JOY KAYAKS SHOP
Discover JOY KAYAKS kids kayaks and paddles, designed to help children easily learn proper paddling basics and enjoy every moment on the water. Each kayak for kids combines lightness, stability, and safety.
Why choose a JOY KAYAKS kids kayak?
✔️ Lightweight and easy to handle on flatwater and whitewater
✔️ Stable and safe – confidence on the water for beginners and advanced paddlers
✔️ Durable lightweight composite – long lifespan and comfort
✔️ Unlimited color options – design your own unique kayak
✔️ Two models available: Rocket (3 kg) and Apollo (6 kg) for different age groups
ROCKET KAYAK
- Weight: 3 kg
- Length: 160 cm
- Width: 51 cm
- Height: 22 cm
- Paddler Weight: 10 – 25 kg
- Color options: Select carbon fiber or one color from the provided swatch samples. Choosing additional colors or combining different colors for the deck and hull is available for an extra charge of €30.
- Manufacturer: Zastera Kayak Racing
Price: € 1 190
APOLLO KAYAK
- Weight: 6 kg
- Length: 215 cm
- Width: 58 cm
- Height: 26 cm
- Paddler Weight Range: 30 – 45 kg
- Color options: Select carbon fiber or one color from the provided swatch samples. Choosing additional colors or combining different colors for the deck and hull is available for an extra charge of €30.
- Manufacturer: Zastera Kayak Racing
Price: € 1 450
KAYAK BAG PADDED
- Two-way zipper for easy kayak insertion
- Extra-padded double-layer material protects both the kayak and your vehicle interior from scratches and scuffs
- Integrated grab handle for easy carrying and handling
KAYAK BAG for model Rocket
Price: € 85
Price: € 95
CHILDREN PADDLE
- Extra thin shaft made with Prepreg Fiberglass at 25 mm diameter
- Available in 1 piece stable shaft or with adjustable 2 pieces sleeve, possibility of extension by 15 cm
- Size XS, model Classic (up to 8 years)
- Size S, model Twister (8 years and older) with metal tips
XS Paddle stable shaft/ adjustable sleeve
Price: € 170/ € 190
Price: € 250/ € 270
Extra € 45 stable carbon shaft / € 50 adjustable sleeve
The 25 mm shaft has a very small diameter, making it ideal for small children's hands. The shaft is highly flexible due to its delicate construction from top-quality Prepreg Fiberglass material. The blades are made of epoxy resin and contain 100% carbon fabric with PU Airex foam in the middle. Additionally, the blade tips are reinforced with Kevlar fabric.
ABOUT MATERIALS - Premium quality for maximum durability and low weight
The deck and hull are constructed as vacuum-pressed sandwich shells. The outer layer of the hull is made of Kevlar fabric, renowned for its high puncture resistance (the same material used in bulletproof vests).
Both the bow and stern are reinforced with up to four layers of Kevlar on the hull and two layers on the deck. Additional layers include a Kevlar-carbon hybrid fabric, Spheretex expanded high-strength fabric, and Airex PU foam used in the flat sections of the boat. The inner layer is also made of Kevlar-carbon fabric. The structure is bonded using high-quality LH 285 epoxy resin.
The materials and construction methods used are among the most durable in the field of composite manufacturing. This layered composition is similar to that used in high-end whitewater racing boats, where high impact resistance is essential.
This durability is primarily achieved by using Kevlar fabric as the outermost layer, rather than Kevlar-carbon or carbon fabric, which are less suitable for maintaining long-term impact resistance.
Compared to plastic boats, the key advantage is the extremely low weight, making the kayak significantly easier to control for children, improving confidence, and making learning faster and more enjoyable.
FAQ
What age are JOY Kayaks suitable for?
Our kayaks are not primarily designed according to age. However, based on our experience, even children as young as 3–4 years old are able to paddle on flat or gently flowing water and create positive first experiences with kayaking—provided they have the right equipment. Our kayaks are designed to be stable while still easy to control. Thanks to their low weight and thoughtfully designed shape, they help children quickly gain confidence on the water.
Why is the weight of a kids' kayak so important?
A lightweight kayak is much easier for children to control. It turns more easily, responds better to each paddle stroke, and helps build proper technique from the very beginning. Children also get less tired and enjoy paddling much more – which is exactly what it's all about.
Won't a kayak get damaged quickly if it's not made of plastic?
Definitely not. Kevlar and carbon are among the strongest materials used in kayaking. JOY Kayaks are designed to easily handle everyday kids' use, including rocky rivers and slides (tested!). Thanks to their low weight, they are also much easier to control, which gives children better handling, helps them improve faster – and most importantly, makes paddling truly fun.
OUR STORY...
Paddling is, of course, the best sport in the world! And naturally, we wanted to introduce our two children to it as well. But we soon realized that young paddlers need equipment that truly fits them – in size, weight, and handling. And there simply weren't many kayaks like that on the market… in fact, hardly any at all. We tried several plastic boats, borrowed many, and even bought a few. But how can a child who weighs 15 kg paddle a kayak that weighs the same? Just try it yourself!
That's how the idea of creating our own kids' kayak was born: extra lightweight, durable, and designed specifically for children. In collaboration with Zástěra Racing – a company with over 30 years of experience in manufacturing composite kayaks for sprint and whitewater disciplines – we founded JOY Kayaks.
We built our first kayak in 2022. Even though we're a small family business, our boats quickly found their place on the water – helping many children take their first strokes and make real progress. Starting with our smallest 3 kg model, ROCKET for the youngest kayakers, we gradually expanded with the larger APOLLO (6 kg), a kids' paddle, and more.
Our goal is simple: to help children discover the joy of movement on the water and create memories they'll carry with them for life.
And why JOY Kayaks?
Because paddling should be, above all, about joy. And with our kayaks, it simply comes naturally.