Light. Stability. Manageability. Strength. Ecology. In a word, Greta.
The new Kick The Waves kayak model excels in the world of racing boats with its original concept, construction and material. The idea was not to create an ultra light kayak that only top racers can afford. The original idea was in the opposite direction.
The model is inspired by a plastic kayak, from which the overall construction of the boat is based. Although these boats can withstand all kinds of impacts and serve as effective "launchers", they cannot match the quality of racing boats. Our goal was to eliminate the shortcomings of the plastic boat - to reduce weight, maximize maneuverability and improve stability.
Greta boasts incredible strength. This is a material class that does not match any of the classes produced so far. The plastic is replaced by kevlar - carbon, which guarantees the boat the required weight. Our aim was to approach the production of the new model as ecologically as possible and not to produce plastic boats. This is where the name Gréta comes from.
Several impulses led us to produce the ship thus formed. One of them is the provision of quality boats to competitors from developing countries who cannot afford to buy or transport their own equipment to the places of international championships. Kick The Waves plans to provide the organizers of international races with about fifteen boats that will serve the competitors from the Development Program. These are mainly participants from Macedonia, Serbia, Romania…
The second idea for the use of the Greeks applies to children. Wildwater grows year by year and more and more children. Ships, on the other hand, age and lack quality. A beginner on white water will have a hard time controlling a boat that weighs more slowly slowly than he does. Even with this idea, our new model was created. The boat is even shorter than a classic downhill kayak. Therefore, it is not such a problem to correct a boat on heavy running water. The material composition also plays a role here, which will keep the ship as a whole even during the premiere rides of demanding wild rivers.
The last idea is to provide the Gréta model for a special downhill discipline - boat cross. Again, a renewed discipline that belongs to the annual program of national sprint races. The point is that four boats run into the sprint track together. As it is a contact sport, it is necessary to look at the right choice of boat. At Kick The Waves, we decided to provide competitors with Greta models for such specialized disciplines. That is why this model is only offered in 4 colors. Red, green, blue and yellow. Competitors will be well distinguished even at a greater distance and the spectator will have an overview of the development of this contact race throughout the ride. Another advantage is that all color variants will be constantly in stock at the manufacturer and ready for immediate dispatch to new applicants.
The model was tested by several top Czech racers.
The current champion of the Czech Republic in the long run, Adam Satke, also shared his feelings about the ride: “Yesterday I finally tried Greta and I must say that I was surprised. The ship was faster than I expected. Although the boat is shorter than a typical downhill kayak, it is relatively fast to go. I liked the handling, which will come in handy for less experienced racers. The buoyancy of the ship is certainly known in more difficult passages. I trained the competitors from the Development program myself, and I can dare say that this boat is made for them. "
"At first glance, it can be seen that this is not a top racing boat. I borrowed a Greta because of the boat-cross, which took place in Roudnice nad Labem. If it weren't for this option, I wouldn't even start, which would be a shame. My feelings pleasantly surprised me after reaching. In the first place, I would elevate incredible stability. Without any start, I threw myself into the canal and felt completely safe. The boat reacted reliably and I won second place in this discipline with it. It is definitely a great choice for beginners, "comments Barbora Dimovová on the premiere ride.
The model has also been tried out by young people and the competitors are gaining experience.
"I rented a kayak on the canal in Roudnice nad Labem. I like white water rafting, but I'm not a top racer and my ambitions are not so high. My goal is to feel good about the ride. In extreme cases, when it comes to technically demanding rivers, I want to reach the destination without any complications. I think the choice of ship plays a big role. On the channel, I felt safe on the new model from Kick The Waves. I would only and only recommend the boat to competitors who have similar goals, “describes Štěpán Berka, a young racer from Litovel.
Last but not least, we lent the kayak to the least occupied group of competitors - ie veterans. The first buyer of the ship, Robert Filipi, shared his feelings with us.
"I do not know what to say. Probably just the fact that I already bought the boat and drove the first downhill race on it. Every year I participate in all downhill races. To this day, I have trained on a downhill, which is older than most participants in the starting field. With the year 2O21 came a turning point. As a representative of the older generation, I had the honor to try the Greta model at sprint races. One ride was enough and I was sure I would buy this boat. Stability to number one. Speed perfect. The weight of the ship is surprising. "
"I personally made a promise to the members of the ICF International Congress. I promised that we would be able to make a kayak that will have the parameters of a plastic downhill kayak Wavehopper and still bear the characteristics of a downhill boat. We focused mainly on water slide, weight and handling. We have reduced all plastics that we have replaced with natural materials. The model we named Gréta was created! ”Adds the ship's designer Tomáš Slovák.