Over 100 years of Klepper folding kayak history

The name Klepper, and especially the KLEPPER folding kayaks, made the city of Rosenheim world famous. Because of worldwide inquiries about the ingenuity and history of Klepper, we decided to establish a Klepper Museum – a special exhibition, “German Masterworks”, at the National German Museum in Bonn confirmed our endeavour.

Spectacular feats have been accomplished with Klepper folding kayaks, such as:

• The Germany–India expedition, 1923, by Karl Schott
• The North Pole expedition, 1926, by Roald Amundsen
• The first Atlantic crossing, 1928, by Captain Romer
• The Atlantic crossing, 1955, by Dr. Lindemann
• The expedition to the magnetic North Pole, 1985, by Arved Fuchs
• The circumnavigation of Cape Horn, 1989, by Howard Rice

The focus of the Klepper Museum is, of course, the exhibition of folding kayaks, produced since 1907 and the original reason for the company’s existence. But there is much more to see, such as Klepper coats and Klepper tents. Old documents and pictures relating to Klepper’s history are now in our possession, though we still welcome testimonials of the past – from the Olympics in Berlin to the World Exhibition in Paris.

The exhibition’s guiding theme is “From a Rag Cruiser to an Olympic Boat” – the history of an outdoor-recreation trend, and of a folding boat that became a phenomenon in travel. It also documents the history and development of the Klepper company, once the biggest employer in Rosenheim.

Films and videos on folding kayaks, as well as lectures on notable expeditions, round out the programme. Further activities include the planning of joint tours, the exchange of experience, repair courses, lectures on the environmental aspects of boating, and serving as a meeting point for boating enthusiasts.