Our Company Today
World’s oldest specialized kayak manufacturer
Vituddens Kanotvarv is the world’s oldest specialist company for kayak manufacturing, located outside Västervik. Today the company is run by Kåre Ankervik, the sixth generation of boat builders in the family, together with his daughter Embla — the seventh generation. The family’s craft tradition goes back to the 19th century, when they had already reached the absolute elite of Swedish boatbuilding. The aim is the same now as then: to always strive for perfection.
Legendary racing kayaks
During the company’s first fifty years the focus was mainly on racing kayaks, and several VKV models have become legendary. Examples include the VKV 48, which dominated race courses between 1946 and 1962, and the VKV 100 from 1962, whose unmatched track record has made it an icon in the paddling world.
The VKV 100 has participated in five Olympic Games and brought home Olympic, World and European Championship medals in gold, silver and bronze, as well as around 300 Swedish Championship golds. More than 43 years after its premiere it can still be seen on race courses — proof of the timelessness of both its design and materials.
Success in touring
VKV’s touring kayaks have also achieved great success. National Geographic has used VKV kayaks on expeditions in Alaska, Japan and Korea. Almost all kayaks VKV has built are still in use — made possible by a combination of optimized design and durable materials. Unlike short-lived trends, the prerequisites for a good kayak are timeless — available muscle power and sea conditions do not change.
Built to last
Throughout history kayaks have evolved for roughly 20 000 years. Almost all older constructions have disappeared as natural materials broke down. Today’s VKV kayaks are built from materials that do not degrade under UV light the way cheaper ABS or polyethylene alternatives do.
The material we use is so durable that the manufacturer states a 100 000-year service life. This means a VKV kayak will not disappear until it is manually destroyed — and that many of the kayaks we build today will remain for generations.