EXCLUSIVE – Anthony Yap launches a kayak company
Australian kayaker Anthony Yap announces the launch of a new kayak company – TITAN KAYAKS
At the top of the world’s freestyle kayaking scene, Australian Anthony Yap has gained recognition as both an innovator and a solid competitor. Also a keen explorer, Anthony’s desire to find new territory has carried him to remote regions looking for ever bigger waves to expand the possibilities of freestyle. For 2009, Anthony has decided to turn his creativity and drive toward another goal, the start of a new kayak company - Titan Kayaks.
Kayak Session found Anthony in between river trips in the Philippines to ask him a few questions about his new adventure…
KS: Well Anthony, the word is out that you are starting a new kayak company! Tell us more…
AY: It’s true, after many years of mulling over the idea in my head I finally decided the time has come to break away and start something new. All I want to do is bring something new and exciting to the kayak community that people feel they can become involved in. Titan Kayaks is an athlete/team-based company with the simple idea of producing great kayaks for everyone to enjoy.
KS: What will set Titan Kayaks apart from all the other kayak companies?
AY: Well, as I said above, Titan Kayaks is an athlete-based company, and we’re making a point of always listening to new ideas and taking things to the next step. We are completely open to all and any ideas kayakers might have for not only improving kayaks but also improving the sport as a whole. This is a brand for everyone and this is where the idea of listening to what the paddling community wants and then diversifying products to suit comes from. I want this company to always think outside the box and to not be scared to try new things.
KS: Does it feel like a tough time to be starting a kayak company
AY: Economy-wise, yes it definitely does feel like a tougher time, but that won’t stop us. It may mean a slower than preferred start, but the important thing is that the wheels are now in motion and they will only ever speed up.
But what helps the kayak industry more than anything else is the support of the kayak community, and I don’t just mean through the selling of product. Over the last few years I’ve seen the amount of kayak competitions expand exponentially with the introduction of extreme races and big air competition. Female paddlers have started to fill the eddy lines along with a massive increase in younger paddlers promising an extremely bright future for our sport. Is this a tough time to start a kayak company? Paddling Community wise, it’s the best it’s ever been.
KS: Where will the company be based? Australia?
AY: Actually it will be based out of Malaysia where my Dad is from. Malaysia has been my second home since I was young and has year round kayaking along with a comfortable tropic climate that never drops below 20 degrees. Plus with the Australian Kimberley, China, Thailand and Vietnam being right out the back door we’ll have all the best testing grounds to choose from.
KS: When will we see the first boats?
AY: While the official release is not yet set to take place until around the time of this year’s World Championships, expect to see a series of boats floating around this coming northern hemisphere’s spring season. Anyone interested in product testing should definitely enquire through the website as the company thrives on athlete perspective.
KS: So what are your goals with Titan Kayaks?
AY: Everything and anything. I don’t want to put any limits on what this company can and will achieve in the future. This is not the standard one-style freestyle, one-style creeker company. We want to push the evolution of the sport bringing new scope to what kayakers have to choose from. But to be more specific, within our first year we will focus on bringing out a group of top notch freestyle kayaks followed by a world class creeker, all designed by top athletes within the community.
We don’t want to give too much away as yet, so keep tuned for more updates as the company progresses.
Company: Titan Kayaks
Website soon available: www.titankayaks.com
Email Contact: info@titankayaks.com
photo © J. Hennessy
Australian kayaker Anthony Yap announces the launch of a new kayak company – TITAN KAYAKSAt the top of the world’s freestyle kayaking scene, Australian Anthony Yap has gained recognition as both an innovator and a solid competitor. Also a keen explorer, Anthony’s desire to find new territory has carried him to remote regions looking for ever bigger waves to expand the possibilities of freestyle. For 2009, Anthony has decided to turn his creativity and drive toward another goal, the start of a new kayak company - Titan Kayaks.
Kayak Session found Anthony in between river trips in the Philippines to ask him a few questions about his new adventure…
KS: Well Anthony, the word is out that you are starting a new kayak company! Tell us more…
AY: It’s true, after many years of mulling over the idea in my head I finally decided the time has come to break away and start something new. All I want to do is bring something new and exciting to the kayak community that people feel they can become involved in. Titan Kayaks is an athlete/team-based company with the simple idea of producing great kayaks for everyone to enjoy.
KS: What will set Titan Kayaks apart from all the other kayak companies?
AY: Well, as I said above, Titan Kayaks is an athlete-based company, and we’re making a point of always listening to new ideas and taking things to the next step. We are completely open to all and any ideas kayakers might have for not only improving kayaks but also improving the sport as a whole. This is a brand for everyone and this is where the idea of listening to what the paddling community wants and then diversifying products to suit comes from. I want this company to always think outside the box and to not be scared to try new things.
AY: Economy-wise, yes it definitely does feel like a tougher time, but that won’t stop us. It may mean a slower than preferred start, but the important thing is that the wheels are now in motion and they will only ever speed up.
But what helps the kayak industry more than anything else is the support of the kayak community, and I don’t just mean through the selling of product. Over the last few years I’ve seen the amount of kayak competitions expand exponentially with the introduction of extreme races and big air competition. Female paddlers have started to fill the eddy lines along with a massive increase in younger paddlers promising an extremely bright future for our sport. Is this a tough time to start a kayak company? Paddling Community wise, it’s the best it’s ever been.
KS: Where will the company be based? Australia?
AY: Actually it will be based out of Malaysia where my Dad is from. Malaysia has been my second home since I was young and has year round kayaking along with a comfortable tropic climate that never drops below 20 degrees. Plus with the Australian Kimberley, China, Thailand and Vietnam being right out the back door we’ll have all the best testing grounds to choose from.
KS: When will we see the first boats?
AY: While the official release is not yet set to take place until around the time of this year’s World Championships, expect to see a series of boats floating around this coming northern hemisphere’s spring season. Anyone interested in product testing should definitely enquire through the website as the company thrives on athlete perspective.
KS: So what are your goals with Titan Kayaks?
AY: Everything and anything. I don’t want to put any limits on what this company can and will achieve in the future. This is not the standard one-style freestyle, one-style creeker company. We want to push the evolution of the sport bringing new scope to what kayakers have to choose from. But to be more specific, within our first year we will focus on bringing out a group of top notch freestyle kayaks followed by a world class creeker, all designed by top athletes within the community.
We don’t want to give too much away as yet, so keep tuned for more updates as the company progresses.
Company: Titan Kayaks
Website soon available: www.titankayaks.com
Email Contact: info@titankayaks.com
photo © J. Hennessy
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