The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show is This Weekend!

Howdy Paddlers,

The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show is THIS WEEKEND, and we'll be there (as usual) with lots of great stuff in tow. All our new 2013 designs and upgrades will be on display, as well as lots of other gear for the hardcore tripper. Here's everything you need to know:

The Basics

When- Feb 22-24th (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Where- International Centre, Toronto Ontario
Hours- Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm
Admission- Click HERE for all the information regarding admission, directions, and show contact information. You save money if you buy your tickets online beforehand!

Pool/Event Schedule- There are lots of great events at the pool this year. We'll be doing the "Recreational Kayaking" demo on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a "Canoe Tripping" seminar on Sunday where Bill Swift and Hap Wilson will talk about their methods, techniques, and stories about backcountry camping. Click HERE for the full schedule.

Special Guests- Special guests and speakers this year include 'Survivorman' Les Stroud, 'The Happy Camper' Kevin Callan, Canadian Olympic kayak gold medalist Adam van Koeverden, and paddling icon Hap Wilson. Click HERE for a full listing of their events/times.

AND THE BEST PART?!? 

Hap & Andrea Wilson will be  in the Swift booth from 12-3pm on Sunday February 24th. They'll be signing books, meeting fans, and talking about tripping. Hap will have many of his books for sale, including the following:

- Guidebooks ($22)
- Short Story Books ($25)
- Vintage Temagami Canoe Routes books ($45-$2000, including some awesome limited first editions)
- The Skier ($125- limited edition print)

And best of all, Hap will sign your book! Come on out and meet a Canadian paddling icon (and feel free to ask him about his thoughts on the Swift Dumoine). Hope to see you at the show!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for updates and info.

The 2013 Toronto International Boat Show Is Here!

Hey Paddlers!

It's that time of year again, the 2013 Toronto International Boat Show is here! This year we've got some great products, activities, and events scheduled, and we're looking forward to showing everyone what's in store this year. Let's get to it, shall we? 

1) Who's At The Show?

This year we're fortunate to have reps from all our major brands on-hand to answer questions, help you find the right product for your needs, and perform daily demonstrations at the indoor lake inside Ricoh Coliseum. Here's a full list of who you can find in the Swift booth:

- Swift (Skip Taylor, Charlie Wilson, Bill Swift, and Bob Stinson) 

- Hobie Kayak (Brian Smith) 

- Wilderness Systems/Perception Sport Kayaks (Paul Brittain)

- Starboard SUP / Werner Paddles(Johnno Foster/Mark Scriver) 

- Badger Paddles (Mike Ramsey) 

- BluWave SUP (Aaron Pilon) 

Note- some reps will only be available on certain days/weekends. Please call us at 1-800-661-1429 if there's a particular rep you'd like to talk to and we'll let you know when he/she will be available!

2) New Products & Upgrades

This year we've made some major re-designs and upgrades to many Swift products. We've also brought some new products on board from Wilderness Systems, Perception, Starboard SUP, Badger Paddles, and BluWave SUP, that we're all REALLY excited about. Here's what you can find at Swift stores this season: 

The All-New Saranac 14 Sport

Swift is proud to introduce the ALL-NEW Swift Saranac 14 Sport. With a smooth new re-design, combined with new composite hatches, the new Saranac 14 Sport now completes our popular Saranac line-up. It's mid-range waterline, roomy cockpit, and smooth chines make the Saranac 14 a popular choice for adventurous paddlers who need a balance of performance and comfort. Standard with our high-back seat with lumbar support, the Saranac 14 is ultra comfortable for paddlers of all shapes and sizes.

The very first 2013 Saranac 14 Sport

Welcome to the Family

Upgraded Carbon-Kevlar Trim

Swift's unique Carbon-Kevlar trim has become a hallmark of our canoe fleet, and for 2013 we've redesigned it with a new braid pattern and options. All Swift canoes can be made with a standard one-piece Carbon-Kevlar trim system, or for those who like a little more style, it can be upgraded to include a black or brown vinyl outer strip at no extra cost. Cherry wood outers and end caps emblazoned with the Swift logo are available as a $200 upgrade, and believe me, they're beautiful.

The 2013 Carbon-Kevlar Braid Pattern

Flax Fusion Eco-Laminate

Released at the 2012 Toronto Boat Show, our Flax Fusion eco-friendly laminate has been a huge success. For 2013 we've refined the process even more, reducing unncessary waste and making a canoe from all-natural flax-fibre cloth that is even stronger than its predecessor. On par with our popular Kevlar Fusion laminate, Flax Fusion is available in both canoes and kayaks and offers a unique mix of traditional aesthetics mixed with modern technology.

Read more about Flax Fusion here HERE.

Flax Fusion Kipawa with Carbon-Kevlar trim/Cherry Wood Outers and End Caps

The 2013 BluWave SUP Series

BluWave SUP has made some major changes for 2013, and this year's lineup offers some brand new board designs that are as easy on the eyes as they are perfect for the water. Building from the popularity of the 'Woody' and 'Easy Rider' series, the 2013 line-up includes the all new Wave Rider and Catalina series boards. The Wave Rider series is perfect for the skilled paddler who wants to ride the toughest water Ontario has to offer, and the Catalina series contains 3 ultra-modern displacement boards that are excellent for touring paddlers. You gotta see these boards, they'll have you chomping at the bit to hit the water this spring!

The 2013 BluWave SUP Lineup

The Wilderness Systems Aspire 100 and Aspire 105 

Wilderness Systems makes some of the best poly recreational and touring kayaks on the market, period. This year they've come out with the Aspire 100 and 105 series kayaks, and these boats are fantastic for multi-purpose users. From their website:

"Great on flat or slow moving water, the versatile Aspire combines easy handling and maneuverability with great stability, thanks to its strong chine lines and volume. The up-swept bow helps shed water and the molded-in console, with a two-position bottle holder, offers plenty of storage options to keep things within easy reach. "

Come by the booth and check out these great new boats! 

For more information on the Aspire series, click HERE

Perception Sport Conduit Series Kayaks 

Perception Sport has expanded its line of kayaks for 2013, and these new designs make a great addition to our lineup. From the Perception website:

"Freedom means plenty of room for comfort and performance to go where you want. The Conduit 13 is a paddler-friendly and unrestrictive kayak with enough stability for beginners to feel confident on a leisurely cruise, but features speed and tracking loved by those wanting longer paddles. A great boat for touring lazy rivers or doing some exploration on smaller lakes."

The Perception Sport Conduit 13

For more information about the Conduit series, click HERE 

Perception Sport Expression Series Kayaks 

The larger brother to the Conduit, the Expression series kayaks are a true touring style boat offers great performance at a very reasonable price. They can say it better than I can:

"The Expression 14.5 is for the adventure-seeker who wants the best of both touring and sea kayaks: a fun, maneuverable day-kayak that remains stable and predictable when loaded down with gear. "

The Perception Sport Expression 11.5

For more information about the Expression series, click HERE

Badger Paddles New Shapes for 2013 

Badger Paddles have been a staple in our stores for several years now, and this year they've upgraded their product line to offer some awesome new paddle shapes. These paddles are not only functional, they're pieces of art. Badger reps will be at the show all week with us too, so if you want to get your hands on one of these beautiful paddles, stop by the booth and ask for Badger Mike!

For more information about Badger Paddles, click HERE

3) Indoor Lake Schedule And Events

We're going to be doing daily demonstrations at the indoor lake inside Ricoh Coliseum, so if you're at the show stop by 'the lake' and check it out! We'll be doing the daily Canoe/Kayak seminar, the Stand-Up Paddleboard Demo, and the Hobie Adventure Island demo. You can check out the lake schedule HERE. Come hit the water with us!

Skip Taylor doing what Skip Taylor does best: sharing his enthusiasm for paddling. 

4) Get Your Tickets

If you still haven't picked up your tickets, you can save money if you buy them online before the show. Hit up THIS link to make your purchase!

5) More Information

Interact with us online and stay up to date with the latest news and information. Even if you can't make it to the show, give us a call at 1-800-661-1429 and we can help you find what you need! 

- Facebook
- Twitter
- YouTube
- Scribd

It's The Canada Day Long Weekend And That Means SALES, SALES, SALES!

'Sup Paddlers!

To celebrate the glorious anniversary of the birth of our great nation, we're going to offer up some great deals for the Canada Day long weekend. From Friday June 29th until Monday July 2nd we're offering the following great discounts!

- 15% off ALL in-stock accessories
- 20% of ALL in-stock accessories with the purchase of a boat (any NEW Canoe, Kayak, or SUP)
- a FREE Northwater paddle leash with the purchase of any new SUP (while quantities last)
- a FREE skirt with the purchase of select kayaks- Wilderness Systems Tsunami series, Swift Saranac series, Swift Kiwassa series, and Swift Bering Sea series (while supplies last- limited quantities in some models)

NOTE: Sale does NOT include the Swift Algonquin location. Sale offers only valid at Swift Muskoka, Swift Georgian Bay, and Swift South River.

We just got in a new shipment of BIC Stand Up Paddleboards too, so come check out what we've got in stock from BIC, BluWave SUP, and Starboard. We've got all kinds of SUP's from traditional planing hulls, to displacement hulls, racing boards, and everything in between. There's an SUP for everyone here, from beginner to expert.

Come by select Swift locations this weekend and get what you need to enjoy this awesome long weekend. You can check out all of our store locations HERE.

Happy Long Weekend Paddling Everyone! And Happy Birthday CANADA!!

Hey Southern Ontarians: We're Coming To You!

We're on our way to Southern Ontario!

Hey Paddlers,

It's that time of year again! Every spring we head to the Guelph Lake Conservation Area and bring trailer loads of canoes, kayaks, and SUP's for our annual spring sales event. This year we're bringing over 150 new and used boats that are priced to move. We'll be bringing boats from Swift, Hobie, Evergreen, Perception, Mad River, Wilderness Systems, Bic, BluWave, Starboard, and more. We'll have gear from Kokatat, Werner, Harmony, Fox40, Grey Owl, and Badger Paddles. We'll be right on the water too, so you can "try before you buy!" Not only that, but we'll have reps from Swift, Hobie, BluWave SUP, Badger Paddles available to help you with any questions you may have. We'll get you geared up for test paddles, find the right boat for your needs, or help tie down your new purchase. We've got everything you need to get paddling this season!

Here's the lowdown:

The Details:

When: May 4-6
Where: Guelph Lake Conservation Area
Who: We'll be there with reps from Swift Canoe & Kayak, Hobie MirageDrive Kayaks, BluWave SUP, and Badger Paddles
Hours of Operation: Friday 2-8 pm, Saturday 9-6pm, Sunday 10-4pm
Directions: Click on the attached flyer for a map!

NOTE* There is a small entrance fee to get into the park. All proceeds go to the Grand River Conservation Authority.

For more information e-mail swift@swiftcanoe.com or call us at 1-800-661-1429.

Hope to see you there!

April Fools!

Busted! The girl with the pink PFD.

Okay, okay, you got us. It was an April Fools joke. Pretty convincing though huh? Some of you actually guessed pretty well, we took that picture when we were installing a roof rack on my car last summer. So fear not, the Swift store is intact and we still have a functioning front door. We'd like to say thanks to everyone who commented, participated, and played along, you guys and gals were great. We hope we didn't upset anyone, but if it makes you feel better we all laughed really hard.

Here's a couple more pics:

I assure you I did not blast through the doors at high speed. I thought about it, but I would've had to clean up the mess... 

Alternate (awesome) angle

Another normal day at Swift Muskoka. 

The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show Starts Today!

Swift Canoe & Kayak is at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show this weekend, and we've got all kinds of cool stuff in store for 2012. We've got new kayak models, new canoe models, new color schemes, new laminates, and all kinds of other cool features that we'll be showcasing at the show. Since our release of our new "Flax Fusion" canoes we've gotten quite a bit of interest from paddlers and industry folk alike, so here's a couple new behind the scenes photos of our new Flax Fusion boats. These boats will be at the show this weekend, so stop by the Swift booth and say hi! The show runs this weekend, Feb 24-26th, at the International Centre, and there's more info below. Hope to see you there!

Show Details:

1) The Outdoor Adventure Show Website: http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/toronto/visitor/index.html

2) Print this coupon for 2-for-1 Admission: http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/toronto/visitor/coupon.html

3) We'll be doing an in-water demonstration entitled "Solo Canoe Choices" with our paddling guru Skip Taylor on Saturday  at 3 p.m and Sunday at 12 p.m in the whitewater pool (and I'd bet my last dollar he'll be in the Flax Fusion Keewaydin 15 for that). Check out the demo schedule here: http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/toronto/visitor/show_schedule/white_water_demo.html

4) Information about the Flax Fusion laminate: http://www.swiftcanoe.com/canoe/FlaxFusion.html

5) Our last blog post showcasing our new canoe designs, our new kayaks, the 2012 color schemes, the new all-carbon Pack boats, and more! http://swiftoutdoors.blogspot.com/2012/01/sneak-preview-whats-new-in-2012.html

And now the pictures...

The first ever Flax Fusion Adirondack 13.6 with our new adjustable lumbar high-back seat. 

Close-up. You can actually see the strands of the flax fibre. Creates a great vintage look. 

The first ever Flax Fusion boat was a Keewaydin 15. This is the second one we  built.  We're pretty confident this new canoe is going to be popular, it's a really fun boat to paddle. 

Close-up the upgraded Carbon-Kevlar trim. It's got a new pattern and a new profile. Great for grabbing onto for portages!

The first ever Kipawa in Flax Fusion

All natural cherry wood interior. The wood is treated with a natural hemp oil. Not only is it environmentally safe, it keeps your wood looking fresh!

The new "Flax Fusion" sticker. Cool huh?

All new Flax Fusion boats will have a Kevlar cloth interior with flax fabric float tanks. Neat looking floating tank isn't it?

Close-up of the new float tank 

Skip Taylor doing his solo paddling clinic at the Toronto Boat Show in the Keewaydin 15. Look for Skip on Saturday and Sunday in the main pool doing his "Solo Canoe Choices" seminar

SNEAK PREVIEW: What's New In 2012

Well...ladies and gentlemen, IT'S TIME!

After stirring up some hype, it's time to finally unveil all the new upgrades we've got in store for 2012. We've got some great new stuff this year that we think you're really going to like. Let's get right to it, shall we? Here is just SOME of the amazing stuff that Swift Canoe & Kayak will be releasing in 2012:

The Boats

The All-New Keewaydin 15 Solo Canoe

The all-new Keewaydin 15 is David Yost’s latest solo canoe design, and it’s an unparalleled balance of comfort and performance. The performance lies in its enhanced tumblehome and mid-range waterline, making it ultra-responsive when leaned or heeled. The comfort comes from its shallow arch hull and moderate width, making it stable not just for kneeling paddlers , but paddlers who sit as well. Whether you’re headed deep into the backcountry or around the cottage, the Keewaydin 15’s user-friendly feel will put you at ease, freeing you up to enjoy the beauty around you. 

The Keewaydin 15 Prototype, just before it became the beautiful boat you see below.

The first Keewaydin 15. What's that unusual color, you ask? You can read more about that below.

The All-New Saranac 15 Kayak

The Saranac 15 is the newest member of the Saranac family. This David Yost design follows the traditions of its predecessors by utilizing the same distinctive style and pleasing shape, but offers more space under the deck for larger paddlers and an increased waterline for better glide. As light as 34 lbs, it accelerates with ease and maintains speed with minimal effort, making it the easy choice for adventurous paddlers or those who need a little more leg room. If you demand the size and performance of a bigger boat but don’t want the burden that comes with it, the Saranac 15 fills this niche with style.

The Saranac 15 on her maiden voyage along the waterfront in Toronto. 

The All-New Bering Sea XL


The Bering Sea XL is ideally suited for the larger sized paddler who is looking for more than average performance. Complimented by beautiful craftsmanship and durable, lightweight construction, the Bering Sea XL has rounded chines and a moderate rocker with a spacious cockpit. It handles wind and waves with predictability. It's long waterline length, flared hull design and generous hatches create ample storage for a kayak of it's size.

Bill Swift himself putting the Bering XL through its paces.

The Swift Osprey 'Combi' Edition


For the Osprey 'Combi,' we've taken our popular Osprey solo canoe and added a multi-function kayak style seating configuration. The new seating system is elevated slightly off the hull and incorporates adjustable foot braces and our new High-Back Seat with lumbar support. This unique seat fits right into the existing sliding seat configuration, allowing you to interchange between a canoe or kayak seat in just minutes. The new 'Combi' Edition is ideal for birdwatchers, fisherman, or those who want the functionality of a canoe/kayak hybrid. 

The Technology

Flax Fusion

Swift is redefining modern canoe composition by introducing its most environmentally responsible laminate yet; the all-new Flax Fusion. Using naturally grown flax fiber cloth layers surrounding an inner Kevlar layer, as well as an eco-friendly Vinylester resin that minimizes waste, Flax Fusion produces the same robust boats you require but without the environmental impact. Interior finishes are done in high-quality cherry wood with organic hemp strapping for the seats, making these boats the most enviro-conscious composite canoes on the market. As paddlers, we treasure our partnership with Nature, and this is our way of keeping that bond strong. 

The first Flax Fusion canoe ever made, coupled with the first Keewaydin 15 ever made!

All Flax Fusion boats will have cherry wood seats woven with organic hemp strapping.

The new Flax Fusion laminate is comprised of naturally grown flax fiber sandwiching  inner Kevlar, giving it a distinctive brown color and vintage look. 

Carbon-Kevlar Gunwale Re-Design

Swift is introducing a stunning new re-design of our unique Carbon Kevlar Trim for 2012. The new trim has a contoured profile that incorporates an outer lip, creating an even stronger trim system with better grip for portaging. The new Carbon and Kevlar pattern also has a more durable coating finish for strength and long term durability. The new gunwale system is available in our Kevlar and Carbon Fusion laminates and can be upgraded with Cherry wood decks emblazed with our logo and matching outer gunwale strips. 

The new profile does away with the outer vinyl strip, instead  using the gunwale itself to provide the  outer lip. Great for carrying and portaging, and maintenance free!

The new Carbon-Kevlar Trim comes standard with black or brown vinyl end caps, and is available with a cherry wood outer/end cap upgrade.

Adirondack Pack Boat 'Tech Package'


Swift’s Adirondack Pack boats will have an exciting new look for 2012. Their new trim system incorporates a new Carbon Kevlar gunwale profile without using wood, instead integrating lightweight Carbon decks, handles and thwarts! These new boats will also have our new ultra-comfortable high back seating system with lumbar support, including an optional Sliding Seat System that allows the paddler to trim the boat easily for different loads. 

The new ultralight carbon decks and carrying handles. The components are integrated into the boat without drilling a single hole! 

A Carbon Fusion Adirondack Pack 12 with the full 'Tech' upgrade with carbon decks, handles, and thwarts. SO light!

A Kevlar Fusion Adirondack Pack 12 with the full 'Tech' upgrade. Both the seat and the footbraces are bonded directly  to the interior, so no holes are drilled into the hull!

Our Pack Boats are available with a sliding seat configuration that allows you to re-position the seat for better trim.   The lumber pad is fully adjustable, allowing you to find the best possible paddling position. 

The new Deluxe High Back Seats also fold down for easier transport and storage.

Limited Edition Textral Carbon Canoes


Swift is now producing limited edition canoes with Textral Carbon Cloth. The Textral Carbon possesses a unique pattern within the cloth, adding a sleek and distinctive style to our Carbon Fusion laminate. Combined with our new Carbon Kevlar Trim, the limited edition Textral Carbon Swift canoes are the most unique lightweight canoes on the market!

The new Textral cloth has a dynamic pattern woven into the carbon fiber that syncs with the braid of the trim, creating a unique canoe that exists nowhere else!

The Colours

New Kevlar 'Barracuda' Color Options- Sage, Gold

Swift is now offering boats with gorgeous Gold and Sage Barracuda finishes.  These new colours offer a fine complement to our current Silver Barracuda finish.  All 3 Barracuda finishes are available on our kayak hulls, Pack Boats and Canoes. 

Kevlar Fusion Prospector 16 in Sage Barracuda with Two-Tone Champagne Hull

Kevlar Fusion Prospector 16 in Gold Barracuda with Two-Tone Champagne Hull and re-designed Carbon-Kevlar trim

Limited Edition Kayak Color Schemes- Apple, Moss, & Grape

For 2012 Swift is proud to offer its first edition of Limited Edition Kayaks, available in 3 exciting new colours; Apple, Moss and Grape. These limited edition kayaks are also available with our new Barracuda hull finishes; Gold, Sage and Silver. The hatches can be ordered in the matching Barracuda hull color or to match the deck colour!

A Kiwassa 13.2 in Apple with a Gold Barracuda hull and matching hatches

Hatches can be made to match the deck color, or can be made in a Barracuda finish that matches your hull!

Kiwassa 12.6 in Moss with a Sage Barracuda hull. 

Saranac Classic in Grape with clear Carbon hull.

We're pretty excited about what 2012 will bring, and we hope you are too! This is just a preview, so keep an eye on our websites in the coming weeks for more information. And feel free to give us your feedback and let us know what you think. After all, we build these boats for you!

- The Swift Team

See you on the water!