We've been designing and producing innovative whitewater kayaks for over 50 years, but 2022 brought a project which called for us to invest perhaps the most time and energy yet into its testing and development - the Rip-R Evo 2; while our competitors were trying to match the performance of the original Rip-R Evo, we were setting the bar even higher.
This is all because we recognise that success at an Olympic level is the result of the perfect combination of a supreme athlete, the professionalism of their preparation, and the cutting-edge equipment they use. Nobody at this level of competition can rest on their laurels; not the athletes, not their coaches, and not the manufacturers of the boats they race in.
Every surface of the Rip-R Evo 2 has been reviewed and developed. The design combines the past, present, and future with the unique coherency that comes from our World Championship winning history dating back over 46 years, and our ever-forward-looking approach to the sport and how our designs influence it.
Important Notes:
The Rip-R Evo 2 is a performance design, consisting of a lightweight shell and fittings, with finely-tuned and carefully shaped hull features - it is not intended for use above Grade 3, and seal launching down steps or paddling low-water rivers are strongly discouraged.
We have tested the injection-moulded handles fitted as standard up to a breaking strength of around 500kg. Although this is far beyond the breaking strength of plastic handles used by other manufacturers on their general purpose whitewater kayaks, we strongly recommend upgrading to our Drop-Forged, Anodised Aluminium Grab Handles for regular use on natural rivers, where you may heavily rely upon the integrity of the attachment points during a rescue.
We view the Rip-R Evo as our Apollo program; the fittings will continue to evolve, and the sizeable weight of time and effort we have poured into the design processes of both the fittings and the hull will influence projects beyond the confines of Kayak Cross.
Sculpted front deck sidewalls to ease paddle entry and allow you to place strokes closer to the boat.
Sculpted Front Deck
A deflective ramp just in front of the cockpit to redirect water over the cockpit rim and prevent it slowing the boat down.
Deflective Ramp
Stiffer moulded thigh grips for more precise control.
Thigh Grips
Features a rope and cleat backrest with mechanical advantage and redirection, so you’re leaning forward as you tighten it, allowing you to dial in optimal posture support.
National Spec
Careful shaping of the back deck volume for a smooth slice and a boosting 'pop' out of gate turns.
Back Deck Volume
Stepped area around and back from the stern handle to enable the tail to be even easier to engage.
Stepped Area on Tail
Bow wave deflectors to help keep your face and the bow of the boat dry, both when landing off the ramp and when headed downstream through features.
Bow Wave Deflectors
The main rails also act as a secondary wave deflector step which is more active when paddling and adds to the primary wave deflectors to balance out the roundness of the main section of the hull, ensuring enough lift is generated when landing off the ramp or going through an eddy line.
Main Rails
A rounded main hull section extends the waterline length and parts the water at the bow so the boat can cut through with maximum efficiency.
Rounded Hull
The main rails extend back through the first two thirds of the boat length for grip and control through gates and turns, but fade out towards the tail so it is easy to slide and cut around without being locked in.
Grip and control through gates and turns
Recurve in the stern rocker helps control the lift at the bow to keep it down so the maximum waterline length engaged when sprinting.
Recurve on stern rocker
Peaked Deck Peaked front deck to shed water efficiently.
Sculpted Front Deck Sculpted front deck sidewalls to ease paddle entry and allow you to place strokes closer to the boat.
Deflective Ramp A deflective ramp just in front of the cockpit to redirect water over the cockpit rim and prevent it slowing the boat down.
Thigh Grips Stiffer moulded thigh grips for more precise control.
National Spec Features a rope and cleat backrest with mechanical advantage and redirection, so you’re leaning forward as you tighten it, allowing you to dial in optimal posture support.
Back Deck Volume Careful shaping of the back deck volume for a smooth slice and a boosting 'pop' out of gate turns.
Stepped Area on Tail Stepped area around and back from the stern handle to enable the tail to be even easier to engage.
Bow Wave Deflectors Bow wave deflectors to help keep your face and the bow of the boat dry, both when landing off the ramp and when headed downstream through features.
Main Rails The main rails also act as a secondary wave deflector step which is more active when paddling and adds to the primary wave deflectors to balance out the roundness of the main section of the hull, ensuring enough lift is generated when landing off the ramp or going through an eddy line.
Rounded Hull A rounded main hull section extends the waterline length and parts the water at the bow so the boat can cut through with maximum efficiency.
Grip and control through gates and turns The main rails extend back through the first two thirds of the boat length for grip and control through gates and turns, but fade out towards the tail so it is easy to slide and cut around without being locked in.
Recurve on stern rocker Recurve in the stern rocker helps control the lift at the bow to keep it down so the maximum waterline length engaged when sprinting.
DIMENSIONS, VOLUME & WEIGHT
Size
65
Length
271cm
Width
61cm
External Cockpit Length
84.5cm / 33"
External Cockpit Width
48cm / 19"
Volume
215l
Weight
18kg
Optimum Paddler Weight
65kg
DIMENSIONS, VOLUME & WEIGHT
Sizes
65
75
85
Length
271cm
271cm
271cm
Width
61cm
63cm
65cm
External Cockpit Length
84.5cm / 33"
91.5cm / 36"
91.5cm / 36"
External Cockpit Width
48cm / 19"
50cm / 19.5"
50cm / 19.5"
Volume
215l
235l
254l
Hatch Volume
Weight
18kg
18kg
18kg
Optimum Paddler Weight
65kg
75kg
85kg
// MORE VIDEOS
Rip-R Evo 2: Tank Testing
Every surface of the Rip-R Evo 2 has been reviewed and developed
Carbon Infusion Outfitting for the Rip-R Evo 2
Rip-R Evo 2 in Action
A range of our accessories can be purchased through our webstore
