Twelve-time Molokai World Champion Oscar Chalupsky is moving on from Epic Kayaks to surf different waters.
That’s the take-home from a release posted by the Epic Kayaks, a manufacturer of high-end racing and touring surfskis and sea kayaks. The company announced that Chalupsky, one of its co-founders and shareholders, has resigned and left the company. No further information is available.
Founded in 1997 by four-time Olympic medalist and four-time world champion Greg Barton, Epic Kayaks president Barton said that he and company chairman Charles Brand will continue to lead the company in its building of sea kayaks and ocean racing surf skis. The company also appointed Ken Barker, a former CEO of Crailar Technologies and senior executive with the adidas Group AG, as a Strategic Advisor to the company as it embarks on its global brand, product and sales expansion.
Like Chalupsky, Barker is a veteran of the South African Surf Lifesaving and ultra-distance kayaking fraternity.
“While we are surprised and disappointed at Oscar’s sudden decision to leave the company, we are even more excited by our prospects to continue to grow our brand in all paddling markets, as we introduce more and more people to the ease and excitement of paddling,” says Barton. “We believe that our launch this year of our V7 roto molded surf ski, an industry first, will expand our Epic consumer base and the world of surf ski paddling as a vibrant, healthy water based fitness activity.”
