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Contact: Greg Williams
Backbone Media
970-963-4873
Greg@backbonemedia.net

Polartec® supports Merrimack River Watershed Council

­April 26, 2006  (Lawrence, Mass.) – Malden Mills, makers of Polartec® fabrics, has signed on to be the lead sponsor for the Merrimack River Watershed Council’s (MRWC) Source to the Sea paddling trips. This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of the MRWC, whose mission is to protect and promote the wise use of the Merrimack River Watershed.  They fulfill their mission through water quality monitoring, community organizing, recreation, and education outreach.  In order to raise awareness for the watershed MRWC offers canoe/kayak trips free of charge for beginner through advanced paddlers.

“This year celebrates the 20th year of offering paddling trips,” says Gwen Whitbeck, MRWC Director and Paddling Program Coordinator.  “Our belief is that if the public gets out and enjoys the rivers, they will have a greater appreciation of the natural resources of the Merrimack River Watershed.”

Paddling enthusiasts of all levels are invited to participate in any of the many single day offerings throughout the watershed running April through October.  The entire source to sea journey is a 175-mile trip from Profile Lake in New Hampshire to where the Merrimack River feeds into the Atlantic Ocean in Newburyport, Mass. There will be 46 trips with 18 being Source to the Sea (S2S). S2S trips will raise awareness of the size and importance of the watershed as well as be a great excuse to get out and enjoy the river. The first S2S trip is May 6 starting at Profile Lake in New Hampshire, with trips happening virtually every weekend throughout the summer. The final S2S trip is August 26, which is a Newburyport dinner cruise. Trips are for all skill levels and are free (with the exception of the dinner cruise), thanks to the effort and support of volunteer trip leaders and sponsors. Malden Mills has outfitted all of the S2S trip leaders with Polartec® jackets and next-to-skin pullovers.

“Polartec® is proud to be a sponsor of the MRWC, as we all live and work within the watershed, it is great to be part of such a important regional cause,” says Carol Valianti, Malden Mills VP of Global Communications.

“We are thrilled to have Polartec® as our lead sponsor. It is wonderful to have such a well-respected local company get involved, especially since we all use Polartec® products” says Christine Tabak, MRWC Acting Executive Director. 

For more information on the trips and how to get involved – www.merrimack.org

About Malden Mills

Malden Mills Industries, Inc. was founded in 1906 and is based in Lawrence, Mass.  In the early 1980’s the company revolutionized the way the world dresses for cold weather with the invention of performance fabrics.  Innovation continues to distinguish the company as the world leader in performance textiles, now offering over 200 different styles of technical fabrics under the Polartec® brand. Polartec® products now range from lightweight wicking base layers to insulation to extreme weather protection and are utilized by the best clothing brands in the world.  In addition, Polartec® fabrics are used extensively by all branches of the United States military including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.  For more information please visit our website at www.polartec.com.