Our Approach

“I live by a philosophy of focusing on what I value most and what creates the greatest impact. Everything else, I intentionally set aside.” - Chad Meek

In 1996, after winning the World Marathon Championships, Chad Meek was inspired to build his own ultralight kayak. At the time, nothing of that weight or style was available in Australia, so he began experimenting and teaching himself how to create one. The process was hands-on and sometimes challenging, but it led to the construction of a 5kg honeycomb K1. The following year, that boat carried him to second place at the 1997 World Championships.

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That experience sparked a lasting interest in manufacturing and product design. What began with kayaks soon extended to paddles, sea kayaks, ocean craft, and a wide range of other ideas. Although Chad continued racing, time in the workshop increasingly shaped the direction of his work and focus.

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Together with his wife Skye, who also competed at a World Championship level and holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science, a shared vision formed. They wanted to build a business that allowed them to stay connected to training and racing, while creating high-performance equipment they genuinely believed in and used themselves. From that intention, Meek Paddles was established.

The first paddles were built to meet the demands of long, difficult events such as the Coast to Coast World Multisport Championships. From there, the range gradually expanded to include different shapes, sizes, and lay-ups suited to a variety of paddling styles and conditions. The Australian surf environment became an important testing ground, proving both the strength and reliability of the designs.

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Throughout the growth of the business, the Meek family has stayed focused on simplicity and purpose. By refining their processes, incorporating solar power, and keeping overheads low, they have built a small, efficient operation that produces carefully made paddles without unnecessary complexity. This approach has helped the business remain resilient through changing conditions and challenges.

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Each year is seen as an opportunity to quietly improve. Designs are refined, construction methods are adjusted, and materials are evaluated. The introduction of the ultralight Meek Warrior lay-up is one example of this ongoing process. The collaboration with Clint Robinson in 2021/22 further strengthened this approach, bringing together decades of combined racing and design experience to create paddles with a distinctive and highly refined feel on the water.

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This is how Meek Paddles continues to evolve: slowly, deliberately, and always guided by real experience on the water.

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