About Epic Kayaks
Founder and principal designer at Epic Kayaks, Greg Barton won four Olympic medals in sprint kayaking, including two gold medals, and four world championship titles. Greg started Epic Paddles in 1997 in Seattle, and Epic Kayaks shortly afterwards. He continues to race competitively in surfski events around the world, as well as continued design work with Epic.
Epic Kayaks design and build fast, efficient kayaks that are pure joy to paddle, and help you stay fit while enjoying the water with your friends, family, and paddling community.
Epic is a small company with a global reach, headquartered in the USA. Their staff includes dedicated paddlers, racers, coaches, designers, boat builders, and experienced sales professionals from around the world.
Product Use & Care
Surfskis & Kayaks
Epic boats are constructed using lightweight and rigid materials for maximum performance, but these materials require some care to keep them in good shape. Avoid beaching your boat when launching and landing, and be mindful of the understern rudder on your surfski in shallow waters. Impacts can damage composite materials. Dings, cracks, and other damage can be repaired, but it's better to avoid damage in the first place. We offer REPAIR SERVICES at our North Vancouver store.
You should rise your surfski or kayak with fresh water after each use, paying extra attention to steering mechanisms, such as footpedals and rudder assemblies, as salt and other contaminants can build up and cause unnecessary friction and wear. Periodically you should give your boat a full wash using warm water, car or boat wash, and a sponge or soft brush. Allow your boat, especially the hatches, to dry out before storing or covering. Store out of direct sunlight if possible.
Rudder lines will wear over time and are easily replaced. You can purchase rudder line HERE. It is sold by the foot. See product description for the length required for various boats.
Paddles
All of the Epic paddles we stock are 2-piece Lever Lock paddles. You should separate your paddle and rinse inside and out after each use. Stand paddle halves with the blades up so water can easily escape the shaft and allow paddles to fully dry before re-assembling or storing in a paddle bag. We recommend storing separated when possible and leaving the Lever Lock open. If the ferrule feels unusually stiff when assembling/disassembling, or you are unable to separate the shafts, you likely have a build up of salt, or other contaminants. Use warm water and dish soap to soften and remove the build up. Avoid using lubricants as they will prevent the Lever Lock from gripping properly, and may attract more contaminants.
