One of the top competitions in the consumer goods industry is taking place soon, the race for the prestigious “Sports Product of the Year 2004” award held by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA). This program is the Academy Award
One of the top competitions in the consumer goods industry is taking place soon, the race for the prestigious “Sports Product of the Year 2004” award held by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA).
This program is the Academy Award of the sporting goods industry and elects the “latest and most outstanding sports products” in the world, focusing on the aspects technology, fashion, innovation, utility, fun, performance, function, lifestyle and marketability of new products.
Currently, about 1,500 media representatives are in the process of reviewing the last six contestants in order to make the final choice and vote for the top product, and the winner will be announced in March 2004.
Many representatives believe that the Napali, a transparent kayak entered by Clear Blue Hawaii, a manufacturer of innovative watersports and travel gear based in Honolulu will claim the top award.
“It is a great honor to be among the six finalists of this huge contest and we are overwhelmed with the tremendous amount of attention the Napali is getting,” said Andres Segrera, President of Clear Blue Hawaii.
“The Napali simply has the ‘wow-effect’, everybody who sees it is impressed with its design and innovativeness. Just think about it. We have a one of a kind product here. Its uniqueness lies in the transparency that allows you to experience underwater life in a whole new way.
“There is nothing like a close encounter with a dolphin, turtle, or sometimes even sharks. On top of that, the Napali is one of the lightest kayaks out there, plus you can easily travel with it because it is foldable.”
Made out of military-grade Urethane and Carbon-Kevlar, the Napali is one of the lightest kayaks on the market, weighing only 26 pounds, and it folds up into a conveniently sized backpack for transport and storage.
“The gorgeous Napali coast of Kaua‘i inspired us at Clear Blue Hawaii to name our top model kayak after it,” said Sandra Kneile, Public Relations Assistant at Clear Blue Hawaii.
Designed by Murray Broom of New Zealand, the kayak has high appeal for the traveler and for long distance kayak touring.
“Being a high quality product, the Napali may also serve in getting the name of the beautiful Napali coast out there to people who might not have heard of it before,” said Kneile.
In addition to making the final round in the SGMA competition, the Napali has recently also received praise from Time Magazine as well as Fortune magazine, who nominated the kayak to be “one of the best products in 2003” (Fortune) and among the “coolest inventions 2003” (Time Magazine).
Clear Blue Hawaii has made a name for itself for inventing the first two-person clear kayak last year, the Molokini, that has been a tremendous success in the marketplace.
Only few months later, the Hanauma, an inflatable kayak with a transparent bottom, was introduced and is adding to the success of the company.
In addition, Clear Blue’s R&D team is currently developing prototypes of unprecedented travel gear that is unfortunately still top secret at this point in time.
Having rental operations on the islands O‘ahu, Maui and Big Island already, CBH might consider getting in contact with rental operations in Kaua‘i as well.
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 (ext.) 251 or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net
