TRAK Kayak Summit: Unveiling the 2.0

One of the benefits of owning a TRAK Kayak is the sense of community built around the uniqueness of the product. Like Ducati motorcycles and Tesla automobiles, TRAK is a distinctive product with a loyal and growing customer base. As a TRAK “Pilot” brand ambassador, I was invited to join 13 other Pilots from across North America last week at TRAK’s first-ever Pilot Summit. Three days of training, team building and paddling in Wisconsin’s beautiful Apostle Islands National Lakeshore? Yeah, I can do that.

The Pilot Summit introduced us to the new TRAK 2.0, the first major upgrade to this uniquely portable kayak. By replacing the injection-molded ribs with space-age carbon fiber, and reducing the size of the hydraulic hand jacks that tighten the skin around the frame, the TRAK 2.0 is about 11 pounds lighter than its predecessor. It now weighs in at just 42 pounds; not bad for a 16-foot performance sea kayak that can be disassembled and fit into its own carrying case small enough to store in the back of a car, be carried on your back, or checked as airline luggage! When you see and paddle this kayak for yourself, you understand why it’s called the Ultimate Touring Kayak.

The Summit was led by Jason Guindon, TRAK’s operations manager and Pilot program guru who flew in from the company’s base in Calgary, Canada. Also playing key roles were Pete Kuhn and Paige Olson. Both are TRAK Pilots from the Minneapolis area and both formerly worked as trip guides in the Apostle Islands. I have paddled and led Apostle Islands trips a number of times over the years, so it was great to be able to return once again and enjoy the beauty of this kayaking paradise.

Our base of operations for the Summit was Little Sand Bay, where every pilot had the opportunity to test paddle the 2.0. The consensus: Lovvvved it! The new light-weight and stiff carbon-fiber ribs make the boat feel like you’re sitting in a hard-shell kayak. The ribs and aluminum tubes are now color-coded — red and blue — making it easy to tell the bow section from the stern during assembly. There are also additional subtle enhancements to the 2.0, including an available backband versus a hard seat back.

One feature I am particularly thrilled about is the design of the new “aggressive” thigh braces. They make edging and rolling much easier compared to TRAK’s standard thigh braces. In the past this was the only qualm I had about my TRAK. It was not easy to roll. After installing the new thigh braces during the Summit, I knocked out a bunch of rolls in my TRAK. Now I’m way more comfortable that I can safely paddle my TRAK in all types of conditions.

As you may have heard, there have been a few delays in 2.0 production, for a variety of reasons, most associated with the new carbon-fiber components. Everything I’m seeing and hearing assures me that TRAK is making sure they get it done right. Deliveries for 2018 orders are now scheduled to begin later this year. I’m looking forward to getting mine. I’m sure you are too if you are one of the hundreds of kayakers who have ordered a TRAK 2.0.

It’s great to be associated with such an amazing product and terrific company. To paddle one for yourself, look me up. If you’re near Wisconsin, let me know when you can come over. If you’re farther away, you can find a TRAK Pilot in your area. Also, Mary and I are planning grand road trips with our RV in the near future. Let me know if I can bring a TRAK to you so you can paddle it on your favorite body of water.