Prices
Hybrids - Overview page
Standard - Overview page
Package Deals - PD page
Accessory prices are listed on respective pages
Announcements
Quick link to videos on each
of the NERIS model kayaks here
15/02/18 - Clearance of ex-demo stock - 1 x Neris Alu-1, 1 x Neris Valkure-1. See Sales page
10/02/18 - new range coming soon - SMART PRO Series of hybrid kayaks / canoes. See News
23/01/18 - new video of a trio of SMART-2 hybrid kayaks off the coast of Turkey
12/11/17 - demo kayak & canoe version SMART-2 available to try out (South England). Photos here
23/10/17 - 2018 DW race.
Considering entering in the 2018 Devizes to Westminster non-stop canoe race in the Folding Boat Class? Speak to us about the very competitive Neris Valkure-2 folding kayak ASAP
01/010/17 - Neris SMART-2 & 3 now
have sail rig fittings attached as standard. Compatible with the Neris GENAKER A-frame sail rig
13/08/17 - demo Neris SMART-2 available for try-outs (South of England)
08/08/17 Introduction of the Neris SMART range of hybrid canoe/kayaks - web pages added
16/04/17 Congratulations to the crews who completed in the gruelling Devizes to Westminster 125 mile non-stop canoe race held over the Easter weekend. Of 13 folding kayaks that entered in the Folding Boat Class, Neris Valkure-2 kayaks came 4th, 5th & 10th with one retirement.
28/02/17 - Product Videos page added. See videos on each of the NERIS folding kayak models in action here
09/02/16 - New hybrid 1-2 seater kayak / canoe
coming soon - Neris SMART-2. A cross between a folding kayak and
a fast
inflatable kayak. From bag to water in 10 minutes!
22/01/17 - new colour now available to the folding
kayak deck colour range
- Black! Yes, uber sexy black, looking just like a military kayak! A
few all black Neris Alu-2 folding kayaks have already been supplied
to Canadian armed forces
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Enquiries
No matter which country you are based in, do contact
us with your queries. Prices are linked to the Euro - we will provide quotes
in your preferred currency if not based in the UK.
Ordering
When you would like to order, write to us and
we will provide up to date quotes. We will also send you an invoice with relevant
payment details etc.
Or if you need advice etc, we are more than happy to help
with your
queries.
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Looking to replacing the skin for your Pouch RZ85 or
Russian made kayaks? Speak to us about a replacement skin for your German
made Pouch RZ85-3 or Russian Saliut
/ Taimjen kayaks.
Looking for something?
If you are looking for something
that is not listed on our website please give us a call or email
us.
NERIS
NERIS products are all made in Europe, using European / USA made materials
and high grade German PVC welding machines.
5 year warranty on all NERIS products
Important Notice
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid license
/ permission from the relevant authorities to
use water craft on UK's waterways, rivers, lakes, etc. Not all inland
water is open to paddlers, some access points are privately owned
or is bounded by
land which is private, so do check beforehand. Membership of a
canoe union / club is very beneficial.
UK's 'Song
Of The Paddle'
forum is a very friendly and useful site to obtain up to date information
of all kinds regarding canoeing inland waters, both in the UK and
Europe
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NERIS
/ ZelGear Catarafts
NOTE - we are transferring the catarafts and inflatable
kayaks to the ZelGear
UK site. NERIS will remain as
the folding kayak site
What
is a Cataraft?
Catarafts,
commonly referred to as Cats, are a specific type of
raft that is used for fishing, white-water rafting
and river touring. Catarafts were made
popular by the Russians, who used them on crazy outdoor adventures and competitive
river racing. Cats typically accommodates less people compared to a common raft
of similar size, and on some models, there
is
less or
no freedom to move around in the centre
of the craft – the majority of Cats have a metal frame holding the two
main tubes apart. However, smaller Cats are commonly used as a fishing platform
with a fixed chair in the centre of the craft (common in USA), and the larger
Cats are great for rafting over rougher water or for river touring / camping,
with
sitting
being
on the main tubes.
How does the Cat compare to a normal raft? Unlike a raft, there is no floor that
gets
pushed by waves or gets sucked into holes.
Instead, there is just the raised metal frame or smaller
cross inflatable tubes connecting the two main floatation tubes. What this means
for you
as a catarafter,
is that you
will
have
a harder
time flipping your raft. In very simple terms.....Cats are
like skiing and rafts are like snow boarding down a mountain
- one carves down the river and the other slides down the
river. Cats are simply fast and nimble.
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The NERIS / ZelGear Catarafts
NERIS produces both
types of Cats - Framed and Frameless,
with kneeling and non-kneeling versions on both types.
NERIS started out with producing aluminum framed catarafts
about 16
years
ago,
and
since then, has largely catered for the east European
market such as Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Slovakia and
Romania where there are several major white water rivers
very suitable for catarafts. The Russians dominated
cataraft racing scene with their kneeling seat framed
catarafts design. NERIS was the first to introduce
the kneeling seat design on frameless catarafts about
two years ago and shortly thereafter starting selling
via the new ZelGear outlet in USA.
Framed and Frameless. Framed
are catarafts with a rectangular aluminum frame that holds
the two main tubes in place, Frameless have inflatable cross
tubes joining the main tubes. Frameless
cats pack into a smaller bag compared to a raft
of a similar size, as there is less PVC. The
frame for framed catarafts are heavy and cumbersome to carry
to remote riverside locations. A big advantage of the frameless
Cats is the lightweight carrying capability overland - easily
fits into a backpack bag only weighing between 22-33kg.
The kneeling seat Cats. The kneeling versions
offers a more natural forward facing sitting position. The
kneeling seats are permanently fitted atop of the flat topped
main tubes and have thigh and knee straps plus foot / toe
rests to assist being seated firmly on the Cat - you simply
wedge
yourself forward into the straps and 'lock in' with your
toes on the small foot rest. The seats are designed in such
a way that you
are
raised off the top of the tube, so
your knees are not
compressed tightly closed - the seat itself takes all your
body weight. SportCats are the Cats with the kneeling seat.
Non kneeling seat
Cats. Sitting in these Cats is the same as in some
of the familiar river running rafts - sit on top of the main
tube
with both feet inside the craft. The TourCats have simple
foot straps on the floor plus a thigh strap.
The NERIS / ZelGear UK Cataraft range
Currently for the UK market, we are offering
frameless kneeling and non-kneeling version catarafts. If you are interested
in a framed
version, do contact us.
Two frameless cataraft
series - TourCat and SportCat
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Qualified / Trainee
UK Raft Guides
&
Team GB raft team members
Looking to broaden your rafting skills with your own personal
unique Cat?
Contact us about
the special Rafting Guides discount
Proof of Raft Guiding
employment or Team GB membership / selection
required
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TourCat -
traditional catarafts
Sitting on top of the tube, anchoring both feet through floor foot straps, with
the body at a slight angle, as done on some whitewater
river rafts. These Cats are ideal for long distance river touring, being faster
and
easier with less drag compared to the normal flat bottomed rafts. There is space
and
anchoring
D-rings
to secure your camping kit on the central mesh floors. |
Frameless TourCat-2 |
Frameless
TourCat-4
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SportCat -
kneeling seat catarafts
Seating is kneeling on top of the flattened tube, sitting on a kneeling seat,
with the knees kept in place with knee and thigh straps and body facing 100%
forward. More suitable for short distance bursts (EG 40-60 minutes then rest
legs) - very comfortable for active
whitewater paddling. |
Frameless
kneeling seat
SportCat-2 |
Frameless
kneeling seat
SportCat-4 |
All catarafts are designed to carry enough cargo to support
camp equipment, food and gear required for long term wilderness
river trips. Even heavily loaded, the Cats remain safe for
crews of any level of experience, including young kids.
Both
TourCat and SportCat Series are excellent for flat water
river touring, or for 1 to Grade 3 rapids. Grade 4-5 should
only be attempted by experienced rafters who have become
accustomed to the handling characteristics and is knowledgeable
in the safe use of these unique Cats. Note that 'Seats'
refers to the
actual
sitting
position with securing points for paddlers, you can still
have passengers who
would be sitting on the floor (mesh) or on a cross
tube, depending on the model of Cat. There are photos on
this
site showing
some Cats with passengers - you should not attempt to
exceed the safe loading limit of the respective Cat especially
on graded rivers.
For Trade enquires - do contact us
Prices as of Nov 2016
Important
Notice - catarafting on graded rivers
If you have not rafted (or paddled extensively grade
1-3) before and is planning to go on Graded rivers with a cataraft,
it is advisable
that
you
attend
rafting sessions at recognised and certified White
Water Centre's where you will go through the minimum basic
safety drills and skills aspects of rafting (using their
rafts), or be coached by a suitably qualified and certified
raft
coach
/ instructor.
The BCU has a Rafting qualification / grading scheme for
raft guides. Additionally you should familiarise yourself with
the internationally recognised
river hand signals
as
laid
down
by the
International
Rafting Federation, be a good swimmer, have basic 1st Aid
and know of the correct and minimum kit to have and to wear.
Practice,
practice, practice all the basic river techniques (self rescue,
throw lines,
re-flip the Cat, etc) in safe locations, frequently!
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