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19
Dec

Rio Claro, A Dream Come True

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  • Photo Credits: Kalob Grady

The Rio Claro is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. The Claro is in the Maule Region and is based in the Siete Tazas National Park in the heart of Chile. I have always dreamed of running this river and I got my chance to paddle this glorious canyon. During my stay in Chile, all I could think about was freefalling on the Claro. Then, once Word Class started heading north, I knew it was game time.

The first day we paddle the Claro, we paddled the Siete Tazas section. This section is sick, there are 7 waterfalls and you can only scout the first drop. Therefore, once you paddle the first drop, you are committed. The first drop is a sloping 15-footer and its super sick! Once you take your boof, you fly and have a massive skip out too. After this drop, there are 5 more small drops before you get to the next 15-footer and 18-footer.   

The 15footer, you must go off the river right side and plug the drop because there isn’t a soft landing at the bottom. Though it is a lot of fun to paddle up to the lip and then fall! Now the 18-footer is the opposite; you want to be left of center because there is a flake you will go off and you don’t want to boof this drop because there isn’t a soft landing. Though I boof them anyways because it is fun!

Next, I got the chance to run the Veintidos section of the Claro. This section has 22 epic waterfalls, from small boof to simple 25-footers, to twisty drops! This part of the river is unbelievably gorgeous; the put-in for this section is like Siete Tazas because once you run the first drop you are locked in. My personal favorite drops on this section were the 25-footer, the ski-jump, and the twisty 25-footer. The first drop in clean, you paddle up to the lip and fall. The ski-jump, you want to drive left towards the left wall and take a massive boof stroke off the curler and then you fly! The last of my favorites was the 25-footer with a twist in the entrance. You want to drive towards the right wall and as you do that, the river turns left and drops 25 feet. It’s one of the sickest drops I have ever run! 

The Rio Claro is one of the most gorgeous rivers I have ever paddled, with crystal clear water, and massive Basalt canyons, this is a river I will return to.

 

  • Kalob Grady boofing the last drop on Siete Tazas

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07
Dec

Pyranha US Welcomes Epic Kayaks

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Epic Kayaks Inc. will be moving its USA Headquarters and East Coast Warehousing to join Pyranha Kayaks at its new Erwin, Tennessee location on the banks of the beautiful Nolichucky River. Epic’s move will benefit the majority of their dealers with a more central location that will better serve their East Coast and Mid-West Dealers, while outbound logistics will also improve by taking advantage of shared shipping to many regions. Epic’s move to Erwin, Tennessee is expected to be completed by the end of February 2019.

Mike Patterson, Operations Director for Pyranha US, Inc. comments, “Our new location has been a perfect fit for Pyranha, so we’re thrilled that Epic will soon be sharing in the spoils. The logistical advantages make this a win-win, with shared warehousing and shipping routes, we expect the ability to fulfill tighter ship windows and keep rates down. We are excited about the future and look forward to working with Epic to strengthen both of our companies.”

Says Bruce Poacher, Epic Kayaks Inc. CFO “We are excited about the move, and are looking forward to sharing Pyranha’s new space with them. In addition to the obvious logistical benefits of cohabitation, we anticipate that the sharing of ideas and the adoption of best practices will benefit both companies as well as their customers.”

About Pyranha US, Inc.

Over our 50 years of research and development, award-winning designs, world-class expeditions, supporting top-class boaters and expanding to become Europe’s leading specialist manufacturer of canoes and kayaks, Pyranha still designs in the UK and USA and builds all our boats in Britain. We do not know where our kayaks will be paddled next, so they are all built to the same high standards – to be pushed to the limit on the world’s toughest rivers and oceans. Comprised of the three brands of Pyranha, P&H, and Venture, all distribution, design, marketing, and sales support for North America is handled through Pyranha US, Inc. headquartered in Erwin, Tennessee.

About Epic Kayaks Inc.

EpicKayaks Inc. was founded by Greg Barton, USA Olympian and summa cum laude graduate from the University of Michigan’s Engineering School. From the beginning, Epic has been the innovating force in surfski and performance touring kayak design and manufacturing. Greg continues to design all Epic’s Kayaks and Paddles, using computer-aided design and multiple drag simulation software programs. Epic products are all crafted for efficiency and speed, and optimized for racing and fitness.

Media Contact:

Mathew Wilkinson
mathew@pyranha.com

Related Links:

Pyranha Kayaks
P&H Sea Kayaks
Venture Canoes & Kayaks
Epic Kayaks

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29
Nov

See Your Local Run Differently

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Pyranha Kayaks are truly By Enthusiasts, For Enthusiasts, and we’ve been getting seriously enthusiastic about paddling the 12R recently…

Andy Butler, Ex-Paddlesport Coach/Kayak Bum turned UK Sales Manager

As the lead sceptic whenever the guys at Pyranha US raised the topic of producing a Pyranha longboat (and that was quite frequently!), I have to say, I was wrong!

As soon as I paddled the first 12R prototype I was sold. We already knew that #FastIsFun, but it’s not just the speed, it’s the challenge I love; re-thinking lines, getting it wrong a few times but rolling up with a grin on my face, and learning to develop my style to unlock the full potential of the 12R’s design.

Liam ‘Ted’ Jay, EU Sales and Semi-Pro Beater

I was shocked by how nimble a 12ft boat could feel and totally blown away by the speed. The way the 12R glides and carves around the river has me giggling the whole way from get-on to egress.

Bren Orton, Professional Big Deal and Co-Founder of SEND.

Long kayaks are not just for races. I look forward to using this kayak to learn to look ahead more, to cover more distance and to go faster than I have ever gone down my local river!

Think you’ve got what it takes to beat Bren’s time? Book a 12R Demo with your local dealer, head down to Cardiff International White Water Centre, and paddle fast!

If you log your time on Strava, and post a video of your run on our Facebook Page, you could even win a Limited Edition 12R T-Shirt and other Pyranha swag!

#MoreBoatMoreFun

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28
Nov

So Long, 2004 Riverside Drive…

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The only thing constant is change, or so they say.

By now, most have heard that Pyranha’s US distribution center is moving from Asheville NC to Erwin TN; well, that time has come, and after 15 years in Asheville, we now call Erwin home. Over the years, a lot of great memories have been made in the old location; it’s seen its share of both local and elite level paddlers and been a pickup spot for dealers from all over the country. 2004 Riverside Dr will always hold a special place in our hearts; the scarred and uneven wooden floor, messages written on the walls, and its nooks and crannies filled with dust and old kayak hardware; it had years of kayaker culture ingrained into its character.

The Asheville, NC Warehouse packed full of boats; the move to Erwin, TN will mean we can stock even more!

We’ve been asked our reason for moving since the thing that attracted Pyranha and others to Asheville was its geographical location, centered in the NC mountains. Unfortunately, the very mountains, rivers, and natural beauty which attract outdoor enthusiasts have become its own worst enemy, with an ever-growing population, traffic congestion, and steadily increasing operating costs. However, just 40 miles north is the small town of Erwin, with a population of only around 5000, and a small close-knit kayak community. It is surrounded by mountains and situated at the take out of the class 3-4 Nolichucky river, which starts at the highest peak in the Eastern US, Mt Mitchell, and flows unimpeded through one of the East’s deepest gorges to Erwin and beyond. The Noli boasts year-round whitewater, amazing scenery, and several great playspots. Combine those attributes with a cost of living nearly half that of Asheville, and it was an obvious choice.

Since Pyranha is a kayak company, operated by kayakers, being near the water is a must, but being on the river is even better; Erwin provided us with this. One mile downstream of town is where our new location sits, on the banks of the Noli, and at the base of a rock wall that rises 800ft from the river below. We consider ourselves lucky to call this our new home, to be surrounded by the forest, the river, and bald eagles watching us from the cliffs above. We look forward to years of making new memories and re-investing in the local kayak community by using our river frontage to promote the sport we love.

Since our staff are all paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts, moving to a place with kayaking at the back door and plenty of green space seemed like a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, the part about moving that sucks is, well, moving! It turns out you accumulate a good bit of stuff in 15 years, and all those kayak racks won’t disassemble themselves…

Since the new Pyranha US house is easy to find and within a mile of a major interstate corridor, there are no logistical complications to deal with; it seems too clean and organized right now, but we’re sure given another 15 years there will be just as much dust and memories!

We are excited to have our very own location with room to grow and plenty of additional potential.

Come and see us at our new location, and let’s go kayaking!

Pyranha US, Inc.
2000 Jonesborough Rd
Erwin
TN 37650

Tel: 828.254.1101

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21
Nov

The Legend of Starrk Moon

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31 years ago, Brad Nelson created Starrk Moon Kayaks, which would quickly become an east coast staple for Pyranha Kayaks. With his endless knowledge about the world of whitewater, Brad has created countless whitewater kayakers.

Starrk Moon is located in Delta, Pennsylvania and prides itself on introducing new paddlers to the world of whitewater. Brad believes the best decision someone can make is to check out the shop in person to find their perfect kayak. With an arsenal of different gear, a classic local river down the street, and an owner with never-ending knowledge on the sport, every trip to this historic shop is a unique experience.

“Its one thing to sell a boat, but to create a kayaker is totally different” – Brad Nelson, Starrk Moon Kayaks

Hungry for more info? Check out Starrk Moon online or follow them on Facebook, you won’t regret it!

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05
Nov

6 of 12R, Half a Dozen of the Other

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The Green Race has come and gone for another year, and this one was certainly rather special for us here at Pyranha…

Holt McWhirt experiencing the 12R’s face-melting speed…

Favorites Dane Jackson and Pat Keller placed 1st and 2nd, but we’re beyond stoked with Team Pyranha’s very own Holt McWhirt bagging the Bronze in the 12R; perhaps almost as pleasingly, the 12R placed strongly across the rest of the results table too, with paddlers who chose it as their ride laying down 6 of the top 12 times:

3rd – Holt McWhirt – 04:18.4

4th – Isaac Levinson – 04:19.0

6th – Michael Ferraro – 04:19.4

7th – Matt Anger – 04:21.1

9th – Jeremy Nash (1st place Junior) – 04:22.0

11th – Dylan McKinney – 04:23.1

 

Legend Isaac Levinson with his game face on…

The cherry on top was seeing something we’ve been dreaming about for some time; Team Pyranha representing in the longboat category at the Green Race! Bring on next year…

We won’t be putting the 12Rs away until it’s time to train for 2019’s event though; those who’ve been paddling the limited number which arrived on the first container have been telling us repeatedly how much fun it is for everyday missions, how surprisingly maneuvrable it is, and how much it’s changing the way they break rapids down and opening their eyes to new mission possibilities. If you’d like to get in on the fun, there’ll be a limited amount of stock available on the next container arriving shortly, so get your orders in with a dealer now!

Images by Priscilla Macy/Marc Hunt.

 

P.S. The 12R is also now available outside the US too 😉

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02
Nov

Dialling In Moves In The 12R

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It’s the Eve of the 23rd Annual Green Race; what better time than to hear from some of the members of Team Pyranha who’ll be piloting the Pyranha 12R down the course for the first time…

Dylan McKinney

When I first heard of the Green Race some ten years ago, I remember thinking how insane it was that people actually paddle the Green, nevertheless race the rapids. As I progressed and started paddling the Green myself, my mindset slowly changed. I knew the Green Race as an event that had all of the big and fast paddling names, but I never thought I’d be a part of it. It’s tight, technical, and difficult. The race seems as though it’s a right of passage in the Southeast paddling community, or at least it has been in my mind. In 2012, I found my self at the start line for the first time, full of nerves and stoke, lining it all up. Six years later I have my name on that same list, ready to lay it all down on the first Saturday in November and that isn’t going to change any time soon. There is nothing like race day; turning the corner and having over one thousand people cheer you on as you race your way down class V rapids. The community, comradeship, and the world-class river make it all worth it and one of the most beautiful events in whitewater kayaking.

It’s been a long time coming for Pyranha to produce a longboat. Pyranha really created something unique and forward thinking in terms of long boat design. Sure the 12R is fast, but it is nimble and fun too! Bow rocker that carries the boat up and over large features, a stern fit for engagement and initiating timely turns, and a hull that tracks extremely well. Preparing for the Green Race has been a blast, especially in the 12R. Aside from racing the 12R, it has been a dream to paddle on any river. I’m stoked to finally have a Pyranha long boat in my quiver, just in time for the 23rd Annual Green River Narrows Race!

Michael Ferraro

Pyranha Kayaks finally made a long boat! Not only did they make one, but they made the best one I’ve ever paddled. I have extensive experience in both the Stinger and the Green Boat. The 12R is on a different level of thoughtful design which makes paddling this kayak fast, fun, and in my opinion easy. My favourite features are the wave deflectors on the bow that break the water’s surface so your bow stays nice and dry and the paddle cutouts at the knees. The 12R is the most versatile longboat to paddle. Whether you’re trying to crush the Green Race, do attainments, go on an expedition, or just change things up this kayak will not disappoint. I’m looking forward to representing Pyranha in the upcoming Green Race!

As for dialing in the lines for Green Race I know where to go I just need to paddle hard on race day and grease the lines. My first lap in the 12R was 4:40 and the second lap was 4:27 so it hasn’t taken me too long to adjust to the boat.

Check out the start list to see who else is rocking a 12R!

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21
Oct

Lessons Learnt Through Changing Kayaks

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As I think back to the different kayaks I have used, I find it interesting to reflect on all of the lessons they have taught me.

I used to be a diehard freestyle kayaker, and dropped pretty much everything in a freestyle kayak until I met Dave Fusilli and got into a creekboat (a Shiva) for the first time. I was blown away by how much fun the extra speed of a creekboat can be, and really enjoyed the extra stability and the confidence they gave me too. The change opened up new doors not only in the rivers and rapids I could take on, but also in my perspective on kayaking.


When the 9R debuted with its extra length and beautiful rocker profile, I feel like my whole kayaking game flipped once again. All of a sudden I was capable of boofing so much more, riding higher and drier over things and going faster than I ever thought possible. The 9R taught me a great appreciation for speed, staying in the main flow and blitzing down rivers. Yes, it was originally designed as a race kayak, but it also works exceedingly well as an all round creek kayak, provided you bring your ‘A’ game and remember to keep one step ahead and focused on the next move.


Over time as both my skill and desire to run bigger rapids grew, I found myself wanting something that had a little more volume, a more stable width, and was easier to control at points where losing it would mean dire consequences. I wanted something that would operate comfortably at lower speeds and enable me to look even further ahead when approaching first descents. Those “wants” are what led me to switch to the Machno as my main creek machine.

Paddling the Machno makes it feel like everything has been slowed down, but it is no slouch, and incorporates a lot of what we have learnt about rocker profile with the 9R, also making it a dream to boof. I feel like because the Machno is easier to handle I have more time to be stylish through rapids, rather than fighting to maintain control.


As brilliant as the Machno is on hard whitewater, the days where I truly get to push this kayak to its limits are relatively few; on everyday chill sections is where the Ripper earns its place in my arsenal. There are a lot of choices within the freeride kayak genre, but I truly believe the Ripper to be the best; I love the down-river speed, how easy it is to boof, the fact that I can surf any wave on the river in it, and how beautifully balanced it is when getting vertical. Charging hard whitewater in the Ripper is not as easy as in the Machno, but it is oh so rewarding!

Ultimately, one kayak is just not enough for me to be fully satisfied, and I love that within each area of kayaking that I enjoy there is a Pyranha kayak that fits in perfectly. Currently I swap between the Machno, Ripper, Jed (Carbon), Jed (Plastic) and during race season I will hop back in my 9R. I haven’t managed to get on the water in the Fusion Duo or 12R yet, but I look forward to putting them to good use over the coming months and seeing what lessons I can learn from using them, and whatever else the future holds for Pyranha.

See you on the water,
Bren

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18
Oct

The 12R Has Landed!

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That’s right, the container has reached the shores of the USA, been unloaded, and the first production 12Rs have seen water!

We really turned our ‘By Enthusiasts, For Enthusiasts’ ethos on its head for this one, and made something that is first and foremost For Enthusiasts, so let’s hear what just some of those enthusiasts think now that the 12R is here:

Mark Kieran – “I paddled the 12R for the first time at this year’s annual Ocoee race, and not only did I finish with the 6th fastest time overall, but I set a new personal best for the course! I followed this up with a fun cruise; glassy waves, enders, and attainments are a blast! The 12R is nimble and easy to manoeuvre, and is going to be a lot of fun to creek in.”

Mike Patterson, US Operations Director – “I just got off two juicy class 4-5 laps, and I’m so damn excited; 3 of us had the 12R out, all different weights and sizes, and we couldn’t stop smiling for 10 miles. ‘It paddles more like a short boat’ was the mantra of the day; the 12R’s edge transfer is crisp, making it easy to manoeuvre and turn, and the bow planes over things like the 9R and boofs almost as well as a short boat. Time will tell if it’s the fastest, but I don’t really care because it’s definitely the most fun longboat on the market!”

Cory Hall – “My 2 favorite features about the 12R are the recessed bow where your catch enters, and the edges that allow for smooth turning at speed; both of these combine to allow me to keep more forward stroke consistency and momentum than in any other longboat.”

Chris Hipgrave, US Sales Director – “I got to deliver a bunch of 12Rs to the Ocoee Race, and everyone came up to me beaming about its perfect balance of fun and fast. To make the day even better, I tied for first place in the 12R and others placed well across the classes too.”

Jonnie Ortiz – “The most fun I’ve had in a longboat ever! Dry bow, stable, and easy to throw around.”

Robert Peerson, Designer – “This is the boat I have been dreaming about for years!”

 

Stay tuned for news on the 12R at the Green Race, and if you’re not a US resident but fancy getting in on the fun, don’t worry, we’re sending some 12Rs your way soon!

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17
Oct

And the Winner Is…

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We gave the judges at PADDLEexpo 2018 a hard time by showcasing a whole heap of newness, including the Fusion Duo and 12R, but fittingly it was the boat we’ve been humbled to see paddlers across the globe beaming from ear to ear in since we released it in early 2018, the Ripper, which claimed the coveted title of Paddlesports Product of the Year 2019.

A few of the team accept the award and show off the custom Black/Lime/Red Ripper made for the show.

If you’re already part of the #RipperUp movement, our sincerest thanks go out to you for choosing our kayaks and helping us continue to make new and exciting ones (we’re not even close to being done yet!), and if you still haven’t tried a Ripper, get to your local dealer and book a demo now!

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