OUR HISTORY

Kiwi International Rowing Skiffs (KIRS) was established in 1981 when twenty-year-old Bob Rout took over his old bosses business, which was then called Croker Oars (NZ). Bob had completed his apprenticeship in boat building with Croker and was at the time the foreman and Chief Boat Builder. A competitive rower himself, Bob was attuned to the needs and wants of the rowing fraternity and with the market needing good boats he set to work on the new business.

The early boats were coxed fours, which were based on the 1978 European designs concepts absorbed by New Zealand clubs and schools ex Karapiro World Championships. Within four months 8+s, 4+s, 2-’s and 2+s were in production. Bob then moved towards creating his own moulds in 1994 which now covers the whole range of rowing skiffs. KIRS initial market was mainly local clubs and schools and by 1986 the business had a firm foothold on the New Zealand market. Eventually sales were achieved in Australia and Asia.

In 1990, KIRS quality and development was recognised by New Zealand’s national rowing organisation when all representative crews at the Tasmania World Champs used KIRS boats. Today, the boats are still prominent in the international arena and many World Cup and Olympic champions have achieved success in kirs boats. Over the years, Bob and his team have built a strong repour and relationship with some of rowing’s top coaches and administrators, with whom he works closely to tweak designs and test new ideas.

Skiff boat building is both an art and a science. KIRS use quality-manufacturing techniques and fit their boats with well-designed and reliable fittings that are not only fit for purpose but also comfortable for the athletes. An active development programme and huge investments in both time and money, alongside a collaboration with Australian designer Les Richards have seen the brand develop to achieve the latest KIRS range. A totally radical design which sees the skiffs longer and sleeker with an innovative chisel design bow and stern.

We believe that our tailor-made boats have greater glued surface areas which makes a longer lasting and stronger structure. All of our boats are on-weight. The staff are highly skilled trades people who produce the quality of workmanship which is quality checked and guaranteed by Bob personally. Some of the team are either current or past elite rowers. The company has grown from strength to strength and now produces in the order of 120 boats per annum, 30 of those exported.

Not one to sit on his laurels, Bob is still looking for the perfect rowing skiff. With each new mould or innovative, he gets closer to his goal, “This is the challenge that keeps me in business,” says Bob. “To work with top quality coaches and get the buzz from seeing my boats cross the line first.” Bob now manages his day to day interest in KIRS from outside the business and is focussing on staff coaching and management.

DESIGN | CONSTRUCTION FEATURES

KIRS 9.906 mould.

The new KIRS 9.906 mould is in production. The 9.9 mid-section has remained the same through the cockpit area and we have redesigned the bow and stern with our new chisel design concept (LR Design). Height settings and displacement positioning have been set and we are currently designing and shaping a new cockpit layout mould, bow and stern mouldings.

KIRS 9 single scull.

We have developed a new mould (LR Design) at 9m and Mahe Drysdale, World Record Holder, New Zealand Champion will evaluate the new shape when he returns to New Zealand at Christmas time. The design is totally innovative and an unknown and Mahe will give us the instant feedback we require and we look forward to working with him as we are committed to being part of his effort to make him go faster yet!

KIRS 18.7 8+ mould (LR Design).

We are currently finishing off a 5-dimensional plug and will have the first boat on the water in November 2006 to evaluate for height settings and displacement positioning. We currently have four orders for this exciting and innovative new 8-shape that will set a new trend and a different dimension to 8-shape throughout the world.

KIRS 8 Lightweight singles mould (LR Design).

With a displacement setting of 60-70kg average. The first manufactured boat will be assessed by the New Zealand Lightweight High Performance Programme at Karapiro in November. This is totally new concept of design that will turn heads - it¹s unlike anything out there in the world market!