Exploring Waterways Easily with Oru Kayak

ORU Kayak is a game changer in 2021. Developed and founded by award winning Chief Design Officer Anton Willis, this young company is changing how people experience the outdoors.

Their Inlet Kayak is compact, lightweight and unfolds into a watercraft in less than 5 minutes. It’s safe and fun to use, while exploring nearby waterways with a new perspective.

Photo by Jill Weinlein

The company spent 10 years of research and development to make a durable, custom made and lightweight double-layered corrugated plastic polypropylene hull, deck and bulkheads. This makes it structurally rigid, watertight, puncture and abrasion-resistant, and its strong hull can withstand shallow-water obstacles, rocks and sand.

Measuring 9’8″ in length and weighing only 20 lbs, there is no need for a roof rack on your car to haul the kayak to a protected harbor, calm lake or slow moving river. It’s easy for one person to carry from the car to a dock or water’s edge to unfold. The box about the size of a guitar case (40”x19”x10”).

Writer holding Oru Inlet Kayak

Order online and the box contains all the components needed for assembly. It comes with a detailed easy to read instruction booklet to set up the kayak and break down to the size of a box. There is also a 5-minute video assembly guide to watch, and the Oru support team is available at info@orukayak.com, for questions and helpful tips.

Inside the box is an orange floorboard with a seat insert and comfortable seat pad, an adjustable backrest, a foot rest and bulkhead channels to hold the bulkhead secure. Just unfold the box and push out the folds, attach the footrest bungee and insert bulkheads, close, buckle, and velcro the front deck (bow), and then the back (stern). Insert the backrest on the floorboard and the seat pad, before connecting the final buckles and tension strap for the footrest. Place in the water and start paddling.

Photo by Jill Weinlein

The white Oru paddle is not included, but available for purchase with other gear, such as a floatation device vest, dry bag set, and inflatable solar light. The paddle comes in four pieces, and is easy to stow inside the kayak when it’s in box form. Made with a lightweight fiberglass shaft and super-tough ABS plastic blades, the quick-clamp connector allows you to adjust the length of the paddle, and the angles of the blades.

It’s the perfect size for one adult, and there is enough room in the open cockpit for a small to medium size dog or child wearing a floatation device.

Photo by Jill Weinlein

After a day on the water it’s easy to disassemble and fold the front and back into its origami design. Just remove all the loose parts, dry off if needed, and insert into designated corresponding areas and clip the buckles together.

The box-to-boat fits easily in the trunk of a car or RV, and can easily be stored in a cabinet at home or even under your bed.

There are 5 different types and sizes of Oru Kayaks that range in price from The Inlet by Oru at $899, to the rugged expedition Coast XT retailing at $2,199. All the additional gear is available on the site. Enter the code GETGEAR15 and receive 15% off.