle will only be available through H2O dealers, that pre-booked paddles last fall, for the remainder of 2008. After this season the Kid's paddle will be available exclusively through Jackson Kayaks and the Jackson Kayaks
dealer network.

The new Jackson Kid's paddles will be available in sizing 150cm, 165cm, 180cm with blade sizing corresponding to paddle length.

Jackson Kayaks Website Link

New Team Members
June 2008

As our reputation for advanced performance and bomb-proof durability grows we are seeing more and more paddlers requesting to use H2O Paddles as thier personal stick of choice. Some notable additions to the H2O Pro-Team over the past few months :

Nik Troutman
Jackson Kayaks Pro-Paddler extraordinaire and current Canadian Team Champion.
One of the most advanced all around boaters in the world.
Watch for the new 2008 H2O website for more bio info.

Dane Jackson
No real introduction required for this paddler. We are betting that Dane will be world champ someday and that it will probably happen sooner rather then later.
Watch for the new 2008 H2O website for more bio info.

Come back and see our new website for full Team Info. and updates. New website coming mid-summer 2008.

New US Dealers Welcome Aboard
June 2008

Many of you have undoubtedly noticed how difficult it has been to purchase an H2O Paddle in the US over the past few years. Early on we made a decision to focus our production efforts on International markets ( non-US ) until we had built up our production capacity enough to satisfy what we expected would be a large demand for our products south of the border.
With our production increases this spring we are now able to satisfy demand for our paddles in all markets and have been
increasing our US dealer base steadily since the start of the year.

H2O Paddles would like to welcome these new premier dealers to our US dealer base for the 2008 season. Many of you will recognize these shops as some of the best retail establishments in the US. They all have current H2O Paddle inventory and can accomodate any / all orders.

Clearwater Sports
4147 Main St.
Waitsfield, VT
05673
802.496.2708
www.clearwatersports.com

Nantahala Outdoor Center ( NOC )
13077 Hwy. 19 West
Bryson City, NC
28713-9114
800-367-3521
http://store.noc.com/store/

Zoar Outdoor
7 Main Street
Charlemont, MA
01339
413-339-8596
www.zoaroutdoor.com

Come back and see our new website for full Dealer Info. and updates. New website coming mid-summer 2008.

Canadian Team Butt Kicking : )
June 2008

The first major Canadian competition of the season saw H2O dominate the podium for almost all of the medal rounds but most of all in Pro Mens taking all top 4 spots :
1st place Nik Troutman
2nd place Billy Harris
3rd place Joel Kowalski
4th place Pat Camblin

H2O also took top honours in Womens K1 and Junior Womens K1 :
Womens K1
1st place Carly harris

Junior Womens K1
1st place Katie Kowalski

The Team Trials proved to be an "H2O" event with close to half of all competitors using H2O Paddles for the competition.
A special thanks to all who competed using H2O and a thanks to all of the athletes and organizers for putting together an awesome day. An extra special thank you to all H2O Team members who made the Canadian Team for the 2009 World's.
Each of these athletes has chosen H2O as thier paddle of choice over many available brands and we are humbled to see
our products used by so many pros.

Office Changes
June 2008

H2O would like to welcome some new faces on board for the 2008 season in both our production and management teams.

Jim Schaming will be managing internal production and providing some sales support for our growing production facility.
As a recent Engineering Grad ( Queen's University ) Jim will be an invaluable asset in ensuring our continued production growth is managed succesfully for both H2O and our customers. An avid WW boater Jim's enthusiasm for the H2O brand
made his addition to our team an easy decision.




Nick Bidwell is now our head of assembly production and will be managing all internal builds for all of our local and international customers. Some of you may recognize Nick from our local paddling community as he has been a long time
guide and instructor in the Ottawa region. Also an avid freestyle boater Nick has been competing in the local paddling scene for more than 10 years and has been using H2O Paddles, for his own personal use, since the company started many years ago.




Change of phone number. As some of you may have noticed the H2O phone line has now become an independent line from Dynaplas Ltd. In the past our offices could be contacted through the Dynaplas Ltd. direct line but since our move into
new office space this spring we now have a dedicated phone line at :416-293-6942. Please use this number for all general enquiries to H2O Paddles.

Early Summer Update 2008
June 2008

Well after having been absent from our web updates for a while we have TONS of news to post covering the past few months as well as some upcoming events / items. We have been super busy with new production, as well as some new development work, over the past few months and have left our website updates longer than we should have. From now
on we will be providing a weekly update for all things H2O covering all of our team exploits, dealer news and general
info.

New shafts for 2007

After a great first year we decided to work on one of the last elements of development that we felt was necessary to perfect what we feel are truly the best paddles in the world. We wanted to retain our already awesome durability while providing a substantial weight reduction for our 2007 lineup. Get ready for 2 of the biggest developments in paddles for 2007…….

New Aerospace Grade all-carbon bent shaft.
This new shaft provides a HUGE 1/4 lb. weight reduction while increasing strength almost 20%. The enhanced performance has to be felt to be believed. Using this new technology we have transformed our 2007 H2O-Team into one of the lightest ( and easily the strongest ) paddles on the market. See our Tech. page for more info.

New Aerospace Grade Texalium Glass shaft
This new shaft provides a 1/6 lb. weight redcution while increasing strength by 10%. Designed to provide a uniquely dampened feel this shaft gives both increased snap

and liveliness to the H2O-2 line. The unique Silver cosmetic also provides a stunning new look to an already great paddle. See our Tech. page for more info.

H2O Paddles promotes it's new line of paddles at Gauley Fest 2006.
Sept 2006

The response to our new line has been overwhelming. The 2 retailers that were stocking product at Gauley Fest were sold out half way through the festival and we were taking orders for paddles for the rest of the night. It was awesome to meet all of you in attendance…. Looking forward to next year.

Outdoor Retailer 2006
Aug 2006

H2O Paddles proudly promotes its complete line of paddles at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, Utah. OR was great party again this year and is one of the best summer events for promo and meeting our dealers face to face after a great first season.

H2O @ Gullapalooza
Aug 26th, 2006

We were out at the Gull this past saturday for a great little festival, great turn out for a last minute event! A bunch of our team paddlers took part in the down river race, heres a video of the final heat. Video cam is strapped to the front of the boat, cool video angles. Check it out... click to see

New Decals for the blades
February 13, 2006

New heat transfer decals have arrived and are being applied to all the new blades. These are much more durable then the previous die cut ones, and they look cooler too!

 

Vincent Dupont Team C1 now available
December 8, 2005

The brand new Vincent Dupont designed Team C1 paddle is now available. It comes in either a bent shaft with the grip or straight shaft. Grip is yellow on the bent, and our team green blade.

We 've Got another New Colour
October 9, 2005

Available on the H2O-2 Whitewater & Touring, H2O-KD and H2O-C1

We 've Got a New Colour
September 25, 2005

We have just added a hot new colour to the H2O-2 Whitewater & Touring line, H2O-KD & H2O-C1. Its HOT, Turquoise Blue with white grips, looks smokin on the river!

Gauley Fest 2005
September 24-25, 2005

We will be at Gauley Fest in West Virginia where you can see some of our products. Hope to see you there.

Official Launch of H2O Paddles
September 2005

H2O Paddles officially launched it's full line of paddles at the OR Show held in Utah this summer. The response from the industry was very positive and we look forward to supplying paddles globally starting this coming year.

Although we have just launched a full line of paddles we will be adding new colours within the next few weeks and these will be added to the web site as soon as we have them built and ready for shipment.

The OR launch and positive reaction to our products would not have been possible without the efforts of many individuals who helped us with our vision and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped us.

To Steve Horvath for his design and industry knowledge, without Steve we would have had a much greater challenge. Our team members (Billy, Pat, Dave and Vincent) who worked diligently testing different materials and constructions and helped us develop our paddles. The people that have tested our products and provided us with much appreciated feedback on durability and performance, and to those who have purchased our paddles already for having faith in a new company.

Thank you,

John Hevesi
President
H2O Paddles