Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2003 Events

SNEWS will be run one more Outdoor Retailer trade show update on August 4, and then we’re off to the trade show ourselves via Health & Fitness Biz in Denver. If you have a trade show event that’s scheduled, confirmed and more than just an introduction of a new product (as in entertaining and educational), fire an email to the SNEWS team at orevents@snewsnet.com. Of course, we’ll be covering OR extensively as only SNEWS can and does in the weeks following Outdoor Retailer.

Trade Show Events Worth Noting

First Couple of Rock — It’s not a slide show and it’s not really a video. Served appropriately with beer and snacks, The First Couple of Rock multimedia presentation at the Marmot booth (3720) on Friday, Aug. 15, at 5 p.m., follows the life and times of Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden who will be on hand to present the program. From first dates on the ledges of El Cap, to training for 5.13 and 5.14 routes around the world, to exploring the secret ingredients of technique and attitude, the unique show follows the recently married first couple of rock for several weeks, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the lives of professional climbers.

Memorable Morning Meeting — Head to the Wyndham Hotel, Wasatch 4 Conference room on the second floor, on Friday, Aug. 15, at 8 a.m. for the Conservation Alliance General Membership Meeting. Rick Ridgeway will be showing a visual account of a June 2002 trek across the Chang Tang in China, documenting the migration path of the endangered chiru (Tibetan antelope). Making the show even more special is the fact that the amazing photographs in Ridgeway’s show were taken by Galen Rowell, on what would be his last wilderness journey.

PFD Auction — Join Lotus Designs at the Paddle Tank as it auctions off PFDs belonging to some of the world’s finest kayakers and members of the U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team (USFKA) on Thursday, Aug. 14, 3 p.m.; Eric Jackson (Two-Time World Champ), Friday, Aug. 15, 4:30 p.m.; Tanya Shuman (U.S. National Champ), Saturday, Aug. 16, 2:30 p.m.; Brooke Winger & Jay Kincaid (Current World Champions). All proceeds go to benefit the USFKA.

Free Stuff That’s Cool — Grab a postcard from the Lotus Designs Booth (2301), fill out the requested information and leave it with the Lotus Designs team for your chance to win a Lotus Designs Homestretch Dry Top.

Nealy Lives On In Film — If you’re a paddler, and you loved the cartoons of Nealy, then you’ll want to see this moving documentary film, Riversense, which touches on the lives of five paddlers — William Nealy, TR Yon, BJ and Katie Johnson, and Dunbar Hardy. For more information on the film, go to www.riversense.com. The screening is at the Wyndam Hotel on Aug. 16 at 5:30 p.m. While the event is free, presenting sponsor Lotus Designs is requesting donations to benefit American Whitewater.

Party With Celebs — Join Outdoor Research at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, in booth 1617 to honor the continued successes of the company’s sponsored athletes. Ed Viesturs, Carlos Buhler, Francois Langlois and others will be on hand to tip back a pint of beer or two (two if they’re serving Utah dilution) and sign posters.

Navigation Lessons Inside? — Puleeze. This we just have to see. Ed Viesturs will be demonstrating the Magellan SportTrak Color and SporTrak Topo GPS systems on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Friday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. in booth 1101. Last time we checked, it’s kind of tough to use a GPS indoors, but maybe Magellan and Viesturs have come up with a new trick. Either way, it’ll be a hoot watching Viesturs play front man for Magellan.

Feel the Burn Baby! — If you run, you can Wobble, and by that we mean, Wasatch Wobble — sponsored by Montrail, Layers, Kavu and Trail Runner magazine. It’s only 5K and we can promise editors from the SNEWS team will be on hand sucking wind like the rest of you. But despite the lung-searing enjoyment of forcing our bodies to wake up and perform athletically before that first cup of coffee, what really brings us back each year is the camaraderie, whacky games and silliness that makes the Wobble a must-run event. Bus transportation pick up is in front of the Salt Palace. The run starts at 6:30 (yes, in the a.m.). For information, details and more, email Boo at eturner@montrail.com.

Climbing Wall Action sponsored by Rock & Ice — Back by popular demand and an absolute must-see is the Slack Line, a climber’s version of the tightrope (essentially a length of webbing stretched loosely between two points) with demonstrations by the Slackline Brothers that mimic a comedy duo. AMGA is once again sponsoring the self-rescue demos with Craig Luebben — always fun to see people suffering in the name of education. And Boreal’s Tori Allen’s appearance will turn heads as much for her youth as for her climbing ability.