Retailer Spotlight: Western Canoeing & Kayaking, British Columbia
Western Canoeing & Kayaking (WCK) is based near Vancouver, British Columbia. They’re a full-service retailer of everything paddlesports: canoeing, kayaking, kayak fishing, stand-up paddleboarding and rafting.
You can also find the apparel, camping and hiking gear needed to accessorize your paddling. Even gear for your canine companions.
WCK offers their customers such benefits as free Demo Days, rentals and private demos for their boats. They want to be sure you’ll love what you buy from them.
How Western Canoe Kayak Got Its Start…and What’s Been Happening Since
Like every other paddlesports retailer we know, Western Canoe Kayak was founded by outdoors folks who love to paddle.
WCK began humbly when Marlin and Mary Bayes began to import canoe paddles and distribute them around their local Vancouver area.
Before long the Bayes decided to build canoes—and Clipper Canoes were born in the late 70s. They now produce 40 different models including canoes for wilderness tripping, for families, racing, rivers, for the solo paddler—even canoes for 10-18 paddlers! And yet each is still built by hand.
The Bayes continued to add staff and products to their inventory. In 1989 they built on their current location in Abbotsford, BC. Their son, Ryan, joined the family business, as well as many staff members who specialize in various paddlesports themselves.
The New Product They’re Most Excited About
The folks at WCK are very excited to be announce they’ll start carrying packrafts in 2018. WCK team member, Calvin, explains why:
“In an age where almost every river and lake has been explored, packrafting truly allows people to explore the last untouched corners of the globe. People are pioneering new trips, new ideas—trips that would have been impossible in the past.”
The Staff Member They Like to Brag About
Margaret Langford joined WCK in 2014, after an illustrious career in Whitewater Slalom. Besides competing in four Olympics, she’s won 9 national titles and many world cup medals. She brings that same tenacity to the sales floor—especially when she has a chance to talk to customers about carbon kayak paddles!
WCK’s Long History with Aqua-Bound
There’s a very good chance WCK was Aqua-Bound’s very first dealer back in 1991.
Aqua-Bound was founded by Joe Matuska in Surrey, BC, not far from Vancouver. WCK ordered Joe’s paddles that first year and hasn’t stopped since—even when the company was purchased and moved to our current headquarters in Osceola, Wisconsin.
“We still love them for the same reasons: Made in North America, great quality, great price, great people.” (Calvin, WCK salesman)
Western Canoeing & Kayaking is dedicated to serving the paddling community—not just in western Canada, but all across North America and wherever in the world their customers are found.
To learn more or to place an order, visit WCKs website.
(All photos courtesy of Western Canoeing & Kayaking)
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