Description
Pyranha has been designing and producing innovative whitewater kayaks for over 50 years, but 2022 brought a project which called for them to invest perhaps the most time and energy yet into its testing and development - the Rip-R Evo 2; while competitors were trying to match the performance of the original Rip-R Evo, Pyranha was setting the bar even higher.
This is all because Pyranha recognises 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 Pyranha's World Championship winning history dating back over 46 years, and their ever-forward-looking approach to the sport and how designs influence it.
Rip-R Evo 2 F also features fins which give extra grip, especially in eddy turns, and are a huge advantage on the ramp, minimising contact points for far less friction, and acting as a pivot point to help you lift the nose higher and get a drier, more directionally focused landing.
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.
Pyranha has 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, Pyranha strongly recommends upgrading to 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.
Pyranha views the Rip-R Evo as their Apollo program; the fittings will continue to evolve, and the sizeable weight of time and effort they have poured into the design processes of both the fittings and the hull will influence projects beyond the confines of Kayak Cross.
Specs:
| 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 |
Features:
Finely-tuned Hull with Fins: Give extra grip, especially in eddy turns, and are a huge advantage on the ramp, minimising contact points for far less friction, and acting as a pivot point to help you lift the nose higher and get a drier, more directionally focused landing.
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.
Grip and Control Through Gates: 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.
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.
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.
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.
Stepped Area on Tail: Stepped area around and back from the stern handle to enable the tail to be even easier to engage.
Back Deck Volume: Careful shaping of the back deck volume for a smooth slice and a boosting 'pop' out of gate turns.
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.
Thigh Grips: Stiffer moulded thigh grips for more precise control.
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.
Sculpted Front Deck: Sculpted front deck sidewalls to ease paddle entry and allow you to place strokes closer to the boat.
Peaked Deck: Peaked front deck to shed water efficiently.