Kaskazi is the Swahili word for the northerly winds that brought the traders down the East African coast. These winds increase in strength as the season progresses, bringing with them increasingly choppy conditions and later monsoon rains, often preventing traders from returning home. One of the main design criteria of Kaskazi kayaks is the ability to safely handle adverse conditions.

In March 2006 husband and wife team Arthur and Tracy Fincham bought both Kaskazi Kayaks and Coastal Kayak Trails, (established in 1996 by well known Leon Franken). Kaskazi Kayaks, the kayak manufacturing company, enjoyed a highly respected track record as a proven leader in design and quality workmanship of the highest specifications. Coastal Kayak Trails, the showroom for Kaskazi Kayaks and base for guided sea kayaking trips, had been trading successfully since 1995 from its beachfront premises at Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.

With their combined experience and enthusiasm, it was an obvious decision for this couple devoted to the sport of kayaking, to invest in a lifestyle venture they could share. Committed to building on a well established base, they agreed to each head up and focus on a particular aspect of the two businesses.

Arthur, responsible for the manufacturing and design innovation for Kaskazi Kayaks, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Kaskazi. Having graduated cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Natal, he joined the corporate world in 1986. However his love of the sea and outdoors led him to devote all his spare time to watersports and finally his passion for kayaking and kayak design drew him in 2006 to turning it into a full time commitment. Untiring innovation and attention to design detail and kayak manufacture, as well as listening to customer needs, has seen Kaskazi grow from being in high demand all over South Africa, to being exported to retailers and agents in Europe, America and Australia.

Tracy, as well as being an experienced kayaker, was a personal trainer/ yoga teacher for several years, with a special interest in all aspects of health care. Combining her enjoyment of dealing with clients face to face, her love of the outdoors, and sharing her kayaking knowledge, visitors to the shop who wish to purchase kayaks, kayak related accessories, book a guided trip or simply browse, are assured of a warm welcome.

Being a family run business, Arthur, Tracy and Bernie (a close friend who also helps in the shop), are able to maintain and build on the high standards they have set by personally overseeing all aspects of Kaskazi and Coastal Kayak Trails. Their mission is to ensure the continued development of sea kayaking as a fun filled, safe recreational activity for people of all ages and all fitness levels.

The kayaks are hand crafted using a variety of composites including glass fibre, carbon fibre and kevlar bonded with polyester or epoxy resins. We are a relatively low volume manufacturer and therefore are able to be very responsive to customer feddback and requirements. Almost every kayak we build is customised to order.

Our commitment to quality is evidenced by our guaranteed buy back policy and unconditional warranty on our kayaks.

Vision
To be an internationally recognised small volume manufacturer of exclusive hand crafted sea kayaks.

Mission
To hand craft exclusive sea kayaks and accessories.