For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Cathy Herbstler, Cherb PR (for LEKI)
cathy@cherbpr.com / 206.390.0531
Malin Svensson, Nordic Walking USA
malin@nordicwalkingusa.com / 310.399.8522
NWNA Announces First Ever Nordic Walking Expo to Converge in Santa Monica, CA, on Saturday, May 30
Santa Monica, CA – May 12, 2009 —Nordic Walking North America (NWNA) is pleased to announce the Walking and Nordic Walking Health Expo to take place on Saturday, May 30, 2009, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the world famous Santa Monica Beach. For the first time ever, the major players in the Nordic Walking community will be in one place to engage and educate the public on the latest fitness craze that is taking the world by storm.
Begun in Finland in the 1930s as a warm-weather training regimen for cross-country skiers, Nordic Walking took off in Europe about a decade ago and has recently caught on in the U.S. Anyone, in any shape and at any age, can benefit from Nordic Walking, or fitness walking with lightweight poles. By using poles to engage the upper body and redistribute weight bearing to the lower extremity, the cardiovascular benefits and caloric demands of Nordic Walking are dramatically increased. Specifically, it can help lower blood pressure, burn up to 40 percent more calories, increase oxygen consumption by 20 percent, reduce cholesterol, and help to relieve back, shoulder and neck pain compared to regular walking.
The best known Nordic Walking educators in the U.S., including Nordic Walking pioneer Tom Rutlin, Malin Svensson of NWNA, Dan Barrett of Fittrek, and Suzanne Nottingham of Nordic Walk Now, will be on hand at the Expo to provide free Nordic Walking instruction and other informative lectures on how to get in shape and healthy weight loss tips. Additionally, leading pole manufacturers including LEKI, Exel, Swix, Fittrek, and Exerstrider, will be present at the Expo site with demo poles and information on how to choose the best Nordic Walking pole.
“Nordic Walking is rapidly increasing in popularity in the U.S. and we are thrilled to have the leaders of this movement come together for this groundbreaking event at the end of the month,†says Malin Svensson of NWNA. “We encourage everyone who has ever thought of starting a fitness program or those looking to enhance their current fitness regime to join us on May 30 in Santa Monica.â€
In addition to the Expo on Saturday that is open to the general public, NWNA will also offer continuing education opportunities Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, including Nordic Walking Instructor training, Sport Level training, and re-certification. For more information on the Nordic Walking Expo, visit http://nordicwalkingna.com/Expo.html
What: Walking and Nordic Walking Health Expo
When: Saturday, May 30, 2009
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Beach
2600 Barnard Way
Cost: FREE!
About Nordic Walking North America
Nordic Walking North America (NWNA) has been founded to offer International Nordic Walking Association (INWA) fully certified instructor training and to service as a collection point for Nordic Walking enthusiasts to learn of trainings and activities. NWNA was founded by Malin Svensson, one of only four International Coaches for INWA and Gary Johnson, one of the original Exel Master Trainers. www.nordicwalkingna.com.
