Showing posts with label Greenland Kayaks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greenland Kayaks. Show all posts

Thursday, 13 March 2014

Interview with Johan Wirsen by Damiano Visocnik from GnarlyDog News blog

Learn more about Johan Wirsen: great designer of greenland style kayaks but also a sea kayak enthusiast.
Did You know that Johan has designed rowing and sailing boats too? Do You know what Johan thinks about sea kayak sailing?

You can read part of interview below and if You would like to read full interview go to GnarlyDog News blog.  >>GnarlyDog link



GDN: You have started a new brand of sea kayaks called Rebel: why another brand ?

JH: You know, since 2001 I have been working independently with kayak designs for a number of companies.(...)But as you know, the kayak business is also quite dirty and some of the companies I have been working with were also very greedy, so I have decided to terminate some contract with the “big ones” and start all over with this new little company Rebel Kayaks and try to keep the passion for the sport and paddling alive for myself.

GDN: Where and when will these kayak be available?
"Designer with his baby"

JH: For the moment we are that lucky that we have been contacted by so many high end retailers, dealers and customers that we can’t satisfied them all!! (...).

GDN: What style of kayaks are you focusing on under your brand Rebel?

JH: The first two models that we put into production are my two Greenland styled kayaks: the “ILAGA” and the ”T”. Those are the type of kayaks that I personally feel a lot for, and since they are well known they are like a signature for me. (...)

GDN:I notice a certain consistency of style in your creations even if the kayaks that you have designed have different goals in mind. How did you get involved in boat design and what is the driving force for your passion?

JH: Born on an island, and growing up with a father that had all kinds of boats (anything from fishing to sailing and even a water-ski boat) it is not that unusual that I got this interest and eventually I went to school to become a boat builder. I have always tried to build or rebuild my own stuff, even motorbikes!

GDN: Sea kayak sailing: what do you think of that?

JH: I must admit that I have not experienced sailing with a kayaks before I visited Australia. But I really got hooked! (...)

GDN: Last words?
Rebel Greenland T kayak at Oland Island

JH: Well I guess that would be: With paddling try to make it your own journey.(...)

GnarlyDog News -One of the  most recognized paddling blog on Earth and region. Like he wrote on blog: 
"How do I find the time to do all this? simple: I got rid of my TV. That's right,"

See full article here  >>GnarlyDog News

Friday, 7 February 2014

Greenland kayaks - lay up constructions

Johan working on T model plug
Today we have started production of the first kayaks ordered from our Scandinavian partners. We are very excited because REBEL is becoming a reality.
It has been a long time since the inception, when we were planning, thinking, designing and testing. The time has come where Rebel Kayaks is a reality; no longer just only in our minds or in a digital world (on this blog and our fanpage).
We can now say: THE REBEL IS ON!

If interested in our kayak lay-up construction here are the details explaining what materials we use and the fit-out components inside.

REBEL KAYAKS CONSTRUCTION:

Sandwich PRO:
  • Materials: Carbon  – Cork core - Epoxy resin
  • Foootrest: SmartTrack
  • Skeg: Integrated box+ KajakSport
  • Clear coat hull: Standard

Sandwich Plus:
  • Materials: Carbon&Kevlar - Cork&Spheretex core - Epoxy resin
  • Footrest: SmartTrack Standard
  • Skeg: Integrated box+ KajakSport
  • Clear coat hull: Optional

Sandwich:
  • Materials: Kevlar&Diolen - Spheretex core -  Epoxy resin (2015 NEW!)
  • Footrest: SmartTrack Standard
  • Skeg: Integrated box + KajakSport
  • Clear coat hull: Not available

Kayakas available in this RAL colors:
  • Red - 3002
  • Cream white - 9010
  • Black – 9005
Of course other colors are available on special request

Greenland wooden paddles:
  • Sizes: Standard , Big Blade, Storm Blade
  • Weight: 0,7 – 0,8 Kg
  • Material: Pacific Red Cedar
  • Reinforcement: Fraxinus
Any question? Please feel free to post comment or write to us! info@rebelkayaks.com


Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Helen Wilson on Rebel Team! Partnership between Greenland or Bust and Rebel

Mark Tozer and  Helen Wilson from Greenland or Bust are officially ambassadors of Rebel Kayaks.


We are proud and very excited to announce that Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer have joined the Rebel Kayaks team.



Helen wrote on her blog:



"He (Johan) asked Mark and I if we’d become ambassadors for Rebel Kayaks. We are thrilled to announce that we have accepted his offer. This decision was made for several reasons. First, the Greenland is the kayak that I was originally impressed by,(...). Second, Johan is a wonderful person and a good friend. He has put his heart, soul and a ton of money into designing several kayaks that are now recognized worldwide, and for good reason. We have full faith in the quality of his kayaks, which are being manufactured by Aquarius, located in Poland, and we can honestly say, he’s a real kayaker, an awesome person, a great designer and a good friend, and we want to support him and his new company, Rebel Kayaks. We hope that you’ll join us in this support."



Helen and Mark will come to Scandinavia for their Nordic Tour 2014. They are planning to teach kayak lessons in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. If You are intrested please check further details at Greenland or Bust blog.



Helen Wilson
She is one of the most recognized sea kayakers in the world. Helen from Arcata, California, specializes in traditional Greenland paddling. Helen took part in Greenland National Kayaking Championship in 2008 (Qaqortoq, Greenland) and in 2010 (Nuuk, Greenland) where she gained 5 medals in 4 disciplines.
From time to time she writes for Sea Kayaker magazine, The Masik and Ocean Paddler magazine.



From left: Johan Wirsen, Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer
Mark Tozer
On his blog it reads:"Mark Tozer has been messing around in all kinds of boats in all kinds of waters as an active paddler and coach for the past 25 years, with sea kayaking being his specialism." Now Mark, together with Helen, teaches paddling skills around the world.
He is a coach  trainer examiner under the British Canoe Union Star Award. He gained a number of BCU awards inluding the coveted Level 5 Coach (SEA).
He has paddled in Alaska, Greenland, Morocco, Tanzania, Kenya, Ecuador and many more.  Mark has a PhD in expedition leadership (an impressive achievement!)

Thursday, 24 October 2013

The very first happy user of Rebel Greenalnd T

We are ​proud to show the first video featuring our Green​land T; it means that the ​very first  "REBEL" unit is already in use :) .
​The first kayak is made in carbon: ​clear-coated (transparent) hull and white deck. We are very pleased with the result a​s we have achieved and satisfied our ​objective to create a technically superior kayaks that is also strikingly beautiful. Our main goal ​was to manufacture a​ kayak that is lighter & stiffer than what ​is available on market today... and we did it!

Thanks to Petra and Damiano for ​the video!


Paddler: Petra
Video: Damiano
Place: Borgholm, Sweden and Traumsee, Austria. 

Friday, 11 October 2013

Rebel on Paddle Expo 2013

Last week at Paddle Expo we were busy with talking to customers receiving good feedback while keeping our fingers crossed for REBEL.

We are happy that so many paddlers appreciated the return of the original, the "real" Greenland! (in regards to the current models that are available on the market from the competition).
"I want this one, the real one" - This is what we heard a lot of times...

Thank you all for the great response and support, that we received at Kanumesse last week. It was more than we ever hoped for!
So now we know more than ever that we will see you on water soon.

It was really great for us to meet You with all folks!

Yours sincerely Johan Wirsén
boat builder/designer


Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Greenland T - we will show first model of Rebel Kayaks on Paddle Expo / KanuMesse 2013 in Nurnberg

We will take a part in KanuMesse / Paddle Expo 2013 in Nunrberg. We will be at show with our first model of greenland style sea kayak: Greenland T.
Find and visit us on Aquarius Kayak's stand which is D7 in hall number 7.

Greenland T is not so "new" on the market. In fact kayak is very well known but under other brands.
We have changed i.a:
  • backrest - now is foldable and also conntected to seat.
  • weight - we have used best combination of materials. New Greenland T is lighter and stiffer - it means our kayak is BETTER than it was before ;) 
If You would like to make appointment with us at KanuMesse please write us directly at: info@rebelkayaks.com


Wednesday, 18 September 2013

THE REBEL IS ON - "WHY REBEL?"

Rebel Kayaks – new brand of high end sea kayaks for demanding paddlers.


After more then ten years of designing kayaks for a number of companies (and got ripped off a couple off times) it is now time to back off a little and look for the passion and joy once more.
The idea for Rebel Kayaks is to connect design with skilled employees. Workers that have the knowledge and feeling for the materials that they work with. And also have the knowledge and feeling for paddling. It means that I as a designer am more closely connected to the process. The vast experience that the builders have will translate into producing high end sea kayaks for demanding paddlers – built on experience!

First two models introduced under the Rebel brand will not be “new models”. Instead we have chosen two models that are well known, recognised, and highly regarded by paddlers all around. We will upgrade them and also put more effort into the lamination in order to get stiffer and lighter boats. The kayaks will not be produced in big numbers any more. Instead we will focus on putting that little extra effort into each and every kayak.
The difference that You will feel while paddling in REBEL kayak.



Yours sincerely Johan Wirsén
boat builder/designer