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ABOUT JKK RACING KAYAKS
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My name
is Jan Kees pronounced “ yarn case “ and I am pictured here with my wife Diana, a kiwi girl who I met some years ago on her "OE".
I was
brought up in Holland where my sporting interests revolved predominantly around
sailing, windsurfing and snow skiing. In 1984 I left my homeland and immigrated
to Christchurch, New Zealand where I set up business in my profession as a
sports masseur. Diana and I married soon after.
Many of my clients were notable athletes and they persuaded me to set up a massage tent at Klondyke Corner, the overnight stop
for the famous Coast to Coast two day race. After two years of massaging other
peoples aching limbs I decided to see what caused all the pain. In 1990 I
competed in the race, which was my first taste of multisport. Like most
competitors I was hooked and after a year or so started to think about going
faster on the water. I definitely needed a faster kayak. Following a lot of
design work I made my first kayak, the “ Javelin “, a 6.5 metre speed machine.
(It was meant to be 7.5 metres but my old garage was only 6.5 metres
long).
My improved race times and placings were noted by other
competitors and soon after I received requests to build kayaks for others. This
was the beginning of JKK Racing Kayaks.
Since those days I have designed
many kayaks specifically for racing, with the current range of four being the
result of all the development and advancements over the years.
TABLE OF KAYAK MODELS BY YEAR UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Since I began designing and building boats my philosophy hasn’t
really changed. I want to achieve the lightest, fastest, strongest boat (for
every ability of paddler) using the best materials available.
I’m still
paddling and competing – when injuries allow – which not only gives me personal
satisfaction but allows me to keep in touch with what padders want and need.
See you on the river.
JKK |
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