Northwest River Supplies and Down River Equipment Announce Strategic Partnership

Moscow, Idaho and Denver, Colo. — Northwest River Supplies (NRS) and Down River Equipment (Down River), two locally rooted outdoor companies known for their deep ties to paddling and river communities, announced a strategic partnership agreement today. The partnership is aimed at continuity, care and sustainable growth that protects the roots and communities of both companies while strengthening long-term resilience.

Moscow, Idaho and Denver, Colo. — Northwest River Supplies (NRS) and Down River Equipment (Down River), two locally rooted outdoor companies known for their deep ties to paddling and river communities, announced a strategic partnership agreement today. The partnership is aimed at continuity, care and sustainable growth that protects the roots and communities of both companies while strengthening long-term resilience.

“This wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” says Phil Walczynski, Co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of Down River. “We chose NRS because they understand our community, respect what we’ve built and share our belief that river culture and relationships come first. This partnership allows Down River to remain true to its roots while ensuring a strong future.”

“Our industry is strongest when we’re collaborative. We need to work together to adapt as the business landscape changes,” says Mark Deming, Chief Marketing Officer of NRS. “Down River and NRS have built a relationship based on mutual trust and respect over many years. This is about solidifying that relationship for the long haul. Our goal is to maintain continuity, enhance service, and build long-term resilience—for our customers, industry partners, and employees.”

Down River will continue operating with its established identity and customer relationships, supported by NRS’s expanded infrastructure, logistics and operational capabilities. Customers and partners can expect continuity in service, products and relationships, with improvements rolling out thoughtfully over time.

“This partnership allows Down River to build on its foundation while strengthening the systems that support it,” says Carol Walczynski, Down River’s Chief Financial Officer and Operations Manager. “With NRS, we gain added stability and operational depth—without compromising who we are. Our commitment to quality, our deep ties to the river community, and the standards that define us remain unchanged. This step ensures we can continue serving river runners with the same integrity and care for decades to come.”

Phil and Carol Walczynski, along with the majority of their team, will remain with the company under the new partnership with NRS. Co-owner Zach Svoboda plans to pursue a new chapter in his career.

“Building Down River alongside Phil and Carol has been the journey of a lifetime. As I move on to my next chapter, I do so with immense pride in what we’ve accomplished and full confidence in this partnership,” says Zach Svoboda, former Co-owner of Down River. “NRS is the right steward to help carry our work forward, and I’m excited to see the team thrive in this next era.”

Representatives from NRS and Down River Equipment are available for comment.

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Media Contact:

Emily Nuchols // emily@undersolenmedia.com // 360.510.8696
Carter Freericks // carter@downriverequip.com // 480.227.7298

About Down River Equipment

Founded in 1985, Down River Equipment is a boater-owned company dedicated to equipping river runners with industry-leading rafting gear while supporting the river community through education, conservation and inclusivity. Based in Colorado, Down River specializes in custom-fabricated river equipment and is best known for its high-quality raft frames, all made in Colorado.

About NRS

100% employee-owned, NRS is the world’s leading supplier of equipment and apparel for water recreation, safety and rescue. Founded in 1972 with a vision to create a better kind of company, NRS is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of its customers, employees and community. For more information on NRS, visit nrs.com, email the company at service@nrs.com or call 877.677.4327.