Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots and Kayak Angler magazines are the first paddling and fishing magazines in Apple’s Newsstand launched with iOS 5 on the iPad and iPhone.

In the first week on Newsstand, Rapid Media digital app downloads increased 957 percent, subscription sales jumped 200 percent and single copy downloads increased by 20 percent.

“We’re pretty excited,” says Founder and Publisher Scott MacGregor. “Newsstand puts our magazines and paddling front and center on 115 million iPads and iPhones around the world. And, when we release a new issue it is delivered automatically to our readers’ home screen for download.”

Rapid Media launched its first iPad app in August 2010 making it the first paddling and fishing magazine (and first Canadian magazine, period) in Apple’s App Store.

In June of this year, Rapid Media launched three new branded apps and rebranded the existing app to Kayak Angler giving each title its own app. “Once each magazine has its own app, we filled them with ten years of back issues,” says MacGregor. “Not only can readers get the latest issue, they have access to our archives as far back as 2002.”

Rapid Media apps are now on over 42,000 Apple devices around the world. To download the apps search in Newsstand by title - Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots or Kayak Angler.

Newsstand is a new application in iOS 5 that acts as a folder for magazine and newspaper subscriptions. The app automatically downloads new content and alerts the reader. It also offers access to a specific subscriptions section of the App Store making it easier for readers to find their favourite paddling magazines.

Rapid Media has been the leader in paddlesports media since 1999. Rapid Media publishes Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots & Family Camping, and Kayak Anglermagazines, and produces the Reel Paddling Film Festival and Rapid Media TV. www.rapidmedia.com