Paddlesports is refocused, but still central in brand DNA
Dating back from the mid 80’s, when the founders of Sweet Protection fell in love with the local rivers and play spots, Paddlesports has been an important part of the brand DNA and history. After discontinuing the dry wear products going into 2020, the Paddlesports collection is now refocused on hardware and protection only.
From the brand history text: “The year is 1988. Skateboarding is still
prohibited in Norway, and the Sweet mantra was just manifested on a school paper. The Sweet Protection story
started in Trysil, a mountain village in Østerdalen, Norway, when a group of keen kayakers were missing the
proper protection to push even harder at their sport”.
...Twenty years later, May 24th 2020, Sweet Protection celebrates 20 years. 20 years in love with the
rivers, waterfalls, mountains and forests – the playgrounds for which the brand has made it their mission to
make the best possible products. And if there’s any doubt out there, Paddlesports will continue to be an
important part of the brand also the next twenty years.
“We believe that discontinuing our dry wear products will allow us to focus even more on innovation and cutting-edge technology on helmets and protection for Paddlesports”
Ståle Møller, Co-founder, and Director of Design & Development in Sweet Protection.
Our Paddlesports Pro team athletes
Going into summer 2020, we would like to give a shout-out to our Paddlesports
Pro team athletes. Together with our product designers, they are a crucial part in our mission making the best
possible products – and, not to mention a huge inspiration for old- and new Paddlesports enthusiasts.
Mariann Sæther
When talking kayaking profiles, it’s impossible not to mention Mariann Sæther
as one of the leading pioneers, regardless of gender. Passionate kayaker for more than two decades, still going
strong. World Extreme Champion in 2015 and repeated this in 2019 winning the famous North Fork Championship on
the North Fork of the Payette River. She has several first descents around the globe and has been the leader in
many bigger expeditions. Last but not least, Mariann is also a mom to an active four-year old, and together with
her partner Ron Fisher they split their time between Norway, and the banks of the Futaleufu in Chile as their
second home.
Read more about
Mariann >
Photographer: Benjamin Hjort /Athlete: Mariann Sæther
Aniol Serrasoloses
Aniol Serrasoloses is without a doubt one of the most talented and respected
kayakers on the planet. The list is long; winning North Fork Championship, launching the SBP foundation,
starring feature film Legacy, first descents, record time Stikine Lap - are only some of the highlights from the
unstoppable Catalonian kayaker. Aniol is constantly challenging the perception of what is possible in a kayak,
always pushing the limits of the sport he loves.
Read more about Aniol
>
Photographer: Ryan Lucas /Athlete: Aniol Serrasoloses
Nouria Newman
Nouria, definitely on the short-list of the most progressive kayakers out
there, regardless of gender. She started kayaking at the age of five and never looked back. The list of
accomplishments on the river is long, very long - but Nouria is also vocal in stating that she’s not only
traveling the globe in search for whitewater. To Nouria human adventures like discovering new cultures,
broadening her mindset, sharing and meeting people is as rewarding. While being a bad-ass kayaker, she also
managed to finish a masters in journalism and political science from Sciences Po Toulouse.
Read more about Nouria
>
Ali Bharmal, Red Bull Content Pool / Athlete: Nouria Newman
Ben Marr
Long-haired, carefree and handsome. Not to mention one of the best big water
kayakers in the business – what’s not to love about the kayak-hunk Ben Marr? Ben enjoys life wherever the kayak
takes him. Favorite activities include day trips on the Stikine, Zambezi, Baker, and Futaleufu River's (more
water the better). High volume whitewater has become the low impact high reward focus but pursuing big wave
surfing remains a top priority for the Canada based kayaker.
Read more about Ben>
Photographer: David Jackson / Athlete: Ben Marr
In addition to our Pro team athletes, we’re also supporting a wide range of
inspiring and bad ass kayakers around the globe.
Summer 2020 key products
Rocker Fullface
Our high performance, carbon fiber reinforced full-coverage helmet for kayaking
when extra protection is required. The Rocker Fullface is a high-tech carbon fiber reinforced full-coverage
helmet offering the most extensive protection available in any Paddlesports helmet. The advanced helmet
construction combines the elasticity of injection-molded thermoplastic with the rigidity and strength of carbon
fiber. This enables us to effectively tune the shell and liner for different properties in different areas for
optimized performance. The Rocker Fullface is a proven performer for gnarly creeking around the world.
Rocker
Our high-performance carbon fiber reinforced Paddlesports helmet made for the
roughest conditions. This is a high-tech carbon fiber reinforced helmet and our clear team favorite and go-to
helmet for performance. The advanced helmet construction combines the elasticity of injection-molded
thermoplastic with the rigidity and strength of carbon fiber. This enables us to effectively tune the shell and
liner for different properties in different areas for optimized performance.
Strutter
Originally designed in 1997 and still the most iconic helmet in Paddlesports,
the Strutter offers impressive low-volume protection for river running and playboating. Inspired by the original
baseball cap, the computerized 3D shape provides great style and comfort – but more importantly it offers
impressive protection performance for its low volume and style.
Wanderer
The Wanderer is a dependable and durable helmet with solid Shell Technology
protection performance. First introduced in 2008, but continuously improved year by year, this is a great piece
of protection equipment for all-round river use.
Ronin
The Ronin sport performance sunglasses are especially designed for
high-intensity sport activities, but you can also wear these in confidence for everyday use. The Ronin Max model
has an oversized lens for extended vertical coverage and unrivalled field of vision.
Both models are available with several high-quality lens, including our unique RIG™ lens technology, developed
by Sweet Protection to provide superior contrast enhancing vision with minimum color distortion. All lenses with
100% UV protection, hydro- and oleophobic treatment.