| What's New at AustinKayak.com? | Buyer's Guide - We recently launched the 2010 Holiday Buyer's Guide complete with staff recommendations, shop by price and personality and activity categories. Click here.
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Refined Product Categories - We've refined how our products are organized for a more efficient and comfortable shopping experience. Click here.
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Kayak Owners Manual Directory - Many are doing their part to help save the environment by publishing them electronically. We took the time to locate them for you and have posted them online. Click here.
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Featured Products
|  Paddling: Whether you are a beginner or an expert, we have a Whitewater Kayak Package made just for you. Complete with helmet, paddle, skirt and PFD, you'll save up to 12%.
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 Camping: Don't get caught in a winter storm without the ability to start a fire. Small enough to carry in your pocket, the Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel can be a lifesaver.
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 Trekking: Just because the temperatures have dropped it doesn't mean you don't have to drink water. Load up a CamelBak Octane 18X Hydration Backpack with 100oz of water.
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 Seasonal: While we do our best to make it easy for your to buy a gift, sometimes the easiest thing to do is to simply give an eGift Card. Give them the freedom to choose what they want!
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 Reference: Complete with tables, emergency procedures and of course note pages, the Rite in the Rain Expedition Journal is a must have when paddling, camping or hiking. Take notes of your adventures or plan your next one.
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News and Events
| Austin Sports Expo Show Dec 4th (10am-5pm) - Palmer Events Center: We'll be focusing on the sports and fitness aspect of paddling with a variety of kayaks and stand up paddleboards on display. Admission is free!
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Boat Show Tour Schedule: A great time to shop for a kayak in a comfortable indoor environment. You'll be able to find us in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and Belton, Texas. Click for schedule.
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Stay in Touch!
|  Facebook - FB fans always hear about it first!
 Twitter - Timely/short updates, products, photos and more.
 Flickr - Join our group and upload your kayaking photos.
 Blog - Bookmark our blog for in-depth articles.
 Recommend - Suggest a product to us!
Contact us:
Call 888-828-3828
or email us.
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Holiday Shopping at ACK...
...because they probably don't want that sweater you were thinking about getting...
Now that the Thanksgiving madness has settled, it's time to get in gear (literally and figuratively speaking) for the holidays! We realize that shopping for outdoor enthusiasts can be somewhat difficult so we have simplified the process for you. We just launched the annual ACK Holiday Buyer's Guide. From recommended staff, personal and outdoor activity-based gifts, to a shop-by-price selection guide, you'll find it easy to get that special someone the perfect gift. Get them what they really want!
To make the process even sweeter for you, we've included a special coupon for our newsletter readers below for 15% off all Accessories* and we have stripped out all shipping charges through December 31st! FREE Kayak and Accessory shipping!* The price you see is the price you'll pay (+sales tax if you live in TX). Speaking of shipping, we've also taken the worry out of wondering when your gifts will arrive, Click here to view our 2010 Holiday Shipping Schedule.
Of course, if you decide to buy a gift at the last minute (raising my hand) or feel a little indecisive, you can always count on ACK eGift Cards. These are sent via email with a person al message so you don't have to worry about your gift arriving on time.
Oh, and one last thing...Old Town is offering a $50 Visa Gift Card when you buy an Old Town Vapor kayak. Buy a gift; get a gift, what more could you ask for?
If you are still stuck or just need some clarification, feel free to give us a call (888-828-3828) or shoot us an email, and we'll help you out with some ideas or suggestions.
*This and other offers exclude Hobie products. Other restrictions may apply.
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Product Review:
Camping the Kelty Way
An appreciation for one of America's most sought after camping gear manufacturers.
 To my delight, I was recently introduced to the Kelty brand and after my first experience, was quickly converted to a loyal user. Since 1952, Kelty has built affordable, reliable outdoor gear that enables everyone, from the first-time camper to the experienced mountaineer, to embrace the outdoors with confidence.
 My first experience included the use of the Kelty Teton 2 Tent for an overnight paddling trip on the Colorado River. I needed something that was light but with plenty of room since I am 6' 2" and if you know me, I like my space. While I could have easily shared this with my wife, I would have probably considered the Kelty Yellowstone 4 Tent if she had joined me on this particular adventure. Setup of the Teton 2 was a breeze. I typically follow directions when putting something together for the first time but noticed that three quarters of the way through, I hadn't even opened up the instructions. I also took notice of the craftsmanship with tight seams, a zipper that actually didn't snag onto anything and the use of quality materials. That is where it all began.
Click here to continue reading...
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Employee Spotlight:
Kyle Bartholomew
Customer Service Representative
This holiday season, when you call ACK customer service, chances are you'll be speaking to either Kyle or Kate so we thought it would be a great idea to feature one of them so that the next time you call, you'll be able to put a face to the name. Rather than interview  | | Kyle Bartholomew |
Kyle, we thought it would be great to hear it straight from the source and asked that he tell us a little bit about himself:
I recently relocated to Austin via Chicago to pursue happiness, more outdoor activities and new experiences not readily available in the "Windy City". Austin has absolutely proven to be a swell place to live and I'm sure it will only get better since I won't have to deal with another soul-chilling Chicago winter.
Speaking of swell places to be, I knew from the moment I walked in for my interview with ACK that it would be an awesome place to work - seeing how casual the office was and how friendly everyone seemed. Next thing I know, I get a call and am offered the open CSR position. Wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, I found a job! Prior to working here, I had minimal paddling experience so I knew I had a long road ahead of me. However, it's been a lot of fun learning the ins and outs of the business along with the products we sell. For example, our Demo Days were a whole lot of fun giving me a chance to paddle every single kayak that we had in just one weekend!
Click here to continue reading...
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