Mike Johnson Custom Kayaks

1621 San Luis Rey Avenue, Vista, CA 92084 (619) 724-7200

Mike's latest surf kayak!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New design from Mike Johson dominates contest

The Mako, the latest surf-kayak from master boat-designer/builder Mike Johnson, demonstrated its prowess in dominating the high performance class at the 12th Annual Kayak Surf Festival in Santa Cruz, California, March 14 through 16. The final heat was four Johnson creations: three Makos and one Taco (Mike's 1992 design).

The four Team Johnson surfers in the hotly-contested final were past high performance champions Rick Starr and Ken King, contest organizer Dennis Judson (in the lone Taco), and Mike Johnson himself. All four paddlers had several good rides, impressing the crowd and judges carving turns, making cutbacks and throwing 360's, despite poor quality waves. In the end, the judges counted Ken King first, Dennis Judson second, Mike Johnson third, and Rick Starr fourth, with a mere nine points difference between first and fourth..

At the time of the contest, there were only three Makos in existence, and all made the finals. This new design continues Mike's tradition of using the hard-railed, three-plane waveski hull developed by Merv Larsen. This remarkable planing bottom, combined with a sleek, low-volume deck, provides maximum performance capability. Like its predecessor, the Taco, this kayak will scream down the line, carve turns and cutbacks effortlessly, and 360 in the blink of an eye with just a whisk of the paddle. Its new low-volume deck, low angled sides, extra kick in the bow, and extra length improve its handling in really hollow waves, or rough water conditions.

Typical of Mike Johnson's creations, these three brightly-colored Makos were beautifully hand-crafted by Mike personally. The decks are glassed with bulletproof Kevlar cloth, and the hulls with Divinicell foam for rigidity. The highest quality Minicell foam is shaped into the seat, hip pads, knee braces, and pillars. Adjustable nylon footbraces and custom grab loops complete the outfitting. Any custom color can be matched for deck and bottom.

For true high performance ocean surfing, whether you just learned how to roll, or you're headed for the World Championship, there simply is no better choice.

Comments

2/18/97 - Mike's, yet unnamed, new boat is one of the hottest surf kayaks yet.  I watched Mike take it out for the first time on Sunday February 16th, 1997 at Swami's in Encinitas, CA.   He shredded!  The boat spins effortlessly and boy is it fast!  On one wave, Mike took off and carved around two board surfers like they were standing still. Even though the surf was pretty small that day, Mike came out of the water many hours later grinning from ear-to-ear. On my way home that evening I started thinking about what I could sell to raise the cash to get one! - Michael Francisco, SOSKA Founding Member