Rebel Husky - new sea kayak by Rebel Kayaks

We have some news for you! Until now, we only had 2 greenland kayaks in the Rebel range. Today we want to introduce you our new kayak. We called it Husky, because Huskies are a hard working and friendly dogs - same as our new kayak!

Husky's features

With a rocker and more symmetrical hull-shape this is one playful kayak. Hard chine, flat V-shaped bottom with fine endings towards bow and stern, it's made to maneuver. It has a low profile and very easy to roll. It features stainless steel rods for a towing system or to lock on a roof rack plus has lots of cords on the deck for al of your stuff / gear.

Specification

• Lenght: 520 cm
• Width: 53 cm
• Cocpit: 83 x 45 cm
• Weight: 20 - 22 kg
• Capacity: 130 kg
• Skeg: Standard
• Rudder: Option 

First unit of Rebel Husky

Why Husky? 

One of my first “Greenland” style kayaks was called Husky and this version is something like MK 5 or 6, but still has a lot in common with the concept. Recent significant change is, that we put some more rocker into the hull. We were pleased with the deck-layout so, we didn't change nothing there. For a person up to 90kg it’s a real playboat and even with some load, it will be a working dog during  a few days trip. This version is Low Volume.

left: Husky LV & right: Ilaga

Test & Try

Remember, that you can check out Husky during the Nordic Tour by Mark Tozer & Helen Wilson. They run rolling classes around Scandinavia, starting in May, until end of August. They also have Ilaga and T model with them! More info >>here

So try it out, cause it's a rock and roller!

Johan Wirsén

First year with Rebel Kayaks on the market - summary by Johan

Rebel Kayaks' first season draws to a close and it's time to take stock.

Paddle Expo 2014. photo: J.K.

-It more or less all started for Rebel Kayaks when we showed a kayak at Paddle Expo, (a kayak fair in Germany, in 2013). The response was greater than expected and we went home strengthened by the experience;

What spurred us most was that the requests came from well established retailers with many years in the industry. It was something we hoped for (when) knowing that appreciation of quality also means longevity and good service.

We were aware that our production would be limited so we made that clear to our prospective customers and dealers but what we were not prepared for was that the "T" model would sell in greater numbers than "Ilaga".

Our mould maker unfortunately broke his leg in the middle of the start-up of production, The leg is now healed and the kayaks delivered So every thing worked out well, even if it was tight sometimes.

Mark and Helen

Friends like Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer used our kayaks on their "Nordic Tour" clinics; that, of course, helped a lot to create awareness for our kayaks and show them off, while our PFDs and our wooden paddles have also been well received.

photo: J.K.

So all together:

We have all helped each other, and relations have been strengthened between all involved which feels extra good. We did not rush the production of the kayaks and warranty claims have been almost none.

This was also reflected when we met most of our retailers at this year's Paddle Expo, and it has been confirmed many times directly from those that now own and paddle a "Rebel".

What happens next?

-Yes, we are planning to increase the production somewhat. Now we are prepared for the disparity in sales between the models and we hope to keep a small stock for next Year.

We will also expand our catalogue with more kayak models over time. Drawing from my previous experiences, the new kayaks will not be presented until they are in production, with rigorous test paddling and adjustments prior production completed !!

Many people have been in touch with me desiring the release of some of the previous kayaks I designed, which are no longer manufactured. We are obviously both honoured and delighted, but since we are a small manufacturer with limited resources, we must consider every step carefully.

Rebel Kayak is on the way!

Johan Wirsén​

Photos by: Eva Finder, Mark Tozer & Janusz Kowalski

Rebellion in Denmark! First Rebel Kayaks are already available at KajakGaarden.

We are pleased to announced that REBEL is now on in DENMARK! We wrote in one of previous post:

"Today we have started production of the first kayaks ordered from our Scandinavian partners. We are very excited because REBEL is becoming a reality."

Now we can say that REBEL became reality also in Denmark.  We are extremely happy and delighted to work with such partners in DK. A few days after delivery we already received some great photos taken by Michael (Kajakgaarden owner) and the first feedback from a happy user of a Greenland T. You can see him rolling on our Facebook profile >>here. Jan sent us a video on facebook just a few hours after he received his kayak. Can there be something more rewarding?

INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL FROM KAJAKGAARDEN

Kajakgaarden has Ilaga & Greenland T models already in stock. Also our wooden Greenland paddles are available at >>Kajakgaarden. The second shop where the Rebels will be available is >>Kano & Kajak Butikken. In total both brand have 4 shops in Denmark.

We took this opportunity and asked Michael (Kajakgaarden owner) a few questions.

Rebel:Could you tell us more about the shop and your history of how you got involved with the kayak market?

Michael (Kajakgaarden): Originally  I was working as a police officer in Copenhagen, than I took a year of leave and enrolled in an Outdoor Activity Guide course at the university of Copenhagen. I specialised in Sea Kayaking. Once I graduated I re-joined the police but started to do jobs and planned courses and events in different places around Denmark. Eventually we moved to the West side of Denmark, bought a little house at the sea and started our own business offering courses and education for seakayakers. In extension of that people started to ask for equipment and kayaks, so we evolved our little business from our home. In 2008 we were offered a place for our business at the harbour in Kolding and we accepted.

Rebel: .. and now You have already two shops in Denmark?

Michael (Kajakgaarden): That's right. Kajakgaarden Kolding opened the 1th of march 2008 with a concept to stock quality kayaks and equipment while offering a lot of knowledge about our products. In spring 2010 we opened our second shop in Aarhus.

Rebel: Why You decided to start your relation with Rebel Kayaks?

Michael (Kajakgaarden): My relationship with Johan Wirsen started when I met him at Paddle Expo andimmediately I communicated very well with him. Later on we met again at a sales weekend in Estonia. We had some drinks and a good long talk about kayaks as well as a lot of other things. I regard Johan's skills as a designer very highly. He has great knowledge of boat designs and craftsmanship, and with his remarkable personality it has been a pleasure to work with him. When he told me that he wanted to bring back passion into the paddlesport and move away from the cold hearted business attitudes  that he had experienced in earlier business relationships, and re-establish his designs under the Rebel Brand, I immediately told him that if he wanted to work with me I was ready to support both his thoughts and his business. Fortunately we now have recived our first Rebel Kayaks, and they look great and very sturdy. From here we look very much forward to work with Johan and Rebel in the future and also to bring back some healthy attitudes to the paddlesport market.

Rebel: Now You have 2 shops, but You also cooperate with Kano & Kajak Butikken, which actually has two other shops. Cooperation between two shops in one country is quite uniqe, isn't it?

Michael (Kajakgaarden):I met Peter for the first time while I was at the Outdoor Guide Course and bought some stuff from him. Later on, when I opened my own shop, we had some good discussions on how to run a business and cooperate, ­and we have been doing so since. It has also been a pleasure to work with Peter and we have a lot of things in common on how to do business as well as we carry a lot of the same brands in our stores. And now also Rebel Kayaks :­-)

All photos by Michael Schuh from KajakGarden

Keep REBEL!

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

Rolling a Rebel Ilaga by Johan Wirsen - VIDEO HD

See how Johan rolls with his own designed greenland kayak. We present you the very first video of the Rebel Ilaga. In this video Johan is using a prototype version of Ilaga. Spring is approaching Europe and this season we hope to make more videos featuring REBEL KAYAKS.
We also hope to see this season your videos and photos with our kayaks. So... once you get your Rebel kayak do not hesitate to send us & share with us some nice shots!

Paddle: Greenland Standard Blade
Place: Puck Bay / Baltic Sea / Poland


Would You like to see video with Greenland T? Go to our previous post >>post

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

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

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