Last week at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Bill Kueper, Vice President, Wenonah Canoe, Inc. and Todd Bradley, President C4 Waterman, Inc. announced the merger of C4 Waterman into Wenonah’s existing world-wide distribution network.
Established formally in 1968, Wenonah Canoe has roots reaching back to the 1950’s. Today, Wenonah Canoe – along with its Current Designs and QCC kayaks brands – positions itself among the largest makers of paddle sport watercraft in the world, emphasizing ultra-light yet extremely robust constructions and high-performance models.
C4 Waterman, Inc. is an Oahu, Hawaii-based lifestyle and adventure sports equipment company focused on providing the highest quality hard goods and soft goods to water sports athletes and enthusiasts around the world.
Kueper said, “The addition of C4 Waterman SUP, safety, rescue accessories and apparel products to Wenonah’s brand stable makes Wenonah a one-stop-shop for SUP, kayak and canoeing.” Merging with Wenonah ensures the Hawaiian company’s position as a premiere brand in the global action sports industry.
Wenonah’s Founder/Owner, Mike Cichanowski believed in C4 Waterman from the beginning and helped launch the brand at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in 2007. Today, C4 is recognized worldwide as a pioneer and innovator of SUP surfing and racing and as a premier brand for SUP boards, paddles and related accessories. The C4 team has continued to break new ground with inflatable SUPs (“iSUP”) and innovative tools for rivers and oceans, water rescue equipment and related soft goods. C4’s development of the iSUP has ushered in a new class of river exploration and whitewater riding for inland sports enthusiasts around the world.
While innovative product design has kept C4 ahead of the pack, it is the team’s dedication and commitment to sharing the lifestyle of the waterman, through its key ambassadors in River, Ocean and Safety that make them leaders in the industry.
“This will be a very exciting phase for C4 Waterman, with the expansion of the brand well beyond the stand-up paddle equipment that we are best known for, our portfolio of new innovations is now ready to share with the world,” said Todd Bradley, co-founder of C4 Waterman.
Key company insiders for C4; Todd Bradley, Brian Keaulana, Dave Parmenter and Archie Kalepa will continue to help innovate the brand with the support of the new parent company. Initially, resources will be focused on delivering a transparent experience for customers and consumers in all areas, including customer service, supply chains and future innovation. Integration of C4 into Wenonah’s corporate structure is expected to be complete by ORSM 2014.
Look for the new line-up of C4 Waterman inflatable SUPs to be available later this spring, 2014 at www.AirKayaks.com.