Press Blog
Zoar Outdoor Reaches 2000 Miles of Human-Powered Commuting
December 19, 2011 (comments: 0)
For the second year in a row, Zoar Outdoor's "Commuting to Work" Campaign has reached its goal of inspiring employees to commute to work using human-powered means, doubling last year's total to reach 2000 miles. This past April, the staff of Zoar Outdoor were issued a challenge to leave their cars at home for the trip to work and power their own commute. The company offered $20 gift certificates to the West End Pub in Shelburne Falls for every 100 miles a staff member accumulated. Ten staff members achieved this goal. Zoar Outdoor also awarded three custom-designed bike shirts to employees who reached 250 miles: Amber Tulloch, Shahid Jalil, and Kevin McMillan. While most of those how participated in the challenge chose to run, walk or ride bike to work, a few used their kayaks for the daily commute. Through the collective effort of many employees, Zoar Outdoor completed their 2000-mile challenge on November 30, 2011.
According to the US Department of Energy, "The vehicles we drive release over 1.7 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year—mostly in the form of carbon dioxide — contributing to global climate change." The overall Zoar Outdoor company total of 2000 miles prevented over 2100 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere this year!
Zoar Outdoor Instructor Receives National Recognition
October 19, 2011 (comments: 0)
Janet Cowie, Director of Instruction Programs at Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort in Charlemont, MA, is the recipient of the American Canoe Association’s “Excellence in Instruction” Award for 2011. She was recognized at the ACA’s National Paddlesports Conference in Louisville, KY earlier this month. The prestigious “Excellence in Instruction” award recognizes outstanding contributions in paddlesports education and instruction, and it’s given each year to a deserving member of the ACA.
Since joining the team in 1996, Janet has helped Zoar Outdoor’s instruction program grow to be one of the premier kayak schools in the country, and her accolades and certifications are numerous. She helped organize the first Whitewater Symposium and has been part of the committee for subsequent symposiums. Her love affair with paddlesports began back in 1983, during her freshman year in college, when she accompanied the Outing Club at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on a whitewater canoeing trip. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, she continued to pursue her love of the water on weekends until making it her full-time job with Zoar Outdoor. She currently lives in Rowe, MA with her husband and son.
The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a member based, national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition and recreation.
Zoar Outdoor Owner Featured in White House Recreation Report
October 19, 2011 (comments: 0)
The America’s Great Outdoors Report has been published since February 2011 and identifies progress in each area of the AGO Initiative. People connect to the outdoors in many ways, and this report looks at several: jobs, education, recreation and service. Bruce is quoted in a section called “The Great Outdoors Economy,” which focuses on outdoor businesses.
“At Zoar Outdoor, our product is outdoor recreation,” says Bruce in this report. “We see people wanting to connect with each other and with nature through participating in our rafting, kayaking, zip lining and rock climbing programs. We work to anchor our company in the local area through hiring local people and purchasing local goods when possible.” As he describes later in the quote, this philosophy has helped Zoar Outdoor continue to grow throughout the recession.
More information about the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, including the full text of the report, can be found here.
Prestigious Yankee Magazine Award Bestowed Upon Zoar Outdoor, Double Edge Theater and The Green Emporium
May 10, 2011 (comments: 0)
Charlemont, MA-- May 6, 2011 -- Several West County businesses have been selected as a "Best of New England/Editor’s Choice" in Yankee Magazine’s annual Travel Guide issue. "Best of new England" choices are made by special assignment editors who personally select travel activities in each New England state.
Zoar Outdoor’s Deerfield River raft trips were selected as the "Best Rafting" under Massachusetts Adventures. Double Edge Theater in Ashfield was chosen as the "Best Farm Theater" under Local Secrets and The Green Emporium in Colrain received the "Best Church Supper" in the Food & Dining category.
Outdoor enthusiasts visiting western Massachusetts can tumble down two sections of the Deerfield River through family friendly rapids or exhilarating whitewater or zip through the trees on Zoar Outdoor's Canopy Tour. After a day of adventure, try a thin-crust custom pizza served in Colrain's former church on the common at the Green Emporium's Pizzeria. If the night is still young, there's time to catch the Summer Spectacle, a unique production of music, song, dance and story at Double Edge Theater nights during July or August. Lodging in the area can be easily arranged at one of the many rustic bed and breakfast locations in the valley.
"Our special travel issue includes page after page of secrets and whispers. It covers New England’s unique landscape, its attractions, and the people who create the flavors, crafts, and lodgings that lend their richness to memorable travel," says Yankee editor Mel Allen. "It’s about the secrets we whisper to family and friends when we come home from seeing new places. We think of our ‘Bests’ as secrets whispered to friends—in this case, the loyal readers of Yankee Magazine."
The 2011 Travel Guide features "Best of New England — Editors’ Choice" selections, which include the best restaurants, lodgings, attractions, local secrets, and bargains in the region. For 34 years, Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England has been the most widely distributed and best-selling guide to the six-state region, providing readers with a comprehensive vacation-planning tool and daily reference.
ZOAR OUTDOOR REACHES 1000 MILES OF HUMAN-POWERED COMMUTING
November 30, 2010 (comments: 0)
Charlemont, MA - November 25, 2010
Zoar Outdoor's "Commuting to Work" Campaign has reached its goal of commuting 1000 miles to work this year using human-powered means. This past May, the staff of Zoar Outdoor commenced a challenge to leave their cars at home and bike, walk or run to work. The staff have been actively car-pooling for several years in an effort to use less gas, put fewer cars on the road and help reduce their carbon footprints. This latest campaign is consistent with Zoar's philosophy of maximizing resources in an effort to minimize environmental impact. The company offered $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for every 100 miles a staff member ran, rode a bike or walked to work. Out of all the employees who participated in the challenge, six employees surpassed 100 miles and earned a gift certificate! Through the collective effort of many employees, Zoar Outdoor completed their 1000-mile challenge on November 12, 2010.
STANDUP PADDLING MAKES ITS DEBUT ON THE DEERFIELD RIVER
September 10, 2010 (comments: 0)
Charlemont, MA -- Zoar Outdoor recently decided to jump into the Stand Up Paddling (SUP) market, keeping up with latest trends in the Paddlesport Industry. Standup paddleboarding is a relatively new sport, an off- shoot from surfing that started in Hawaii and has rapidly moved east. It’s very big in California and has recently been picking up on east coast waterways.
Several staff recently tested out some Liguidlogic Versa boards and Werner paddles on the Zoar Gap section of the Deerfield River. Bruce Lessels, President and Greg Poehlein, Retail Shop Manager went for a cruise down the river and were surprised how easy it was to maneuver the boards down the rapids. “It’s so much like canoeing” stated Lessels. Poehlein plans to stock boards next year for sale in the shop and offer classes on how to paddle SUPS.
SUPS are really a crossover sport between surfing and kayaking/canoeing. Like kayaks, stand up paddleboards range in length from 8 to 14 feet and come in heavy duty plastic, wood or light weight fiberglass constructions. They look very similar to surf boards, their predecessors. Paddles are essentially really long canoe paddles that carve the water as you stand atop the board. You can use these boards on any body of water – ponds, ocean or rivers.
Currently, there are lots of board and paddle manufacturers, magazines events and competitions devoted to this fledgling industry. Long-time surfers say that once you’ve stood up using a paddle, it’s hard to lie down again on a board. SUPS also really develop leg muscles since you have to stand up the whole time. It was the single fasted growing segment of the paddlesport industry in 2009.
Zoar will be testing out several program ideas this fall and finalizing details classes, rentals and retail sales of SUPs over the winter for the 2011 season. Check out www.kayaklesson.com early next year for more information on classes. For retail sales and rentals, visit www.zoaroutdoor.com/store/
ZOAR OUTDOOR'S TEAM Z MAKING SPLASHES IN THE PADDLING WORLD
July 23, 2010 (comments: 0)
Charlemont, MA -- Members of Zoar Outdoor’s Team Z are making splashes in the paddling headlines this year. Zoar has worked hard to support and help further the paddling careers of its staff to a national level. Zoar started Team Z five years ago as a way to support its select staff. Team Z members work as paddling instructors for the Zoar Instruction School and have demonstrated excellence in their field. In recognition of their hard work and time spent on the river perfecting their technique, several Team Z members have been recently honored.
Tino Specht, local kid who learned to paddle on the Deerfield River with Zoar Outdoor, has gained national recognition as a Shred Ready Team member and the elite Global Team for Level 6. Paddling industry manufactures reward individual who have demonstrated outstanding performance in the world of paddling with team memberships. This entitles them to free gear, entry fees for competition, travel costs and at times stipends. ”It is every paddlers’ dream to be sponsored by a couple of companies”, states Specht. Specht divides his time between Chile in the winter working as a coach for New River Academy and Canada where he teaches kids to paddle on the Ottawa River for the summer. Recently, Specht was one of four kayakers nationally selected by World Kayak to represent paddling interests at the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit in New York City.
Elaine Campbell gave up here career as a teacher and now travels the country competing in every freestyle event she can get to. She is sponsored by Shred Ready and is a member of Team Wave Sport. When she is not on the road, which is most of the year, she paddles at home on the Deerfield River sharing her passion with other up and coming racers.
Jim Sullivan, the silent, but deadly type has been racking up wins over the years. His quiet demeanor fools one into thinking he can’t be that good. But watch out, he’s an awesome kayaker! He is a member of the Jackson Kayak Regional Team. He also teaches full time for Zoar Outdoor where he manages Team Z keeping a full race schedule. During the winter he’s out west tearing up the slopes at Big Sky Montana.
Janet Cowie, Director of Instruction at Zoar Outdoor oversees it all and makes sure that her instructors are at the top of their game for teaching and racing. As a World Kayak Ambassador, American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer Educator and member of the Safety, Education and Instruction national committee her work guarantees that Zoar’s staff and students are getting the best instruction in the world of paddling. She also ensures that Zoar’s mission “inspiring people to experience sustainable outdoor adventures that build strong communities" is fulfilled at every event and in every class.
Zoar Outdoor’s Paddling School has been making access to kayaking or canoeing much easier for the public with programs designed for kids and parents from beginner to advanced levels. Zoar’s increased outreach efforts will bring paddling to a wider sector of the community and help the overall health of the sport both regionally and nationally. For more information see www.kayaklesson.com or www.zoaroutdoor.com.
Prestigious Yankee Magazine Award Bestowed Upon Zoar Outdoor
May 28, 2010 (comments: 0)
Charlemont, MA -- Zoar Outdoor has been selected as a “Best of New England/Editor’s Choice” in Yankee Magazine’s annual Travel Guide issue. “Best of new England” choices are made by special assignment editors who personally select travel activities in each New England state. Zoar Outdoor’s Deerfield Valley Canopy Tour was selected as the best place to “Soar” under Massachusetts Attractions.
Zoar’s Deerfield Valley Canopy Tour was the first zip-line in Massachusetts in 2009. This year 2 new zips have been added giving guests 16 total elements to experience in the native New England forest. Guests “soar” through the trees getting views of the river valley under a full canopy of trees. Trips take an average of 3 hours to complete and run 7 days a week.
“Our special travel issue includes page after page of secrets and whispers. It covers New England’s unique landscape, its attractions, and the people who create the flavors, crafts, and lodgings that lend their richness to memorable travel,” says Yankee editor Mel Allen. “It’s about the secrets we whisper to family and friends when we come home from seeing new places. We think of our ‘Bests’ as secrets whispered to friends—in this case, the loyal readers of Yankee Magazine.”
The 2010 Travel Guide features 312 “Best of New England — Editors’ Choice” selections, which include the best restaurants, lodgings, attractions, local secrets, and bargains in the region. For 34 years, Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England has been the most widely distributed and best-selling guide to the six-state region, providing readers with a comprehensive vacation-planning tool and daily reference.
7th ANNUAL DEMOFEST
May 14, 2010 (comments: 0)
ZOAR OUTDOOR HOSTS 7TH ANNUAL DEMOFEST
Charlemont, MA --
Zoar Outdoor will be hosting the 7th Annual DemoFest, June 25 – 27, 2010 on the Deerfield River in western, Massachusetts. DemoFest is a free event open to the public designed to give seasoned paddlers the latest information on the whitewater industry. It is an opportunity to test out boats, use paddles, and get some instruction from some of the most accomplished paddlers in the country.
New this year will be a free clinic- "Smart Start/Intro to Kayaking" for beginners 9 am – 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday. This clinic will use sit-on-top kayaks which provide an easy way for recreational paddlers to try out kayaking. The paddler sits on top of the boat instead of being inside the boat wearing a sprayskirt. The boats are more stable and less tippy than whitewater kayaks.
Manufacturer representatives, Team Z members and Zoar Outdoor instruction staff will give free technique clinics on the Deerfield River through out the weekend. There will be the full line of whitewater boats will be available for demo. Saturday evening will feature a BBQ from 5 – 6:30 pm and film fest. NEW this year, Demofest will be hosting the National Paddling Film Fest Roadshow from 6:30 – 9 pm.
For 27 years the National Paddling Film Festival has been hosting a competition to determine the best in paddle sport videos and images. The Roadshow is a selection films hosted and presented by local clubs or organizations. The films come from the NPFF’s extensive paddlesport library covering amateur and professional entries from 22 years of festivals. The Roadshow has been seen several dozen cities in over 18 states, Canada and Europe.
Free mini-clinics include improving your roll, river runs, freestyle, kids clinics, stroke timing & efficiency to name a few. Demofest runs from 9 am – 4 pm each day. A more detailed schedule is available at www.zoaroutdoor.com/demofest.htm. Space is limited on day, so it’s best to reserve a spot ahead of time. Reservations can be made by calling 800-532-7483.
DEERFIELD VALLEY CANOPY TOURS EXPANDS
April 30, 2010 (comments: 0)
Charlemont, MA - Zoar Outdoor has added 2 new zip lines this season to it's popular canopy tour. In its second year of operation, Deerfield Valley Canopy Tours was a huge success in 2009. The addition of 2 new zip lines will provide something new for returning guests. One zip travels out to a westerly view high up in an oak tree. Then you traverse back east to a ground landing where you slow yourself down to a jog along a trail.
The season opened in early April with a gorgeous day in the trees. "This early spring with warm weather and rain has brought out the tree buds weeks earlier than last year. When you zip through the trees you are seeing the emerging canopy as it develops according to the weather", states Kevin McMillan, Director of Guided Programs.
The early heavy rains and snow melt have brought up local rivers and Zoar Outdoor is running whitewater rafting trips on the Deerfield River and Concord River in Lowell. "Again, the unseasonably warm weather has made staff training and guest experiences on the river a pleasure this spring", comments McMillan
Zoar Outdoor has been offering family-friendly outdoor adventures along the Deerfield River in the culturally-rich Berkshire Hills of western, Massachusetts since 1989. Family owned, the company offers a wide variety of human-powered adventures for all ages from April through October. Zoar has a reputation for excellent customer service, environmental concern and developing a community around people who like to play outdoors.
Plathforms in the trees
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