Thursday, June 21, 2012 - Blog on a Log

Winnipeg Theft Leaves Kayak Racers High and Dry

Early morning phone calls almost always mean bad news.

In this case, the call in question was from Winnipeg kayaker Darwin, and the news was a report of two stolen kayaks.

Earlier this year we had sold Darwin and his friend Ben new high-end performance sea kayaks, each worth over $3500. The white and yellow boats were an investment – the men were training to paddle the Yukon River Quest, the world’s longest annual canoe and kayak race. The marathon event draws paddlers from all around the world to race day and night the 715 kilometers from Whitehorse to Dawson, and is a one-in-a-lifetime challenge most competitors plan for years.

And it starts in one week.

Darwin and Ben were supposed to leave at 6:00 this morning to drive across the country for race start on June 27th. Last night they lashed their boats on top of their car, packed their gear and went to bed. This morning the boats were gone.

Two 17-foot sea kayaks are not easy things to hide, and the Winnipeg paddle community is a small one. Wilderness Supply has offered Darwin and Ben replacement kayaks to borrow for the duration of the race, but we are hopeful those responsible for the theft can be caught and their original boats recovered. Please watch for anyone attempting to sell a yellow or white Current Designs Caribou sea kayak. A reward is being offered, and any leads or information can be directed to the Winnipeg police non-emergency number, 204-986-6222. Help us get our guys back on the water. They deserve to race, and deserve to do so in the kayaks they purchased.

A Current Designs Caribou Kayak (stock image)