Our Designs and Manufacturing

Strong design and manufacturing principles

Our kayaks are aimed at the intermediate to advanced paddler who seeks performance and quality. You can paddle with confidence as all our kayaks have been designed by Sea Kayaking authority Nigel Dennis who started designing and building kayaks for his own use over 40 years ago. Nigel is a born adventurer, and he needed kayaks that would enable him to fulfil his needs at home and on his expeditions which pushed the boundaries of the sport. He has also been a huge influence on the British Sea Kayak awarding structure and served for over 30 years as a relief coxswain on the lifeboat, so he understands what a kayak needs to be safe.

Nigel applied the same design principles across the whole range, and these principles remain at the core of what we do today. All the kayaks in our range have these things in common.

Safety Above All: With a wealth of experience as a relief coxswain on a lifeboat, extensive hours guiding sea kayakers and his input on the British sea kayaking awarding system Nigel Dennis know how to prioritise safety in every design. Each kayak is meticulously crafted to deliver top-notch safety and performance.

• Tailored for Performance: Each kayak in our range is designed with a specific paddler profile in mind, ensuring a custom fit and design features that enhance performance. We steer away from one-size-fits-all solutions, instead incorporating unique design features to empower paddlers without constraints.
• Simplicity is Excellence: Our kayaks boast streamlined designs, prioritising simplicity to minimise potential issues during remote coast explorations or long crossings. You can paddle with peace of mind knowing that complexity won't impede your adventure.
• Strength, Durability, and Weight Balance: Designed to withstand the tests of time and service, our kayaks strike the perfect balance between strength, durability, and weight. While we don't claim to offer the lightest kayaks, we guarantee that they will remain steadfast when you need them the most.
• Proven Excellence: Backed by Nigel Dennis's expertise and years of collaboration with
  exceptional sea kayakers, our kayaks undergo rigorous testing to ensure top-tier performance. Continual feedback from our customers and partnerships with our dealerships drives constant improvement, guaranteeing that we deliver nothing short of a stellar product.

Sea Kayaking UK boat owners already know that our kayaks enable paddlers to perform at their best with confidence and a smile on their face. Join us, where safety, performance, and innovation converge to redefine your sea kayaking experience.

Keeping it in house

The coastal town of Holyhead, North Wales, our hub of operations thrives surrounded by the vibrant waters of Anglesey. Here, amidst these renowned tidal waters that serve as the ultimate testing ground for our kayaks, we bring to life vessels designed for unparalleled performance and durability. By consolidating our office and manufacturing operations in one location, we uphold a standard of excellence, enabling seamless coordination to swiftly meet the dynamic needs of our customers. This integrated approach not only facilitates top-tier quality control but also empowers us to offer an extensive array of customised kayaks, made possible by our complete oversight of the manufacturing process. At the heart of our scenic abode, innovation and precision converge to craft kayaks that embody not just functionality, but a true reflection of our craftsmanship and commitment to excellence.

Guided by a Morale Compass

Sustainability

Locally Rooted, Globally Responsible: Nestled in the heart of a small coastal town in North Wales, we are committed to fostering sustainability not only in our products but also in the lives of our community members. By providing stable and rewarding livelihoods to locals and supporting, we contribute to the vitality of our town while reducing the carbon footprint associated with commuting. In 2025, we anticipate commencing work on the installation of solar panels. This initiative aims to enable us to actively contribute to the power grid and offset our modest energy requirements.

Community-Centric Practices:

The majority of our dedicated workforce resides within cycling distance of our factory, allowing them to adopt eco-friendly commutes and lessen dependence on automobiles. With in-house training and a flexible, person-centered production approach, we emphasize work-life balance, enabling our team to blend their professional duties with personal commitments and interests seamlessly.

Furthermore, we contribute to the future of British manufacturing by offering placements for students to gain invaluable real-world experience.

Nurturing Talent, Fostering Loyalty:

Our emphasis on skill development and accommodating work environments has cultivated a team of skilled professionals, some of whom have been part of our journey since the inception of our business. By empowering our staff to align work with family needs and pursuits, we not only retain expertise but also foster a culture of loyalty and longevity within our workforce.

Immersed in the ethos of sustainability, our practices extend beyond environmental stewardship to encompass the well-being and prosperity of those who form the fabric of our organisation and community. By choosing our products you are helping us to create a brighter, more sustainable future—one rooted in local support, human-centric values, and enduring relationships.

Minimising Our Environmental Footprint

In acknowledging the inherent carbon costs associated with composite and plastic kayak production, we pride ourselves on creating kayaks built to endure the test of time. Some of our kayaks crafted over three decades ago are still actively sought after in the thriving second-hand market, a testament to their lasting quality. With a dedicated repair service and comprehensive guidance available, we empower our customers to prolong the lifespan of their kayaks, keeping them in service for years to come. In 2025 we plan to introduce a series of free online instructional videos so that our customers can keep their kayaks and paddles in tip top condition for years to come.

Not just durable, but versatile too, our three-piece kayaks offer a unique advantage—they can effortlessly fit into even the smallest of cars. For electric car users, this means seamless transport without compromising on range, while traditional vehicle users can enhance their fuel efficiency and reduce their emissions. Through these sustainable practices and innovative solutions, we not only reduce our kayaks' environmental impact but also foster a culture of longevity, efficiency, and conservation in the world of water sports.

We are always seeking innovation and improvement. While the composite technology industry is gradually introducing more environmentally friendly materials to the market, our rigorous testing has shown that these alternatives do not currently meet our stringent standards for safety and durability in kayak production. However, our commitment to sustainability propels us to remain vigilant in monitoring advancements in eco-conscious materials. We are dedicated to exploring new products and continually seeking out innovative options that hold the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of our kayaks. By staying apprised of sustainable innovations, we aim to lead the charge in creating kayaks that not only excel in performance but also embody our unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship.

Strong Morale Compass

In 2024, we proudly sponsored accomplished kayakers embarking on expeditions guided by a strong moral compass.

Roland Arnison, on the 'Call of The Loon' expedition, is immersing himself in the recording of Scotland's native sea birds—a vital initiative aimed at encapsulating a crucial moment in our wildlife narrative. By shedding light on the challenges these creatures confront, Roland's expedition not only celebrates the beauty of our natural world but also raises critical awareness about the challenges these animals face.

Jack Hampton's project, 'Paddling the Margins,' delves into the intricate fabric of our coastal towns, examining the trials faced by communities that dot our shoreline. Through this lens, Jack seeks genuine perspectives, unravelling the challenges and solutions that underpin the lives of those who call these coastal towns home. His films serve as a poignant exploration of the human aspect intertwined with environmental concerns, offering a platform for dialogue, insight, and potential resolutions. Through our sponsorship of these impactful endeavours, we underline our commitment to supporting ventures that not only enrich our understanding of the world around us but also ignite conversations that inspire positive change and greater appreciation for the environments we cherish.