Get the Flash Player to see the slideshow.
4 Fun All Star Hero Villain Dynamic Duo All Water Kids Kayaks

Hero Series

  • Overview
  • Specs
  • Extras
  • Colors
  • SL vs Elite

hero-jessica-y-photo-stepheHere is a well tested and accepted river running kayak that paddles like a Jackson, rolls like a Jackson, and is comfortable like a Jackson. We started with the new Fun hull and built the boat up from there. This boat is the perfect companion for the paddler wanting a predictable, stable, carving, easy to paddle river runner that won’t hit a plateau before you do. Whether looking to creek the local run, or overnight the canyon, this full volume, planing hull, nimble, quick, safe kayak is your ticket. This will be a top selling kayak in 2008 and beyond, and sets a new standard in just how fun and versatile a river runner can be.

Some specifics:
The Hull: The elite comes with a Cross-linked plastic for durability and shape retention (no oilcanning). Planing hull for great initial stability, surfing, and a predictable ride that the Fun and Star paddler can jump into and feel right at home. The same performance characteristics found in the Fun hull is all standard with the ideal drop chines that are effective but out of the way for creeking, and thruster chines for extra speed and directional control for front surfing (yes you can spin it too!). For those creeking this boat, look for effortless boofs that come from a properly positioned rocker break. David Knight is a genius, and his genious shows through on this hull!

The Side Walls:
The side walls bring true Jackson Kayak rolling ability to play here with the addition of a rigidity bar for those wanting to seriously creek it (Team JK’s Jesse Coombs is already asking when he can “stomp the big ones” in it!) The flair in this sidewall is just right to give the beginner roller that extra confidence, while adding a secondary stability level that keeps you right side up and paddling. The angle is also set to make side surfing a hole (on purpose or not) easy, smooth, and non-grabby. There is nothing to catch while running slides for those who will be creeking this boat.

The Deck:
Ample footroom is the first thing you’ll notice. Put your BIG booties/river shoes on and you’ll be comfortable, and safe. That foot-room also provides you with the volume to keep you on the surface for safety and confidence. The stern has the volume needed to keep you looking downstream after drops instead of back into the hole! You’ll love how the Super Hero busts through holes and stays on the surface and upright like Superman busting through a wall with a smile on his face! The smooth, well designed deck keeps your knuckles and elbows free and clear of impact on even the biggest drops.

The Outfitting:
Boat Armor and Uni-Shock bulkhead on the elite models. Standard/super linear model has the Uni-shock bulkhead but uses the Standard seating system. Four friendly grab handles/attachment points for safety, and a stainless steel security bar for locking down your boat or extracting in the most challenging situations.

Side Kick - $699 (Super Linear)

  • Length: 79” (or 6’ 7”)
  • Width: 22.25”
  • Height: 13.0”
  • Volume: 50 gallons
  • Cockpit: 31" x 18"
  • Weight: 28 pounds
  • Target weight range: 40-120 pounds

Little Hero - $1,199 (Elite) - $1,049 (Super Linear)

  • Length: 7’ 1”
  • Width: 24”
  • Height: 14”
  • Volume: 64 gallons
  • Cockpit: 33" x 19.5"
  • Weight: 40lbs (SL), 38lbs (Elite)
  • Target weight range: 90-150

Hero - $1,199 (Elite) - $1,049 (Super Linear)

  • Length: 90” (or 7’ 6”)
  • Width: 25.5”
  • Height: 15.0”
  • Volume: 75 gallons
  • Cockpit: 35" x 20.5"
  • Weight: 45 lbs (SL), 43 (Elite)
  • Target weight range: 115-190 pounds

Super Hero - $1,199 (Elite) - $1,049 (Super Linear)

  • Length = 95” (or 7’ 11”)
  • Width = 26.5”
  • Height = 15.5”
  • Volume = 87 gallons
  • Cockpit: 37" x 21.5"
  • Weight: 48 (SL), 46 (Elite)
  • Target weight range: 155-280 pounds

Accessories:

Instructional Materials:

ELITE COLORS

   

SUPER LINEAR (SL) COLORS:

ELITE FACTORY CHOICE MULTI COLORS: These are the multicolor boats that you see on the retail floor.  If you order an Elite multicolor, the colors and pattern are determined by our molding staff, resulting in an almost unlimited array of possibilities, some bright and bold, some subtle.  If you want to specify your own colors and/or pattern, then you want a "custom multicolor".  You can mix any of the colors you see here and you can give us a description of what you want your boat to look like.  We are not able to mold extremely complex patterns.  Have your dealer contact Jackson customer service if you have questions about what is and is not possible.  A custom boat adds $75 to the price of a boat.  This charge is the same for any solid or multicolor custom.    - - - SL STANDARD MULTI COLORS: SL standard multicolors are similar to what is shown here, but each will vary somewhat.  Any other SL multicolor is a custom.  Any custom, solid or multicolor, adds $75 to the price of the boat.

Elite

Super Linear
Specs: Elite
  • Crosslinked polyethylene hull
  • Composite beam
  • Sweet Cheeks seat
  • Unishock footbrace system
  • Three year limited warranty with hull replacement at no charge for first two years.
 Specs: Super Linear (SL)
  • Superlinear polyethylene hull
  • Welded-in plastic seat track
  • Foam seat pad
  • Unishock footbrace system
  • Three year limited warranty with hull replacement at no charge for the first year.
 

Choosing between SL or Elite?

So, you’ve decided which Jackson whitewater model is best for you, now you get to decide between two versions of that model. Relax, either way you go, you’re guaranteed to get a great boat! But both have advantages.

SL (Super Linear)

  • The hull is made from Superlinear, a metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene that is the whitewater industry standard. This stuff is super-strong and fairly easy to repair, in the unlikely event that you ever break it.
  • A comfy, foam padded seat sits atop a welded-in plastic track. Simple and easy to adjust.
  • Adjustable, contoured hip pads and backband, same as in the Elite version.
  • All Heros feature Jackson's unique, adjust-on-the-fly Unishock footbrace system.
  • And best of all, Jackson’s SL models are competitively priced!
  • WARRANTY: Three year limited warranty with hull replacement at no charge for the first year.

ELITE

  • The hull is made from crosslinked polyethylene. No other major whitewater brand uses crosslink, despite its superior impact strength and abrasion resistance. Why? Crosslink is more expensive, takes longer to process, and requires more highly-skilled molders. Superlinear is tough. Crosslink is tougher and can be molded a bit lighter.
  • Elites feature a seat with “Sweet Cheeks”, Jackson’s unique, custom-fit butt-pad, for all-day comfort.
  • The Elite seat sits atop a composite beam that integrates into the foam walls, providing unparalleled hull stiffness and total outfitting integrity.
  • All Heros feature Jackson's unique, adjust-on-the-fly Unishock footbrace system.
  • WARRANTY:   Three year limited warranty with hull replacement at no charge for first two years.

Join us in our JK Community, set up a blog, share your JK Lyfestyles with other JK kayak owners and the entire JK Team!

JK News JK Super Schools About JK
JK in the Press Dealers JK Staff
JK Photo/Video JK Store JK Team
Contact Us
   
    or Create Account
Fun Tour 2010