Product Pro-File | Prijon Beast

Welcome to « The Product Pro-File » at Kayak Session! This new section is all about helping paddlers learn more about the latest products on the paddlesports market. By chatting with designers and experts within the brands, we uncover the design and function behind these products. Explore the stories, craftsmanship, and innovative features that make these products stand out. Join us as we bring you exclusive insights to help you to make the right decisions for your paddling sessions.

We caught up with Marinus Bauer, key member of Prijon’s Product Development Team, to learn more about the new sporty creek boat – the Beast.

Hi Marinus, welcome to the Product Pro-File at KS. Would you be able to tell us a quick bit about you and your background?

« I started kayaking at the kayak club in Rosenheim when I was 12 and took part in canoe slalom competitions for the first few years. Based on this I found my passion in whitewater kayaking. I want to visit impressive places all over the world and go kayaking! Together with my friends, we’re constantly looking for new rivers and trying to explore new kayaking areas. Especially expeditions and multi-day trips. Since 2017 I’m a member of the Prijon whitewater team and since 2020 I’m working at Prijon in the product development department. »

Prijon launched the Beast this year and showed the prototype at P2S2023. Tell us more about where the design for the Beast came from.

The design for the Beast came from the idea of combining the advantages of a half slice with a modern, high volume creeker. A kayak, that safely skips over retentive holes at a high speed. A kayak that it as intuitive to paddle as possible.
For the Beast we completely revised and updated our whitewater concept and developed it from scratch. From the hull to the seat system – every component of this kayak is either a completely new piece or an updated version from an existing part. Including a new team of whitewater paddlers and new marketing strategy.

We see it is labelled a creeker, can all weight ranges optimise this boat as a full blown creeker? Is there just the one size?

Yes! For paddlers with a weight between 60 and 100 kg the Beast is full-blown creeker, while heavier paddlers can also use it as a large-volume river-runner. At the moment, there’s one size.

How long does it take to develop such a kayak with the team at Prijon?

From the first idea to till the ready to sell product it takes approx. one year. This includes three prototypes and the manufacturing of the blow molding mold, which we also make ourselves. Most of the work steps therefor are done by hand by our skilled and versatile craftsmen, paying religious attention to details. Especially for the Beast with its all-new seat system, handles, etc.

What specific features can we find on the Beast that we haven’t seen before, and which are you are the proudest of?

When you paddle the Beast it feels like switching from a Hardtail to a Full Suspension – Mountain bikers know this feeling 😉 This means, you can paddle one class higher than you normally do or the same class better. Another characteristic feature is, that you can easily „Skip” retentive holes dry and at a high speed.

The new, super robust handles are made of aircraft aluminium and provide maximum control and ultimate grip. In our opinion, they’re the best kayak handles you have ever had in hand. Immediately when grabbing the handle, you perceive the locked-in-feeling, which is provided by the structured surface and which gives you maximum hold during extreme action.

What we are most proud of is the brand new and innovative PR-X seating system! It is extremely light (2kg less than the previous PRO system), simple but yet fully adjustable and provides excellent support for the paddler. The seat is very comfortable and warm and together with the 3D thigh braces the leg angle is ideal.

Prijon are known for using High-Performance Thermoplastic (HTP) in their construction. How does the use of HTP plastic enhance the experience for paddlers, particularly within modern creek boating with the extensive use of boats going over rocks…

Unlike other brands we do not restrict paddlers on how to use their Prijon kayak.

Because for the production of our world-famous HTP-kayaks, we’re using a special PE, called HTP. This material can only be used in blow-moulding and not in roto-moulding, as used by other producers of kayaks. The molecule chains of HTP are approximately 10 times longer than those of rotated PE. This makes the Prijon boat hulls stiffer, lighter and abrasion-resistant. Therefore Prijon HTP-kayaks have clear advantages regarding form stability, scuff and boat weight, compared to kayaks made of rotated PE. A Prijon whitewater kayak also slides over stones with less resistance.
All Prijon HTP whitewater-boat shells are very sturdy and already possess a permanent protection against UV-rays. They have an extremely high mechanical durability and are not sensitive to ground impact. Plus: they’re stiff and form-stable during paddle trips in the Arctic and the Tropics.

Furthermore our HTP is very environmentally friendly. When it is recycled, there are no poisonous gases or residues; it is ground water neutral and free of heavy metals.

What part did you personally play in the process and how does that work with the Prijon team?

My assignment for the Beast included being part of the idea generation, followed by the development and design of the boat, CAD and the construction of prototypes. I also spent a lot of hours for finalising details and making the mould together with my workmates. Most fun though was of course the extensive testing on many different rivers together with the team!