Limited Print Edition Kayaks

At Oru, we’re all about connecting to nature - it’s the whole reason we exist.

To design our new Limited Print Edition, we took inspiration from our surroundings. Here in Northern California, Redwood trees are one of the first things anyone thinks about when hearing the word “nature”. And for good reason! Redwoods are the tallest trees on earth, and some of the oldest. While the biggest, oldest trees are a few hours north of us (where Anton, our Founder and Chief Origamist hails from), even the Bay Area has some spectacular groves. One of our favorite places to hike and mountain bike is a Redwood forest within Oakland city limits.

Some local parks and museums have cross-sections of logs which document the passage of hundreds or even thousands of years- each year represented by a thin band of wood. Looking at the ring patterns is a sure way to get deep and philosophical about time, as in this famous movie scene here. 

You can not only count the years, but also see patterns and events recorded: thick rings for wet years, thin ones for droughts, occasional burns showing forest fires. It’s hard not to reflect on the growth and changes in your own life, and how you fit into your time and place on earth.

If that all seems a bit too deep or melancholy, tree rings just do make beautiful patterns. Each one is as unique as a fingerprint. It also ties into printing, and how we make our prints. Our kayak skins are screen printed, a technique which uses fancy equipment - but also an incredible amount of craft and human skill and knowledge. 

Historically, the first ever prints were made using woodblocks carved from end grain. In other words, from cross-sections of logs. This made it feel especially appropriate as a design to kick off our new Limited Print Edition kayaks.

We hope these prints inspire you to look differently at the trees and forests around you. As always, we look forward to your feedback and ideas for future designs!

 You can shop the Limited Print here!

- Anton