Thursday, January 24, 2008

Valley Update

Those of you patiently waiting for the next container please note that current ETA is now 02/04/08. I know you have customers waiting and I can only apologize for the delay. The container is apparently coming by rail from the east coast and I am assuming bad weather is causing the delay because it has not yet left New York! I will keep you updated.

The February container is full and we are currently taking orders for the April container. Please note our fax line has been repaired so you can once again fax orders to: 415-747-8724.

You may wish to check out our ‘new’ line of sea kayaks: www.northshoreseakayaks.com
North Shore Sea Kayaks are an established and well-respected brand in Europe. The company is now owned by Valley and fills some of the niches within the Valley range, including the Buccaneer, a large cockpit expedition kayak and the Atlantic II, a popular double for outfitters and families.

Gath Helmets


River and Ocean are delighted to announce that we will be representing GATH headgear on the west coast.


Whether you are surf kayaking, sea kayaking or river boating it makes sense to wrap your head in a layer of defense. GATH headgear is made from the latest high-tech, shatterproof plastics and provides a super lightweight, snug-fitting, layer of defense against superficial head injury, cuts, bumps and abrasions. GATH also helps minimize the painful physical side effects caused by the sun (deadly skin cancers and eye damage), wind chill (chronic ear ache, surfers' ear), salt water spray (sore eyes), and pressure-induced ear injury (perforated ear drums).

  • GATH is a top choice of police, fire, lifeguard and (water) rescue services.


  • Gath enjoys a dominant market share in the surf scene.


  • Gath is the top choice in kite boarding and windsurfing.


  • Gath is a top choice for surf kayakers.


  • Gath has been selected for use by Olympic white water slalom teams.


  • Gath is growing in slalom (water) skiing, wakeboarding and barefoot skiing.


  • Gath is being discovered by PWC riders, including rescue services and freestyle competitors.


  • Other uses: sailing, cave divers, shark feeders, body surfers.


  • Modified Gath with “warm and fuzzy” liners and outside goggle retainers are being used by skiers, snowboarders and sky divers.

You can download a pdf of the full range of GATH Headgear at our website http://www.riverandocean.com/




Mitchell Paddles

River and Ocean are delighted to announce that we will be representing Mitchell Paddles on the west coast.

For over thirty years, Mitchell Paddles has been at the forefront of paddle design. From beautiful wooden paddles to composites and hybrids, the Mitchell family has infused their experience as whitewater champions into their first-class paddles. With years of professional woodworking skills, David Mitchell has passed along his knowledge of the craft to his son Peter Mitchell who is continuing the tradition of hand-crafting the finest paddles in the world.

We will be sending out more information to all dealers very soon but in the meantime please check out the Mitchell website www.mitchellpaddles.com

Kokatat Watersports Wear

River and Ocean are now proud to represent Kokatat in the States of California, Nevada and Arizona. Here is a copy of their recent press release:

Kokatat Hires Sean Morley as Western USA Sales Representative
Arcata CA- Kokatat is pleased to announce Sean Morley has accepted the position as Kokatat Sales Representative for the western territory. This territory includes California, Nevada and Arizona. Sean moved from the UK to California in 2006 and founded River and Ocean LLC, a Sales and Customer Service Agency within the water sports industry representing such established lines as Valley Sea Kayaks and now Kokatat Watersports Wear. He is based out of the California Bay Area where he lives with his wife and daughter and continues to work as a freelance kayak instructor.
Sean began kayaking at the age of ten, often paddling alone, exploring the relatively sheltered waters of St Austell Bay on the south coast of Cornwall, England. “I used to wonder what lay around the corner and dreamt of continuing around the next headland until eventually I had paddled all the way around Great Britain” explains Sean. In 2004, Sean completed the first solo circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland (including all inhabited islands), 4,500 miles in 183 days.
Other accomplishments include British Canoe Union 4 star award and 5 star trainee. Sean is also an avid surf kayaker winning the Masters High Performance category and placing 2nd in the Open High Performance category at the 2007 World Championships as a member of the USA West Coast Surf Kayak team. After more than 30 years of kayaking Sean’s passion for the sport is undiminished. Sean says, “I love nothing more than to share this enthusiasm with fellow paddlers, be they novices or experts.”

“I am truly delighted to be the new Kokatat outside sales representative in California, Nevada and Arizona. As a member of Team Kokatat I have been testing the gear in some extreme conditions and I know that it performs superbly. Joining the Kokatat ‘family’ and having the opportunity to work for a company that makes such innovative, quality products and that operates with the highest standards of integrity is a dream come true” says Sean Morley.

Happy New Year!

Hi Folks,

One of my New Year's resolutions is to communicate more regularly and effectively with my customers and this is one way that I hope I can do that. I know how busy you are and that you are not always available to take a phone call or have time to write an email. I know that when I am on the road I can be hard to get hold of as well so hopefully this might provide the information you need.

I will be using this blog to update you about existing and new lines and to highlight some of the offers available and some of the products that I am most excited about.

I will also use this blog to update you on container arrivals, order deadlines and any other information that I think will be useful.

I am always open to feedback so if you want to see any other information posted here then just let me know.

This blog is in no way intended to replace any personal communication and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Sean Morley