Kokatat Global Ambassador and SUP Paddler, Norm Hann Finishes the Iconic Yukon River Quest Race

Earlier this year I was on the phone with Kokatat Global Ambassador, Norm Hann discussing his adventure-plans for 2016. I was very excited to hear that he had a plan to stand up paddle (SUP) the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson as part of the world-renowned, Yukon River Quest race.

The Yukon River Quest was created in 1998 as a complimentary summertime race to the very successful Yukon Quest. For the first time in x years, race organizers were opening up a new class and it would be SUP – experimental only. The catch: only 11 entrants and no eligibility for prize money and you had to stand up for 3 days.

Mark and I knew we were going to be up in the Yukon around the time of the race as we had business with some of our Yukon Dealers (KanoePeople and Up North Adventures) so I promptly offered our support crew services to Norm (and fellow SUP Paddler, Lina Augaitis – Werner Paddles).

On Tuesday, June 28th we met with Norm at our friend, Kalin (Pallett’s) home and hammered out the details, the race was starting the next day, June 29th at 12 noon. I was a bit nervous having never provided this level of support at an event but Norm was very reassuring and his partner, adventure-racer, Jen Segger told me if all we had waiting for him in Carmacks (the first mandatory rest stop of 7 hrs) was Brussel sprouts, he would eat them. We had a plan and our job was simple, ‘execute the plan and never let him quit. Unless he was hurt, real bad.

Photo: Mark Klein

With a 400 metre le mans - running start, Norm was greeted by Mark on the gravel bar where the competitors SUP boards were set up for launching. Racers would face one of the biggest challenges of the 735 km/400+ mile race at the 87 km/54 mile mark, the crossing of the Lake Laberge (made famous by Klondike poet, Robert Service). The SUP paddlers knew this section of the race could make or break the race for them and they had 14 hrs to reach Lower Laberge.

Photo Nikki Rekman Sales

Following the paddlers on the race tracker we “saw” that they were having unbelievably good fortune on the lake. We figured they were going at a crazy-fast pace or had a bit of a tail wind, and/or both. It turns out it was both. Favourable winds out of the south meant no heads winds and with the likes of long distance endurance racer, Bart deZwart (USA) and our very own, expedition paddler, Norm Hann in the lead the pace was high for all 49 km of the lake. They were paddling side by side the last couple hours on the lake and entered the 30 Mile section of the Yukon River in 9 hrs, 34 min.

Photo by Elise Giordano

The first mandatory rest stop was in Carmacks a mere 216.5 km away. Here we would be ready for Norm’s arrival with food, a place to sleep (tent), big hugs and encouraging words. I knew when Norm arrived he would be utterly exhausted from paddling 24.5 hours straight and as he forewarned me, “pretty quiet”. The exhausted part was true but he was more talkative then I had expected.  His first words to me, “we just paddled 300 km in 24.5 hours at race pace” followed by, “my legs are not working properly”. As per our “plan” we got Norm’s feet elevated and gave him a big Bacon Cheese burger and a double order of fries, Miss Vickie's Salt & Vinegar potato chips, some apple, banana, water and hot tea. A quick call home to his family and then it was time to get him into bed (we managed all of this in about 45 minutes, we needed to maximize his sleep/recovery time). Important to note is that Norm crushed the 35 hour time allotment with his 24.5 hour arrival time.

One tired dude eating his meal of choice after standing up and paddling for over 24 hrs. bacon cheeseburger and 2 orders of fries (with ketchup). Photo: Nikki Rekman Sales

The earliest Norm could depart Carmacks was 19:37:52 and the nice thing about his arrival time was that his departure time was not at an ungodly hour, like 3 am. Thanks for that, Norm. After an almost 5 hour sleep Norm was up and we were getting him fed and ready for the next leg. My favourite memory of our time in Carmacks was when Norm and fellow SUP racers, Jason Bennett and Lina Augaitis were sitting around and they were all kind of giddy saying, “this is just stupid” – LOL!

Saying goodbye to Norm in Carmacks was tough, support crew were not permitted at the next mandatory rest stop of 3 hours, at Coffee Creek however his last words to me were pretty funny…”Nikki, never will I be so happy to see you as I will be when I get to Dawson!” another epic 402 km non-stop.

Photo: Nikki Rekman Sales

Norm departing Carmacks right behind SUP category leader, Bart deZwart. Photo: Nikki Rekman Sales

We woke up at 3am on Saturday morning and I met up with my friends to make signs to welcome in the first three SUP paddlers in Dawson – Bart deZwart, Norm and Jason Bennett. Based on the race tracker all three SUP paddlers were paced to arrive in Dawson under the 55 hour mark (the cut off for prize money). Bart was 15 minutes ahead of Norm and Jason. I spotted them through the binoculars and it took FOREVER for them to get within yelling distance and boy, did I yell. I was so excited to see them and knowing they were do it in under 55 hours was amazing.

Photo by Elise Giordano

Feet up and Miss Vickies Potato Chips in the van shortly after finishing. So proud of this guy! Photo: Nikki Rekman Sales

Norm completed the 18th annual Yukon River Quest in 54 hours, 56 minutes and 47 seconds for a 2nd place finish making history and along with his fellow SUP paddlers proved that SUP paddlers have a legitimate place in this iconic race.

Mark and I with OUR YRQ SUP finishers. What an experience to share with them and to be a part of SUP's first year in this iconic race! Photo: Steve Knaack

Norm Hann Joins Nikki Rekman Sales Team and Kokatat Global Ambassador Team

At Nikki Rekman Sales we have the privilege of meeting and working with some of the industry’s best ambassadors and Norm Hann is one of those people. I can’t remember the first time I met Norm, I think most likely in the early days of the Kal Classic. (Hosted by Werner Paddles FIRST land-locked stand up paddle dealer, Kalavida Surf Shop). He had already started his Standup 4 Great Bear conservation initiative and the documentary, STAND was filmed (you can view it here) and EVERYBODY knew Norm and his red shorts (part of his SUP race attire). 

I have wanted to work with Norm since this time and in early 2016 the stars aligned. Kokatat announced that Norm would be a part of our team as a Global Ambassador. The fit is perfect. Norm is a person of high integrity and loyalty. He also has a desire to paddle safely, comfortably and most importantly stay dry. As an instructor and guide, Norm needs to have the best gear possible whether he is touring up in the Great Bear Rainforest or Belize, introducing folks to river SUP on his home river in Squamish, the Mamquam or making his morning coffee run down Howe Sound.

Norm’s Kokatat gear list is as follows:

PFD – touring – Orbit Tour/river – Maximus Centurion

Jacket – Goretex Passage Anorak or the Goretex  Paclite Full Zip

Drysuit – Goretex Idol with SwitchZip Technology

Insulation - Woolcore

Paddling Suit – Goretex Surge Paddling Suit

Helmet – Predator Shiznit – Philadelphia Orange

*his much loved red shorts have been replaced with the Men’s Destination Surf Trunk

If you are lucky enough to take some instruction from Norm ask him about his gear and why he trusts Kokatat. I could tell you why I do but I’m not as cool as Norm.

Norm, thanks for being a part of the Nikki Rekman Sales team and the Kokatat family. We are thrilled to have you.

2016 Werner Grand Prix Review

Welcome to our guest blogger, Werner Team Paddler, Mike Darbyshire.

After hearing about the changes to Werner Paddles SUP linefor 2016 I was eager to get the paddles into my hands and into the water.  I placed my pre-order at the end of last year for 3 new paddles to replace my current paddles and so far I have not been disappointed!

Werner has always staked their reputation on making the highest quality paddles that perform at a high level. 

Hand-crafted in Sultan Washington, their paddles have for a long time been the standard in kayak paddle quality and performance.  This quality and performance is maintained through their SUP line and my favourite part is the design that goes into making specific paddles for specific uses.  

A wise man once told me that the word ‘compromise’ when it comes to outdoor gear usually means you are going to get the worst of all worlds.  While this isn’t always true, a paddle that ‘does it all’ will likely ‘do it all’ poorly rather than provide excellent performance in a particular area. 

As a gear junkie and somebody who loves products designed for specific purposes I have always appreciated Werner’s dedication to putting a lot of thought, design and testing into specific shapes, materials and sizes that would provide the best performance in the specific discipline.

I get a lot of questions asking what paddle I use? What size is the blade? What length are you using? And my answer varies depending on which area of SUP I am being asked about.  Here is a breakdown of the 4 paddles I am using now. (I am about 5’11”)

1.    Werner Grand Prix 86

a.    Dedicated racing paddle

b.    Length: 78”

c.    Blade Size: 86 sq.in

d.    Weight 413 grams

2.    Werner Rip Stick 79

a.    Surf Paddle

b.    Length: 74”

c.    Blade Size: 79 sq.in.

d.    Weight 454 grams

3.    Werner Legend 99

a.    Whitewater Paddle

b.    Length: 76”

c.    Blade Size: 99sq.in.

d.    Weight: 535g

4.    Werner Soul S (for 2016 check out the Flow 85)

a.    Teaching Paddle

b.    Length: 78”

c.    Blade Size: 90sq.in.

For this post I am going to focus on the Grand Prix.  This paddle will be in my hands for the majority of the season. I log a lot of hours training and racing through the season and the paddle is the one constant throughout the season. 

Since I started racing 5 years ago my race paddles have gradually been getting smaller and smaller. My first race paddle was a Kialoa Shaka Puu which was 82” in length and had a 101sq.in. blade.  As you can see from above, my paddle this year is 4” shorter and 15sq.in smaller in the blade.  This change is fairly common through the SUP racing world and seems to be driven by a couple of factors.

The first reason I moved to a shorter paddle with a smaller blade was to take some stress off my shoulders.  I found myself getting a sore right shoulder after racing and even had a couple close calls in the surf where I felt like my shoulder was close to dislocating.  The smaller blade and shorter shaft has reduced a lot of this stress.

The second reason I moved to a smaller paddle was to focus on my strengths.  I love how inclusive SUP racing is and by that I mean that it lends itself to all sorts of body types, weights, heights etc.  It’s all about how you move your own body across the water.  I found that the best way for me to move quickly and efficiently was with a higher turnover and quicker strokes rather than focusing on longer stronger strokes, I seemed to be better suited for a higher cadence with a bit less power.

This is where the Grand Prix fits in so nicely. It has a generally narrow blade which allows for a quicker turnover and a cleaner entry and exit from the water.  The smallest blade size has been reduced from a 91sq.in. blade in 2015 to an 86sq.in which results in a little less stress on the joints and a quicker stroke turnover. The Grand Prix also has what I would consider a ‘softer’ flex in the paddle shaft which can also help in keeping some stress off the body.

So far I’ve logged about 60km on the new Grand Prix and it feels great.  The feel of the paddle remains much the same as it has the past couple of years but the smaller blade is definitely noticeable, especially this early in the season. Werner has also maintained the relatively high 12 degree offset angle in the blade which results in a cleaner exit and a more vertical blade throughout the stroke. This off-set is an excellent efficiency feature but can feel a bit different for paddlers who are used to a more tradition 8-10 degrees. The Grand Prix continues to be one of the lightest race paddles on the market while still maintaining the high level of durability you can find with all Werner Paddles. The Grand Prix comes in a straight shaft or a benth shaft and can be purchased in 3 different blade sizes: 86sq.in, 93,sq.in and 100sq.in.

If you are in Deep Cove you are more than welcome to give my paddle a try or use one of our many Werner demos!  Or stop by our retail store Deep Cove Outdoors to chat with one of our staff who can help you pick the right paddle for yourself.

Keep checking back in for more product reviews!

Mike on the Slocan River with Werner Paddles, Western Canadian Sales Rep, Nikki Rekman photo: Mark Klein

Werner Paddles Rip Stick Review by Mark Temme

Mark Temme, is a SUP Surf athlete based out of New York state, check out what he had to say about his Werner Paddles Rip Stick

Got my Rip Stick! Big Thanks!!! Used it today in some good surf here in Surf City, New Jersey. Hands down the best SUP Surf Paddle I have ever used! Whether paddling thru whitewater or spinning around to catch a wave it gives me the quick bursts of acceleration needed to maximize performance. The light weight, progressive blade design and surface area also allows for the most efficient handling I've ever experienced while riding a wave. It allows easy paddle transfers and the smoothest, cleanest interface with the slope and shape of the wave. Definitely the best paddle i've ever used to SUP Surf!!! Already showed it off to the crew hanging out at the top of the dune after my first session using it! Big Mahalos!

The Rip Stick is available in two sizes - 79 & 89 and designed from the ground up by professional surfers, one of which is Fiona Wylde. With it's unique double concave and strong dihedral you've got great power pockets and a self-centering blade that makes every stroke count!

Fiona recently came in 2nd at the 2016 Waterman League Turtle Bay's Pro Women's Competition. This was stop #1 of the Stand Up World Tour and you can expect to hear more about the Rip Stick as the premier surf event in the US, Santa Cruz Paddlefest takes place THIS weekend.

Contact Mark at New York Kayak Co. in Manhattan to find out more about SUP paddling in NYC or on the surf in NJ.

Werner Paddles 2016 Part Deux

So yesterday you got a peak at some of the 2016 Werner Paddles line-up and I hope you are as excited as we are along with the entire Werner team!!!

Let's continue with SUP -

The entire line-up has been redesigned and you will notice this in performance from our Ultimate Performance category all the way to our Standard Performance category.

The Trance 85 & 95 are replacing the Nitro and the Flow 85 & 95 are replacing the, Soul. Check out the backside (non-powerface of the blade on both of these models). It's smooth design will mean no disturbance behind the blade when the paddle is moving through the water. What does this mean? Efficiency and ease on your body, allowing you to stay out on the water longer!

You can also see that our trusted and reliable adjustability is featured on both of these new models. The push-button adjustablility is fast and easy to use, not to mention, field maintainable.



Flow on the left and the Trance on the right








The Prodigy 85 is our kid's performance paddle. It's adjustable 60-67.5", features our SMALL FIT and two colour options: RED and TURQUOISE




Zen 95 Hooked in Catch: Lime Drift will be great for all the anglers but you don't have to be an angler to LOVE this new HD GRAPHIC

Stand Up Paddling Surfing and River Stand Up Paddling continue to be growing markets in the SUP world and Werner Paddles is leading the way.

We are very excited to add to our River specific lineup featuring the popular Session and Stinger with the addition of the Ultimate Performance, Legend 99. This is a mid-size blade at 97 sq inches. This paddle has been reinforced for bomber whitewater reliability but with an amazingly light swing-weight. The edging has been reinforced with dynel (the same material you see on our Ultimate Performance Whitewater Kayaking Paddle Blades). 

The Legend 99 is available in 1 pce, Performance Adjustable and Travel Adjustable.

Stay tuned for more information on our SUP Surf specific paddle called the, Rip Stick.

A New Werner Paddles SUP Ambassador in Western Canada

We are super excited to announce that Genna Flinkman of Edmonton, Alberta is the newest Werner Paddles SUP Ambassador in Western Canada and member of the Nikki Rekman Sales Team.

Genna is a fantastic edition to our team, on and off the water. She is fun, generous and in her words, "Loves spreading the love for all things SUP!" She's smart too, with a degree in Kinesiology and Psychology, she uses this knowledge when training herself and others. It also helps her to educate people on how to stay healthy and fit. Genna has been playing competitive sports her whole life. Most recently she played college basketball at Augustana University College (part of the University of Alberta) and was a member of the Alberta Development Team for Skeleton.

She was introduced to stand up paddling by a close friend, who knew her athletic background and figured Genna and SUP would be a great fit. He was right. The day after her first time on a race board, she was hooked and bought her first board.

We met Genna at the West Kootenay River SUP Race where she placed 1st for Women, in the Distance Race and 1st for Women, in the SUP Cross (her first ever, river competition).

Having trained with some of the most notable SUP paddlers in the world, Candace Appleby to name one, we expect that Genna will be one of the women to beat in the future.Genna will be spending more time in California training this winter and we expect she will do amazing things in SUP in the next months and years ahead.

Genna is also sponsored by Infinity SUP Boards, Virus Action Sport Performance, CJC SUP Fins and Spy Optics.  Please follow Genna and her SUP adventures via Instagram @gflinkman. 

Sunshine Coast Paddle Board Festival

As we mentioned months ago, our season is all about SUP and we are planning for another event this  coming weekend.

Join us for the Sunshine Coast Paddle Board Festival at beautiful Porpoise Bay Provincial Park THIS Sunday July 12th from 9 am - 2pm

This event is hosted by Kokatat and Werner Paddles dealer, Alpha Adventures located in Sechelt, BC.

Demos and Clinics – $8 per person gets you unlimited access to demo all boards and clinics (based on availability).

Register HERE

The race is an additional $15 entry fee but remember, proceeds go to charity!

Schedule of Events -

09:00am- Festival Begins- demos available throughout the morning and some in the afternoon where board availability permits.

09:30am- SUP fitness clinic – 30 minutes

10:00am- Basic Paddle Strokes Clinic- 30 minutes

11:30am- Rec Course Racers meet at tent

12:00pm- Rec Course Race begins

1:00 pm- Sprint / Kids Race *** (If there is enough interest)

1:30 pm- Awards Ceremony and Prize Draw

2:00pm- Festival Ends- have a great afternoon!

We will be providing gear from Kokatat and Werner Paddles so look for our booths, come try some gear and say hello.