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The story behind the design

The idea was born from real-world adventure.

After supporting Riaan Manser’s historic 2009 circumnavigation of Madagascar, Johan Loots set out on his own journey—this time to Sainte Marie Island, beyond Madagascar. To get there, he modified a kayak into transportable sections.

Once reassembled on arrival, the concept proved itself in remote, challenging conditions. That experience sparked years of testing and refinement across destinations including Zanzibar, New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Europe, and South Africa.

The result is the TravelYak SPLIT—a kayak designed to inspire exploration, wherever you go.

 

Sectional vs Modular

While often confused, there’s an important difference:

  • Modular kayaks are typically plastic, mass-produced, and designed for flexibility (e.g. converting from single to tandem).
  • Sectional kayaks, like the TravelYak SPLIT, are precision-built in composite materials for performance, lighter weight, and travel efficiency.

The TravelYak SPLIT goes a step further—its nesting sections make it even

more compact and travel-friendly than traditional sectional designs. They also add an additional safety feature: sections which are sealed separately.