Sportime International Introduces Its GuidingLine Traversing Wall System

September 1, 2000 - Sportime International is proud to announce the debut of its exclusive GuidingLine Traversing Wall System, now in the Fall catalog. This unique wall system is specifically designed for traversing (moving across) a wall, instead of climbing up and down it. The act of traversing is more inclusive in nature and encourages students to climb. Once on the wall, climbers are never more than three feet above a mat-covered floor, so no climbing harnesses are required.

"A 10-foot traverse for one student can be as rewarding as a 40-foot journey made by another," said Sportime's director of catalog marketing Mark Dresser. "Plus, traversing [rather than vertical climbing] allows for a higher frequency of attempts for students and can result in more wall time and a greater physical benefit."

The Traversing Wall System is shipped in the customer's choice of two different-sized panels; either 4' x 8' (recommended for elementary aged children) or 4' x 10' (recommended for secondary aged children). Panels are made from the world's best Scandinavian plywood. Each section is professionally sanded and lacquered. Handhold anchors and wall cleats (to correctly position the wall) are already installed. A red "foot barrier" is recessed into the panels, providing visual and tactile feedback. Students are not allowed to place their feet above this special foot barrier.

Every wall panel includes 18, professional-quality handholds in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and grasping-ease levels. The purchase of a five-panel, 20-foot Wall System guarantees that no two of the 90 handholds are exactly the same.

For pricing and more information on the GuidingLine Traversing Wall System and other innovative Sportime products, call 1-800-283-5700 for a FREE copy of the latest Sportime catalog or visit the Sportime web site at www.sportime.com.

The Sportime catalog is mailed out three times a year (March, August and December) to current customers and prospects.
   
Located in Atlanta, Ga., Sportime is the world's most innovative catalog retailer in the physical education market. With over 340 pages, the Sportime catalog features products for kindergarten through adult program levels.

Sportime is also the publisher of Abilitations, the industry's leading catalog of rehabilitation equipment for the development and restoration of physical and mental ability through movement.

Sportime is a subsidiary of School Specialty, Inc., the largest supplier of non-textbook educational products in the United States.

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Media Contact:
Donna Johnson
Phone: 770-449-5700, ext. 306
E-mail: dmj@sportime.com