The Kayaking Community Together With Ukraine
After the war broke in Ukraine, people were quick to show their support to the nation and Ukrainians, who are currently living a harsh reality. As a response, the kayaking community showed that it is together with Ukraine, from paddle sports enthusiasts to brands and manufacturers.
The current state of violence in Ukraine has impacted our day to day routine, as the war continues to spread in the country. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the course of things, especially in the countries neighbouring Ukraine. If you feel helpless, here are a few information we gathered that could give you some hope!
« It’s the addition of small steps than lead to a bigger strand, and the kayaking community is proving it.«
Major paddle sports industry actors such as Level Six, Pyranha Kayaks and P&H Sea Kayaks, have taken a stance for Ukraine by conducting fundraisers to provide financial support to Ukrainian NGOs, such as the Red Cross and other associations helping civilians.
Level Six has launched a raffle in which you can win 1 of 3 dry tops (coincidence, their 2022 colours are the same as the Ukrainian national flag!). The entry ticket is $10, and there are unlimited entries per person, so it’s worth taking a chance! Check the raffle at www.levelsix.com. 100% of the money raised will be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross. It’s a small but easy step to support Ukraine!
Pyranha and P&H produced a limited edition of their top-seller Pyranha Scorch and P&H Virgo in a custom blue and yellow colourway, as a solidarity sign for Ukraine. This effort became a success thanks to a joint effort between Pyranha and P&H teams and their suppliers who donated materials, to produce this limited product line quickly and available as far as New Zealand and North America. The goal set by the two teams is to raiser over £120,000 and they were more than halfway to this point in just two days.
Lastly, among all the efforts of solidarity we witnessed, the International Canoe Federation (ICF) has announced its support to the Ukrainian Federation, trying to find accommodations and arranging transfers for athletes stuck outside of their country to escape the war.
We are stoked to see such an engagement from brands, manufacturers, institutions and paddle sports participants, and we know there are other initiatives that will come. It’s the addition of small steps than lead to a bigger strand, and the kayaking community is proving it.
Stay safe and keep paddling!