Owning just one kayak seems a thing of the past; in the days of kayaks becoming more and more specialised, many paddlers have multiple boats and a range of options depending on what kind of water they want to paddle. Having observed the transition from paddlers doing everything from rodeo to waterfalls in the same boat, to paddlers now selecting a particular boat to match their wave/waterfall/race, you might think that the “all river” type boat is a thing of the past.
This isn’t a new boat to Pyranha’s range, but it certainly is one of the unsung heroes; you won’t see it winning freestyle competitions or being used to break waterfall records, but you will see it out there every day on the water, earning its money with paddlers, enthusiasts, clubs and coaches. From entry level to pro, this is one kayak that everyone can get something from; allow me to reintroduce… the Z.One!
Fast, dynamic, precise
The Z.One is fast, agile and so much fun to paddle. The hull is incredible with enough rocker to keep your bow dry when moving over waves and holes, but enough length and edge to make sure you keep your speed and stay on line when flying around the river. With one boat you can carve the river, surf waves and play in stoppers or holes. The Z.One is also a perfect training boat for intermediates and experts developing their skills on the river. You’ll have more fun in this on your regular grade 3 run than you will in your creek boat!
Chris Brain going old school! (to be honest stern squirts never went out of fashion did they?)
For many Pyranha paddlers, this boat has become their first choice for anything that isn’t at the extreme ends of the sport; for all-round river performance that puts a smile on your face, it is up there with the best.
I have used the Z.One on a full range of rivers and have seen it excel at punching through holes, tackling big water and of course technical whitewater where you need to be able to make quick corrections to avoid rocks and features.
Team Pyranha paddlers love it too
“For me, the Z.One gives me the sneaky opportunity during coaching sessions to have a little tail squirt whilst no one is looking. In the past 18 months, I’ve paddled little else. When coaching the boat gives great demos, movements are clearly visible to students and encourages me to paddle well, demonstrating good technique all the time. When paddling for fun I can catch lots of waves on the fly, run some great lines with quick changing momentum and it keeps me on my toes on harder stuff. What’s not to like?”
Chris Eastabrook -Team Pyranha
Chris Eastabrook showing how much fun you can have on the river in his favourite boat
Driving through stoppers with ease
“As a recreational paddler I find the Z.One a really enjoyable boat to paddle. It’s fast, playful and fun on Class II/III water and provides the ideal craft for me to look after club paddlers, whilst also coaching river skills.
The Z.One really comes into its own on the surf too. I always look forward to taking it to Cornwall several times a year where I can ride the waves, practice my rolls if need be and just have some quality fun with my fellow Z.One paddlers, who are also smitten with the way it performs.
Long live the Z.One is what I say!”
Clare Morgan – Team Pyranha
Our students love it too!
“I love my Pyranha Z.One Kayak because even when the water levels are low I can still practice my stern squirts >> This boat is clearly the superior of all kayaks!!”
Ellie Selley, 2nd year outdoor leadership student at UCLan.
Even when there’s no water Ellie still has fun in her Z.One!
“I love my Z.One as it is not only a reliable river runner, but also a great boat to play around in. As well as being even easier to roll than a burn!! Since swapping to a Z.One, my balance and stability in the boat has improved and has helped to better my overall kayaking.”
Bethany Wilson
Beth Wilson loves her Z.One that much she keeps it in her bedroom!
So If you are finding that your creek boat isn’t responsive enough for your local river run, or you are wanting to catch every eddy, make every move and surf every wave then you really should take a look at the Z. One,we love it and we know you will too!
Thanks to Chris Eastabrook, Claire Morgan, Bethany Wilson and Ellie Selley for having fun in their Z.One and their input. Thanks to Rachel Burke and Dougal Gray for photos
Chris Brain
When I arrived in Quito, I found my way to Baeza where I met my friend Marco Collela. I don’t know if I would have been there had he not encouraged me in the first place, so glad he did! I came without much of a plan and I honestly didn’t know what to expect this time. Having no set expectations allowed me to challenge myself freely and really enjoy every moment not wanting to take anything for granted!
Oceana is a known rapid on the Tallulah. It’s about a 50 foot slide. Its very deceiving in pictures, it’s super steep and very scary. Once the Pyranha crew got to the rapid we pulled over and got out of our boats to look at the rapid. I was really nervous, but so many paddlers talked to me and told me just to keep your right paddle blade in the water and you will be fine. After a bit of thinking, I got in my boat and went to the lip, and took and paddle stroke and I was going down the rapid. It was really big and fun. It was a bumpy ride and it had a fun hole to boof at the bottom.
The river flows through the Raukumara Range which was the last area in New Zealand to be mapped, so the rugged and remoteness of the surroundings makes this a river to be remembered. The length and continuous nature of the river is rare on the North Island, so combined with a lack of roads and people, creates a really adventurous trip.
Red dear, wild goats and swooping hawks watched over us as we paddled endless read and run rapids. We only spotted a handful of fisherman and hunters who got helicoptered in to enjoy the wilderness.
Awesome campsites dot the river banks, ranging from pristine beaches, to established hunter’s camps and the abundance of firewood kept us warm, as the stars and moon shone overhead.
This was the first time I had paddled the 9r on a multiday and it handled the extra load admirably. A simple re-adjust of the seat kept the weight forward and there was ample space for; stoves, tarps and the all important bag of wine. The speed was awesome for punching holes and hitting big lines, whilst the sculpted edges allowed for accurate boat positioning down the endless, boulder garden rapids.
The Motu is a must for any paddler wanting to experience the quality and remoteness of North Island whitewater.
Thanks to Cameron Birch for some epic organisation and to 
Rio Yeso, Photo by Kang Ho, Kayaker Tino Specht
Frenchman’s corner in Rio Maipo, Photo by Alejandro Campos, Kayaker Kang Ho
The seven teacups national park in Rio Claro, Photo by Sergio Vidal Bogdanovic, Kayaker Kang Ho
Tres Troncos in Rio Puesco, Photo by Kang Ho, Kayaker Jared Seiler
