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At Nottingham Canoes and Kayaks we are proud and privileged to be a dealer of Pyranha Kayaks. It is always a pleasure to work with companies that share our passion and interests in paddle sport. Pyranha are helping to shape the world of whitewater kayaks that we enjoy today. In this article we are going to share our experience of working with the leading British made kayaks team in the "Angry Fish" company. As well as the reasons behind their success - including their best practices - and some of our favourite models. Both past and present.
Pyranha at Flow Kayaks, Nottingham
We have been stocking Pyranha Kayaks in our Nottingham shop since summer 2022. We hold a large fleet of Pyranha demo boats for our customers to sit in and test out on the water. As well as a range of stock of high quality whitewater kayaks. You can browse and buy our Pyranha products on our their brand page: Pyranha Kayaks. If you wish to purchase a new kayak, you can: order online, call us on 01158557542, or email shop@flowkayaks.co.uk. Alternatively, head to our contact page: Contact Us. As they are a UK kayak manufacturer, working with Pyranha allows us to supply kayaks with short lead times. As well as answering specific customer queries promptly!
History
Pyranha Kayaks were founded by Graham Mackereth in 1971, with the company motto "By Enthusiasts, For Enthusiasts". Graham is an accomplished paddler himself, as a British junior slalom team member (BCU) in the 1960’s. In 1972 was a member of the UK Olympic Team (K1 Sprint). He is now recognised for his contributions to paddle sports in the International Whitewater Hall of Fame! Pyranha were the first company in Europe to produce rotomoulded kayaks. Using their custom built rotomolding oven, located in Runcorn, UK. This was also the first kayak rotomoulding oven in the world to be computer controlled!
Graham and Pyranha Kayaks have supported athletes, expeditions and events in whitewater kayaking throughout their whole history of trading. Pyranha's early support of the industry includes the 1976 first descent of the Dudh Khosi. The Everest/Dudh Khosi expedition team used the first kayak specifically designed for whitewater exploration. The aptly named, ‘Pyranha Everest’ – a name which Pyranha, of course used again later for another couple of models. The most recent being a longer version of the Burn, for big water and expedition use. As well as the expeditions, Pyranha have supported past reputable canoe slalom athletes Albert Kerr and Richard Fox. Pyranha Kayaks have a leading team of athletes today, who are constantly pushing the boundaries of paddle sport.
To celebrate 40 years of Pyranha Kayaks in 2011, the team in Runcorn put together a timeline of notable events. This can be found on the Pyranha Website and makes for an interesting quick read for us paddling enthusiasts!
Past Designs
We've paddled many Pyranha boats over the years, here's some of the notable older whitewater kayaks we've owned or paddled in our time on the water.
Pyranha Rotobat
The Pyranha Rotobat was produced in 1984 and started the dramatic evolution of rotomolded whitewater kayaks. Originally designed as a pool boat for canoe polo, the Rotobat soon found it's way onto whitewater, thanks to its durable plastic. The Rotobat evolved into production with various sizes. Including the larger, creeking Mountain Bat and one of the early playboats - the Stuntbat!
Pyranha Acrobat
The Acrobat was produced in 1995 and can still be seen popping up in canoe and kayak clubs today from time to time! For it's time, the Pyranha Acrobat was a state of the art playboat, suited to performing big pop outs and vertical end moves such as cartwheels. This was also the first ever kayak to feature a planing hull!
Pyranha S6F
The Pyranha S6F, produced in 2003 is a personal, historic favourite of ours. It was Jake's (Director at Flow Kayaks, seen above) first ever freestyle kayak! This boat helped inspire Jake's career in paddle sports to where it is today. He tirelessly rolled around in the rivers to learn cartwheels and front loops. Mostly in the Nene Whitewater Centre pourover and the infamous Inlet Gate at Holme Pierrepont Whitewater Course.
Pyranha Shiva
Launched in 2012, we have fond memories of paddling the Pyranha Shiva on rivers around the UK and the Alps. The Shiva's big volume was ideal for steep creeking and was a great return to the creeker market for Pyranha.
Brand Improvements and Performance Processes
When visiting the Pyranha factory over the past couple of years, we've been fortunate enough to speak to the team in detail. Discussing the ins and outs of what makes Pyranha Kayaks a world leader in whitewater kayaks. Their huge factory site is a very impressive operation and reflects the dreams of any kayaking enthusiast. Racks upon racks of fresh kayaks at various stages of their build process line the factory floor and dispatch areas.
How are the designs created?
The design process starts with a brief, selected by Pyranha. They look to fill a gap in paddler's boat quivers. E.g. a desire for a modern halfslice kayak that can perform both demanding stretches of rapids but also be playful on whitewater courses, during the summer season when water is scarce. A result of this was the Pyranha Ripper! They then consult their expert team of paddlers to select key criteria for the new design to fit and begin to produce drawings. Once an agreement is reached, Pyranha begin prototyping and secretly testing with their selected team members until they are happy they have a design to suit their customers and markets needs.
Production and Quality Control
Rotomolding plastic kayaks is a very delicate process. Pyranha don’t just select their plastic compound from a list of options. They specifically develop it alongside their suppliers, which they have worked with for the past 40 years. Since the very early days of rotomolded kayaks!
Modern kayak designs are complicated to mold due to their features. Including water shedding lines, safety support structure and crucially cockpits. It is vital that the plastic can flow specifically through the mold to fill the shape of the plastic shell, without leaving holes or significant air pockets. This is because these possible defects can cause problems with the kayaks' structural integrity and safety performance.
In order to maintain Pyranha's high standards, a staff member is constantly checking the boat as it progresses down the production line. After the plastic shell comes out of the mold the excess plastic is removed from the cockpit, with two small squares cut out and put to the side. One of these squares is then placed in a freezer and another left at room temperature. The freezer square is used to simulate paddling in colder climates such as Norway. As in colder temperatures, plastic will become more brittle and the plastic needs to remain suitable for use. These squares are then impact tested by dropping a heavy dart onto them from 4 metres.
This drop test is taken to make sure that the Pyranha whitewater kayak that the squares are cut from is tough enough to withstand it's future conditions. Pyranha undertake this key testing in order to make sure their boats can bend and not break!
Final Checks
Another key part of post-molding testing is checking the density of the plastic at various points across the new shell. This is to make sure the plastic has flowed evenly throughout the shell as required. New kayaks are inspected again before they are released to the dispatch racks to make sure they are of first quality and ready to travel into the arms of their customer and retailers like ourselves.
Constantly Innovating
Pyranha Kayaks' research and development team are constantly designing, testing and creating new ideas to improve their quality whitewater kayaks. Every nut, bolt, foam insert and handle is thoroughly investigated and researched to create these market leading products. They certainly aren't showing any signs of slowing down and we expect to see more exciting products to come. Some of these are due to hit the shelves imminently!
Team Pyranha
Team Pyranha Kayaks consist of some of the best designers and paddlers in the world. These team and factory members are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in modern kayaking and always require the best technology to continue the progression of our sport. Here are some of the paddlers we've had the pleasure of paddling with and who've had their fair share of progressing the sport of paddling you take part in today!
Aaron Kendall with a video guide of the Fairy Glen in North Wales.
Bren Orton 2023 Highlight Reel
Available Kayaks
At Flow Kayaks we have a large range of Pyranha Kayaks on demo and in stock. Allowing you to visit us in store to sit in or demo the latest and greatest whitewater kayaks on the market! If there is a size or colour that's unavailable we will provide you with a lead time. In some circumstances we can arrange demo boats for you to try whilst you are waiting for your new kayak to arrive. Contact us on 01158557542 or shop@flowkayaks.co.uk to enquire!
Conclusion
It's fair to say that Pyranha Kayaks offer some of the best whitewater kayaks to the worldwide market. We consider Pyranha to be the Porsche of the kayaking industry, truly performance inspiring designs and engineering! They are backing up their designs with market leading quality control and production processes. Flow Kayaks are excited to continue working with Pyranha. Supporting our mission to supply high quality kayaks to the Midlands and the UK. There are two new designs due from Pyranha in 2024. Stay tuned and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to see these exciting new boats!
