Award-winning Taiwanese design company GEARLAB is introducing its high-performance open water expedition paddles to the North American paddling market. Pioneering the first modern, Greenland-style paddles with exchangeable tips, GEARLAB paddles and accessories incorporate ancient wisdom and modern materials, fusing efficiency and technology into the best touring paddle on the market.
This season GEARLAB debuts additional updates to its award-winning Akiak paddle (Inuit for “Brave”). The 2018 model offers a sharper edge for improved water-slicing efficiency, paddling stability and water current feedback. It also has a redesigned internal carbon-fiber structure offering greater strength and durability in harsh conditions.
“With the Akiak we hope to bring the best and most efficient paddling experience to all ocean kayakers around the world,” says lead designer and company co-founder Henry Chang.
With a continuous, carbon-fiber weave and weighing just 880 grams, the Akiak offers a best-in-class weight-to-performance ratio compared to conventional wooden and wider-blade paddles, with each paddle undergoing a 20kg load stress test to ensure performance. GEARLAB’s signature and patented exchangeable tips add protection against rocks, reefs and other hazards.
Pioneered by the Inuit for long travels across far-reaching seas, Greenland paddles are known for their high level of performance in the water while remaining extremely light in movement, creating a smooth and enjoyable paddling experience. Designed by a team of experts in industrial design, GEARLAB’s carbon-fiber Greenland paddles are remarkably strong and lightweight and offer efficient power and precise control for long paddling expeditions. While wider blades are designed for rivers and whitewater, long, streamlined Greenland blades are innovated for the ocean.
Touring kayakers are passionate about its advantages, with GEARLAB quickly gaining a solid reputation and following of loyal enthusiasts. “After 192 miles of paddling four different GEARLAB paddles, I am convinced these are absolutely the best paddles out there – a sleek combination of Greenland styling and composite carbon technology,” writes Maureen Nowak in a review for Canoe & Kayak magazine.
As outdoor enthusiasts who live and work in the urban metropolis of Taiwan, GEARLAB’s founders strive to make outdoor products more user friendly for urban dwellers, minimizing the gap between nature and the city. The company is central to product development and manufacturing, making their design and development process agile and efficient. GEARLAB products go through systematic and rigorous research, usability analysis and field testing before being released to market, the result being a paddle that is easy to transport, buoyant, efficient, light and strong.
About GEARLAB:
For past seven years GEARLAB has designed and manufactured Greenland-style carbon-fiber paddles for ocean kayakers around the world. Created by a team of award-winning industrial designers and outdoor enthusiasts, the paddles are adapted from indigenous Inuit designs. Greenland paddles provide the longest range, efficiency and precision while reducing injury and fatigue. Made from 100% continuous carbon-fiber material, GEARLAB perfects thousand-year old ergonomics with advanced material strength and durability. GEARLAB paddles will open up a new realm of adventure for both weekend kayakers and professional. Info: gearlabpaddles.com