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Heliconia
In Awards, Best in Class, PaddleTV

PaddleTV Announces 2023’s “Best in Class” Awards for Best Kayaks and Canoes

PaddleTV’s second part of the 2023 Best in Class awards have been announced by world-renowned paddler, instructor, television host, and YouTuber, Ken Whiting. Ken spent the summer testing some of the industry’s top kayaks and canoes and has narrowed down eight of the industry’s best boats, awarding them the title of Best in Class.

A natural evolution from PaddleTV’s Buyer’s Guide YouTube series, the Best in Class awards celebrate the “best of the best” in paddlesports. Produced by Heliconia, the Best in Class awards are an authentic and unbiased celebration of the top paddlesports products that Ken tested in 2023.

Each Best in Class video features the top products within a specific category. For each product featured, Ken discusses why he has chosen it as one of the top products of the year, and who should consider purchasing it.

The awards are being released to over 124k subscribers through Ken’s industry leading PaddleTV YouTube channel, and also being shared to his 132k followers on Facebook, Instagram, and on in4adventure.com, a new online resource focused on getting people outdoors, and ensuring those experiences are as great as possible.

Without any further ado, the 2023 PaddleTV Best Kayaks and Canoes Award winners are:

  • Sea Eagle 330
  • P&H Volan 160
  • Perception Hangtime 11
  • Melker Rodloga
  • Pyranha Scorch X
  • Delta 15.5GT
  • Sea Eagle Travel Canoe 16
  • Swift Pack Boat – Cruiser 14.8

Brands interested in having products considered for PaddleTV Awards in 2024 are encouraged to reach out via this Paddling Gear Guide form. For more information about PaddleTV and Heliconia’s various paddle-focused media projects, visit www.heliconia.ca.

About Ken Whiting
Ken Whiting is a world-champion kayaker, author of 12 books and videos about paddling, and the host of the world’s largest paddle sports YouTube channel, PaddleTV. Ken is also the host of Facing Waves, a leading outdoors paddle sports adventure show. He is one of the most accomplished and respected paddle sport professionals in the world. Through his project, Ken hopes to help get people outdoors and have positive, enriching experiences that will result in them being life-long outdoor participants.

About Heliconia
Heliconia’s goal is simple – to get more people outside and to help them become lifetime outdoor participants. The award-winning video production company does this by showcasing outdoor adventure and adventure travel through inspiring and educational content with industry-leading influencers. Heliconia currently produces seven unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, Hook, Line & History, Road Trip Angler, and Outdoor Eats. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

Heliconia
In Awards, Best in Class, PaddleTV

PaddleTV Announces 2023’s “Best in Class” Paddling Gear Awards

PaddleTV’s third annual Best in Class awards have been announced by world-renowned paddler, instructor, television host, and YouTuber, Ken Whiting. Ken spent the summer testing and creating gear review content around some of the most interesting paddling gear on the market. To recognize the products that stood out for enhancing the paddling experience in some way, Ken has awarded them his coveted ‘PaddleTV Best-in-Class Awards’.

A natural evolution from PaddleTV’s Buyer’s Guide YouTube series, the Best-in-Class awards celebrate the “best of the best” in paddlesports. Produced by Heliconia, the Best-in-Class awards are an authentic and unbiased celebration of the top paddlesports products that Ken tested in 2023. Each Best-in-Class video features the top products within a specific category. For each product featured, Ken discusses why he has chosen it as one of the top products of the year, and who should consider purchasing it.

The awards are being released to over 124k subscribers through Ken’s industry leading PaddleTV YouTube channel, and also being shared to his 132k followers on Facebook, Instagram, and on in4adventure.com, a new online resource focused on getting people outdoors, and ensuring those experiences are as great as possible.

Without any further ado, the 2023 PaddleTV Best Paddling Gear Award winners are:

  • YakAttack TowNStow Kayak Cart
  • Nite Ize RunOff Packing Cube
  • Astral Loyak AC Watershoe
  • GearLab Outdoors Deckpod 2
  • Zenbivy Sleep System
  • NRS Axiom Drysuit
  • DryRobe Changing Mat ‘
  • AirBank Puffer Pro Pump

Brands interested in having products considered for PaddleTV Awards in 2024 are encouraged to reach out via this Paddling Gear Guide form. For more information about PaddleTV and Heliconia’s various paddle-focused media projects, visit www.heliconia.ca.

About Ken Whiting
Ken Whiting is a world-champion kayaker, author of 12 books and videos about paddling, and the host of the world’s largest paddle sports YouTube channel, PaddleTV. Ken is also the host of Facing Waves, a leading outdoors paddle sports adventure show. He is one of the most accomplished and respected paddle sport professionals in the world. Through his project, Ken hopes to help get people outdoors and have positive, enriching experiences that will result in them being life-long outdoor participants.

About Heliconia
Heliconia’s goal is simple – to get more people outside and to help them become lifetime outdoor participants. The award-winning video production company does this by showcasing outdoor adventure and adventure travel through inspiring and educational content with industry-leading influencers. Heliconia currently produces seven unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, Hook, Line & History, Road Trip Angler, and Outdoor Eats. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

For media and partnership inquiries, please contact:
James McBeath
Marketing Manager
613-256-0598
james@heliconia.ca

James McBeath
In Awards, Heliconia

Heliconia Triumphs with Three Telly Awards in 2023

Beachburg, ON, June 15, 2023 — Heliconia, a leading production and marketing agency, is proud to announce its success at the 2023 Telly Awards. Celebrating its 44th year, The Telly Awards have recognized Heliconia’s exceptional television and digital programming by honoring the company with three awards across various categories and for 3 different outdoor adventure series.

In the highly competitive General-Entertainment category, Heliconia’s popular YouTube series “Paddle Tales” emerged winning the Gold Telly Award. The winning episode, “Paddling Dominica”, transported viewers on an exhilarating adventure through the picturesque waters of Dominica. Host and paddling expert, Ken Whiting, along with Heliconia’s film crew, captured the essence of outdoor exploration, showcased the region, and delivered unparalleled entertainment.

A second Telly award came in the form of a Silver for Heliconia’s show “Great Family Adventure” in the General-Entertainment category. The episode titled “Ottawa Valley” captivated audiences with its family adventure narrative and thrilling escapades. In the winning episode, host’s Emily Jackson, Nick Troutman and their two children reinforced the significance of family bonds through adventures and the joy of discovery in the Ottawa Valley in Canada.

In addition to these incredible wins, Heliconia’s widely acclaimed TV show “Epic Trails” clinched a Bronze Telly Award in the General-Nature/Wildlife category. The award-winning episode, “Backpacking Peru – Ancash Region,” mesmerized viewers with its stunning portrayal of Peru’s Ancash Region. Eric Hanson, host of Epic Trails, immersed the audience in the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and wildlife in this bucket list backpacking region.

Photo assets for all these episodes can be found HERE.

“We are immensely proud and honored to receive these prestigious Telly Awards,” said President and Founder Ken Whiting of Heliconia, “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We are proud to present this type of content to audiences that share our mission of getting people outdoors and traveling. We remain committed to producing engaging and exceptional television and digital programming, and these awards inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and creating content that resonates with viewers worldwide.”

Heliconia’s success at the 2023 Telly Awards brings the company’s total Telly Awards won to 18 in the past 5 years, reaffirming its position as a leader in the field of outdoor adventure and travel content production and distribution.

ABOUT HELICONIA:

Heliconia’s goal is simple – to get more people outside and to help them become lifetime outdoor participants. The award-winning video production company does this by showcasing outdoor adventure and adventure travel through inspiring and educational content with industry-leading influencers. Heliconia currently produces seven unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, Chad Hoover Fishing, Road Trip Angler, and Outdoor Eats.

ABOUT THE TELLY AWARDS:

The Telly Awards, now in its 45th year, honor outstanding video and television productions across various categories. Judged by a panel of esteemed industry experts, these awards recognize exceptional storytelling, creativity, and production quality. With thousands of entries from around the globe, the Telly Awards represent the pinnacle of excellence in the industry. For more information, visit www.tellyawards.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:James McBeath
Marketing Manager
613-256-0598
james@helipress.ca

Heliconia
In Awards, Best in Class, PaddleTV

PaddleTV Announces 2022 “Best in Class” Award Winners

PaddleTV’s second annual Best in Class awards have been announced by world-renowned paddler, instructor, television host, and YouTuber, Ken Whiting. Ken spent the summer testing and creating gear review content around some of the most interesting paddle crafts and paddling gear on the market. To recognize the products that stood out for enhancing the paddling experience in some way, Ken has awarded them his coveted ‘PaddleTV Best-in-Class Awards’.

A natural evolution from PaddleTV’s Buyer’s Guide YouTube series, the Best-in-Class awards celebrate the “best of the best” in paddlesports. Produced by Heliconia, the Best-in-Class awards are an authentic and unbiased celebration of the top paddlesports products that Ken tested in 2022. Each Best-in-Class video features the top products within a specific category. For each product featured, Ken discusses why he has chosen it as one of the top products of the year, and who should consider purchasing it.

The awards are being released to over 100,000 subscribers through Ken’s industry leading PaddleTV YouTube channel, and also being shared to his 135,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, and on in4adventure.com, a new online resource focused on getting people outdoors, and ensuring those experiences are as great as possible.

Without any further ado, the 2022 PaddleTV Award winners are:

BEST PORTABLE KAYAK

  • Sea Eagle 385ft Fast Track the best portable kayak
  • TuckTec Folding Kayak is Best Entry-Level Portable Kayak
  • Pakayak Bluefin 142 Best Performing Portable Kayak 
  • Isle Switch Inflatable SUP/Kayak is Most Versatile Paddle Craft

BEST KAYAK

  • The Swell Watercraft Scupper 14 is the Best Sit-on-Top Kayak
  • The P&H Sea Kayaks Leo HV is the Best Touring
  • The Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak is the Best Gateway Kayak
  • The Jackson Kayak Rockstar V is the Best Whitewater Kayak
  • The LiquidLogic Saluda 12 is the Best Recreational Kayak

BEST PADDLING GEAR

  • Astral PFD & Webber Sandals
  • NRS Guide Shirt
  • Rapid Pure Water Filter
  • Level Six Pack
  • Suspenz Cart

Brands interested in having products considered for PaddleTV Awards in 2023 are encouraged to reach out to Ken Whiting directly at ken@helipress.com. For more information about PaddleTV and Heliconia’s various paddle-focused media projects, visit www.heliconia.ca.

ABOUT HELICONIA: Heliconia’s goal is simple – to get more people outside and to help them become lifetime outdoor participants. The award-wining video production company does this by showcasing outdoor adventure and adventure travel through inspiring and educational content with industry-leading influencers. Heliconia currently produces six unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, Chad Hoover Fishing, and Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

Heliconia
In Awards

Heliconia Wins 7 Medals at the 2022 Telly Awards!

Heliconia, the acclaimed adventure-travel video production company, was a big winner at the 43rd Telly Awards, bringing home seven statues in recognition of its excellence in television and digital productions.  

Established in 1979, the Telly Awards celebrate the top productions in the TV, film, commercial, and digital space. Last year, with the world in ‘pandemic mode’, the Telly Awards shone a spotlight on those overcoming the challenges posed by COVID-19. This year, the awards are honouring the re-emergence of the industry in a world transformed by the pandemic. Awards winners were shown to have “embraced a new global point of view” and demonstrating “tenacious creativity”.

Heliconia was a top winner in the 43rd Telly Awards, bringing home seven statues for four different media projects, including the new television series Adventure Cities. Other media projects that won big include Epic Trails, Great Family Adventure and Paddling with Ken.

SUMMARY OF AWARDS:

Adventure Cities: Geneva and Québec City won GOLD for General-Travel/Tourism for Television

PaddleTV’s Best in Class (Paddling with Ken) won SILVER for Series-Webseries: Non-Scripted for Online

Trackin’ Dirt: Hiking to the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda won SILVER for General-Nature/Wildlife for Online

Great Family Adventure: Rock Island, Tennessee won SILVER for General-Entertainment for Television

What Makes Zürich a Luxury Lovers Paradise? (Adventure Cities) won BRONZE for General-Travel/Tourism for Promotional Video

PaddleTV’s Buyers Guide (Paddling with Ken) won BRONZE for Series-Webseries: Non-Scripted for Online

Epic Trails: Backpacking Urban California won BRONZE for General-Travel/Tourism for Television

A great big congratulations goes out to Heliconia’s entire team for their incredible effort in bringing these productions to fruition, as well as to their tourism and brand partners without whom these projects wouldn’t be possible.

For more information, please visit www.tellyawards.com to check out all the incredible winners in the class of 2023.

ABOUT HELICONIA: Heliconia’s goal is simple – to get more people outside and to help them become lifetime outdoor participants. The award-wining video production company does this by showcasing outdoor adventure and adventure travel through inspiring and educational content with industry-leading influencers. Heliconia currently produces eight unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Epic Trails: Mountain Biking, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, Chad Hoover Fishing, and Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

Heliconia
In Awards, Epic Trails, Heliconia

Heliconia Seeks Tourism Destination for its Epic Trials Short Film Giveaway

Eric Hanson - About Epic Trails

Behind every great trail is a great story. A story about the people who built it…about its inhabitants and its habitat…about the cultures it has shaped and the lives it has changed. 

Heliconia, the award-winning production company behind the popular television series Epic Trails, Facing Waves and Adventure Cities, is excited to launch their first ever Epic Trails Short Film Giveaway.

Heliconia is looking to tell the story of the world’s most remarkable trails. The adventure travel production company invites Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOS), Tourism Boards, and Agencies, to share what makes the story of their trails, whether they are renown or yet unknown, so special. The winning region will receive the full creation of a short film by Heliconia, including story writing, film production, editing, exposure through film festival entries and a digital campaign in support of the film’s launch. The contest is open to trail destinations world-wide.

“We are storytellers here at Heliconia, and as such we are constantly on the search for tales that encourage people to get outside, enjoy the outdoors, and embrace adventure,” explains Tourism Partnership Manager, Stefanie Manton-Ward. “With COVID-19 and the global restrictions that were placed on travel, our story-telling capabilities were hindered. Now that things are beginning to open up again, we are excited for the opportunity to create a film festival worthy show-piece and support tourism destinations who have been so hard hit by the pandemic.”

Destinations interesting in submitting their trails for consideration to the short film giveaway may enter the contest online at www.heliconia.ca/epicshortfilm, or by calling 1.613.582.7154 from 9 am to 5 pm EST. Heliconia will be considering locations throughout the next couple of months, and will work with the winning destination to come up with a filming date that works best for both parties, with the aim to have filming wrapped up by summer 2022.

ABOUT HELICONIA: Heliconia is an award-winning video production and marketing company that helps destinations and brands reach the US adventure travel audience. The company produces eight unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Epic Trails: Mountain Biking, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, BA Fishing, Chad Hoover Fishing and Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard by the adventure travel community in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

ABOUT EPIC TRAILS: Epic Trails is an exciting and inspiring adventure travel media series, and one of the popular platforms that Heliconia uses to share the stories that move and inspire us. More than just a television series, Epic Trails is a multi-faceted TV, digital, and social media project designed to showcase partner destinations to a dedicated and engaged audience of outdoor adventure lovers. Throughout the series, host Eric Hanson explores the people, places and adventures surrounding the world’s top trails. The TV show, and accompanying digital and social media, resonate with those who seek adventure and share a passion for the outdoors, while fostering an interest in local culture and authentic experiences. Each 30-minute TV episode airs on Outside TV and Bally Sports Network, and has aired internationally through National Geographic Channel—Asia and Extreme Sports Channel across Europe. Tourism destinations interested in partnering with Epic Trails are encouraged to reach out to Heliconia’s Tourism Partnership Manager, Stefanie Manton-Ward, at stefanie@helipress.com.

Heliconia
In Awards, Best in Class, PaddleTV

Beginner Kayaks – 2021 Best in Class awards by PaddleTV Announced

PaddleTV’s second round of Best in Class awards have been announced by world-renowned paddler, instructor, television host, and YouTuber, Ken Whiting. Ken spent the summer testing some of the industry’s top paddling gear and has narrowed down six of the industry’s best beginner kayaks, awarding them the title of Best in Class.

A natural evolution from PaddleTV’s Buyer’s Guide YouTube series, the Best in Class awards celebrate the “best of the best” in paddlesports. Produced by Heliconia, the Best in Class awards is an authentic and unbiased celebration showcasing the year’s top paddlesports products. Each Best in Class video will feature the top three to seven products within a specific category. For each product featured, Ken will talk about why he has chosen it as one of the top products of the year, and who should be considering purchasing it.

The awards are being released through the PaddleTV YouTube channel, and also being shared through Facebook and Instagram. With over 85,500 subscribers and more than 16 million views, PaddleTV is one of the most popular paddling-focused YouTube channels in the world. The categories in the Best in Class series include:

  • Best Portable Kayaks of 2021
  • Best Beginner Kayaks of 2021
  • Best High-Performance Paddles of 2021
  • 2021 Kayaks of the Year

And so, without any further ado, the Best in Class award winners for Best Beginner Kayaks, listed in no particular order, are Jackson Kayak’s Tupelo 12.5, Wilderness Systems’ Pungo 120, Perception Pescador’s 10, Native’s Falcon 11, Oru Kayak’s Inlet, and Tahe’s 11’6 SUP-Yak. Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/oA59X_-hFUc.    

Two more Best in Class award videos are set to be released on PaddleTV, continuing with the awards for Best High-Performance Paddles of 2021 which will be revealed next Saturday, October 16th. Be sure to subscribe to the PaddleTV YouTube channel for notifications on when subsequent awards videos will be made live.  

Brands interested in being featured on PaddleTV or considered for the 2022 Best in Class awards are encouraged to reach out to Heliconia’s Brand Partnership Manager, Malvin Young, at malvin@helipress.com. For more information about PaddleTV and Heliconia’s various paddle-focused media projects, visit www.heliconia.ca.

ABOUT HELICONIA: Heliconia is an award-winning video production and marketing company that helps destinations and brands reach the US adventure travel audience. The company produces eight unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Epic Trails: Mountain Biking, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, BA Fishing,  Chad Hoover Fishing and Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard by the adventure travel community in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

Heliconia
In Awards, Best in Class, PaddleTV

Portable Kayaks – 2021 Best in Class awards by PaddleTV Announced

The first of PaddleTV’s inaugural Best in Class awards have been announced by world-renowned paddler, instructor, television host, and YouTuber, Ken Whiting. After a summer of in-depth trials and on-the-water-tests, Ken has narrowed down five of the industry’s top portable kayaks and is awarding them the title of Best in Class.

A natural evolution from PaddleTV’s Buyer’s Guide YouTube series, the Best in Class awards celebrate the “best of the best” in paddlesports. Produced by Heliconia, the Best in Class awards is an authentic and unbiased celebration showcasing the year’s top paddlesports products. Each Best in Class video will feature the top three to seven products within a specific category. For each product featured, Ken will talk about its specs, key selling features, and why he has chosen it as one of the top products of the year.

The awards are being released through the PaddleTV YouTube channel, and also being shared through Facebook and Instagram. With over 84,000 subscribers and more than 16 million views, PaddleTV is one of the most popular paddling-focused YouTube channels in the world. The categories in the Best in Class series include:

And so, without any further ado, the Best in Class award winners for Portable Kayaks, listed in no particular order, are Sea Eagle’s Razorlite 393RL, TRAK’s 2.0 folding kayak, ORU Kayak Inlet, Star Raven Pro by NRS, and the Hobie ITREK 9. Honorable mentions in the portable kayak category include Tahe’s 11’6 Beach SUP – YAK and Advanced Elements’ Advanced Frame Kayak. Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/sWxjvnBVLmM.

Three more Best in Class award videos will be released on PaddleTV over the next month, continuing with the awards for Best Beginner Kayaks of 2021 which will be revealed next Saturday, October 9th. Be sure to subscribe to the PaddleTV YouTube channel for notifications on when subsequent awards videos are made live.  

Brands interested in being featured on PaddleTV or considered for the 2022 Best in Class awards are encouraged to reach out to Heliconia’s Brand Partnership Manager, Malvin Young, at malvin@helipress.com. For more information about PaddleTV and Heliconia’s various paddle-focused media projects, visit www.heliconia.ca.

ABOUT HELICONIA: Heliconia is an award-winning video production and marketing company that helps destinations and brands reach the US adventure travel audience. The company produces nine unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Epic Trails: Mountain Biking, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, Great Family Adventure, BA Fishing, Peak Experience, Chad Hoover Fishing and Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard by the adventure travel community in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.