Professional expertise, field partners and proven equipment
A quality journey is not built from a succession of logos. It is built from reliable people, suitable boats and equipment that we genuinely know.
To design and lead our sea-kayaking trips, we belong to specialised professional networks and, depending on the destination, work with trusted crews and local teams. We also use kayaks, paddles and expedition equipment selected and tested through years on the water. Reliability, comfort, seaworthiness, ease of transport and the possibility of making repairs in the field guide our choices.
This page deliberately distinguishes three different realities: the professional networks around our activity, the operational partners with whom we build certain journeys, and the brands whose equipment we purchase and use. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, a brand appearing here therefore does not imply sponsorship, a free product or a commercial partnership.
Specialised professional networks
Alongside the experience gained in the field, these networks keep us connected with other professionals, allow us to share good practice and help us follow the evolving standards of professional sea-kayak guiding.
International Sea Kayak Guide Alliance
The ISKGA is an international network dedicated to professional sea-kayak guiding. Julien Burellier is listed there as a Registered Guide and Technical Advisor.
SNGP CKDA
The Syndicat National des Guides Professionnels de Canoë Kayak et Disciplines Associées is the French national union representing professional canoe and kayak guides. It defends the profession and supports its members on regulatory and professional matters.
Operational partners rooted in the places we visit
Voyage Kayak remains a small operation, but every journey relies on trusted professionals: the skipper of the Colada catamaran in the Mediterranean, traditional-boat crews in Oman or Indonesia, local guides, accommodation providers, sea-kayak bases and logistics teams based in the destination. Their knowledge of the area complements our kayaking expertise and helps us organise transfers, supplies, accommodation and maritime support with greater accuracy.
Human collaborations built in the field, as close as possible to the local teams.
Some polar departures use an expedition vessel as a base camp. Julien also works as a kayak leader on selected Oceanwide Expeditions voyages. The operator’s IAATO and AECO memberships relate to its own Antarctic and Arctic operations; they are not presented here as a Voyage Kayak equipment partnership.
On some trips, particularly in Greece, Norway and Sweden, we use locally available kayaks when their models, sizes and condition meet our requirements. When that is not possible, we travel with our own fleet of folding kayaks and our own paddles.
The kayak brands and boats we use
Folding kayaks for travelling with our own fleet
Folding kayaks give Voyage Kayak a particular freedom: they allow us to take a high-performance fleet by plane, train or bus and to organise itineraries in regions where no suitable equipment is available locally.
TRAK Kayaks — folding singles
TRAK 2.0 kayaks are high-performance folding single sea kayaks. Their hydraulic frame system allows the rocker and skin tension to be adjusted, adapting the boat’s behaviour to the conditions on the water.
They pack into a travel bag and offer glide and precision close to those of a rigid kayak. We have used them for more than ten years on journeys where on-water performance must remain compatible with air-travel logistics.
Nautiraid — expedition tandems
For two-person crews, we use the Nautiraid Grand Raid 540 and Grand Narak 550. Their stability, comfort and load capacity make them genuine touring kayaks.
The Grand Raid prioritises stability and volume for long itineraries. More streamlined, the Grand Narak offers greater glide and versatility. Both models can be transported to the starting point and assembled on site.
Rigid kayaks for road-accessible trips
For trips in France and parts of the Mediterranean, we also use our fleet of rigid sea kayaks. Its range of volumes allows us to provide a suitable fit for different body shapes and to choose the boat that best matches the paddler’s level and the programme of the trip.
Zegul — Reval and composite kayaks
Our fleet includes several Zegul Reval kayaks in different volumes, together with lighter composite models. Their glide, tracking and seaworthiness make them suitable for touring as well as more technical day paddles.
The range of volumes allows us to equip lighter paddlers as well as people looking for more room or load capacity.
P&H Sea Kayaks — Scorpio MV and HV
We use P&H Scorpio kayaks in Medium Volume and High Volume versions. Robust, stable and designed for open-water paddling, they provide good load capacity and reassuring handling in varied conditions.
The two volumes allow us to match the kayak to the participant’s build while retaining the qualities required for day trips and multi-day journeys.
The paddles and navigation equipment we use
Werner Paddles
We use Werner carbon paddles selected for their manufacturing quality, efficiency and comfort over long days on the water. Several lengths and blade areas allow us to match the paddle to each paddler’s build, cadence and habits.
Aquadesign
Part of our personal equipment comes from Aquadesign: personal flotation devices, protective clothing, neoprene equipment and navigation accessories. Each item is selected according to the water temperature, climate and programme of the trip.
The camping and expedition equipment we use
On land as on the water, we look for equipment that is simple, reliable and suited to repeated use. The kit changes with the climate, the style of travel and the space available in the kayaks.
Patagonia
We use hard-wearing travel bags and technical Patagonia clothing for transport, exposed days and everyday life during an expedition.
Hennessy Hammock
In some tropical or forest environments, their hammocks with integrated mosquito net and tarp provide a compact sleeping system that is quick to set up and well suited to the terrain.
MSR
MSR tents, multi-fuel stoves and cooking equipment accompany us on itineraries where self-sufficiency, wind resistance and camping reliability matter.
Safety does not depend on a single logo
Safety and communication equipment is selected according to the destination, remoteness, regulations and rescue resources available. Depending on the trip, group equipment may include a marine VHF radio, a Garmin inReach satellite communicator and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
Navigation equipment, a first-aid kit, repair tools and suitable personal equipment complete the system. The goal is not to carry as much equipment as possible, but to have the right tools, know how to use them and plan coherent fallback options.
The right equipment in the service of the journey
The fleet, equipment and partners may vary according to the destination and the conditions of the trip. The principle remains the same: choose the solution that makes the most sense for safe and enjoyable paddling, the group’s comfort and access to sometimes very remote places.
The Road Book for each trip specifies the kayak type, equipment provided and personal kit to bring.