Tennessee, September 2nd, 2022 – Jackson Kayak is excited to announce our latest whitewater kayak—the Gnarvana. With over five years between core creek boat designs Jackson took advantage of a top team of creek boat paddlers and developed an innovative and user-friendly down river offering to replace their Nirvana.
The longevity of the Nirvana came from its ease to paddle, something Jackson tries to make a staple in their designs: A unique focus at helping users push their own limits, without compromising safety and comfort on the river. The Gnarvana is a combination of confidence-inspiring design that enables ease with advanced creek moves, speed and maneuverability. It will be available in three sizes.
“For the past decade Jackson has continued to gauge, analyze and dream what the perfect creek boat could do,” highlights Emily Jackson, whitewater brand manager. “We took input from our team, dealers, consumers and core designers to create a kayak that is forward thinking, innovative and ridiculously fun to paddle. All without compromising on user friendliness.”
Product Details Page: https://jacksonkayak.com/jackson-kayak-gnarvana/
About the Gnarvana
The Gnarvana will be coming to the market with an all new rocker profile by whitewater design legend, David Knight and design team (Dane Jackson, Nick Troutman, Clay Wright, Stephen Wright, Colin Kemp and Emily Jackson). The team will be introducing a new high rocker profile with width and length that contributes to keeping the bow dry, hull stable and not only maneuverable but zippy and playful.
The team working with Knight ensured that the end result would be a kayak that is drier, very maneuverable in and out of current, and with a secondary stability that aids in creek and river running progression for beginners to advanced paddlers.
“The way the Gnarvana is fast yet extremely easy to paddle, makes me certain this will be my race boat in 2023.”
— Hayden Voorhees, 2022 North Fork Championships Winner
“The Gnarvana has a unique blend of being extremely forgiving as well as being dynamic and playful. I’ve had it on my home run of the North Fork Payette, smaller volume of the Ashlu and true big water of the Stikine. The Gnarvana wasn’t just good on each run, it excelled in every style of whitewater.”
— Alec Voorhees
“Whether on the Stikine or the LDub, this boat continually blows my mind. Even though this kayak is the best weapon for me to handle the hardest whitewater, it is also the most joyful kayak I have every experienced.”
— Dane Jackson (He’s okay at kayaking)
“Holy… I’ll write more soon but all I can say right now is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
— Chris Korbulic, Factory Team Paddler and Expedition Leader
“Having this boat in 3 SIZES has me excited to get personal first descents and approach new runs! The Small will be our biggest small to help the ladies and anyone in the 120–155 pound range feel confident and in control when approaching any whitewater.”
— Emily Jackson, Brand Manager
“With the rocker profile, stability and volume placement, I feel invincible in this boat.”
— Nick Troutman, Factory Team Paddler and
First Descent Paddler for many classic Mexican runs
About Jackson Kayak
Jackson Kayak was founded in 2004 and currently resides in Sparta, Tennessee with over 150 employees. Jackson Kayak immediately became a leading whitewater brand, then quickly evolved into the recreational and fishing kayak sectors. Jackson has since expanded their high-end kayak product line to include Orion Coolers and Kennels. These initiatives have Jackson Kayak reaching an ever-broadening array of outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Jackson Kayak remains a family owned and operated company today and continues to be a Made in USA manufacturer supporting the local economy in Tennessee.
From the Paddling Buyer’s Guide:
Gnarvana - Medium
The Jackson Kayak Gnarvana is the Best Whitewater Boat of 2023 as voted by the public in the fourth annual Paddling Magazine Industry Awards. Read more and see a complete list of winners here.
