Holger Machatschek (DEU)

Have you ever wondered where large cockpits, bulkhead footrests, the throw bag, and life jackets came from?

No other has influenced the “Alpine whitewater sport” more than Holger Machatschek, over the course of several decades, and often from the background.

After the Augsburg Olympics in 1972 and early days of alpine white water rafting before polyethylene boats, Google, Facebook, the Internet and smartphones, paddlers didn’t know each other and met only by chance at this or that place. Holger collected the telephone numbers of these paddlers and compiled them into a “must-have” contact list to make possible an exchange of information, meetings, and  joint trips: the Alpine Kayak Club , or “AKC)” was born. Within a short time, it became the most renowned paddle club in the world with the most important paddling network of the international whitewater scene. With the number and difficulty of the rivers navigated there was also an increase in accidents, the safety thinking of paddlers and the right equipment had not yet been developed. Holger Machatschek asked questions after accidents, analyzed, collected information, discussed with experts and, together with the manufacturers, sought and found solutions suitable for series production that resulted in the development of the throw bag, impact plate footrest, safety belt life vest, and large safety cockpit.

One of Holger’s  outstanding characteristics is his habit of questioning the tried and tested. Together with Germany-based Eskimo Kayak, he developed the Topolino which, at 7.2 feet long, allowed the paddler to develop  a whole new vocabulary of techniques and tricks. Its shorter length and innovative shape resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of accidents involving pinning and folding, which had often been fatal up to then.