ABOUT
VANHUNKS USA Okobee Outdoors
LIVE YOUR LEGEND
We're Vanhunks USA & Okobee Outdoors, and we're here to bring the spirit of adventure to your doorstep in the form of kayaks and paddleboards. Hailing from the warm, adventurous heart of Sarasota, Florida, our family-owned company is ready to take it's customers on a wild ride. But before we dive into the excitement, let's introduce ourselves.
Our roots stretch back to the rugged shores of South Africa, where the name "Vanhunks" carries with it tales of local lore and legendary adventures. We've taken that heritage and blended it with the Florida sunshine to create a brand that embodies the spirit of exploration, camaraderie, and the great outdoors. We're passionate about what we do, and that passion shows in every product we create.
Living the Adventure, Sharing the Passion
At Vanhunks, we don't just sell kayaks and paddleboards; we sell the promise of a carefree, non-stop adventure. We live by the mantra of "Live Your Legend," and we're determined to inspire everyone, from novice explorers to seasoned adventurers, to experience life to the fullest on the water. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and above all, fun, sets us apart in the industry.
The Lengend of Vanhunks
Vanhunks was a Dutch pirate and explorer extraordinaire. Legend has it he retired to the Cape of Good Hope near the tip of Africa to smoke his days away on a mountain overlooking the ocean. Old Vanhunks had an encounter with a stranger dressed in a black coat and a wide-brimmed hat. The stranger turned out to be the Devil, and Vanhunks was challenged to a smoking duel to see who could smoke the other into a stupor.
Everyone knew that no one could out smoke old Vanhunks.
But the Devil, he tried. He tried with all his might to puff and drag his opponent to waste. But Vanhunks beat the Devil that day. And the Devil was a devilishly lousy loser. Losing made him furious. So he summoned up tremendous thunderbolts and frightening lightning and drove Vanhunks off into the tempestuous sunset.
Old Vanhunks was never seen again, but the puffy clouds of his billowing smoke fest return to that mountain now and again when the kite wind blows, and his legend lives on in quite a poignant way.
His legend also lives on in what we do. His competitive spirit, and his pursuit of victory over the elements, and triumph over challenges – those qualities drive what we do at Vanhunks USA every day.
the legend of okobee
Rooted in Sarasota’s rich history, the legend of Chichi Okobee tells of a forbidden love between the Seminole chief and the Spanish princess, Sara de Soto. When tragedy struck and Sara succumbed to illness, Chichi led a sacred ceremony, paddling sara de sota and 100 of his men in canoes, laying her to rest in Sarasota Bay before sinking their canoes and sacrificing himself and his warriors to forever guard her burial site. Locals believe Chichi’s spirit still watches over the coast, calming storms and protecting Sarasota from hurricanes. The whitecaps seen in stormy weather are said to be his warriors, eternally battling the waves to shield the shore. This mystical tale adds to the enchantment of Florida’s Suncoast, where nature, history, and legend intertwine.
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