How it all began!

The very first kayak was made as a “hobby” in 1975. In 1976 we developed the Gap One compact kayak that later swept the world as Anne Dwyer’s Kiwi Kayaks Minnow. In 1977, years before any other manufacturer, we were building the Nordkapp sea kayak. By doing so, we started real sea kayaking in New Zealand. In 1987 we invented the Multisport kayak class with the introduction of the Triathlete model . In 1989 we developed the worlds first double sea kayak with a centre hold, allowing out-of-synch paddling, the Southern Light. In early 1990 we introduced the Evolution Classic, the world’s first ‘long’ racing kayak. In 2006 the Evolution Classic is still our top selling model. Followed closely by the Evolution Edge. But most of our sales revenue still comes from sea kayaks – those classic designs just keep selling. The properties of wind and water do not change – so these kayaks all work as well as the day they were designed.

With no planned decision to become a kayak manufacturer, kayak production soon swamped previous company trading activities.  Both shareholders enjoy boating in general and kayaking was seen as a simple way to get onto the water.  Thousands of customers could see the same advantages in kayaking.  By 1985, when all other trading activities were put aside, kayak production and marketing became the sole trading activity.  Using industrial methods, many new models were developed in the late eighties, some of which have since become classic models that sell strongly year after year.  The properties of wind and water have not changed – good designs endure.

At 8.30am (staff at work) on the 19th June 1996 disaster struck in the form of a large factory fire. Our factory and moulds were all destroyed. The rebuilding to our former 500-kayaks-per-year capacity was just too hard. The losses were too great. Our staff lost their quality ethic. They lost their jobs.

Promises about delivery may sometimes be broken. Kayak building is quite physical. Sometimes – just like in a race – Grahame will ‘hit-the-wall’! Continued hard work in the fittout shop when ‘the-wall-has-been-hit’ can produce low quality kayaks not in keeping with the brand. Better to slow down and return to the quality option at such times.

Since 1977 our customers have paddled the coastlines of New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Alaska, Greenland, Turkey and Norway. There are undoubtedly other trips unknown to us. None of these trips have resulted in any failure. The kayak always outperformed the conditions. That is why we have not changed our fit out.

We sell our pre-ordered, custom handcrafted kayaks direct – anywhere in the world. The only place to buy a Sisson Kayak is right here – www.sissonkayaks.co.nz! All kayaks are custom built to firm order. No boats are ever built for stock.  These boats are scarce! This is a low-pressure zone. Order early!

Sisson Kayaks is not some ‘Tent-and-fax’ company created to ‘trade’ on the Internet. It could however be said that Sisson Kayaks waited 25 years for the Internet to be created – just for Sisson Kayaks. We really enjoy being on-line! We strongly encourage New Zealand customers to free phone us on 0800 656 900 (it goes directly to my cell phone) while they are connected to our website. The combination effect is just like the two of us being in the same room (shop)!

Throughout  New Zealand, (and a few other parts too numerous to list) the Sisson Kayaks brand is famous for its design, performance and durability backed up by no-nonsense structural quality. Overseas customers can rest assured that they will always get fair and honest treatment. At Sisson Kayaks a customer in Helsinki Finland, Osaka Japan or Seattle USA is no different to a customer in Auckland New Zealand! All customers (except insurance scamsters) will be treated well.

We guarantee satisfaction. If there is a problem with any aspect of your new kayak – contact us – we will arrange to put-it-right. This promise is not the light-hearted stuff contained in the rest of this website. The following is a very serious statement. We will arrange to have any genuine manufacturing defect that would effect on-water performance rectified at our expense! No cash refund is implied or offered. Ridiculous claims relating to unrealistic cosmetic details will not be considered. Ridiculously high rectification quotes will be ignored.

Visit us!

Because we are semi retired – and we will often be at ‘home’ in Nelson, visits to the Methven factory must always be pre-arranged. For visitors there is really very little to see – because the process methods are advanced compared with our ‘opposition’, we keep the whole production area out-of-bounds.

After 30 years trading in our hometown Nelson, Sisson Kayaks factory has been relocated to 106 Pudding Hill Road, Methven, Mt Hutt Village, Canterbury.  Always phone (and speak to us) before you visit the factory – you must make an appointment.

To find us just go right to the centre of Methven Village. Come past the Brown Pub and you are in Forest Drive. From the Brown Pub we are only 2km. At the end of Forest Drive the road becomes 100KPH and it turns slightly left – you are now in Pudding Hill road. We are the first paddock with buildings on the right – just past the back-of-the-golf-course on the left.

The new factory (show below) is just 2km from the centre of Methven, Mt Hutt Village. It is on the edge of an 8ha farm paddock and is just over the fence from the Rangitata Diversion Race (man-made river).

The manufacturing takes place in four modified 40ft shipping containers. The office work and fitting out take place in the adjacent shed.