Amongst the overwhelming rows and rows of well known brands at the 2010 Winter Outdoor Retailer Show, there actually were a few new exhibitors. I was able to catch up with three new attendees: Whistles for Life, Cycle Dog, and World Minded.
The man behind Whistles for Life, Robert Cameron, began with the Rivali County Search and Rescue, in Montana over 54 years ago. Now a resident of Bellingham, Washington, he helped design a whistle that is meant to be heard miles away, whether its over water, land, or from inside a tree well. Unlike most whistles, the Signal1 Tri-Power has three separate chambers and produces a 120 decibel blast. Except for a group of boy-scouts sitting around a campfire and chewing on the ends of the whistle for hours, Cameron says the Tri-Power is indestructible. Groups like the National Safe Boating Council, The National Park Service, and C.E.R.T are endorsing this ear-piercing whistle. Check them out at www.whistlesforlife.com
Over 400 million bike tubes are sold every year, which means a lot of them are sitting in a landfill. Lanette Fidrych of Cycle Dog, decided to do something with her old deflated bike tires. Out of Portland, Oregon, she started making leashes for her golden lab, Regan. The line has expanded to include the Pup Top, a dog collar that doubles as a bottle opener made out of a seat belt buckle.
Unlike cloth or nylon dog collars, Cycle Dog collars don’t absorb water, oils, or those weird swampy dog smells. Fidrych is working with other bike companies to raise awareness about recycling bike tubes. With help from golden lab product testers, Regan Ray and Hannah Mae, Cycle Dog is bringing some seriously stylin’ leashes and collars to the pet product scene. Order their collars and leashes at www.cycledog.com
Another passion-driven company new to the OR scene is World Minded, an eco-friendly clothing company for men, women and children. Based in Mammoth Lakes, California, Charles Perry IV started three years ago, with the intent to inspire people to care for others. World Minded uses a network of artists to convey its message to be conscious of others and the environment. Perry has pledged to donate 10% of the companies humanitarian collection to its partnered organizations including Roots and Shoots, The Central Asia Institute, and the Common River Organization. World Minded also donates 1% of its total revenue to other organizations doing positive things for the world. You can see more of their clothing designs at www.worldminded.com.
I met Charles at Outdoor Retailer in January, and I love the story as well as the actual tee’s. We’re picking up a handful of designs this spring… coming soon to http://www.powderfin.com!