The Legend of Kayak Bob

In the Pacific Northwest’s early days, a thriving Native American culture inhabited the region. Their hunting and utility boat, the kayak, was a sturdy, versatile craft that allowed them to navigate not only the Puget Sound, but the shallow inlets and rocky coastlines of much of the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike the large vessels of the European explorers, the kayak allowed the paddler a water-level perspective and a harmony with nature. Eventually, the kayak became the boat design of choice for native cultures from Alaska to Greenland, some reportedly traveling all the way to Sweden.

Many of the white settlers learned kayak-building from the Native American tribes that lived in Puget Sound in the early days; before plastics, Boeing, Starbucks and Microsoft changed Washington State forever. They soon came to know that kayaks are not only excellent hunting, fishing and transportation vessels; they are fun to paddle and great for exercise as well. They also discovered that craftsmanship and sound construction can mean the difference between life and death in kayaking. Although plastics, fiberglass and Kevlar have replaced the Inuit’s and Aleut’s materials, the spirit and ingenuity of those early kayak builders lives with us to the present day. Although Kayak Bob is a fictional character, he personifies that spirit of independence and innate quality and we dedicate our products to those who have kept this proud tradition alive.