Arcata, CA — Inspired by the varied backgrounds of the paddlers on their elite pro whitewater team, Kokatat is teaming with artist Marcus Cline on a limited edition life vest that reflects the heritage and spirit of paddling.
The Limited Edition Maximus Centurion life vest will be available in a stunning design that emanates from the hearts and minds of Kokatat’s premier athletes. Each one of the elements in the artwork represents something dear to the paddlers’ connection to the whitewater world. A cactus from Mexican native Rafa Ortiz, a salmon from Gerd Serrasolses representing his long distance travels but always returning home, a raven from Oregon’s Chris Korbulic representing his upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, a snowflake from Nouria Newman representing skiing in the French Alps as a child which lead to her passion for adventure in the mountains and rivers, a kayaker hiking with his boat represents Ben Stookesberry’s lust for adventure that often takes him long distances into remote rivers, Dane Jackson has spent his entire life chasing rainstorms, Emily Jackson chose a van by the river to represent growing up on the road traveling to kayak with her family, the Southern Cross represents home for New Zealand’s Jordy Seale, Jules Domine spends most of his time in Columbia discovering new rivers while studying the native culture and habitat and chose the Chiribiquete pictograms which is where he is working on his latest project, and Evan Moore chose the Tehipite valley, which is part of the middle Kings and close to where he grew up on the Kern river, to represent his upbringing as a kayaker.
Cline (here is his website) is a Salt Lake-based artist known for blending his outdoor passions with his art. His work appears in a multitude of mediums and he has a long history as a whitewater guide and avid whitewater kayaker.
“We’ve taken the incredible talents of Marcus Cline and applied them to one of our best-selling life vests to make a colorful and unique product that captures the essence of paddling,” said Shannon Finch, Kokatat’s Brand Manager. “These limited vests are as functional as they are beautiful.”
Made with all-Gaia foam, the feature-rich Maximus Centurion is the go-to life vest of whitewater paddlers. With wide, contoured neoprene shoulder straps providing unsurpassed mobility and a large front pocket with internal organization, the Centurion provides unsurpassed comfort and safety.
“It’s an impressive collaboration between world-class paddlers and an accomplished artist,” said Finch.
