…also rowing boat manufacturers!

Nelo is the leading company in top performance kayaks and canoes and the major innovator in canoeing, from boat design to services and technology.

This know-how poured into new areas and Nelo have now a strong footing in all paddle related sports, including Rowing to Stand Up Paddle, while still developing and producing strong composite shells for other sports and showing great versatility in the production of all kind of composite sport equipment under other brands.

The company was created in 1978 by Manuel Ramos, a former paddler himself, and is now located in Vila do Conde, Portugal. The factory has an area of 20.000m2 where 150 employees work.

Innovation is a big part of our DNA, constantly improving and developing new concepts and ideas. All our models are designed and conceived by us, with the help of professional personnel and techniques.

With a wide network of dealers, Nelo covers the globe and sells to over 100 countries.

Achievements

Nelo is the most recognized, valued and awarded brand in canoeing. More than 75% of the boats raced during major world and continental competitions are Nelo boats, equipping nations worldwide.

Since Athens 2004 Nelo has been the Official Provider in Canoe Sprint for the Olympic Games, and proudly so. Our boats have collected a total of 118 Olympic Medals and just in 2021 in Tokyo, we came out with 25 of the 36 available medals.

Services

Nelo prides itself of being much more of boat company, having 360ยบ view of the sport and design and offering services and products to meet an wider range of needs.

Nelo was the first manufacturer to have a truly professional service at major events, having a large crew at the venues that prepare, tune, repair any boat that comes by.

To enable teams and paddlers to have at their disposal the best equipment possible, Nelo created the Nelo Rental service, which provides hundreds of boats for race events, handling all the logistics.

During the off-season, teams and individuals can train at our Training Centers, established in perfect spots for water sports and fully serviced by Nelo.

Raising the sport

These sports are our passion and having them grow and reach new destinations and generations. As so, we partnered with International Federations in programs to develop the sports in countries in South America, Africa and Asia

Nelo provided basic materials, tools and know-how, sending a team to work side by side with the locals in order for them to have all the capabilities to manufacture their own boats and thus have the means to introduce water sports to new athletes.