Now could be the perfect time to get on board the hottest trend in paddlesports right now, with a site-wide Holiday Sale from Alpacka packrafts. Beginning November 25, all older models will be 15% off (custom boats will only be on sale December 8-15).
Anyone looking for a Wolverine or Classic, Alpacka says this is the time to get them, as both of these packrafts will be discontinued starting January 1.
Additionally, those interested in the original Gnarwhal with a deck, consider grabbing one now, as the brand is only offering self-bailing Gnarwhals next year. It is easier for new paddlers to get in and out of a self bailer, and that will be the focus of the Gnarwhal going forward. Alpacka says that those looking for a higher performing whitewater packraft, and not interested in the Valkyrie, should wait for the Mage to come out in 2025 (see our recent review of the Mage here).
Introducing Lightwater Packrafting
Alpacka is also introducing a new category of packrafting, called Lightwater. While the brand says they don’t necessarily want to introduce more names, designers feel “lightwater” is what the majority of paddlers are paddling. It refers to the fun, exciting, mellow class I and class II paddling, and up to Class III features max, but no more. Think cruisy wave trains and class II whitewater features.
Lightwater tends get overlooked by other paddling sports, as everyone seems to always be looking for Class III to V whitewater; but the majority of paddlers actually prefer to paddle Class III and under, which is why the brand says they are officially making it a category, and putting a list of packrafts together for the lightwater paddler. “Although a new term in our book, it was mentioned by Jule Harle of Alaska Packraft School, and we are officially outlining it as a category of packrafting,” they said.
2025 Sizing
Alpacka is also switching up its sizing, so instead of using sit length to determine your packraft size, all 2025 models and anything moving forward will be based on height and general sizing. For example, if you’re generally a small in clothing, you’ll generally be a small in packrafts, etc.
Check out the Alpacka website for these great deals now and into the New Year.
