These are the entries for the Paddlesport Product of the Year Awards 2019 in the Whitewater category. These awards are organized every year at the occasion of PADDLEexpo. Note that, a product could win the prize although not listed here, if the judges discover once at the show, that a product worth winning was not entered; entering ahead of the show simply guarantees a product to be taken into account by the judges.
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DAGGER KAYAKS – REWIND
The ultimate downriver playboat for paddlers of all abilities, the Rewind out delivers on what boaters need from a modern One-Boat kayak ñ piercing river running capabilities, speed and an excellent play platform ñ bringing new tricks to any run. Including Daggers coveted Contour Ergo outfitting, roto step out wall and volume adjustable bulkhead to create a fully secure and personalisable rider set-up. Just Rewind and play again!
Dagger has a reputation of creating boats that not only define an era but stand the test of time; the all-new Rewind is an instant classic. The ultimate downriver play boat for paddlers of all abilities, the Rewind overdelivers on what boaters want and need from a modern whitewater kayak ñ piercing river running capabilities complemented by an exciting play-ability that allows you to add new tricks to your arsenal.
The Rewind seeks the surface with ample volume and rocker in the bow, skipping away from drops while maintaining excellent hull speed. The hull is loose, yet super-responsive when engaged. The Rewind includes Dagger’s coveted Contour Ergo Creek Outfitting for dialing in those contact points, and a rotational Step Out wall for added safety. With the ultra-low volume stern, wind it up, let it loose, and when you’re ready, Rewind it and do it again!
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PYRAHNA – 9R II
The 9R kick-started a creek boat design revolution; now that everyone else has caught up, it’s time to raise the bar with the 9R II.
This sports car of a kayak is an exhilarating ride on any river, its narrow width not only increasing the 9R’s dynamic speed, but also offering immense connectivity, effortless rolling, and lightning fast edge to edge transitions; the 9R’s unparalleled speed is just as much fun to wield during everyday missions as it is in competitions, opening up more moves and whole new possibilities such as mid-rapid line changes and easy attainments.
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LIQUIDLOGIC – ALPHA 90
Description: We started the 9-foot fast creeker river runner revival and the Alpha is our latest creation in the class. This machine has a large smooth transitioning bow rocker to gobble up holes and boofs while the center section of the hull is flatter to help with speed, stability, and agility. Longer boats no longer have to be hard to paddle. This baby is nimble! The subtle kick rockered stern profile is modeled after the Braaap which gives it a predictable quick carving fun feel on the water. If you are looking for a confidence-inspiring boat that can make your local run fun or take care of you on the hardest whitewater you paddle, give the Alpha a try.
Specs: Length: 9í 4î, Width: 26î, Cockpit Length: 34.5î, Cockpit Width: 20.5î, Est. Weight: 50 lbs, Volume: 90 GAL, Paddler Weight Range: 150-250 LBS
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KOKATAT – HUSTLE
Whitewater paddlers need a life vest that exceeds expectations in both safety and comfort. The new Hustle checks both boxes. With padded shoulder straps and free floating foam panels that wrap around a paddlerís torso, itís a super comfortable vest that will optimally fit on varied torso sizes and shapes. The large front pocket provides plenty of room to stash and store the supplies needed for a day on the water. Kokatat ís new side-entry Hustle PFD is a must-have vest for whitewater paddlers. The two stacked and sculpted GAIA PVC-free and PE foam panels wrap around the paddlerís torso and float to allow optimal fit on varied torso sizes and provide all-day comfort. These floating panels of foam are covered in a durable 210D high-tenacity ripstop Nylon. The specially designed large front pocket allows for internal organization and keeps items securely inside. The Hustle has adjustable, padded shoulder straps and three side adjustments that ensures a secure, safe fit. A single lash tab on the vestís front allows for attachment of a rescue knife or other accessories.
Colors: Mantis, Coal, Leaf
Sizes (Buoyancy lbs/oz.): XS/S (16/00), M/L (16/00), XL/XXL (16/00)
Certifications: ISO (European Union), US Coast Guard, Transport Canada
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LEVEL SIX – ACE SPRAYSKIRT
One of the biggest obstacles of using a rubber rand on a sprayskirt is the glue that you have to use to adhere it to the neoprene. It can restrict the stretch and is affected by air and water temperature. Using special tooling we were able to sew the rand on to the neoprene, allowing the rand to stretch to its maximum dimensions much easier and the thread has a much higher threshold in comparison to glue. This means it will be more durable and reliable over the lifetime of the skirt. New internal silicone grip sticks to the cockpit rim and abrasion panes on the deck make this the best skirt on the market.
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KOKOPELLI PACKCRAFT – RECON
The Kokopelli Recon is not your traditional packraft. Engineered from our toughest and most bomber material and weighing 18lbs, the Recon is perfect for road-to-river whitewater and after-work laps. With the exact same shape as our original whitewater Nirvana Self-Bailer, the Recon constructed from 0.9mm Reinforced PVC maintains the nimbleness of a packraft with the durability and performance of bigger whitewater crafts.
Ambassador Joey Schusler claims the Blue Beast, “is the go-to boat for larger water, and sharper surroundings, where failure is not an option and weight isn’t as paramount. The PVC construction allows for higher pressures which increase overall performance.
I took this boat down every rapid in the Grand Canyon, and had the time of my life! Ambassador Becca Tarbox claims, “the Recon takes the best qualities of a packraft and an inflatable kayak and combines them into one boat. It’s made of a much more durable material than my Nirvana, which makes it a lot stiffer for a more stable ride. In the water, I find it to be almost as stable as the inflatable kayak, and much more responsive for making quick moves. Instead of going through bigger rapids and just hoping I make it, I’m confident in the boat’s stability and I’m now actually paddling through the rowdy sections and working on my technique so I can become a better paddler instead of a stronger swimmer. And paddler Tristan Burnham comments that, ìThe Recon just plows right through stuff like no big deal. If you’re a devoted hard-sided kayaker you’ll love this for hot summer days. If you’re a beginner or intermediate paddler, you’ll love how stable it is. If you’re an expert packrafter, you’ll love that you can push yourself into bigger water and rapids. It’s definitely something to add to your quiver if you’re a river rat.”
