The Concept
Born to Run Rivers, Built for Everything
The Rapid-S started with a simple desire: to go fast down class 1 and 2 rapids in the mountains of New Zealand. The hull shape is derived from the popular SES, wrapped in a flexible-yet-stiff multi-sport construction that can bounce off the river bottom without slowing you down.
Up front, a streamlined high-volume bow deck sheds water when you punch through waves - so you keep moving on the backside. Out back, the over-stern rudder kicks up out of the way when it runs aground. And when the river ends, the same boat is a beast on slack water and lakes.
Features
River Tough, Flat-Water Fast
The details that make one boat do both jobs.
Born for the Rapids
The flexible-yet-stiff multi-sport hull bounces off the river bottom and keeps charging - no pause, no panic in class I–II water.
Wave-Piercing Bow
A streamlined high-volume bow deck sheds water when punching through waves, keeping your speed on the backside of every hole.
Kick-Up Rudder
The over-stern rudder flips up when it touches bottom instead of digging in - a must for shallow rivers, with steering back once the water deepens.
Specifications
The Numbers
One boat, every water type.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 20'3" / 6.2 m |
| Beam | 16.3" / 41.4 cm |
| Depth | 15.8" / 40 cm |
| Paddler | 5'–6'2" / 1.5–1.88 m |
| Class | Multisport racing kayak (class I–II rapids capable) |
| Hull Origin | Derived from the Stellar SES |
| Bow | Streamlined high-volume wave-piercing deck |
| Rudder | Over-stern rudder, kick-up design for shallow water |
| Builds Available | Multi-Sport (standard) |
| Hull Weight | 34.5 lb / 15.6 kg |
Construction
One Build, By Design
The multi-sport laminate is the point of this boat.
Multi-Sport (standard)
34.5 lb
15.6 kg
Carbon-Kevlar single-skin hull and deck with clear gelcoat - flexible enough to bounce off the river bottom, stiff enough to stay fast on the flats.
Colors
Available RAL Colors
Want a different shade? We can make it.
*Bright colors like Yellow and Orange need more layers to acheive saturation and can add 100-200g to the weight of the boat.
**Telegrey is a difficult color to make, color consistency cannot be guaranteed.
FAQ
Q: What is a multisport kayak?
A: A multisport kayak is one boat that handles more than one paddling discipline. The Rapid-S is built to race down class I–II rivers, then hold its speed across lakes and flat water - without needing a different boat for each.
Q: Where did the Rapid-S come from?
A: The design was born in the mountains of New Zealand, from paddlers who wanted to go fast down class 1 and 2 rapids. The hull shape derives from the popular Stellar SES, reworked for river running.
Q: How does it survive shallow rapids?
A: Three things work together: the flexible multi-sport hull bounces off the river bottom, the streamlined high-volume bow sheds water when punching through waves, and the over-stern rudder kicks up out of the way if it runs aground.
Q: How does the kick-up rudder work?
A: It's an over-stern rudder mounted so it flips up when it touches bottom, instead of digging in and stopping the boat. In shallow sections you keep moving; once the water deepens, the rudder drops back for steering.
Q: Is it fast on flat water?
A: Yes - that's the other half of the design brief. On slack water and lakes the Rapid-S moves very fast, so river racers can use the same boat for flat-water training and time trials.
Q: Rapid-S vs an ICF sprint K1 - which do I need?
A: The Apex K1 family is built for flat-water ICF sprint racing only. If your paddling mixes rivers, lakes and flats - or you want one boat for training and racing in moving water - the Rapid-S is the multisport answer.
Q: Why does it only come in one construction?
A: Because the multi-sport laminate IS the design. Stellar builds the Rapid-S in a single flexible-yet-stiff carbon-Kevlar layup so every boat has the river-tough character the model is known for.
Q: Who is the Rapid-S for?
A: Downriver and river racers, flat-water paddlers who want river capability, multisport athletes, and whitewater paddlers moving from playboating toward racing lines.
Hangzhou Chengxin Composite Material Co., Ltd. is one of the most reliable manufacturers and suppliers of multisport racing kayak for rapids & flatwater in China. With a professional production team, we are able to meet the needs of the majority of our customers. Please rest assured to buy customized multisport racing kayak for rapids & flatwater from our factory.
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