PIPER – LEKKER Kayaks

The Piper sets a new standard for kids sit-on-tops. It is not just a toy… It is a real kayak with real performance. It has incredible stability and comfort, while also having speed, glide and maneuverability. With the Piper, children can learn proper paddle strokes and techniques, turning them into real paddlers. The Piper is especially ideal for kids in the 5-12 year range, although older, smaller built teenagers and adults will enjoy it too!

WHAT THE PIPER IS ALL ABOUT

Hull design

• Engineered for stability and glide.

• Long waterline to maximize speed, with a touch of rocker and a sloped bow to keep it maneuverable and able to climb over waves.

• Full-length hull grooves enhance structural rigidity and improves tracking.

• Convex sidewalls seamlessly blend into rounded rails, optimizing secondary stability and making it insusceptible to side impacts from rocks and waves.

Deck design

• The deck is clean and lean, in line with Lekker’s philosophy of “everything you need, nothing unneccessary”.

• The Piper features a volumous bow, inspiring confidence when paddling into waves.

• The mid section is high around the cockpit, keeping your young paddler as dry as possible during windy sessions, and it also helps them to stay secure in the boat when hitting rocks or waves.

• The stern deck slopes down to reduce wind interference, while also making it easier to climb back aboard from the back deck.

• The stern handle, mounted sideways just above the water line, makes it easier and therefor safer for a swimmer to grab the handle.

• The open cockpit is designed to be super comfortable, with feet together for optimal paddling posture and technique.

• The extended paddle cutaways ensures an efficient paddling style. No more bumping the deck with the paddle!

• The side handles make it easy for bigger children and adults to carry to Piper single-handedly, like a suitcase. These side handles also assist with re-entry after swimming.

• A 8″ hatch provide access to the an internal storage compartment. The hatch is recessed into a shallow “tankwell”-style indent, allowing additional on-deck storage.

• D-rings are added for attaching backrests, which can be useful on longer flatwater trips. D-rings are also added for thigh straps, useful for paddling in small rapids or on the ocean.

• The design is finished off with moulded-in footrests, a paddle holder, bottle holder, bungees and bungee hooks. All fittings are recessed properly, to prevent snagging.

• Two well-places surfaces for attaching rodholders is added behind the cockpit.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 246cm / 8′

Width: 62cm / 24.5″

Height: 29cm / 11.5″

Weight: 12kg / 26 lbs

Carrying capacity: 55kg / 120 lbs for best performance (60kg / 130 lbs possible)

Stern hatch size: 8″ round

Stern hatch volume: 45L

FROM THE DESIGNER

I believe that the vast majority of kids should start out paddling with sit-on-tops. It is the safest option by far, and also the most enjoyable if the boat is designed right. Unfortunately the bulk of kids sit-on-tops on the market are really just toys, not kayaks. So to be clear, if you just want a cheap toy for your kid, the Piper will most likely not be the one you purchase. But if you want your kid to become a real paddler, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything else that competes.

I designed two kids sit-on-tops in the past. The first was the Fluid Vaya, back in 2005. The second was the Vagabond Kwando in 2018. My kids grew up paddling the Vaya first, and later switched to the Kwando when I started manufacturing that. These two models have been instrumental in teaching them paddling skills and nurturing a love for paddling and the outdoors. At the same time, the hands-on experience and feedback that I received from them, as well as other kids who used the same, helped me to come up with the ultimate kids design.

With the design of the Piper, I wanted it to be perfect as a first-ever kayak for young kids, while also keeping up with their development as they grow and become more competent. The kayak had to be very stable, with enough speed to keep up with adults in longer boats, and agile enough that they can turn it easily with basic strokes. It also needed to be super comfortable and super safe to use.

In addition to the flatwater criteria, I also wanted it to handle current and easy rapids, as well as small ocean waves. I know how important it is for competent river and ocean paddlers to introduce their kids to these environments; I’ve been there!

I used the same styling and concepts that I used in the Albatrass design. Clean and lean, with everything needed but nothing more.

The end result is a sit-on-top that offers real performance to young paddlers, making it fun while being safe. I foresee the Piper becoming the go-to kayak for paddlers with young children.

Celliers Kruger

COLOURS

Yellow – Orange – Light blue – Lime green- Yellow/Orange combo – Yellow/lime combo – yellow/blue combo – pink

Note: the actual colours might look somewhat different from what is shown here. Just roll with it.