Fifty 'Eco-Friendly' Ways to Experience the Unforgettable Nature of an O.A.R.S. Adventure

November 5, 2009

ANGELS CAMP, Calif., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists), announced today the release of their 2010 full-color catalog featuring "50 ways to experience the unforgettable nature of an O.A.R.S. adventure."

Recognized by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as "The Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth," O.A.R.S. has been a leader in the whitewater rafting and adventure travel industry for 40 years. The California-based, eco-conscious organization provides exceptional whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and multi-sport adventures throughout the western U.S., Canada, Latin America and Fiji.

Beyond the stunning photography and the robust selection of nature-based adventures, what is most remarkable about the new O.A.R.S. catalog is the company's demonstrated commitment to reducing their impact on the environment. This year O.A.R.S. downsized their print run and reduced the number of pages in their catalog in favor of better paper rather than more paper and introduced an easy-to-navigate online version of their catalog.

Steve Markle, O.A.R.S. Marketing and Partnerships Director, stated from Angels Camp, California, recently, "Conservation is the foundation of our company and we are committed to minimizing our footprint on the planet. This year our catalog is printed in the U.S. on New Leaf Paper Company's Symphony Gloss, which contains 30% Post-Consumer Waste and is Elemental Chlorine Free. The cover stock is Primavera Gloss, which is 80% Recycled, 60% Post-Consumer Waste and Elemental Chlorine Free. Both the paper and the printer we've selected for this year's catalog are Forest Stewardship Council chain of custody certified and we printed with vegetable-based inks."

The number of pages in the company's catalog may have decreased, but O.A.R.S. did not reduce their selection of adventures. New itineraries in 2010 include hiking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park and a new lodge-based sea kayaking adventure in British Columbia. Located northeast of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait is internationally recognized as the best location to see orca whales in the wild. Nearly 300 orcas (a.k.a. killer whales) congregate here each summer between June and September.

Additional vacation options in 2010 include O.A.R.S.' signature rafting expeditions in the Grand Canyon and dozens of other national park adventures, Idaho whitewater rafting trips on the Wild and Scenic Salmon and Snake rivers, family-friendly vacations on Oregon's Rogue River and the Green River through the Gates of Lodore in Colorado, as well as a variety of sea kayaking, hiking and multi-sport adventures varying in length from a 1/2-day to more than two weeks.

O.A.R.S. was the first, and only, North American rafting outfitter to be 100% carbon neutral through the support of domestic carbon offset projects that are inspected, verified and certified by independent third parties including Green-e, the Gold Standard, CDM, and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance. Each year O.A.R.S. purchases approximately 700 tons of carbon offsets from Sustainable Travel International(TM) which has the same global warming offset impact as keeping 128 average cars off the road for an entire year. The company's California headquarters and Grand Canyon operations are also 100% solar powered.

Since 1969 O.A.R.S. has set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and multi-sport vacations, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines of the world. O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes. For more information on O.A.R.S. eco-friendly adventures, including a free color catalog, call O.A.R.S. at 1-800-346-6277, email the company at info@oars.com or visit www.oars.com.

CONTACT: Steve Markle of Outdoor Adventure River Specialists, +1-209-736-2407 ext. 716, stevem@oars.com

SOURCE Outdoor Adventure River Specialists