Our story
We match people with their spirit, not just a product.
Boats have been named after people for centuries. We never understood why boards weren't. Kinship started in a garage in Victoria in 2019, building inflatable boards that were worth naming — and giving each one a personality so paddlers could find the one that felt like theirs.
Made for BC water
Cold, rocky, tidal and beautiful. Every board is tested here before it's sold anywhere.
Built to last
Dual-layer and fusion constructions with a five-year seam warranty, because replacing gear is not sustainable.
Community first
Free demo mornings all summer, and a gallery built entirely from customer photos.
Human recommendations
Every order can come with a conversation. We'd rather send you to a competitor than the wrong board.
The crew
Maren Lindqvist
Founder & board matcher
Grew up on Cormorant Island. Names every board before it ships.
Théo Bouchard
Shaper & materials
Spent a decade in inflatable boat construction. Obsessive about seams.
Ash Whitfield
Yoga line & community
Teaches SUP yoga in Cadboro Bay. Tests every board barefoot at dawn.
Reuben Oyelaran
Racing & fit
Former marathon paddler. Will happily argue about fin placement.
Come find your kin
Take the quiz, browse the directory, or send us a note and we'll do the matching for you.