ThePADDLER 40
HOW DID WORKING WITH TEAM GB COME ABOUT AND , SUBSEQUENTLY , MOST OF THE OTHER OLYMPIC CANOEING TEAMS ? For the London Olympics in 2012 , we developed our full-colour custom printed gear . We witnessed our friends and Team GB members Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott take the gold medal . For 2016 we wanted to do something really special . Athletes nagged us for thinner , more streamlined PFDs . So in secret , with Team GB we developed the Racer ST , a three in one garment that puts half the PFDs foam in your spray deck , reducing the foam thickness from 50-20mm on the upper torso , giving a considerable performance advantage . Joe Clarke went on to win gold at Rio in the Racer ST . For Tokyo , we supply the majority of slalom athletes from 20 teams and hope to return with several gold medals , fingers crossed .
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY KEY TO PEAK UK ’ S SUCCESS WITHIN THE PADDLESPORT INDUSTRY ? We ’ ve followed our hearts and own interests from slalom in the ' 90s , through playboating , into sea kayaking and more recently , after becoming parents making kit for kids . Luckily people have liked what we do , and we ’ ve grown to be a very successful business off the back of our love of paddlesport and enhancing peoples enjoyment by making great gear .
PEAK UK ARE ONE OF THE OFFICIAL PARTNERS TO BRITISH CANOEING , AND YOU MANUFACTURE THE CLOTHING AND BUOYANCY AIDS FOR TEAM GB – HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF BOTH PEAK UK AND BC ? We have an ongoing partnership with the BC World Class program , where we ’ ve supported the team as a whole for around ten years ; subsequently , we have a great relationship and see the athletes , coaches and management as our family and friends . We have a great involvement too with BC ' s access campaign Clear Access Clear Waters and Ben Seal .
DOES JOE CLARKE RING AND THANK YOU EVERY DAY FOR THE NEW BUOYANCY DEVICE YOU DESIGNED FOR THE RIO GB OLYMPIC TEAM ? Joe is a great ambassador for us and our sport . He truly appreciates our hard work . He supports us wholeheartedly , coming to our factory with his medal and attending as a speaker at the launch of our local access project Paddle Peak .
BUSINESS AND BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ARE SOMETIMES A DIFFICULT BALANCE – WHAT ’ S PEAK UK DOING TO MAKE ITSELF ECO-FRIENDLY ? Sadly paddlesports equipment ( gear , boats and paddles ) is almost entirely made from plastics , which isn ’ t great for sustainability , although we are doing our utmost to be as sustainable as possible . We try to make products that last for many years and that are repairable . We have removed all plastic packaging from our products , eliminating up to 50,000 polybags per year . Our new jacket and base layer ranges are made from recycled textiles and treated with non CFC weather repellence . One problem now is the demand for recycled textiles is so high that it is in short supply . We are beginning to use more environmentally friendly neoprene and are working with Derby University to find a use for our garments at the end of their usable lives .
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS ? What a roller coaster !! We closed our doors and went home on March 23rd 2020 , not knowing how long we ’ d be gone for . We started back slowly in May but were absolutely run off our feet , and by June , we were all back working in our newly laid out Covid secure premises where every member of our team has plenty of space . Everyone was so keen to do things outdoors . Month after month , we broke sales records and on it continues .
YOU ’ VE RECENTLY OPENED PEAK EU – HAS THAT MADE THE BREXIT TRANSITION EASIER FOR YOU ? January and Brexit were dire . Our trade deal is worthless when the goods we sell are mainly of China origin . Shipping boxes into the EU became more complicated than sending them to Nepal . Some took up to twelve weeks , some never arrived , and often cartons were damaged . Our European customers received large none transparent bills for duties , additional fees and taxes . Delivery drivers were often demanding cash before handing the goods over . Brexit is unworkable for small UK companies . The hassle the customers have to receive the goods makes it a nightmare . So we began Peak EU , based out of my friend ' s farm in the Republic of Ireland . We consolidate all our EU shipments into Ireland , pay the duties , taxes and fees , then the goods get delivered around the single market hassle-free . We ’ re back operational , and our customers are once again delighted . Costs are up , and things take a lot longer to be delivered now , but we have a workable solution . We ’ ve taken back control !
Pete kayaking in Graz
Pete and sons
Pete kayaking in Idaho