TAPS welcomes newly elected board members and remains focused to task at hand

The Trade Association of Paddlesports is pleased to welcome the following industry leaders as new directors on its board of directors and welcome back those directors who agreed to continue on with the board and see our current projects through completion:

Joe Matuska – Aquabound Paddles (Surrey, British Columbia)

Scott Mursion – Wild Rock Outfitters (Peterborough, Ontario)

Roger Poor – Eastern Mountain Sports (Peterborough, New Hampshire)

John Radel – Epic Kayaks (Charleston, South Carolina)

Mark Hall – Delta Kayaks (Maple Ridge, British Columbia)

Tom Kimmet – Recreational Equipment Inc. (Kent, Washington)

Tim Rosenhan – Innova Kayak (Burlington, Washington)

“I am really excited to be working with our new and returning board members,” says Michael Pardy, Executive Director of TAPS. “It’s been an exciting year with the introduction of the NECKS show and the letsgopaddle.com campaign, and we have several new programs and initiatives for 2008 and 2009. The strength of these initiatives is due in large part to the experience and expertise of the TAPS Board.”

TAPS would also like to extend a big thanks to the departing board members, Joan Barrett (Bear Mountain Boat Shop), Josh Hoopes (Confluence Watersports), Robin Thacker (Atlantis Kayaks) , Bill Walker (Seattle Raft and Kayak). We have appreciated your help and support and TAPS looks forward to continuing to helping your businesses grow.

New for 2008, the Trade Association of Paddlesports is introducing the Northeast Canoe & Kayak Symposium in Clinton, NJ September 5-7 (www.necanoeandkayak.org) as part of the TAPS Symposium Series that also includes the longstanding West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium (www.wcsks.org). The West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in Port Townsend, WA September 19-21.

TAPS – the Trade Association of Paddlesports – is a non-profit trade association supporting the paddling industry in North America and the world. TAPS’ members are industry leaders and are dedicated to providing paddlers with the best in equipment, services, and experiences. TAPS represents manufacturers, retailers, outfitters, instructional centers, publications, and more throughout the Paddlesports industry, encompassing canoes, touring kayaks, whitewater kayaks, and rafts. TAPS also has Associate members, businesses that support the Paddlesports industry through legal, insurance, financial, online, and other services.