Archives: Press Releases

SEATTLE (May 5, 2025) – Cascade Designs, parent company of iconic outdoor brands including Therm-a-Rest, MSR, Platypus, SealLine, and PackTowl, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mindful Outdoor Sales. Founded in 2022, Mindful Outdoor Sales is a dynamic agency made up of outdoor enthusiasts with a deep passion for the industry.

Mindful Outdoor Sales will assume responsibility for the six-state region of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The agency will be succeeding longtime rep Chris Lathrop, who is retiring after a three-decade long career in the outdoor industry.

“Cascade Designs owes Chris Lathrop a huge debt. Chris built Cascade Designs into the category leader it is today,” said David Fee, Vice President of Sales at Cascade Designs. “Over our time working together, Chris not only delivered impressive sales growth, but provided critical feedback on our product strategy, marketing and sales programs, and more. We wish him a well-earned retirement!”

Mindful Outdoor Sales is an emerging leader in the New England outdoor retail landscape. Their team was frequently cited by partners as the go-to agency in the region. The team consists of three experienced agents, with Patrick Manzer and Dustin Marshall serving as the main contacts for Cascade Designs moving forward.

“The Cascade Design team is extremely excited to partner with the Mindful Outdoor Sales team,” said Jaime Buyagawan, Cascade Designs North America Sales Manager. “Patrick and Dustin are the ideal team to take over the territory that Chris built—they have deep experience in outdoor specialty, a strong brand portfolio, and a ton of energy.”

For additional information about Cascade Designs, please visit www.cascadedesigns.com.

About Cascade Designs, Inc.®

For over 50 years, Cascade Designs, Inc. and its brands, Therm-a-Rest®, Mountain Safety Research® (MSR), Platypus®, SealLine®, and PackTowl®, have led the outdoor industry in designing innovative, useful, and long-lasting equipment, manufacturing the majority of its products in market at its Reno, Nev., U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland facilities, and with offices in Seattle, Wash. From the original self-inflating Therm-a-Rest® camping mattress to the first multi-fuel stove from MSR®, Cascade Designs has developed leading products that explorers, travelers, adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend campers can rely on to deliver optimum performance in the outdoors through exceptional engineering and quality. For more information, please visit www.cascadedesigns.com.

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RecPak, the pioneer in ultralight complete meal solutions for outdoor adventurers, is excited to announce its participation in an extraordinary backpacking giveaway in partnership with Trails Magazine and Cascade Mountain Ascents.

Starting May 5th through May 20th, outdoor enthusiasts can enter for a chance to win an epic 4-day guided backpacking adventure in the breathtaking North Cascades, often called “America’s Alps.” The grand prize includes professional guiding services, airfare, premium gear from leading outdoor brands, and eight RecPak meals to fuel the adventure.

“The North Cascades represent some of the most spectacular alpine terrain in North America, and proper nutrition is essential when exploring such challenging environments,” said Deed Ziegler, RecPak founder. “We’re thrilled to provide our nutritionally complete meals for this incredible adventure where saving weight and time is crucial to enjoying the journey.”

RecPak’s contribution to the prize package ensures the winner and their guest will have access to 700-calorie, dietitian-designed complete meals that require only water to prepare—allowing more time to enjoy the stunning vistas and less time worrying about meal preparation.

In addition to RecPak’s meals, the comprehensive prize package features premium gear from respected outdoor brands including Hilleberg, Arc’teryx, Therm-a-Rest, Rab, NEMO Equipment, Lowa, and others, creating the ultimate backpacking experience valued at over $5,000.

To enter the giveaway, visit  the GIVEAWAY LANDING PAGE. Follow @recpakco on Instagram for direct links, entry information, and other great opportunities. The winner will be announced shortly after the May 20th entry deadline.

About RecPak

RecPak provides nutritionally complete instant meals for outdoor adventurers and professionals who need to save space, weight, and time in challenging environments. Designed by top sports dietitians, our products deliver 700 calories of balanced nutrition in a lightweight, durable pouch that fits in your pocket. RecPak is veteran-owned, made in the USA, and committed to supporting conservation efforts as a proud member of 1% For The Planet.

Media Contact:

Eli Kerr
4elikerr@gmail.com

 

Research results show that the 10th annual season of Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program (BWBS) in 2024 reduced the risk of deadly ship strikes to whales by 50%, underwater noise by 38%, smog-forming pollution by 1,400 tons and greenhouse gases by nearly 50,000 metric tons along the California coast.

Each year, BWBS works to incentivize the world’s largest shipping companies to opt in to “whale-safer” speeds (10 knots or less) off California to help reduce fatal strike risk to whales as well as air and underwater noise pollution. After each Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Season (May to December) ends, BWBS analyzes vessel AIS data to determine enrolled fleets’ cooperation levels, recognizes the shipping lines whose fleets most consistently adhered to reduced speed requests, and analyzes how these voluntary efforts translate to quantifiable environmental benefits for the marine environment and coastal California communities.

2024 Season results and methodologies related to determining the corresponding reduced risk of fatal strikes, ocean noise, air pollution and emissions from these whale-safer transits can be found here. Below are some high level summaries of the impact and context behind these program impact areas:

Ship Strike Risk Reduction:

• 2024 Results: Research partners with Point Blue Conservation Science compared in-season transit speeds of participating transits to out-of-season speeds and quantified the reduction in fatal strike risk associated with that change. The analyses show that transits of participating vessels posed a 50.1% lower strike mortality risk to whales.
• Context: Globally, the top two leading causes of mortality to whales are collisions with large vessels – known as ship strikes – and entanglements. One of the main goals of the program is to decrease the risk of fatal ship strikes from large vessels. Lower speeds both reduce the risk of serious injuries to whales and allow whales more time to avoid impact. Moreover, this benefit scales with the number of participating vessels and the total distance traveled at safer speeds. As the number of participating vessels grows, the absolute benefit to whales increases accordingly.

Underwater Noise Pollution:

• 2024 Results: Research partners from Scripps Institution of Oceanography analyzed acoustic data and found that, across all program zones, the source levels of participating vessels was reduced by 38%, or 4.1 decibels, when the 2024 program was active versus inactive.
• Context: Whales have evolved over the millennia to use sound for their daily life functions — to navigate, communicate, and keep in contact during long migrations. Noise pollution disrupts these essential behaviors, threatening their ability to thrive. Implementing VSR programs in regions with high whale presence is a crucial step in mitigating the harmful effects of chronic noise pollution and protecting these vulnerable species.

Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

• 2024 Results: Research partners compared in-season transit speeds of participating transits to historic, out-of-season speeds and quantified the reduction in emissions associated with that change. Analyses show the program resulted in estimated reductions of 1,405 tons of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which is the equivalent of taking 900,000 cars off the road for a year. It also resulted in estimated reductions of 33 tons of oxides of sulfur (SOx), 8.4 tons of diesel particulate matter, and 49,945 metric tons of regional greenhouse gases.
• Context: When most fossil-fuel burning ships reduce speeds to the “whale-safer” threshold, it also decreases air pollution and emissions by about 27% from baseline. NOx, a key contributor to ozone, is of particular concern for many communities, especially those overburdened by ports, high traffic, and industrial infrastructure. Ocean-going vessels contribute a large portion of the smog-forming NOx emissions affecting coastal California communities.

Strong Industry Participation Driving Cumulative Impact

For the 2024 Season, BWBS verified that 743 vessels, across 49 shipping lines, opted in for 425,981 nautical miles of whale-safer and improved air quality behavior.  Twenty-three of those lines qualified for the coveted “Sapphire” award by achieving 85% or greater total distance traveled in the VSR zones at whale-safer speeds.  These shipping lines include: CMA CGM; Connaught Shipmanagement HK; COSCO Shipping; CSL Americas; Hong Kong Top Honor Shipping; ISM Ship Management Ltd; Maersk; Marathon Petroleum; MSC; NYK Ro-Ro; Ocean Network Express; OOCL; OSG Ship Management, Inc.; Pilion Navigation; ConocoPhillips – Polar Tankers; Starbulk SA; STX Marine Service Co; Swire Shipping; Teo Shipping Corporation; Tomini Transports LLC; Toyofuji; Wallenius Wilhelmsen; and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.

The shipping lines that qualified for the next award tier (Gold, 60-84% cooperation rate) are: Campbell Shipping Company; D’Amico Group; Dockendale; Empire Bulker Ltd.; Evergreen; Hapag-Lloyd; HMC Shipmanagement Co Ltd; Hyundai Glovis; K Line; Mol ACE; Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd.; Raffles Shipmanagement Services; Scorpio Group; Temm Maritime Co Ltd; Unisea Shipping Ltd; Venture Shipping Ltd; Veritas Shipmanagement; and Wan Hai.

BWBS also partners with brands, ports, and product, logistics and freight companies that ship with participating shipping companies, and work to advance opportunities to protect marine biodiversity and air quality in ocean freight. The program Ambassadors are: Sonos, JAS Worldwide, The Block Logistics, Port of Hueneme, Nomad Goods, Peak Design, Who Gives a Crap, Limoneira, Eggboards, Brighten Solar, Business & Pleasure, Summit Coffee and Santa Cruz Bicycles.

The environmental benefits driven by this growing industry participation shows that this program is making an impact.

“It’s been amazing to witness the growth of this program over the last 10 years and the range of impressive environmental benefits achieved. From seven shipping lines reducing speed in 2014 to 49 shipping lines opting in for 2024, this program serves as a shining example of what can be accomplished when government agencies, industry, and conservationists work together,” said Jess Morten with the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Brands, logistics companies, freight forwarders, ports and product companies interested in learning about the Ambassador program can contact Becca Tucker at becca@californiaMSF.org. More information is available at www.bluewhalesblueskies.org.

 

Northern California, May 1, 2025 — S M B L (pronounced ‘symbol’) stands for ‘simple moments breathe life’ and launches today with a ‘simple’ but powerful premise: presence is everything. S M B L is a brand for those who find clarity, purpose, and freedom through movement on the trail, in the water, on the road, or just in the moment.

S M B L was born from the vision of Jonathan Hart, founder of the iconic hunting brand Sitka, and inspired by the story of his son, Karsten. An athlete who has approached each day with intention and a quiet intensity, driven not by accolades but by a personal standard of growth, discipline, and presence. S M B L was built for those individuals like him that are committed to the process, those who push boundaries not for recognition, but for the calm that comes from focus, growth, and living fully, right now.

“We created S M B L to serve people who don’t just participate, they immerse,” said founder Jonathan Hart. “S M B L is about more than what we wear, it’s about how we show up. It’s for people who value the clarity that comes from being fully present.”

S M B L is launching with the Foundation Tee, an organic premium shirt designed with intention, from the source of the materials to the final stitch. Built to balance comfort, capability, and longevity, the Foundation Tee reflects the brand’s belief that aesthetic and performance are equally important, and that what we wear should support how we move through the world. This launch marks the beginning of a thoughtful journey, with dedicated collections for mountain bike, surf, and snow rolling out throughout the year, each designed to meet the moment, and support the pursuit.

What sets S M B L apart is its clarity of intent. Every product is developed with discipline and purpose, grounded in a commitment to quality and guided by the values that shape the brand: awareness, growth, curiosity, and resilience. Each piece is designed to feel good, function well, and reflect a mindset of balance between effort and ease. Most importantly, the brand keeps in mind the process of ‘Grind>Mastery>Flow>Awake’ to design anything.

At its core, S M B L is rooted in the shared perspective of its community. It’s about presence, not performance. The quiet that comes after effort, not applause. Community, not category. And a recognition that the moment we’re in is the one that matters most.

S M B L is now live HERE

About S M B L
S M B L is a brand of Two Point Zero Holdings (TPZ), a next-generation platform reimagining how consumer brands are built, scaled, and sustained. Founded by industry veterans with a track record of disruptive innovation, TPZ operates like a modern-day collective—lean, strategic, and relentlessly focused on brand love, creating meaningful connections from first touch to lifelong advocacy.

Press Contact:
Brandon Martinez
Senior PR Account Manager | Backbone
brandon.martinez@backbone.media
970-963-4873 ext: 1135

 

PARK CITY, Utah (April 30, 2025) – Rossignol athlete Marcus Goguen made history last month, becoming the youngest athlete to secure the overall Freeride World Tour champion title in men’s ski. At just 20 years old, Goguen’s achievement marks a milestone for both his burgeoning career and the Rossignol brand’s long-standing legacy in freeride. The Whistler, BC-based athlete’s career has been defined by standout performances over the past few years.

After winning the 2023 Junior World Championship, Goguen earned a wildcard into the FWT Kicking Horse event, where he immediately claimed his first podium on the tour, coming in second place. In 2024, he landed on the podium at nearly every FWT stop, putting in a show-stopping run on the infamous Bec de Rosses face in Verbier, where he opened up a new, previously unskied line during the finals. He earned first place for his performance and nearly took the overall title, coming in second. This season, Goguen solidified his place in FWT history with a third-place finish and two first-place victories, propelling him to the overall world title. Goguen’s remarkable consistency speaks for itself. He’s podiumed in every event where he hasn’t crashed.

“Whether he’s ripping around Whistler with friends or throwing down on the tour, Marcus just operates on a different level,” said Nick Castagnoli, Brand Marketing Director, Rossignol Group North America. “To watch him excel on this stage amongst a crazy-competitive field has been amazing to witness as a fan of the sport and of Marcus himself. It couldn’t happen to a nicer, humbler, and hard-working guy. We’re all very proud of him here and excited to see what the future holds.”

Goguen has spent both of his FWT seasons skiing on Rossignol’s award-winning  Sender Free 110, a true workhorse and the pinnacle of versatility within Rossignol’s freeride collection. The 2024/2025 FWT season was a testament to its capabilities, with athletes navigating some of the most variable conditions and challenging venues seen to date.

In addition to his competitive success, Goguen also spent a portion of the season filming with Matchstick Productions for their 2025 feature film and has been working alongside fellow Rossignol freeride and snowboard athletes to develop the brand’s new tip-of-the-spear freeride jacket and bib. The new kit will serve as the basis for the brand’s growing freeride offer in the softgoods category.

To follow Marcus’ exploits year-round, follow @rossignolfreeride, @rossignolbikes, and @marcusg360 on Instagram. For more information on Rossignol’s award-winning winter sports and outdoor equipment, please visit rossignol.com.