The bad news: now EJ
has to bring the beer all
the time
“Kayakers and Budweiser American fans share a lot in common.."
Bud ambassador. It’s a title we’d all covet, and one that now belongs to one of the best and most iconic paddlers on the planet. And with Budweiser recently signing four-time world freestyle kayaking champion Eric Jackson as an ambassador for the brand it means that workers at the Jackson factory will never have a shortage of libations in their beer fridge or shuttle from now on.
Beginning in 2010, Jackson will be featured in Budweiser American Ale print and point-of-sale marketing, and the brand will have a presence at professional kayaking events throughout the year. Budweiser American Ale also will work with Jackson to host private training sessions, offering kayakers opportunities to learn from His EJness himself.
“Kayakers and Budweiser American fans share a lot in common; they dare to venture off the beaten path, savor novel experiences and knew they were on to something special the first time they tried it,” quips Brand Manager Marianne Radley. “Eric Jackson is a pioneer and innovator in kayaking, moving the sport in new directions during his 20-plus year career. His success and dedication has redefined kayaking, making him an ideal fit for a beer that redefined the American-style ale.”
Adds EJ, who’s known for enjoying suds after playing in them on the river: “Kayaking is my lifelong passion. Nothing compares to an exhilarating whitewater run and the camaraderie in the kayaking community. “A Budweiser American Ale is the perfect ending to a big day in the water and already was my beer-of-choice. I’m thrilled to have their support and hope it will help attract more participants and fans to our sport.”
Budweiser American Ale, introduced in 2008, is an American-style full-bodied amber ale. Brewed with caramel malted barley and dry-hopped with hops from the paddling Mecca of the Pacific Northwest, it achieves the same perfect balance you need in a boat. It’s brewed by Anheuser Busch, which holds a 49.2 percent share of U.S. beer sales – about what EJ holds in terms of world freestyle kayak champion titles.
"Early on that day we came across a fresh dead body that was still in neoprene and had been buried under rocks...it showed us just how delicate life is. Later on we found out that there were two dead in the same pile of rocks..."
--Sam Sutton on paddling Siberia's Argut River in July
"To leave a patient on the side of a river while you get your gear out of the car and set up a rescue system you read about in a book is simply not good policy"
--Duke Bradford, owner of Arkansas Valley Adventures on the rescue of a 13 yr. old girl from Clear Creek on 6/17/10. A rafting guide employed by Bradford was arrested for interfering (read=assisting) with the rescue.
I was a god-damned poster child for bad judgment...dumb, but what can you do when you're hypnotized by a force of nature?"
--North Fork Payette pioneer Doug Ammons on being lured in by record high water to come out of Class V retirement and paddle the Lower Five at a record 9,000 cfs (and subsequently swim).
"My initial goal was to not embarrass myself."
--Tao Berman, after winning his first-ever ramp competition, at the Red Bull Canal Crashers Big Air Contest during Richmond, Va.'s Dominion Riverrock Festival.
If you don't sit in the right place, you'll sink." --72-year-old Leo Swinimer (as told to the Wall Street Journal) on paddling his 600-lb. pumpkin in Nova Scotia's annual Windsor-West Hants Pumpkin Regatta.
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