{"id":21895,"date":"2020-09-09T15:13:24","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T14:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/?p=21895"},"modified":"2020-09-09T15:13:24","modified_gmt":"2020-09-09T14:13:24","slug":"3-glorious-years-of-ripping-it-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/3-glorious-years-of-ripping-it-up\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Glorious Years of Ripping it Up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

October this year (2020) will mark 3 years since the first Ripper<\/a> left the mould; we guess it’s true what they say about time flying when you’re having fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mark the occasion, we decided to catch up with Bren Orton to find out what impact it’s had on his paddling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hey Bren,<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Great to catch up with you. First up, tell us how long you’ve been using the Ripper<\/strong>…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Right from the first prototype to production, and ever since!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Adrian Mattern<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What were your first impressions?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It was love at first sight. Enough rocker to climb up over big holes, a sporty tail for fun on prime eddy lines, and a planning hull for when you find an inviting river wave. I had high expectations of the Ripper, and it has exceeded all of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where have you paddled it so far?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, almost everywhere. From the Little White to the Tryweryn and everything in-between, including a multi-day descent down the Kynchi River in India. Admittedly, a Machno<\/a> would have been more practical, but for that style of river the Ripper is just magic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Dane Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Do you use one particular size, or switch between them? Why?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I have used all of them and I switch in-between them based on what sort of river I am on. My go-to is the Large for the style and power of rivers I like to use it on; the extra width in the knees and overall volume helps me to have clean lines down the rapids, and yet I can still get it vertical pretty easily. I remember first trying the Ripper Large and being shocked I could still whip it up to vert every time I wanted to. For reference, I am 72kg, relatively strong, and sort of okay at kayaking\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: John Haines<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How does it fit into your quiver? What sort of percentage\/range of your paddling do you use it for?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Starting out, it was the kayak I reached for on easier sections, but as I spent more time in the Ripper, I figured out how to get the most out of the design and develop my own style with the kayak. I now feel really comfortable taking it out on bigger and pushier water. Honestly, the Ripper is now my everyday kayak. The Machno or 9R II<\/a> only come out on really big days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Adrian Mattern<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Is there anywhere you paddled it and wished you were in a creeker\/playboat?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are days where I want more of a challenge or to be able to work the nose around more, and that\u2019s when I get into the Ozone<\/a>; great fun, and good training for using the Ripper on harder water!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you feel about the Ripper\u2019s 9ft length? Too long, too short, or just right?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Big fan. Any time I give up freestyle potential, I want it made up for with speed. The Ripper is SO fast and nimble down the river. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Dane Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where are you going to be using the Ripper in the next year?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Almost everywhere. It is my favourite kayak of all time; it has challenged me to become a better kayaker; it has allowed me to combine freestyle and river running and to blend the different techniques together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s you favourite move to throw in it?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kickflip. The Ripper is so bloody good for kickflips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf7: Kalob Grady<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Any top tips for paddlers looking to get the most out of the Ripper?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Just get in one. It is in my humble opinion the best kayak to enjoy the river with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do your impressions of the boat measure up to your initial impressions?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I knew it was going to be good, but the Ripper<\/a> is better than good; it\u2019s special. There is no other kayak that allows me to enjoy such a wide variety of rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks Bren!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Thanks, see you on the river!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can see Bren tearing things up in his Ripper highlight reel, below:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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