- How it started >
In 1980 Dolf Backer started
Double Dutch. He started building slalom boats for the local
market, mainly licensed designs from other canoe manufactures. Obsessed
by trying to reduce the weight of our boats (there was no minimum weight
in those days) we spent a lot of effort, time and money in finding ways
to achieve this whilst maintaining the strength. Back in the 80's Double
Dutch was the first to use Vacuum bag technology and advanced materials
like carbon and Aramid fibers (Twaron or Kevlar), sandwich foams etc.
In the early 80's DD started making paddles as well. During the 80's and
90" Double Dutch became the absolute world leader in production of
competition slalom, river racing and polo boats and paddles. DD no
longer bought licences, now we had our own crew who was full time
involved in making designs with the help of world class paddlers.
- How
it continues >
Owner > Sander van Kuijl
From the 1st of Janauary 2008 Sander van Kuijl has taken over the
company. Sander has been involved in Double Dutch for over 25 years.
First as a sponsored paddler, later he got involved in marketing and
desiging. Most of the designs created in the past 15 years are designed
and shaped by Neil and Sander.
Head of designs > Neil Baxter
Neil has also been involved with Double Dutch for more than 25 years.
Neil has made over 90% of the Double Dutch boat designs and was involved
with most of the paddle designs.
Beside desining Neil will from now on be involved in marketing and
promotion.
Our goal is to keep the high quality standard and to increase
availabilty of Double Dutch products in the world. Togeher with top
paddlers we will make new designs every year. With the help of Dolf
Backer (former owner) we will contiunue to improve quality and designs.
Facts
- We were the first to make pre-preg
paddles.
- Our paddles are made of Epoxy Pre-Preg
with high pressure oven cured technology.
- Years ago our slogan was
"innovators, not immitators". Unlike many other manufators we always
kept our word and pride and made our own designs. Many of our boat and
paddle desigs have been copied by other manufactors. Our blade designs
the Energy & the Kinetic and Power crank
shaft are by far the worlds most copied paddleblade and shaft designs.
- All of our boats are built to the same
high standard, using epoxy resin, vacuum bagging and are oven
cured.
- We will keep re-newing our designs and
contiunue developing and improving our products.
- Our goal is to keep the high quality
standard and to increase availabilty of Double Dutch products in the
world. Togeher with top paddlers we will make new designs every year.
- One negative fact is that in the year
2006 we had a lot of quality problems. During 2007 we have been able to
solve all those problems and we've even achieved a qualty increase
for our boats as well as our paddles!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Delivery time / availability
PADDLES - We aim to have most of our paddles stock at
all times.
Large orders might take a few weeks depending on the time a year and
demand at the time of ordering.
BOATS - Production will usually start within 10 days after
ordering. In high season this might be a little longer.
- Prices
Prices are indicated in our Double Dutch price list. Retail prices incl
19% V.A.T. Prices are ex factory, Double Dutch, Geldrop, the
Netherlands. Prives may vary without prior notice*
- Where to buy
You can buy our products at the shops listed in our "dealer"
list. Or in our online shop.
- Colours
PADDLES - Carbon paddles are always "clear" carbon.
Genius, and Gen2 Concept paddles are available in several colours.
Colous that will be available at time of orderng will be posted on our
website.
BOATS - Depending on the boat constuction you order you can
choose colour and colour combinations. For most of the constructions you
can choose up to 3 colours without surcharge. Due to the Epoxy gelcout
we use we can nog guarantee 100% colour match. Hard edge colour designs
are posible but colour defects are always at risk of buyer.
- Constructions
NEW PHILOSOPHY -- NEW CONSTRUCTIONS
We have decided to focus on production of top qualtiy boats only. This
means that we no longer produce the Club construction and we upgraded
the Trainer construction. All our boats are made from a high quality
epoxy resin in combination with the best quality fabrics and are made
with vacuum bag multi layer sandwich technology. The Rookie and
Trainer versions are with a weight of apx. 9 kg ultra durable
constructions especially made for clubs and kayak schools. The Pro
Racer and Profi+ versions are with a weight of apx. 8 - 8,5
kg the ultimate constructions for training as well as racing. They are
made of a multi layer laminate sandwich construction which assures
maximum strength with a relativly light weigth. Our Specialist
version is with only apx 8 kg the lightest and stiffest construction we
especially make for those who go for gold. The layup used
in this construction is lighter and stiffer than all our other
constructions. This however also means they are more fragile so they
should be used with more care.
Rookie
Deck construction: vacuum, sandwich, glass / Spheretex / kevlar-glass
Hull construction: vacuum, sandwich, kevlar-diolene / glass / Spheretex
/ kevlar-glass / carbon mid. part( NEW )
Including: Seat, 30 cm footrest, 2cm kevlar outside seam, single colour
deck, clear or single colour hull
Trainer
Deck construction: vacuum, sandwich, kevlar-diolene / Spheretex /
kevlar-diolene
Hull construction: vacuum, sandwich, kevlar-diolene / kevlar-glass /
Spheretex reinforcement / kevlar-diolene / carbon mid.
part( NEW )
Including: Seat ,15 cm footrest, 2 cm kevlar outside seam, 3 colour deck
design, clear or single colour hull
Pro Racer
Deck construction: vacuum, sandwich, kevlar-carbon / Spheretex / kelvar-carbon
Hull construction: vacuum, kevlar-carbon / kevlar-glass / Spheretex
reinforcement strips / kevlar-carbon
Including: Seat, 15 cm footrest, 2 cm outside seam, 3 colour deck
design, clear or single colour hull
Profi +
Deck construction: vacuum, sandwich, carbon / Spheretex / kelvar-carbon
Hull construction: vacuum, carbon / kevlar-diolene / Spheretex
reinforcement strips / kevlar-diolene / carbon
Including: Seat, 15 cm footrest, 2 cm outside seam, 3 colour deck
design, clear or single colour hull
Specialist (light)
Deck construction: vacuum, sandwich, carbon / Spheretex/ kevlar-carbon
Hull construction: vacuum, sandwich, carbon / aramid-carbon / carbon /
Airex / carbon
Including: Seat, 15 cm footrest, seamless, 3 colour deck design,
clear or single colour hull
- Warranty
Double Dutch give a warranty on damage due to manufacturing failures.
Warranty is given only on Double Dutch products bought at a Double Dutch
authorized dealer and on production of the note of purchase. Colors or
color shade differences can not a be reason to refuse a product or claim
a warranty. Claims and replaced goods have to be returned complete on
the dealers account to Double Dutch for final judgment. If replaced
goods are judged as no warranty, the replacement/repair will be invoiced
normally.
Delivery
We can organise delivery to
your home, club or to mayor events ( World Cup , World Champs,....) All
deleveries will be charged at cost. Contact us for details.
- Special offers & retail actions>
- Some offers are only valid in specific
countries.
- Retail actions done by our dealers can
be done without our
notice so can not be claimed from Dutch Composites.
- Contact us if you require more
information about this matter.