“NOC HONORS PYRANHA AND NORTHWEST RIVER SUPPLY WITH 2010 PADDLESPORTS MANUFACTURER AWARDS

WESSER, NC (November 3, 2010)— Nantahala Outdoor Center announces the recipients of the 2010 “Paddlesports Manufacturer of the Year” awards, Britain’s Pyranha USA, Inc. as top kayak manufacturer and Northwest River Supply of Moscow, ID as top paddlesports accessory manufacturer.

Pyranha is recognized as “Kayak Manufacturer of the Year” for its design innovation as well as exemplary dealer and customer support. The high-performance Molan playboat is one of the most successful new freestyle boats in recent years, and the Fusion crossover kayak is the category favorite among Nantahala Outdoor Center’s (NOC) paddlesports staff. Together, these boats have created considerable hype in the industry and amongst paddlers in 2010.

Northwest River Supply (NRS) is selected “Paddlesports Accessory Manufacturer of the Year” for its high quality products and strong dealer support. In 2010, NRS has steadily supported NOC retail efforts and the company’s key paddling events, including the NOC Freestyle Shootout, NOC’s Guest Appreciation Festival, more commonly known as GAF, and the inaugural Canoe Club Challenge.

Chris Hipgrave, NOC’s Retail Director, comments, “Pyranha and NRS have proven their support of NOC and the whitewater paddlesports industry in the 2010 season. Both are brilliant sponsors and have shown stellar support of NOC retail staff and our instruction programs.”

Nantahala Outdoor Center congratulates the 2010 award winners and looks forward to continued support from all paddlesports manufacturers in 2011.” – NOC News Release

For those who aren’t familiar with Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), NOC is the largest outdoor recreation company in the USA, welcoming over half a million guests annually onto over 80 different courses. Over 22 Olympians and Olympic coaches have called it home and it has recently been recognised as the “Nation’s Premiere Paddling School” by the New York Times, “The Best Place to Learn” by Outside and as “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic ADVENTURE.  They will also be hosting the International Canoe Federation World Freestyle Championships 2013.