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MANCOS, Colo. (November 11, 2022) – The world’s leading packrafting brand, Alpacka Raft, is thrilled to debut the much-anticipated Valkyrie, its most capable whitewater boat to date. After 15 years of development and dozens of prototypes, the Valkyrie is the pinnacle of whitewater performance in an inflatable package, just as founder Sheri Tingey intended when she embarked on the initial design in 2008.
“It has challenged me and made me dig into myself like nothing I’ve ever done before,” said Tingey, who eventually reached a breakthrough by implementing a new stern and hull shape, along with a lowered floor, bringing much-needed secondary stability to the boat.
The Valkyrie’s design is purpose-driven for skilled whitewater kayakers looking for a backcountry or travel boat, as well as developing paddlers hoping to improve kayaking skills in a more forgiving and portable package. Featuring low profile tubes, modern creek boat shaping, generous bow and stern rocker, and a new planing hull floor, the Valkyrie is the closest inflatable resemblance of a hardshell whitewater kayak ever produced.
Weighing in at under 15 pounds, the Valkyrie excels at straight-line speed, boofing off drops and punching through holes. Some of the world’s most accomplished professional paddlers, like Nouria Newman and Tyler Bradt, tested several prototypes of the design until the packraft reached perfection.
“My first experience in the Valkyrie, I could hardly believe I was paddling an inflatable,” said Bradt. “It rolled so well, boofed like a dream, surfed waves, and turned on a dime. Every iteration of this boat was a leap above the last and the boat that is now on the market is undoubtedly the gold standard of packrafts by which all others will be measured.”
The Valkyrie is now available at alpackaraft.com for $2,300. For a limited time, customers purchasing the Valkyrie will be eligible to receive 10 percent off any additional items in their cart.
About Alpacka Raft
Alpacka Raft seeks to design and handcraft the most innovative, premium packrafts available. The company was founded as a collaboration between Sheri Tingey, the designer behind the products, and her son Thor, who had just completed a 700-mile traverse of Alaska’s Brooks Range with a dream for a better-performing packraft. They strive for a legacy of leadership, stewardship, and support that allows their community of diverse boaters a lifetime of use and adventure-driven fun. Alpacka Raft is committed to providing high-quality, living wage manufacturing jobs in the rural mountain town economy of Mancos, Colorado. Every packraft that leaves the shop is handmade and made-to-order. For more information, visit alpackaraft.com