Who we are
Feelfree
30 years ago, a small group of business people and kayak enthusiasts started Feelfree Kayaks in New Zealand. In the early years, the kayaks were made in the Manawatu and from the early sit-on models the production grew, soon including sit-inside kayaks and a couple of white water models.
In the late 90s, Feelfree Kayaks sold to an overseas investor and kayak production moved to Thailand. The design and mould making remained in New Zealand. Most of the latest recreational sit-ons, The Mokens V1 and some Lures still come from a mould that was engineered, built and refined in Palmerston North, NZ. Since the acquisition, Feelfree kayaks have been sold in New Zealand through an agency owned by one of the Feelfree Kayaks founders and for the last 5 years Feelfree Kayaks have been distributed in New Zealand by KAYAKER Limited.
The New Zealand connection
Feelfree is very proud of their NZ origin and still keeps close ties with New Zealand. The Thai-Kiwi-US Feelfree design team is led by Peter Murphy, a New Zealand ex-pat living in Thailand, whose extensive skills and experience show on all latest models including the Lure series, the Dorado and the Overdrive.
KAYAKER Limited is a New Zealand owned and operated family business owned by Martin Straka and his wife Kylie. We import quality Paddlesports products from Europe and Thailand. Most of our brands come from Bohemia (Czech Republic). These brands include HIKO, GALASPORT, K-GEAR, GUMOTEX and more. FEELFREE is the only non-European brand in our portfolio.
Martin founded KAYAKER Limited in 2015 as an agency importing Gumotex inflatable kayaks and the business quickly grew, with more brands being added. We supply quality paddlesport gear to a number of New Zealand businesses: specialized stores, rafting companies and kayak operators, and also sell direct to the public via our FeelfreeKayak and Kayaker online stores.
Feelfree kayak portfolio includes recreational sit-on and sit-in kayaks, but the main focus is on kayak fishing. This is area where Feelfree kayaks lead the world market with innovative design and untraditional thinking.
KAYAKER Limited is part of a world-wide team distributing Feelfree kayaks to over 40 countries around the world. We supply Feelfree product to specialised kayak and marine stores, rafting businesses and kayak operators, as well as New Zealand public via our online store.
