Nigel Dennis began sea kayaking at the age of 23, and within 3 years had completed the first circumnavigation of Britain, with fellow kayaker Paul Caffyn. This took almost three months to complete and provided a catalyst for other adventure-seeking clients wishing to use Nigel’s expertise to lead them to other remarkable destinations, most notable the taking of Rebecca and John Ridgeway, plus camera crew around Cape Horn, televised in 1992.

Soon after this Nigel wished to set up his own kayak school, but was put off by the cost of buying a fleet of boats for the centre. Using his practical experience gained whilst on the sea in demanding conditions, both of the limitations of other brands and some new key ideas, and also helped by a friend who was very skilful with the design as well as paddling ability, Nigel built his own fleet of kayaks and the first Anglesey Sea and Surf Centre was started.

These very first kayaks were built to withstand the constant use and abuse by groups at the centre and also incorporated two new ideas. An off-set day hatch to enable the unsupported paddler to access provisions whilst afloat, and the keyhole cockpit in a sea kayak, which compared with the original very small ocean cockpit, allowed for a faster, easier entry and exit, to and from the kayak. Not surprisingly, in hindsight, those who came to the kayak courses held at the centre liked the kayaks, particularly the qualities of speed andstability. The demand increased and NDK was officially registered on the 7th May 1993.

Since then Nigel has continued to lead groundbreaking kayak expeditions. Nigel’s kayaks have not only benefited from this wealth of experience and expertise in the design, they have also been adapted and modified for expedition use, and then tried and tested in severe weather conditions and extremes of temperature. Prominent breakthroughs for Nigel in his own kayaks were the self-sufficient expeditions to Easter Island (circumnavigation), and Antarctica (Penguin count) in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
 
Other high level kayakers began using NDK boats and this led to the set up of Sea Kayaking UK sponsored paddlers, who are given kayaks for general and expedition use, in return for their practical experience in the continuous process of development, feedback and modification. An example of this was the extensive trip undertook by Bob Timms and Trys Morris, which left the UK and reached Greece 6 months later. The duo used the ‘voyager’ over the longer crossings, which uses outriggers and a sail to turn the two kayaks into a small catamaran. Another sponsored expeditionary, Chris Duff, has the circumnavigation of Japan and North Island (off New Zealand) to name but a few under his belt and has put the explorer through some of its most ardent testing.

Those who have experienced other GRP boats will have noticed the susceptibility to wear and tear, when compared with polyethylene alternatives. The boats are however built to withstand the constant use they receive as fleet boats. The range of Kayaks are the sole brand used at expedition centres situated in some of the best paddling locations in the world. These include Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Israel, Newfoundland, North America, Spain, the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Man. The Nordkapp Trust itself was set up to promote sea kayaking and expedition centres, upholding the Trust’s high standards. People utilising the expedition centres can therefore know they will be getting the quality and reliability of the Sea Kayaking UK Kayaks, Lendal Paddles (made in Scotland), and a similarly high standard of leadership and coaching from staff, right across the board at every centre.

The choice of fibreglass or its technical term glass reinforced plastic, as the material for Sea Kayaking UK is obvious when choices are examined. There is no comparison between GRP and polyethylene when it comes to performance. I quote from an email I received from a Manx resident I lent my ‘Explorer’ to:

“The boat is fine, a lot faster than I am used to, but surprisingly stable. I took it through the Sound this morning and was glad of the additional speed.”

This basically sums up the top selling expedition kayak. A whole range of kayaks are available, each designed with specific needs in mind, which overall cater for a whole spectrum of kayakers.

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