ARES OC1 | Kai Wa'a Canoes

THE ARES ERA REIGNS ON...

When we set out to design the Ares, we had no idea that it would go on to become one of the best-selling OC1 designs in history. As the Choice of Champions for going on 8 years, we are proud of the Ares' success, and humbled by the sheer number of you who have chosen it over the years.

Like all of Kai Wa'a's designs, the Ares started out with sweaty days in the shop, hours of hand-shaping and molding prototypes before honing in on the finished design. In between came weeks of rigorous testing by the men and women who hold our respect, both for their performance on the racing circuit and for their honest feedback that pushes us to be better.

Kai Wa'a will always stand behind the performance of our designs, and the Ares is no exception. While comfort not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking of an elite athlete, it is something Kai's designs have become known for. The Ares was one of the first of his designs to really dial that in. As someone who has spent countless hours training for the most challenging races in the paddling world, you can trust that the finished product is something you will enjoy logging miles on.

BOAT LENGTH: 20' 9"

NOSE WIDTH: 8.375"

(measured 4' from nose)

CENTER WIDTH: 15.875"

(measured from center of boat)

TAIL WIDTH: 8.625"

(measured 4' from tail)

The original goal with the Ares was to create a canoe that would run well in all conditions. Not just in the surf, but upwind, downwind, and flat water. At it's introduction we felt that the Ares was our best design yet, and we're happy to still feel that way about its place as an all-around canoe years on.

As for performance, in the surf, the Ares is effortless with full control, which is hard to find in designs of this scale. The upwind paddling is smooth and consistent, with easy acceleration in the flat sections. Flat water gets entertaining when surges of ground swell, or residual of back wash, catch the hull and take you for an unexpected glide.

Whether training for Solo or cruising with family on the weekends, the Ares has earned a reputation as a solid choice for paddlers of any level. We are confident that you will enjoy your time on the water, and look forward to seeing the Ares out there for years to come.