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Holden takes charge of Gara Paddle division

Leading kayak manufacturers Kayak Centre has undergone a restructuring that aims to broaden and strengthen the business and better cater for demands for their kayak and paddle products both locally and internationally.

Ken Holden, who has partnered Rick Whitton to success at Kayak Centre, will take charge of the burgeoning Gara Paddles business and run it as a separate entity from the start of 2013.

Kayak Centre will remain under Whitton’s control, and has been bolstered by the return from England of Whitton’s son Clive, and the return to the business of his wife Colleen.

“I have a massive sentimental commitment to Kayak Centre so it was not an easy decision to take,” said Holden. “While it is exciting to take charge of the growing demand for Gara Paddles domestically and internationally, I still have huge commitment to Kayak Centre and I will be there whenever they need me.”

“It is simply a restructuring of the business to better handle the demands for the Gara Paddles side of the business, which until now has been run from within Kayak Centre,” said Rick Whitton.

“We are well known for our service and relationships within the paddling community, and that won’t change one bit from my side and Ken (Holden)’s side,” Whitton added.

The business has been a co-sponsor of the Team Best 4 Kayak Centre outfit, the country’s first full-time kayaking team, and has enjoyed significant success in the domestic races and abroad, where team captain Hank McGregor and Grant van der Walt won titles at the world marathon championships, and Robyn Kime added a silver medal in the women’s Under 23 ranks.

The prominence of their craft and paddles at these events has led to an increase in international demand for their products, where the company’s reputation for strength and quality, coupled with the favourable international exchange rates, has made them popular in Europe and Australia.