The Värmdö is a new offering from Melker of Sweden and the Paddling Mag team got a walkthrough of the compact touring kayak and its innovative, eco-friendly construction at Canoecopia 2024.
First look: Melker of Sweden’s Värmdö touring kayak
The Värmdö is a smaller kayak than Melker of Sweden’s previous models but packed with innovations, including a new material based on flax fiber and a cork core.
“We’ve introduced an all-new layup for the boats, so we are utilizing cork as the core material,” says Melker of Sweden founder Pelle Stafshede. He explains that the cork is made from the bark of a cork oak tree, which is harvested every nine years and can live for 250 years.
“Very good from a sustainability point of view,” Stafshede adds.
Adding to the Värmdö’s sustainability credentials, the flax fibers used in the kayak’s construction stem from a flower, creating a plant-based laminate. This is then infused with a bio-based or plant-based epoxy.
Named after the Stockholm Archipelago, where company staff live and work, the Värmdö also won the Best Sea/Touring Kayak in the fifth annual Paddling Magazine Industry Awards in November 2023. The award recognizes significant and innovative achievements in paddlesports product development.
“We’re now manufacturing all our products in Sweden; this has been the dream since I started the company back in 2015, to be able to manufacture in my own backyard,” says Stafshede.
The 13.5-foot Värmdö is 39 pounds and available in two colors; all natural and Melker’s signature turquoise.
Melker Värmdö LV
- Playful light touring & recreational kayak
- Plant-based construction
- Sleek, forgiving, and stable for new paddlers to learn
- All new premium cockpit with easy sit-in adjustability
See more from Canoecopia 2024
- P&H Unveils Composite Version Of Best-Selling Touring Kayak
- An Ingenious Method For Sizing Canoe Paddles (Video)
- New Nova Craft Canoe Prospector 14 Walk-Through (Video)
- First Look: Esquif Huron 17 (Video)
- First Look: Aqua Bound’s New Aerial Paddles (Video)
- Astral Unveils High-Float Indus Line Of PFDs (Video)
