The National Marine Manufacturers Association in Canada said it inducted Denys Lapointe, executive vice president of BRP’s Design and Innovation Centre, into the NMMA Hall of Fame.
Lapointe’s career achievements and contribution to the recreational boating industry were recognized during the NMMA Canadian Recreational Boating Industry Session at the Toronto International Boat Show at the Allstream Centre on Tuesday.
The NMMA Hall of Fame was established in 1988 and recognizes people who have or continue to generate substantial and lasting contributions to the advancement of the marine industry.
“Denys has contributed greatly to the advancement of the marine industry over the years and has propelled our industry forward through his perseverance in creating intelligently designed products that meet consumer interests,” NMMA Canada executive director Sara Anghel said in a statement. “We honor him with the Hall of Fame award in recognition of his constant focus on innovation, leadership and dedication to the industry.”
Lapointe, who joined BRP in 1985, initially worked as a junior product designer for the 1988 launch of the Sea-Doo watercraft.
Lapointe and the Sea-Doo team designed and launched the first two-passenger watercraft with a V-Hull, rotary-valve engine, producing a class-leading 55 hp, capable of cutting through chop and pulling a water skier.
In 2014 he and his team created the Sea-Doo Spark, which was meant to reinvigorate the industry.
Lapointe and his team have won numerous awards, including more than 60 international design awards, such as the Red Dot Design Award, International Design Excellence Award, Good Design Australia Award, Good Design Japan, Good Design/USA Award and the iF Product Design Award.
