About

Welcome to Flow Kayaks, a proudly New Zealand-owned company specializing in crafting exceptional kayaks, surf skis, and paddles.

Located in Christchurch, we've honed our expertise in composite manufacturing, coupled with our deep knowledge of paddle sports. Our focus is clear: to bring you high-quality paddle craft and accessories with a continuous commitment to improvement.

Our team is made up of experienced composite technicians, with each lead boasting 20 to 30 years of invaluable experience. They not only excel in their craft but also take pride in mentoring younger staff and apprentices, ensuring that our passion for kayak craftsmanship lives on through the generations.

As paddlers ourselves, we understand the needs of our fellow enthusiasts. Our team includes seasoned kayakers and coaches who actively contribute their insights to test and refine our products. This dedication to real-world testing ensures that every kayak, surf ski, and paddle we create is purpose-built for an exceptional paddling experience.

Flow Kayaks is more than just a brand; it's a community of like-minded individuals who share a love for paddling. We welcome you to join our community and experience the joy of paddling with our meticulously handcrafted kayaks and accessories. Let's hit the water together and explore the beauty of paddle sports with Flow Kayaks.

As of November 2017, Keith Jessop and Chris Stagg partnered to take Flow Kayaks into a new stage. They each bring specialisations and experience in complimenting industries, as well as all being passionate about multisport and kayaking so you’re sure to see them out on the water regularly.

The move came not only with new management but also a world-leading ERP System in partnership with EMDA and professionalising manufacturing, health and safety and quality control systems.

We strive to keep improving our systems, products and customer service so that you, our valued customer, can get on the water as soon as possible with as smooth an experience as possible.

Meet the Team

  • Keith Jessop

    Keith has been paddling and competing in the Coast to Coast since 2015.

    Keith has lived a full life of many pursuits in industries with similar systems and manufacturing systems being an experienced sailor, glider pilot and now paddler.

    Professionally, Keith’s background is in maunfacturing and distribution software and systems, founding EMDA in 1998.

    He may not be at Flow HQ everyday, but a force behind the scenes.

  • Chris Stagg

    Chris will more often than not be your first major interaction with Flow Kayaks. Our go-to for all things kayak-related for our staff and our customers.

    Chris’ background criss-crosses kayaking and business across the kayaking industry and public relations. All helpful to Flow more heavily so on his wealth of experience in kayak coaching, guiding and getting to know all things Flow Kayaks.

    Chris dived in to Flow Kayaks working with our technicians and engineers since taking over in 2017.

    Now he’s 6 years into being a quick study with an answer to everything… or close to a handful of guys in the next room who do, with some of the team having 20-30 years of composite manufacturing experience making everything from racing yachts to wing paddles and a few buses and bench tops in between.

    Stop in and see Chris and the team for all your paddling needs.