Playak

OR 2007, New Whitewater Products #1

In this report from OR 2007: Fluid, Dagger, Pyranha, Liquid Logic, H2O, WRSI, Shred Ready.

This year we decided to get the new photos from SLC as fast as possible, and that means we created two galleries, one for whitewater products and one for flatwater products. Now that the show is over and things are calming down a little, we'll take the time to turn the info into real reports. This is the first report for the new whitewater products, covering the following brands:

Fluid
Dagger
Pyranha
Liquid Logic
H2O
WRSI
Shred Ready

Fluid Kayaks

One of the brighter spots of the show as far as whitewater is concerned this year is Fluid Kayaks of South Africa.

NEMESIS . The Nemesis line is being filled out with a small and a large size, prototypes for both of which were on the showroom floor. While the size changes stay true to the original design, slight modifications have been made to enhance or retain the overall feel and performance at the different volumes.

Nemesis Small

Nemesis Medium

Nemesis Large

ELEMENT . Fluid's dedicated surfing kayak is taking on some interesting lines. Concave sidewalls, a clean release point at the stern and a low stern rocker profile promise a lot of speed on the wave comparable to the Drago Rossi Squashtail or the Necky Vibe. Should be interesting to see what Fluid's interpretation of the â€œriver surferâ€ will offer.

Fluid Element

Fluid Element

Dagger Kayaks

Dagger kayaks provided their own coverage this year.

Pyranha

While Pyranha didn't have any prototypes on the floor, a new playboat is in the works that will take the 4Twenty concept to the next level. We will provide more details and photos from the Kanumesse in Nuremberg in September.

Liquid Logic

Liquid Logic brings a new river-runner / instructional platform to the lineup, kid-sized versions of the Cross River and the Remix and size extentions on the Jefe. They've also made my job a lot easier by launching a new site on the eve of the OR show - www.liquidlogickayaks.com.

REMIX - The Remix, as Shane Benedict put it, is a return to old-school values and can be compared to the Perception Whiplash with modernized lines, a more stable volume distribution and more forgiving chines.

The Remix

OUTFITTING . The new LL outfitting looks plush. Like a cross between a Barcalounger and a kayak seat, the monofilament padding has been borrowed from the automotive industry. Light, dry and adjustable, this will raise the bar considerably for other kayak manufacturers.

Outfitting

KID-SIZES - The Cross River and Remix will also be available in kids-sizes

Kids CR and Remix

JEFE GRANDE AND CHICO - Seen here with limited edition graphics (which are only available with white "pearl" plastic)

Jefe Grande

Jefe Chico

H20 Paddles

H20 has dropped the weight of their Team paddles by ¼ lb. while increasing strength by 20%, added an aluminized composite shaft and some new colors.

H20 Paddles

H20 Paddles

PeakUK

Peak has a new drytop this year with integrated armor padding. Impact rated to over 55 MPH, these flexible foam pads fit into pockets sewn into the top, but are shown outside here for illustration purposes. Also, a new rescue vest has been added to the lineup

PeakUK Creeking Top

PeakUK Creeking Top

Rescue Vest

Rescue Vest

WRSI

WRSI has a new full-face helmet and an aerodynamic throwbag shaped like a football (stitches and all)

WRSI Helmet

Throwbag

Shred Ready

Shred Ready introduces a new line of helmets in standard, full and full face versions - all include a molded, multiple impact EPP foam liner. Also, limited and "ultra-limited" colors: snakeskin, wood, leather and desert camo.

Helmets

Liner

Special colors