SO MANY WINNERS “We did not expect anything. as the glue which wasn’t BORN IN A SIMPLE If only we could have a waterproof. The vessels fell BASEMENT tolerable livelihood, we were apart quickly when they were satisfied,” Svend Helge launched,” Gerhard Kobberup stated. Sørensen said in an interview. The smiles were those of The two friends – and now indulgence. The reactions partners – had for several The reason for their were those of disbelief. The years, whilst working at collective interest was that words were rather comforting Bang & Olufsen, where they the couple at one time had than encouraging. installed radios in cabinets, come to the locale kayak used their spare time on club in Struer. Peter "You can always come back their hobby in Kobberup’s Sørensen, who is son of here if things doesn’t work kitchen. The very first kayak Gerhard Sørensen, explains: out," Gerhard Sørensen and was built in 1933, during "They had heard so much Svend Helge Kobberup were their apprentice time at N.P. about the club that they told, as they left Bang & Lundøre, in the attic of the enrolled. At the same time, Olufsen for the last time. carpentry. Subsequently, they expressed a desire to they started building small They didn’t just leave a good, build their own kayaks. At kayak models in Kobberup’s permanent job - they left that time there were only kitchen. Struer's leading company kayaks made of canvas built B&O. It was nothing but a hobby around the hull of the kayak, They were cabinetmakers, back then. Something they and they were heavy as born in Struer, grew up felt passionate about and for heck. They were painted and together and trained their own use. Besides, what tightened like a drum skin, alongside each other at the did they know about building but they weighed 18-20 local carpentry. But now they a kayak? They were kilograms. They weren’t easy wanted to build kayaks. cabinetmakers. Both were to drag around,” Peter just interested in the sport Sørensen explains. “People looked at us like we like so many others, but they Heavy or not, Svend Helge were mad, and our wives, possessed a special talent, Kobberup still managed to they too weren’t enthusiastic it would turn out: They had become a champion of about our experiment. They the ability to wonder and be Jutland in kayaking. had to earn a living by taking curious. on extra work at the waffle bakery and B&O,” Gerhard However, that did not mean, Sørensen would many years they couldn’t fail in the early later tell a locale magazine. beginnings. It wasn’t just the surroundings "Alongside some other folks that, understandably, did not we produced a large dare believe in the two template out of cement, and friends' dreams. They hardly with the help of it we did so themselves. “pushed” three to four kayaks out of it. But the success lasted only as long THE MOSQUITO AND a better option to make hulls silver gray dope,” Peter THE KAYAK in veneer. The principle was Sørensen concludes. the same as in constructions The hull was made of veneer with plywood: one long outer consisting of four thinly diagonal support and then a joined plates of veneer, three No one needs kayaks in a transversal layer. Afterwards of which were mahogany time of war. World War II was a third layer on the outer and one of the soft, light no exception. diagonal support and then a African woods Abachi. diagonal transversal layer. What the war couldn’t put an The fourth and last layer as end to, however, was the "We started our factory a diagonal layer. This way curiosity of two men. Gerhard together at a favorable time. you can achieve the same Sørensen and Svend Helge We discovered that the strength as plywood. But Kobberup were fascinated by market was good. But we there should also be a the British Mosquito aircraft - had to work hard. There was shutdown on such kayaks, a twin-engine combat aircraft no such thing as working and it became a canvas that became crucial during eight hours per day, like deck. The cover was made the war because of its high “normal people” would, and of linen, regular linen as the speed. With its lightness and to this day we still can’t. I one you could buy at the thus high speed, the plane myself have been working on local store in Struer. The proved beneficial for fast kayak construction since linen was then “doped” with precision attacks or as a 1932,” Gerhard Sørensen a special grey lacquer, pathfinder prior to the major many years later told a which was sprayed on. bombings. newspaper. Once it had settled over a When everybody saw the few hours, it was as tough Mosquito aircraft as a war as a drumhead,” Peter machine, Sørensen and Sørensen says and strikes a Kobberup saw something drum roll on the table. quite different. They saw the To go along with that drum plane for what it was. A roll Kobberup and creature unlike others, Sørensen's creation because aircrafts at the time deserved a fanfare too, typically were made from because they had created a aluminum. The Mosquito, on winner. A kayak, the sport the other hand, distinguished had not seen alike, and a itself by being made from kayak which structure and wood, and so they thought to way of production would themselves: if a mix of influence the sport through plywood and balsa wood the 1950s. could be the star of the sky, why couldn’t it also be that of "It was very smart. Then you the water? had two parts of the kayak, front and rear deck - it was a “It did not last long – both canvas deck that was being trained carpenters - painted or sprayed with before they figured that it was LIMFJORDEN AND THE brought out through the Sørensen first had slid their HEALTH INSURANCE door.” bodies into. FUND Once again, they needed to Struer was on to something, use their imagination, and but little did it help when few this time around luck played knew what Struer was and It may seem easy to get an an equally big part. what the new business had to offer? idea, but much harder to put it "It was fortunate that at that into use. And it nearly time there were something The breakthrough came to occurred that the kayaks from called light boxes, which be called Karen Hoff. She Struer never came into were small windows in was a talented rower in existence. basement level. Luckily, kayaking. She had started Physically, the kayaks were they could hasp off the light with the sport in Randers in heavy at the time because it boxes and slide the kayak 1942 and soon after won started with a template that out that way, but it was both the Jutland and Danish was built of concrete. But it somewhat of hard lesson to championship. Besides that, wasn’t until Kobberup & start with, considering they there was not much of Sørensen left Kobberup's could not get their very first anything else on her victory kitchen and got a real place to kayak out. They simply had sheet - World War II had put work that everything nearly not thought about it because an end to all international capsized before it even got they were so obsessed by competitions - but when the started. their idea,” says Peter first Olympic Games after the Sørensen. war took place in 1948, Their first production facility Karen Hoff sat in It didn’t go painlessly, but was under an old health “Limfjorden” - in London. Struer Kajak's very first child insurance fund, a basement Despite being considered was born at last, and it soon in Kirkegade in Struer. The somewhat of a nobody in an proved to be both talented room had just enough space apparently thinly occupied and about to put its mark on for one kayak, and the field - only 10 women the world. cabinet makers worked participated in her discipline, extremely hard until the very In other words, "Limfjorden" the 500 meters - Karen Hoff first kayak one day was (1948) was born. would show that she and finished and good to go. "Limfjorden" belonged in a It was a kayak made for Through their hard work, they big way; in London and the competition that not only record books. had only missed one thing, was formed by an Peter Sørensen explains: unprecedented material in In the initial heat, she would “When they had made the the sport. It was also a put up an Olympic record first kayak, they could not get lightweight weighing just 12 and duplicated the feat in the it out! They could not get it kilograms, which is the finale where she had finished out through the door, because minimum requirement for with almost a second down the kayak was 5.20 meters competitions - and a far cry to number two in the long and they had not from the 18-20-kilogram competition. versions, Kobberup and considered that there wasn’t And then there was Frederik room for it to be turned and Kobberup Andersen, the brother of Svend Helge. He Sørensen absolutely worthy 100 kayaks, but at the same too participated in London of obtaining this diploma as time the owners had to and fought his way to second an appreciation of their hard acknowledge that with such place in his kayak, made by work that has been a high demand it was difficult Struer Kajak naturally. associated with quite a few to keep up and dispatch all difficulties and yet proved to orders. Therefore, they left Suddenly, Struer Kajak had be a production that has the basement and moved people’s attention and two seen a breakthrough." into a new workshop at years later no one could miss Anlægsvej in Struer. out on this small Danish town The local newspaper not and its kayaks, which created only managed to write long This meant that production winners, as Frederick sentences back in 1949 - it could increase, and the Kobberup Andersen, who was also on point: Struer company was able to keep besides his rowing worked as Kajak had begun its up with the inflow of orders. a butcher, won the World Cup breakthrough… The move happened at the on Bagsværd Sø in Denmark The following year, in 1950, right time. The Olympic in 1950. the newspaper was able to Games in Finland took place "At once, "Struer Kajak "was once again tell that a year in 1952, and this time around on the lips of many. It was a after the kayaks had come several nations had realized revolutionary thing at that in to production, Kobberup / that they weren’t about to be point in time,” Peter Sørensen Sørensen had built 85 of passed by another Karen recalls. them, "and considering the Hoff or Kobberup in a kayak pace of the orders coming with Struer Kajak's initials on It was not only the world of in, good employment looks it. sports that now had learned promising onwards", the that "Struer Kajak" was an up Prior to the summer newspaper wrote. and coming force to be Olympics, in February, reckoned with. The world of Struer Kajak hadn’t just left Struer Kajak had 75 orders business had also set their the seashore and turned out for kayaks to be delivered, eye on the factory in to be a shining star of the 30 of which would be for Kirkegade. Thus, in 1949 it sea; The company also Finland and its best athletes. was awarded the "Danish rowed at a record speed - It was an international Labor Initiative Diploma". It and everything would only breakthrough, and the Finns was the local association in go faster and faster, it would were not the only ones; Struer that awarded the prize turn out. Russia had ordered about 30 to Struer Kajak - and the local kayaks, and there were also The basement in Kirkegade newspaper wrote this about orders from Belgium, became too small – well, it the prize: England, Norway and was too tiny from the very Sweden. "It’s a diploma that should start - but demand began to primarily be given to younger take so much form that the While most foreign people who start production founders simply couldn’t customers had an interest in of some kind, and after keep up. single kayaks, there was a consulting the National growing demand for the In 1951, Struer Kajak Association's head of office, tandem kayak in Denmark, managed to deliver around we’ve found Kobberup and and there was a particular reason why: The Danish ecstatic. Gert Fredriksson "As long as we could have a clubs had started to get already had gold medals somewhat tolerable money from “Tipstjenesten”, from three Olympics, and livelihood, we were satisfied. the country’s betting now the Swede, who took We got lucky. In 1948 we got company, and they used the up the Sprint discipline, our first foreign order. It was funds on tandem kayaks. wanted a kayak from Struer. from Finland. Then things He would later end his started rolling for us, and the Back home in Struer, career as one of the sport's World Championship at Kobberup and Sørensen legends by all in all grabbing Bagsværd Sø in 1950 was didn’t relax despite enjoying eight Olympic medals, six of our breakthrough. We had success upon an excellent which were gold. the best advertisement, we start to their unlikely could wish for, as my brother adventure. Amidst the bustle, At the Helsinki Olympics in Frederik became world they focused on developing 1952 he rowed over the champion at the 500-meter new items. finish line as the first one distance. Of course, he after a 1000 meter, and he In 1952 they were ready to rowed in our boat. It further also sat in a kayak from present a new type of one- strengthened our shares in Struer when he went for man kayak called "Fellow". It the market, "the lake's silver at the 10,000 meters. came in two versions - Gunnar Hägg," the Swede finished and semi-finished. Finnish Sylvia Saimo also Gert Fredriksson, bought a The latter was a new idea and won gold at the 500 meter- boat from us in 1952. He has a desire among many rowers: event in a kayak from the rowed in our kayaks ever to save money. Therefore, the northwestern part of Jutland. since, and his triumphs are rowers could collect the kayak almost countless. World In Helsinki, rowers from themselves and save some Championships, Olympic, eight nations used kayaks money while doing it. Nordic and Swedish from Kobberup and championships, he has Although Struer Kajak had Sørensen's factory. almost won everything he begun to pick up medals on “Written praises of the fine put his mind to,” Svend the biggest stages, and the kayaks and canoes have Helge Kobberup added in a company's reputation rose brought foreign countries to newspaper interview. among several nations, they the two manufacturers in still sought for that Struer,” a newspaper wrote personality, a star, who could in a portrait of the company get them over the hump and in 1953. once and for all show the world, who the world’s new At that time, the company market leader was. employed seven men, and the production was up to That person was "The Guts of 150 vessels a year. the Sea". Or simply Gert Fredriksson. "We weren’t expecting anything,” Svend Helge He was one of the absolute Kobberup many years later stars of the sport, and would reflect on the Kobberup and Sørensen were company’s start. THE BREAK-UP AND "I remember a conversation In fact, this third person tied THE SAVIOR between my parents at the company - and now the home after the two business companies - together more partners had split up: “What so than anyone else. The a silly thing to do by name was Jørgen Samson. The story was about as good Kobberup. He wasn’t in his as it gets. They were Samson was really a right mind to do so. Now he successful men, Kobberup cartographer from Farum, just wanted to try and make and Sørensen. Nobody whom Kobberup/Sørensen all the money for himself,” believed in them as they left a had encountered by they spoke about," safe and good job in favor of coincidence through good Gerhard's son Peter a risky new existence as contacts, and he was the remembers about the days businessowners. one, who came to define the after the break-up – as seen success of Struer Kajak. They had proved everyone from the family Sørensen’s wrong. From a little, unknown perspective. "He was good at drawing town by the name of Struer, lines. I still do not understand To this date it is still they had in a matter of a few how such a cartographer unknown exactly why years built a reputation as could get such fast kayaks Kobberup wanted to leave world-leading in innovation out of everything. He would the company. and producing trendsetting suddenly clean everything kayaks. "He got this idea that if he aside but a piece of paper on was all by himself, he could a table, and then he wrote, The couple who had followed decide everything and what scribbled, drew and so on. In each other since their youth he wanted to produce, and no time, his drawings would enjoyed an ever-increasing no one else would go be done, Peter Sørensen demand. beyond his decision," Peter says about Samson, who too Everything was on track and Sørensen guesses. had a past as a kayak-rower. going at a tempo, none had Suddenly, there were now Jesper Larsen, who today is foreseen, when a brake two manufacturers of the the director of daily unexpectantly would be same thing in Struer. operations at Struer Kajak, to pulled. Sørensen stayed at his this day keeps some of Kobberup wanted to leave the factory, and Kobberup Jørgen Samson's drawings. company. moved his business to a "I look at them and they tell different location in Struer, me nothing, but when After seven years as a called Markedspladsen. partner, he wanted to start up Flemming Normann Nielsen, by himself in 1955. Kobberup "They would still talk, but who builds the kayaks for us, still wanted to build kayaks, they were no longer the best looks at the drawings, it and it would still take place in of friends. Certainly not, makes much more sense to Struer – the only difference Peter Sørensen recalls him how to build the kayak if was that it no longer would be about the relationship. he is allowed to see the lines with Gerhard Sørensen by his that Samson has made," Despite their break-up, there side. Jesper Larsen says. was still something that connected the two founders. Jørgen Samson joined Struer immediately if something before the deadline, so Kajak in 1948, and he was was wrong and he was through negotiations via the the man who came to draw always right. He has Russian embassy, the the success of Struer Kajak in dismissed so many people deadline for completion was the most literal sense, in his own head,” Peter extended for a month - and drawing all the company’s Sørensen says. then everything worked out. kayaks for about 50 years But when Kobberup and "Right before the Melbourne until his death. Sørensen went separate Olympics, they had so many "It was unbelievable that he ways in 1955, Jørgen orders that they had to was able to make such Samson was not ready to produce kayaks several amazing designs. He was a discard any of them. different places in Struer. A unique man and became model there, another one "The break-up placed known as a pioneer in the there, a third there. Keep in Samson in a terrible industry. Everyone knew him. mind that both canoes and dilemma. It wasn’t nice. It Different rowers often came kayaks were made at that wasn’t easy either because up to him and said, "Samson, time. Things were very busy, suddenly both companies Samson. Have you ever Peter Sørensen says. had the same designer, and pondered that if you do so so he was put to a special In the late 1950s, the two and so, the kayaks could go test: When a new model former partners were both fast," Peter Sørensen retells was introduced from one doing well, exporting to with a laugh before company, the other also virtually all European completing his story: demanded that it got one,” countries, as well as " ”I do not like those damn Peter Sørensen says. Canada, the United States, amateurs. They don’t have a Iraq, Australia, and even the Everything went alright, keen sense of what they’re Belgian Congo, as the however, despite one saying,” Samson would tell Democratic Republic of the company becoming two us.” Congo was called at that rivals. Take this for example time. The main customer That was the reason, Samson as a clear-cut proof why it was Germany, even though rarely was seen at Bagsværd after all functioned with two the country had its own Sø when there a rowing event companies in one small factories. But the West was going on, although he town: When the Olympics Jutland-quality - unlike the lived close by. "I don’t feel like approached in 1956 in West German – was simply it," his excuse would go, in Melbourne, Australia, Struer too good for anyone to order to avoid meeting all Kajak was almost drowning compete with. those who thought they were in orders. One day, a letter wiser than him. came for Gerhard Sørensen. "I actually think it's quite It was from Russia, and it impressive that we can sell "Samson couldn’t just tell, if had an uplifting order of 130 anything at all in Germany, kayaks were any good. The kayaks before May 1st. where they do everything in same thing applied for Struer Kajak's workload, their power to support their rowers, too: "With that style, however, was so extensive own factories. My brother, that rower never gets that it simply was impossible who has just become a anywhere," he would quickly to make that many kayaks partner in my company, and I say. He observed have recently attended the move that was hard to German championships. It believe. My dad bought was noteworthy that all some of his kayaks, and I participants, more than a few also think he had some of hundred, used kayaks from Kobberup's employees Struer, either from Kobberups come over to his company. or my factory,” Gerhard As for Kobberup, he became Sørensen noted in a 1958- a furniture salesman in interview. Sønderborg in the southern part of Jutland,” Peter And so, the two friends turned Sørensen recalls. competitors co-existed for five years. Until one day, Kobberup gave up. Many years later, Gerhard Sørensen would reflect on the lost partnership: “We went our separate ways in 1955 - I bought Svend Helge out of the company - and then he started for himself. Now we were competing against each other. That was a situation none of us could afford - and then I bought him again.” However, the exit of Kobberup resulted in new competition as two of Kobberup's employees started their own business, but it was arranged so that Struer Kajak made single and tandem kayaks while the new "competitor" stuck to making large four-man kayaks and canoes. "I think Kobberup must have grown tired of the business. After all, he switched to a whole other business as he went into retail – which was a SAMSON’S Sørensen says today and athletes,” Jørgen Samson REVOLUTION adds: said in 1960. "Concave kayaks had an Thereby, a new type of inward shape at the watercraft came to life, and it With one true competitor less waterline. It was said that had a fitting name; the and now only one kayak such a concave model "Rapido". raised itself and was more company to focus on, one “Besides, part of the deal on top of the water. That would think that life became was that it had to be a meant, there was more easier in 1960 for both possibility for everyone to freeboard in such a concave Gerhard Sørensen and afford a brand-new kayak. kayak, and some would Jørgen Samson. They didn’t wish for it to benefit from it, so it was the come to the point where one It did not go as planned. ruling from the International changed kayak every year Committee that concave It was debated if the so-called for the sake of concavity. kayaks would no longer be concave kayaks were to be Therefore, it was forbidden, allowed.” completely banned. Jørgen so that only convex models Samson didn’t sit and wait for The permitted kayaks were to be made - like today. that discussion to come to a should instead be the more Today, there’s no rules conclusion. Instead he was “chubby” ones, ie convex, regarding the width of the ahead of his time as he and by default it was kayak, but at that point in began to design two types of assumed that it would make time a single kayak had to convex boats. the boats slower. But have somewhere where it "That way, nothing can regarding the was 55 centimeters wide. surprise the Danish kayakers measurements for the But today you can build as before the Olympics. I think convex kayak the rules did narrow as you please,” Peter it's incompetent people who not say anything about how Sørensen says. try to change the rules and the boat was supposed to measurements of the boats. look below water level, and Seen from a Danish therefore they became fast, perspective it seems as after all. though the Germans, among "Yes, I can’t hide that I’ve other things, will try to hinder found it very surprising that the skilled Danish boatmen so the new model is the fastest that they themselves can get we’ve made so far. I’ve a foot in the door and thereby made a special construction enter the market - and that is that paves the way for it to of course one of the reasons lie a little lighter in the water I've been so quick to when it's in motion, and the construct the new types,” faster the new boat shoots Jørgen Samson said in 1960. through the water, the easier "The ruling turned out that it it becomes, hence making it was forbidden to build an advantage to our best concave kayaks,” Peter GULD-ERIK AND THE the best - if not the best - wanted nothing to do with RAPIDO kayakers Denmark has kayaks. It was over. Once seen. And it wasn’t just at and for all. It was an home, he was a popular exceptional decision,” Peter athlete. Sørensen recalls. When you go by the nickname Guld-Erik (Gold- "In Eastern Europe, he was almost seen upon as a god Erik), your reputation speaks Back in Struer, 25-30 people of the sea. If people asked for itself. Fortunately. were employed to meet the him about something, he Because Erik Hansen wasn’t high demand for kayaks. The would willingly respond the type who pounded his Rapido was not the only every single time. That chest and spoke loudly of invention in 1960. The types wasn’t a problem. Besides, himself. "Fighter" and "Shark" were he knew he was good at also released. And even "Erik was in the best possible what he did,” Peter though concave boats had way a really good Sørensen says. representative of Struer not yet been banned, one Kayak in the 1960s and early Peter Sørensen remembers could notice a decrease in 1970s. He was a very private that day, he witnessed that demand, while the kayakers person and not someone you Guld-Erik lost interest in the of the world prepared for a just went up to and sport: rule change to the more speedboat-shaped convex entertained with funny jokes,” "That morning - I watched it models which base was Peter Sørensen recalls about myself at the rowing station slightly raised. those times he has met the in Munich, 1972 - Gunnar Olympic, European and World Nu Hansen (a Danish sports Cup winner and the holder of reporter) came up to him 37 Danish championships. and asked, "So Erik, how Guld-Erik from Kajakklubben are you doing today? Are we Pagaj in Holstebro let the winning any medals?" That paddle do the talking for him, broke Erik’s rhythm and the first time it roared completely. Gunnar Nu was in the waters of the Hansen shouldn’t have put it Olympic Games in Rome in that way. Erik very well 1960. In Jørgen Samson's knew that the interview "Rapido". would be shown on radio and television. He was "He won the gold medal with never a part of the lead that model, and it was a group that race. It was not resounded win - also in like he was expected to win regard to the product itself. that race anyway, but he That resulted in a lot work for wasn’t expected to finish in us the following years,” Peter the seventh place he ended Sørensen explains. up with, either. And that was Guld-Erik, who died in 2014, it. From that day on, he has since been named one of didn’t row a kayak again. He 99 PERCENT OF ALL things. But I do not care. I BOATS like to create kayaks that are 101 percent perfect,” Gerhard Sørensen’s recipe for success sounded like in By the 1960s no one could 1963. overlook that Struer Kayak was world-leading in the In 1964, 600 kayaks were manufacturing of kayaks. made, of which 95 percent were exported, and the The factory's statistics were success had grown too large impressive. In 1962, 500 for Struer Kajak; They handmade kayaks were needed a new factory - or produced. They were rather, “workshop”, as the exported to 30 countries, owner himself preferred to West Germany bought 30 call it because they didn’t percent of all boats, and solely use machines but countries like the United were craftsmen. The States, South Africa and workshop was built from the Cuba were among the major ground up in the industrial buyers as well. area of Struer, at Industrivej But here’s the most 12, and it had a combined impressive number: In the area of 650 square meters, years 1955-63, 99 percent of making it the city's largest all kayaks at European workshop at that time. championships, World championships and Olympics came from Struer. In other words, if it didn’t say ”Struer Kajak” on one’s boat, you were an outsider - and probably wouldn’t win anything. At the Olympics in Rome all kayaks were from Denmark. But why really? Why wasn’t the Struer method just copied by others? “From the very beginning I have stuck to quality rather than quantity. We could build three times as many boats if we planned out production differently and automated REVOLUTION Struer Kajak still wasn’t to dual the company's very satisfied. The pinnacle of first kayak, it would have kayak construction had not been a dominant victory. yet been reached. Amid its The 1964 Olympic Games in complete world dominance, Tokyo put an exclamation Struer Kajak was planning a point to the dominance of At the World Cup in 1966, weapon that would change Struer Kajak. 11 out of 12 686 of the 700 participants the sport once again. It was gold medals went to athletes had kayaks from Struer. called the "Hunter". in kayaks from Struer. For The sale was as always some it might have been a "Hunter wasn’t just modest in Denmark, but the reason for concern that a revolutionary for Struer, but company also announced Swede won gold in a kayak for the sport," Peter that the German market was that did not say "Struer" on it, Sørensen explains. about to be saturated. but as it turned out it was an Instead, there were markets A new construction had exact copy of the Danish to be had such as the United been made. In comparison design. States and Mexico. They to, for example, Erik were confident and for good “Imitation is a huge problem Hansen's "Rapido", "Hunter" reason: The Olympics in because we are not like was an incredibly nice and Mexico was right around the artisans, for example, slim model. That meant the corner, in 1968, and the host protected by copyright. A world at that time. "Rapido" nation had a desire to be company in Germany makes was wide around the noticed in the sport - and if models out of plastic based cockpit, which meant you it’s that you wanted, there upon our exact kayaks, and had to keep the paddle only was one place to look recently we saw a brochure farther out in order to row. for kayaks... from Spain. Here they not Now, suddenly, a slim model only used our construction appeared where you had the ... or you could buy a kayak work, but our name too, which space to really put in your in Spain, where a company we are trying to put an end to. best work. It was a great by now completely had Our problem is that we success. copied kayaks from Struer, gradually have come close to and the same thing could be The single kayak, "Hunter", the ideal kayak. So far, we said for some German boats, had a higher speed, have been able to launch a made of plastic. new and better model every because the sharp edges time, there are too much had been removed, where In the early part of 1968, plagiarism. Over the years, deck and shots connected, Gerhard Sørensen received we have created eight to nine and the shape of the match an answer to his complaint new models of single kayaks was similar to that of a about plagiarism, and it was and each time the top- modern submarine at that not what he had hoped for. time. athletes have switched on to “On the contrary, Spanish these kayaks,” Gerhard Over 1000 meters, a manufacturers are asking for Sørensen told a local "Hunter" would succeed with information on which patents newspaper. 1½-2 boat length down to its the Struer kayaks are Despite its almost predecessors, it was protected by or which laws monopolistic dominance, claimed. Was the "Hunter" prohibit Spanish imitations. I simply can’t meet these the radiation, but only for a acknowledged that he could demands,” Gerhard Sørensen short while, then the tree no longer keep track of the told the local newspaper, became tired, and the many medals his kayaks had referring to the fact that he paddles broke when the ensured athletes from all made a product created with rowers used them. over the world. crafts, meaning that there Peter Sørensen, Gerhard's In Mexico, it was a little weren’t two identical kayaks. son, would, when he easier to keep track though, “If I was to sue, any defense entered the company, as Struer Kayak won all, but attorney would be able to witness some of the special one medal – that lone silver make the negotiations last for tests on the watercrafts, he medal went to a rower, who years, and it would cost me explains: raced in a kayak from home, several thousands. And after Hungary. "I have been at the Ship all, I’m not willing to make that Technical Laboratory, as it It could hardly get any better sacrifice. Besides, it is not was called back then. We for Gerhard Sørensen, and certain that the Spanish went to the laboratory to back in Struer there were kayaks even are competitive. study and come away with now visits from all over the I hope at the very least my an advantage. We pulled the world to see the factory that protests leave the Spaniards kayak through a pool at one produced the kayaks made with a bad conscience. I'm not speed, and then you could of three different kinds of bitter, but it's a shame to see measure the water veneers: On the outside one’s work made into resistance and figure out cedar from Honduras, on the completely poor plagiarism," what was important in terms inside a layer of cross- he said. of speed. However, you veneer of African mahogany In the same breath Gerhard must put in to consideration and the light African wood Sørensen promised to that if we had used a paddle Abachi. All in all, 4 continue his fight and there the boat would behave millimeters wide. was something to fight for. He differently; It did not matter But on these visits, close-ups was up to having 15 in this specific experiment - were forbidden. employees and in the late the experiment at the 60's had an annual turnover laboratory was just one pull "Especially Eastern of around one million kroner. straight through the pool, so European delegations with Every day, two new kayaks you couldn’t fully count on excellent engineers have came out of the workshop. the result. But at the same every now and then had a go time, it also looked good in a at industrial espionage,” a brochure that this and that newspaper reported. It wasn’t a task taken lightly was proved about the ability when you wanted to build the of a kayak, Peter Sørensen best watercrafts in the world. says with a grin. For example, a test station called Risø was for a long time used to test the boats Even before the with gamma irradiation of the competitions began at the paddles. They were made 1968 Olympics in Mexico, stronger, clearly, because of Gerhard Sørensen THE PHANTOM KAYAK after the first take with the paddle. While there were reports of "I will expect that someone espionage from Japan and With the success in Mexico in who has never tried rowing Russia, there were also visits the back of their mind, Struer a kayak before rolls over where the intention simply Kayak worked towards before even reaching a was pure fascination and presenting a new phantom meter from the bridge," interest. In 1972, the kayak. Gerhard Sørensen Russian ambassador came estimated. to visit. The new light 12 kilo marvel was reminiscent of a new That feat - being able to stay "We ate at Borbjerg Mølle tension method, which would on the water for the first time Kro, and I remember that the make the kayak easier to in a Struer Kajak – was driver was so drunk that the count on and even faster. pretty much impossible, ambassador himself had to Instead of tapping with narrow which clearly shows the drive the car to strips that do not yield the requirements for the elite Copenhagen,” Peter desired even pressure, the kayaker if he/she wanted to Sørensen, who officially new boat was now put into a master a watercraft from entered the family company tank where the bonding took Struer Kajak. in 1971, says with a laugh. place at the level of 6-7 "However, our strength is atmospheric pressure. certainly that we’re never It was named the "Ranger". satisfied but instead Guld-Erik and Gerhard continue to evolve the Sørensen's daughter, Hanne, kayaks. On top of that it’s an had tested the boat at the advantage that we ourselves time (1970) and they came are former rowers and away impressed. Hanne even therefore know where won a Danish youth something doesn’t add up," championship in it. It was fast, Jørgen Samson told a but only if the rower did not magazine in 1970. weigh over 75 kilograms - In the same article it was thus it would not benefit many made clear that Sørensen of Eastern Europe's heavy and Kobberup's first kayak and big muscled athletes. compared to the newest one Even though "Ranger" was was a difference of 5 supposed to be more stable, minutes. In about 20 years, the company stuck to its the company had improved everlasting offer which it often kayaking at such a sky-high told newcomers in the sport. rate that at a 10-kilometer With a smile on their face, distance the latest kayaks Struer Kajak would offer a would finish 5 minutes faster free kayak, if a newcomer than the ones from the late could keep afloat on the water 1940s. IF THEY DON’T OWN A was estimated that 98 win, they believe. The credit KAYAK OF OURS, percent of all boats came for our success goes to THEY WON’T BE ABLE from Struer Kajak. The last 2 Jørgen Samson, who percent were Swedish, and designs the boats,” he told TO WIN they had copied the kayaks the local newspaper. from West Jutland... At the same time, he also Foreign media also wrote "Normally, the weakest showed an insight into the long articles about the world years are the ones where future in which he foresaw leading company from tiny the Olympics take place. Struer Kajak's biggest threat: Because the athletes who Struer. Russian, Swedish "I have not seen a single are going usually are Italian, English. The good fiberglass boat yet, without it contend with a kayak, they story was not to be missed. being a copy of ours. But the bought a year in advance so rowers still prefer those With another Olympic that they get to know its ins made from wood. They feel Olympics underway in 1972, and outs. But this year like that they’re faster Gerhard Sørensen was able we’ve delivered a lot of because they have more to make an Olympic review: kayaks straight to Munich stiffness to them. One day, Since 1960, it was unlikely because it is the easiest and maybe we’ll also start to that the winners in single and cheapest way for countries make fiberglass watercraft. A tandem kayaks did not row in like the USA, Canada, fiberglass kayak is half the watercrafts from Struer. Australia and Japan,” prize as one of wood.” Gerhard Sørensen told a Even one of the sport’s newspaper prior to the biggest names, Until that day would come, Olympics – an event he for Soviet/Ukrainian elite rower wood and only wood did the the first time participated in Aleksandr Shaparenko, chose trick for Struer Kajak. The as a spectator. Struer Kajak. He dominated factory was represented by 112 out of 115 kayaks at the the sport throughout the That 98 percent of all 1972 Olympic Games, and 1970s, and when his career participating boats came all gold winners rowed in ended, it was twice with from Struer was nothing Struer-watercrafts. Olympic gold and one silver in short of impressive. It was the sports main event, the also a bit incomprehensible, 1000m. why were there still no manufacturers who tried to With Struer Kajak’s enter and break the Danes’ dominance and people like monopoly? Shaparenko, every four years there was a rock-solid That question Gerhard guarantee that one “Dane” Sørensen also had an would end the Olympic answer for - in his modest Games with a medal, and he Western Jutland way. was Gerhard Sørensen. - Well ... well, our kayaks The summer Olympics in are supposed to be the best. Munich wouldn’t be an If they don’t own a kayak of exception to that rule as it ours, they won’t be able to THIS IS HOW YOU owner reminded a number that no one kept CREATE WORLD newspaper in 1972. track of anymore. DOMINANCE "We could probably have 8000 kayaks made by hand. made it a bigger and more And 1 owner who was worthwhile business, but we getting ready to retire while are pleased as things are First a drawing by Jørgen he was at the top all the right now - we are at the Samson. Only requirement: while slowly handing his life very least able to make the The kayak must be 5.20 work to the bank-educated necessary investments - and meters long, 51 centimeters son Peter, who for many earn enough to make it our wide somewhere on the years was the sales livelihood,” a modest kayak, and - if it is a single manager of the company. kayak - weigh 12 kilos, and Gerhard Sørensen added. "My father retired little by preferably not one gram The company's tactics were little in the 1970s. Instead of more. to make two kayaks a day leading the company, he based on an assembly line A kayak is built of countless worked a little more in the principle, meaning that each flakes of thin wood. The workshop making the kayaks employee had a certain area flakes are lubricated into glue and did not interfere in the in which he was a specialist. and laid in a form, layered - business side of the In addition, Jørgen Samson first lengthwise, then across company anymore,” Peter provided the constant and so on. A total of four Sørensen remembers. layers. The hull is put in a hot amount of improvements oven for a couple of hours – that kept Struer Kajak If Gerhard Sørensen was it’s done in a vacuum to avoid competitive and thereby there in a prominent role or air blowing between the relevant. not, apparently did not matter, because everyone in layers. The deck will be "The "scam", if you're talking the company agreed upon tensioned with wide metal about one in this regard, is how it was supposed to be bands. Then the two halves to make the kayak's so- run, and it was by producing are joined. Then treatment on called wet area ever smaller kayaks from wood that could the surface and mounting of - model by model. That is, not be matched anywhere edge strips, outer bow, the surface of the kayak else. rudder, seat. Hull and deck that’s making contact with have a total of four to five the water - and thus resists,” “There are no discrepancies millimeter-thin veneers. The Gerhard Sørensen said. between my father and my outer bow consists of about view about the future of the On January 6, 1973, the 30 layers. company. I agree that our “scam" celebrate its 25th strength and position in the This is how to create a winner anniversary at Sørensen's world market mean, among - and a business. company. It was time for other things, that we aren’t another evaluation: And Struer Kajak was a too big to have a personal healthy business, one could 75 Olympic medals since relationship to all our easily survive by producing 1948. customers - but above all, kayaks, but it wouldn’t make what is paramount, is our Far more World Cup and you a very wealthy man, the quality,” Peter Sørensen Euro medals, exceeding a himself told a magazine in factory that produced about 1976. 5000 kayaks annually – compared to the around 400 His words were backed up at watercrafts, Struer Kajak the World Championships in made each year. 1974, where Struer Kajak took care of all the medals. "It is first and foremost the quality as well as a Two years later, again it was continuous development in time for one of Struer Kajak's our product that keeps us at permanent sub-goals every the forefront when it comes four years, The Olympic to elite kayaking. We even Games, this time in Montreal. expect to enter more Prior to the event, Struer markets than the around 40 Kajak had secured an order countries that we’re already for the largest number of exporting to around the kayaks to be delivered in a world. I’m thinking, for six-month period, as they had example, about Hong Kong to produce kayaks worth and China,” the business around two million kroner. Let owner added. alone the host nation ordered 50 Danish kayaks, which took When the Olympics in between 50 and 60 hours to Montreal finally arrived – make per watercraft. At that and had ended again - it time, 13 people were could be concluded that employed, and although the Struer's two factories with orders paved a way for more kayaks and canoes employees, Gerhard accounted for 25 of the 33 Sørensen held on to his awarded medals. faithful staff. Even though it "And I'm sure we would meant that there could be a have had another gold delivery time of up to six medal, had the East months. Germans used kayaks from “A specialty such as this Struer," Gerhard Sørensen should not become greater stated to the local than it can be controlled. And newspaper. secondly, we would take a The East Germans used risk that could end up hurting plastic boats. the quality we provide if we expanded and hence hired more crew,” Gerhard Sørensen told a magazine, very well knowing that the then Soviet Union had made the world's largest kayak MADE OF PLASTIC birthday interview, where he Devon - has been allowed to also looked back at his life: use our models for fiberglass kayaks. Although the "I can only feel content fiberglass boat is a bit When younger, Gerhard about the way things have cheaper, it is not nearly as Sørensen used countless worked out for me. It’s a good. And for us it's only the hours rowing in a wooden privilege to be able to make quality - the craftsmanship - kayak, until his company one’s hobby into a living, not that counts. Therefore, those picked up steam and spare just for oneself but also for kinds of materials will never time became a rare others. We have a good come to our doorstep,” Peter commodity. team at the workshop, Sørensen stated in 1977. where the oldest one is When he reached his 60th approaching his 25th Struer Kayak had something birthday in 1976, however, he anniversary.” that nobody still wasn’t able wanted to once again try his to duplicate: Quality, first and luck with the sport, so he In the same interview, he foremost, and that, you won’t ordered a new kayak for the acknowledged that he would have without skilled workers. first time in many years. not let go of wood, but that the company could be The company used Of plastic! forced to look at plastic as a piecework with its The reasoning was simple. material used. employees. The days where Gerhard At the same time, there was “The fact that we are the Sørensen could squeeze an international attempt to highest-paid carpenters in himself in to one of his narrow ban plastic kayaks. section six, is due to the fact kayaks were over, so instead Opponents felt that plastic that we are pieceworking. he placed an order at his changed the shape of the We can only stay on our brother Oskar’s store in kayak when sitting in it, hourly wage (about 42 Horsens. which is against the rules - kroner - minimum wage is 31 Paradoxically, plastic had much like the debate about kroner) if everyone really simultaneously become the concave and convex models does their part. If an biggest competitor to Struer previously. employee is ill or gone just Kajaks business. one day, there is a gap in production. We are "We witnessed at the Olympic It seemed that more and wonderfully dependent on Games in Montreal this more nations were keen on each other,” union summer that the East entering Struer Kajak’s representative Tage Madsen Germans used plastic kayaks market, and all Struer Kajak told a magazine in 1978, and picked up some medals. could do was to keep while he and his colleagues When you talk about a believing in tis own abilities. praised the work competitor, it depends on the environment as being better price difference. If it cost just "We know that many foreign and freer than anywhere as much to produce a plastic companies plagiarize our else, they said. kayak like a wooden one, we models for the wouldn’t feel nervous,” manufacturing of fiberglass A kayak went through 11 Gerhard Sørensen said in a boats. Only one company - pairs of hands before it was the English Kirton Kayaks in finished. But in 1979, unfortunately, the the company had an extra placed yourself down in the company lacked a pair of 200 square meters. boat, it went from convex to hands as the workshop's concave. It's all very It wasn’t the only change. enormous autoclave oven for technical, and the Romanian the kayaks exploded under In the 1980s, the DDR- didn’t succeed with his the pressure of seven rowers began to dominate. mission either,” Peter atmospheres, resulting in the Sørensen says, and adding: oven’s 200 kilo heavy furnace "And they only rowed in “Something happened to the lid exploding 20 meters plastic kayaks and they won business back then and it through the workshop. One of at the same time, but I do was in the name of plastic. the staff members stood right not think it was due to the But we still had an incredible in its path but was luckily first boat. It was said at the time advantage in that there were hit by other things because of that a "little extra vitamin elite-athletes who kept using the huge pressure, the supplement" came into play, kayaks from Struer. And that explosion created. The Peter Sørensen says today was a good thing.” worker was thrown several and continues: meters through the air and "I really don’t think plastic injured his legs and had a had an advantage. We serious injury to his head, but asked them: Have you it wasn’t life-threatening. The copied the Danish models? reason for the explosion was "No no". But they looked wear on the furnace's bolts, alike. Which, by the way, and three other employees could be said for all those also had to swing by the companies that produced emergency room. kayaks in fiberglass or The accident set production plastic. They just had a back a month. casting of our watercraft, and called it something else, However, it did not matter to but you could easily tell Struer's continued dominance where it originated from. It at the Olympics. In the 1980- clearly showed. I think they edition in Moscow, an event were made at a German boycotted by the United factory that also produced States, the only thing to rowboats and bikes: VEB - “complain” about was East Volkseigener Betrieb - it was Germany as the country a state-owned company.” secured a few medals. Otherwise, kayaks from “But their athletes rowed Struer won 14 of the 18 phenomenally. At one time a medals. Romanian from the international federation While cleaning up following wanted kayaks made from the aforementioned accident, plastic banned. They were it was decided to expand the concave, they thought. It company at Industrivej, where concluded that when you IMPOSSIBLE TO DO In 1986 export reached over skilled and live up to the OVER 40 countries - the only one craftsmanship, the entire of the world's leading production is based on. We rowing-nations that did not simply do not have shop in Struer was the DDR. competitors. Neither in this A certain term started being country nor abroad,” Peter "Usually, there are a couple used by the Danish media, Sørensen proclaimed to the of Russian trucks here once when mentioning Struer local newspaper in 1987. Kajak: "the world-renowned a year to pick up kayaks. company". Although only two They are being used by their And it was easy to see, why to five percent of the kayaks elite,” 70-year-old Gerhard the owner must have felt so were delivered to the Danes Sørensen said in 1986. By confident… now he had completely themselves, it was by now "It would be impossible to handed over management more than realized, what an start a similar competing to his son, Peter Sørensen. elite position, the company business today, as it requires held in the world. The Struer Kayak spent only many years of experience in Chinese also began showing between 3000 and 4000 regard to selecting the right interest. In 1981, Cuba kroner on marketing materials. Picking the right ordered 26 kayaks worth annually. An unprecedented composition of wood, glue 325,000 danish kroner, and low figure for a company and lacquer is absolutely ahead of the 1984 Olympics, that in 1986 had a turnover crucial to the end result. And it was the Americans turn, of 4.6 million kroner – on top of that we have through their Olympic despite hardly spending experienced people – of Committee, to buy kayaks on anything on advertising!? which several have worked behalf of the less-favored The advertisement here for 30 years,” Peter nations who could not afford happened in the water. For Sørensen explained in a bringing their own boats and that reason, the company newspaper interview. rented them instead. was always in place at the The words of Peter big competitions to advise or "The 90 canoes and kayaks Sørensen were emphasized speak to athletes or are equivalent to two months to the fullest, as the Koreans contestants about the of work for us. The price is who was about to host the kayaks. around one million Danish Olympics in Seoul in 1988, kroner, so it's no insignificant "Our kayaks have been the year (1987) prior to the order,” Peter Sørensen said. enhanced to the point that games had arranged a big When the Olympics arrived in we doubt it can be done any competition and told the the United States, between better. The fact that we have contestants that no one 90 to 95 percent of all kayaks led the market is, among needed to bring kayaks. The in the tournament came from other things, that we don’t participants then thought that Struer. The added take it lightly when it comes the host naturally had bought competition from other to quality. We never use watercrafts from Struer, materials was felt, but there cheap lacquer or glue. We which then could be rented, still was no doubt who the only use the finest types of as was often seen at dominant force was. veneer. And our eight competitions. But the employees are incredibly Koreans had other plans as they tried to present their own World Cup and wanted coming years will be to the kind of boats, hoping to break Struer to be the official benefit of athletes from the the Danish domination and supplier. West." have an influx of orders And oh boy, were they right. ahead of the Olympic Games. "We were picked up at the The break-up in Eastern The plan failed. The airport, and in five hours the Europe was in many ways a equipment simply wasn’t negotiations had ended. We disadvantage to the business good enough, and upset offered the discount we saw side of Struer Kajak. When participants complained that fit and we agreed on the you fight for food and the kayaks were hard to keep price,” Peter Sørensen told survival, you do not invest in calm. the newspaper. kayaks, which was clearly For the Olympics in 1988, illustrated as Russia - when The price was well over one both the rowers and the the country was called the million kroner. Sørensen supplier remained in their Soviet Union - bought 10 would supply 30 kayaks, normal role. Canoes and percent of all the boats build while Kirk & Storgaard, who kayaks took 6 gold, 7 silver in Struer. Now, in 1992, the made canoes and four-man and nine bronze medals. 22 phone had suddenly gone kayaks, accounted for 37. out of 36 medals. quiet for six months. "We were only in Sofia for a "We are pretty pleased, The fall of the Berlin Wall day, so there was not much although seen from our view also meant that many of East time for sightseeing, but we we could have done even Germany's coaches who saw a basilica and a better," Peter Sørensen used fiber boats took control mausoleum, and it was quite concluded in the local of kayaking in Germany, and exciting. The most important newspaper. therefore, export to West thing, however, was the Germany dropped He still believed in wood as order we snatched,” Peter drastically. On top of that, the deciding factor, but Sørensen said. West Germany, which different countries’ imitations Struer Kayak had for years otherwise had been the of his kayaks crept into the worked closely with Kirk & biggest buyer, introduced a market, and there was Storgaard. The two "buy German clause". nothing he could do about it. companies looked more like For example, the United "It has been a difficult year. colleagues than competitors, States had set up a research Political relations around us and in 1990, Struer Kajak group and sacrificed dreadful have been tough on us, but took over the entire sums of money which were now things are improving company as director Jørn intended for the development again,” Peter Sørensen Storgaard retired. of new boats. “Much of it they concluded at that time. stole from us," Peter In the merger, the two Sørensen said. directors noted that "the collapse in Eastern Europe The following year, in 1989, would affect our production, there was a new rich order of and there´s probably no a million kroner when doubt that the balance of Bulgaria was to hold the power in sports in the THE DREAM TEAM was gold at the most admiral uniform quickly prestigious distances; 1000 reflected the interest," after meters of both kayak and he had been allowed to use canoe, and 500 meters of the so called zieh-blade. The Dream Team, as the kayak and canoe. Even non- professional basketball Peter Sørensen informed an famous rowing-nations like players from the United interested prince about the Finland and Australia came States were called in the many layers of veneer used, away with gold. 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, and the prince noticed will be especially "It's the first time in 20 years something that no one remembered, when one that we win these types of previously had thought about remembers the tournament. It races, and on top of that it’s at the workshop: that the was the first time that the excellent advertisement for dark fluid used to glue the Americans did not send us. It’s a sign to us that what veneers, "looks like amateurs, and as a result we're doing is of quality. chocolate. " there was star power for the When relatively Prince Henrik's interest in spectators and a heavy inexperienced sports nations testing the carpenters' work beating for the teams that win gold, it will help develop showed on his uniform, stood in The States’ way of a the sport in those countries, which became dirty, but soon gold medal. and in the long run that was brushed clean by a cloth should affect something in But what far less people knew brush, which an assistant my company,” Peter was that there was already a used. Sørensen told a local "dream team". A Dream newspaper. "Now I'm ready for the Team of carpenters, who for paintwork,” the prince said over 40 years had dominated He was right. with a big smile after the the Olympic competition and The long, commendable assistant’s cleaning, before the sport of kayaking. They – work that had put tiny Struer Prince Henrik almost had to a Danish canoe and kayak and Denmark on the map for be dragged out of the crew from Struer - were the decades was rewarded in company to keep up with the safest bet all those years to August of 1993. rest of his day's program. get a medal, more so than a American basketball team. Ambassadors and Peter Sørensen fondly parliamentarians had remembers the royal visit: In Barcelona three out of four previously visited the canoes and kayaks came "He spent much more time company, but the absolute from Peter Sørensen's than planned here. He was highlight came when a business. When the very interested and had a different kind of boat, tournament came to an end, very good sense of humor. "Dannebrog", made a quay over 50 percent of all medals He was a very comfortable in Struer, and the late Prince went to watercrafts from person, for example, he Henrik visited Struer Kajak. Denmark. wasn’t bothered by the fact The newspapers wrote that that an assistant followed At the Olympics in Seoul four "Prince Henrik was taken up him around with a brush to years earlier, the medal by the exciting keep him clean, when he outcome had been more craftsmanship, and his black leaned over different stuff at limited, but in Barcelona there the company and got a little bit dirty clothes.” Another fond memory of his, is that wherever the company sent kayaks, payment came in return. One of the few times it almost went wrong was in 1993, where a big order just stood by itself in a container in Mexico. Suddenly, no one wanted to pay the big sum of money. Then Mario Vaquez Rana, who sat in the Olympic Committee, reacted. Peter Sørensen has kept the fax from the Mexican dated back to October 29, 1993, in which he apologizes the problems. “After all that trouble, he just paid. He had a lot of money and in addition, a World Cup in Mexico was coming up, so they could use the boats. It was a good way to resolve the conflict,” says Peter Sørensen. EVERYONE WANTS A our watercrafts, because, But Peter Sørensen and co. KAYAK – WHEN THEY after the dissolution of the went on to make the canoe CAN AFFORD IT Soviet Union, they have and it won. Of course, you divided the boats between feel tempted to say. Arne them. But they’re outdated, Nielsson had a gap of four so everyone wants to have minutes down to the nearest It wasn’t just Eastern Europe new ones.” pursuer. that in the early 1990’s had to get used to a new situation Arne Nielsson - Denmark's "However, we aren’t planning with many new countries after Olympic silver winner and to start using the new the dissolution of the former world champion - would like materials. We’ll stick to the Soviet Union. Struer Kajak a new boat too. In carbon wooden boats, but if we do too had to get used to a fiber! In 1994 he was going get special orders for carbon competition becoming to participate in the fiber vessels, we will oblige increasingly fiercer. marathon World those requests," Peter Championship in canoeing, Sørensen acknowledged in The days of monopoly-like and since there was no 1994. dominance was broken. requirement for the Some of the other Danish However, Struer Kajak was minimum weight of the boat, athletes, who used Struer still leading the pack. he wanted it as light as Kajak, were Jesper Staal possible, and it had to come At the World Championship in and Thor Nielsen, who from Struer Kajak. A single canoeing and kayaking at rowed the tandem kayak. canoe weighs 16 kilos, Bagsværd Sø in 1993, more whereas a carbon fiber than half of all medal-boats "They were simply canoe weighs half. originated from Struer. Of 22 incredible ... they became world champions in 1994, awarded gold medals, Struers A light canoe had an and they rowed fast. They watercrafts had 13. advantage because the were worthy representatives marathon World Cup offered "It is the best World of Struer Kajak,” Peter transfers, where the Championship result we have Sørensen recalls. participant had to run 200 achieved for several years," meters with the canoe. Peter Sørensen said in an In 1995, creations from However, in water, interview with the local Struer won 20 out of 45 according to Peter newspaper, where he also medals at the World Cup in Sørensen, it had the spoke of meetings with Germany. Over half of all opposite effect compared to several of the new Eastern gold medals (8) went to wood. European nations: watercrafts that came from Struer’s workshop. "On one hand, the rower "They all want to buy new must row with less weight, kayaks from us as soon as The position as small but still on the other hand there is they can afford them. Several world leading stayed true to no propulsion through the of the countries have no form at the 1996 Olympic water. The canoe comes to money, but the Ukrainians Games in Atlanta. The US a hold, the moment you stop expect they can afford to buy Olympic organizers bought rowing,” he told the local new boats next year. The new 36 watercrafts for the newspaper. countries are already using championships, which represented just over half the sufficient funds to invest in come and pick up the watercraft, the US had bought watercrafts. vessels. for the event. Most "With around 4 million "No, the superstars did not importantly, after a 10-year kroner in net sales, this is come themselves, and had absence, the Americans not something that makes they come, they would not showed interest in Struer you rich. But it does have received special once again. The order earned however afford us to live an treatment either. Knut Struer Kajak around 750,000 ordinary life..., Peter Holmann (Norwegian kroner. Sørensen told a newspaper kayaker, who won six But at the same time - in 1996. Olympic medals), however, compared to the greatness of came by himself. In the At the same time, it was a the past - the American order 1990s he was the sport’s big hobby of which you could was also a reminder of how name, and he lived in Oslo make a living, as his father the world and especially so he was relatively close to had said many years before. Europe had changed, us. He took the trip so that That was a privilege. including Struer Kajak. he could choose for himself. Today, Peter Sørensen One time he would like for us In 1996, the company was recalls all the different to make a special boat for down to producing 200-250 nations that visited his and him exclusively. We were boats a year, and the total his father's shop. He begins going to make one that had a number of employees in the mentioning a long list of certain polish. We did not city's two factories once European countries... understand why, but it was totaled 20 - now the one his call, and it wasn’t any workshop employed seven - They came here and were faster, it showed. He later carpenters. frequent visitors in Struer for admitted that too. So, the many years. They came to Struer Kajak wasn’t to be next time he came to the buy, then stayed at the hotel faulted for the decline. The shop, we asked: You want it in the city and packed the company did what it had polished like last time? "No, boats in a container the always done: Produced no, it didn’t matter. It was a following day, and then they watercrafts of the highest done phase," Peter were off again. It was quality and Jørgen Samson, Sørensen says and laughs. exciting for them to see the at the age of 76, still invented place. There were also new models - he had begun customers, who only had looking for his heir, though. one kayak. They typically But the world was a changed visited us during the place, and it didn’t entirely weekend and therefore we benefit a petite company from always had to be on Struer. The largest standby, Peter Sørensen customers, such as West says. Germany and the Soviet Union, had switched to However, the superstars producing themselves and the didn’t come. The best former Soviet Union’s new rowers’ assistants would countries were still lacking THE LAST OF THE golden metal. Time had time, Jørgen Samson was SØRENSEN’S caused for the fiberglass aging. kayak to take over and there He died in 2005. were suddenly a lot, who made watercrafts - perhaps Seven years before, in 1998, All that Struer Kajak could do not for elite athletes, but for a bad accident happened was believe in its own everyone else it became when Peter Sørensen, as abilities. It had been a recipe cheaper, when they bought mentioned, was hit by a for winning since 1948. fiberglass," Peter Sørensen tractor while cycling. In the In May 1996, in the home explains. accident, he severely hurt his head in two places and was town, another honor was After a “magnificent brought to the hospital in presented to Struer Kajak that Olympics” it may sound Aarhus. solidified its importance to the strange that things two city, as Struer Kajak was years later ended for Peter "It was unfortunate, but that's exhibited at Struer Museum. Sørensen and nearly the what happens, when one "Rarely have this many company, too. man pulls all the strings," he concludes. people shown an interest in "Production and sales had the opening of an exhibition at for a long time been Today, Peter Sørensen offer Struer Museum. But it was wonderful, but in the latter a smile when he thinks about also a special event for a part of the 1990s we felt the the traffic accident. special company. It was competition from the many Struer Kajak and its history manufacturers of fiberglass “It had ambulances and that got its place at the kayaks, although those everything. Very stylish, but museum," the local types of kayaks have never today I can’t recall a thing newspaper wrote, and added been proved to be faster. from the accident.” that the many guests were And when I, on February 19, divided into teams to make 1998, was involved in a room for everyone to get in. serious traffic accident that The Olympic Games in eliminated me from working Atlanta proved to be the last for six months, and I couldn’t one, Peter Sørensen as present the usual 3 new director witnessed, and the items from the company, I last Olympics where Struer had to give up,” Peter Kajak had a serious impact in Sørensen says. the water. Suddenly luck had ran out. "It was a good Oympics for The international kayak Struer. We had Antonio Rossi federation decided that there and Knut Holmann, who won were no longer any k1 500 meters and k1 1000 requirements and meters respectively. It was measurements for all kayaks magnificent, but it was also in the late 1990s, which the last Olympics where the accommodated other Struer-kayaks tasted some materials, and at the same A NEW ERA than the legendary company how to properly use the Zieh- could overcome. blade. That's what the old cabinetmakers were able to But then Carl Larsen and Flemming has since "When everything was on a stepped up. He owned one learned those trades. roll, it sure was a lucrative of Denmark's largest Naturally, we call him "Snild" business to be in. But at the wholesale companies, (smart). He is an important time I had to give up, the Sügro, but as a citizen of piece to us,” Jesper Larsen market was marked by Struer, the history of Struer says - today he is solely competition, and plastic Kajak was unbearable to responsible for the operation kayaks were dominating. lose due to bad luck alone. of the entire company. That’s a fact,” Peter Sørensen So, in 2003 he resurrected says. In a promotional video in the the business. The ambition early 2000s, Struer Kajak With the last of the has since been to make it told about some of the Sørensen’s forced to retire, into a hotspot for kayaks company's workflows. the company closed for a and equipment. It’s still a year until a banker with good business, but the love of - The density of the wood is intentions took over. It was, history also plays a part. the first thing we prioritize. however, as if the luck that We also study the flexibility “When you’re at their factory had followed the company for of the tree. And then we like and you get to see how they so many other years had run a pretty piece of wood. We make such a kayak out by now. use the same type of wood, weighing 12 kilograms and but new glue types have - Torben Nielsen took over six meters long and made of appeared. Today we can after I closed the workshop. veneer crossing each easily paste so that we get He hired a younger man, a other ... You get enthralled the starch we would like in a real confident employee who because frankly it’s an art kayak made of wood,” the could do it all - and he form,” Carl Larsen once told video tells and adds: obviously could, as he sold 25 the local newspaper. kayaks here, another 20 “Directional stability is the The company also kept on there… He made invoices way in which Struer kayaks to Flemming Normann and it was completely regular. are built. They are built Nielsen, who started back in But it turned out that it was around a center line, and the 1978. Flemming Normann sales that took place here,” center line is used as a tiny Nielsen would evolve into an Peter Sørensen says and marker all the way through. important man who can do points his finger to his brain. That is, the directional just about everything. He is stability is there throughout "They thought they had a a special employee. He the length of the boat, and in great production, and when it does it all. His specialty is turn, it means that the rower showed that nothing was sold grinding with the little Zieh- can convert his paddling to after all, the company blade, which is a small flat the full effect of his powers.” crashed in 2002. It was a bad piece of metal that beating.” resembles a credit card. While Struer Kajak followed several internal guidelines Two tough blows within a few "It's an art to be able to, and for quality in its own kayaks, years were just about more it takes ten years to learn those who used the boats had completely different requirements. “The rowers desire two things and it's quite obvious, namely speed and stability. They want to safely know that after they've been practicing for a long time and come to a race, they can rely on the product to be the fastest and the best,” boatman Michael Kjær said in the video before giving his opinion as to why the story of Struer Kajak is such an intriguing one - even for those who do not row or build kayaks: “People are fascinated by the fact that in a harried everyday life, you still find places where old fashion crafts are carried out and produced.” THE CROWN PRINCE’S comes to production we taught and used the kayaks. KAYAK don’t stand a chance. If you The monarchy’s monogram produce 3,000 kayaks each is used on the boats, and year, you may not have a even that required a special hard time giving 300 of them permit before making it,” Although it’s been a long to young talents. But by Jesper Larsen says. time, since Struer Kajak comparison, we only The royal kayaks each are produced hundreds of kayaks produce 250-300 on a yearly worth 52,500 kroner. a year and dominated basis. Therefore, we can’t competitions, the legacy of sponsor the same way at Even though winning medals the company is not forgotten. all,” Jesper Larsen explains. in the biggest competitions belong to the past, Struer A few years ago, a customer “Now, we’re not particularly Kajak got another prize in came all the way from aiming for the elite rowers. 2008 when a new store was Hungary. He drove 1600 Our business is no longer built at Industrivej in Struer - kilometers and brought with just kayaks for the elite but to complement the him the 1982 Jørgen Samson we’re about making a workshop. The local model "Tiger" to have it complete kayak shop with a newspaper called it painted - and at the same wide range of modern Denmark's most beautiful time he would like to meet the equipment and kayaks for all kayak store, and the city person who was capable of types of rowers in many found it worthy to receive its doing such a job, and that materials. And it's all made building price. In his was Flemming Normann of the best products and the acceptance speech, Carl Nielsen. He would not let finest quality.” anyone else touch his Larsen revealed what treasured watercraft. Even Frederik, the Crown needed to be done when he Prince of Denmark, and his took over the shop - and that And the belief in wood as the wife Crown Princess Mary was a radical change. only right material still is a have kayaks courtesy of the Therefore, it had to have a strong belief at Struer Kajak, historic company. beautiful shop, and the result even after foreign competitors was thus recognized by “When the Crown Prince in the early 1980s suddenly Struer Byfond for Carl was to marry Mary in 2004, appeared. Everything was no Larsen's "uncompromising Ernst Trillingsgaard, then longer completely dominated attitude towards quality." by Struer Kajak, and the Director of Aalborg rowers had to get used to Congress and Culture new names like Portuguese Center, contacted us and Nelo, Vajda from the Czech asked if we wanted to give a Republic and Plastex from gift together. They got two Poland. They all make kayaks handmade kayaks made in materials such as from mahogany when they fiberglass, carbon fiber and visited Aalborg. The boats plastic. were delivered to Fredensborg, and I’ve since “When it comes to speed, our from reliable sources heard kayaks easily match our that the couple have been competitors, but when it NEW TAILWIND global network of retailers baptized by the Italian media that also are selling Nelo's as "The Stradivarius of the own kayaks. Water": In 2018, Struer Kajak had Struer Kayak has a special - Without Jørgen Samson - some news - in the form of a expertise, Nelo has a huge we absolutely cannot forget cooperation with Portuguese network. about him - everything would Nelo. have gone very differently. The agreement is seen as a But it's also incredible to - After some conversations, breakthrough for Struer think of such a pair of we were invited to Portugal to Kajak in the order to make a cabinet makers who began visit Nelo's factory and their comeback into the world rowing and thought, "We entire development market, so that the tale of don’t want to row in such department, and I was very the company as well as the heavy monstrosities." Some impressed. They have a very craft can survive - exactly as people thought they were out professional development Carl Larsen envisioned of their minds and that it was department and a factory of when he took over the insane to try and make a approximately 25,000 square factory in 2003. business out of it. But the meters,” Carl Larsen told the Peter Sørensen still visits thinking soon changed, and local paper upon agreeing his old company several suddenly everyone realized: with Nelo. times a year to follow the "That’s a kayak that we The agreement means that development and have a absolutely must own!" Nelo, one of the largest kayak small talk. manufacturers in the world, Who else but Peter will be responsible for selling By Palle Hyldahl Brændsgaard Sørensen deserves to have the mahogany kinds from the last word in the story of A special thanks to Peter Struer in the company’s Sørensen the kayak from Struer once