Founded by Ivan Lawler — six-time World Champion and three-time Olympian — Ultimate Kayaks is built on decades of elite-level experience. Established to supply premium equipment to the canoe racing community, we work with the sport’s leading brands at the cutting edge of design, performance and innovation.

With over 50 years in the sport, Ivan provides trusted, high-quality advice based on his competitive experience both as an athlete and a coach. He still races occasionally and coaches at Elmbridge Canoe Club — one of the most successful canoe clubs in the UK — keeping him closely connected to the competitive racing scene.

Nelo Kayaks

We are proud to work exclusively with Nelo as our sole boat supplier.

The boats we supply are custom ordered. From time to time, we may offer stock or high-quality second-hand boats when available.

Nelo is widely regarded as the world’s leading kayak brand, consistently winning more medals at World and Olympic competitions than any other manufacturer. We have proudly worked alongside Nelo for over 20 years.

Paddles

Our paddle range has expanded over the years to reflect just how personal paddle choice is. Every athlete has different preferences in feel, blade shape, stiffness, and shaft setup.

We work exclusively with brands that design and manufacture their own paddles — companies known for innovation, performance and quality. These three brands are also the most widely copied in the sport, which speaks volumes about their reputation and success.

Epic

We began with Epic as they were the brand Ivan was using himself, designed by Olympic Champion Greg Barton they are at the cutting edge of paddles.

Braca

Braca is arguably the most popular paddle brand worldwide. With strong Hungarian heritage and decades of racing success, Braca paddles are among the most medal-winning in international competition, trusted by athletes across all levels of the sport.

Jantex

Jantex is the newest of our three brands but has quickly established a strong presence on the racing scene. Known for high-quality manufacturing, modern blade design, and a comprehensive range of sizes and shaft options, Jantex offers solutions to suit paddlers of all abilities.

Best of the Best

Our aim is to provide our customers with the best equipment that’s perfectly suited to their ability and needs. We firmly believe the equipment you use should work for you, enhancing your performance and overall experience on the water.