Environement news : Kokatat outfits Ikkatsu Expedition in support of Tsunami-related marine pollution research

ARCATA, CALIFORNIA, Feb 19, 2013 -
In June 2013, Kokatat-supported team Ken Campbell and Steve Weileman will embark on the next phase of the Ikkatsu Project to the volcanic island of Augustine in south-central Alaska. Campbell and Weileman will complete systematic beach surveys in an effort to assess marine debris concentrations as a result of tsunamis.

The first Ikkatsu expedition traveled the Olympic shoreline of Washington in 2012.  While the expedition originally focused on debris reaching the North American coast from the March 2011 tsunami, expedition members soon realized that the problem was due to much more than the remains from the tragedy in Japan.

“This expedition is an attempt to understand how we are connected - one society with another - and how no matter how distant and unconnected something may seem at first glance, we are all riding on the same planet. The vast expanse of the oceans doesn’t keep us apart; it is what joins us together” Weileman said.

The Ikkatsu team will circle the Augustine Island, conducting surveys of the beaches and once again turn over all of their collected data to NOAA and other scientific organizations. In addition, Ikkatsu will be working with Oikonos (an environmental non-profit that focuses on sea birds), to develop protocol for remote study of plastic ingestion by waterfowl.

Kokatat has provided the Ikkatsu Expedition team with its award winning gear that is relied on by some of the world’s most renowned adventures including:
• GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suits
• GORE-TEX® Paclite® shells
• GORE-TEX® Nor’westers
• Maximus Prime PFDs with Electronics Sling
• Polartec Liners

Following the 2011 expedition, the Ikkatsu team released a documentary entitled, “Ikkatsu: The Roadless Coast.” Campbell and Weileman will film the 2013 expedition with plans to release another documentary once the trip has concluded.

The expedition is scheduled to begin on June 22, 2013.  Additional information and expedition updates will be posted on the Ikkatsu website www.ikkatsuproject.org.

About Kokatat Inc.
Kokatat has been manufacturing paddling gear in Arcata, California for more than 40 years. At a time when many technical apparel brands were moving manufacturing offshore, Kokatat continued to invest in infrastructure in the United States. Kokatat founder Steve O’Meara was committed to the development of the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world and recognized the need to control and continually evolve the development of our dry wear. In the early days, Kokatat worked closely with W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX®, to refine the sewing and sealing techniques required for full immersion suits and tops. Today, our hands-on approach to manufacturing continues to set the standard in paddling apparel. Into the water with Kokatat! Please visit www.kokatat.com
 and follow Kokatat on Facebook and Twitter “@kokatat”.

Michael Collin | Pale Morning Media / 207.619.4253 / michael@palemorning.com
Lisa Kincaid | Kokatat / 775.225.8039 / lisa_kincaid@kokatat.com