History

In 1978, Manuel Alberto Ramos founded M.A.R. Kayaks, lda, with its factory and office based in Vila do Conde.

After years of acummulating know how and experience Nelo started its international adventure!
England was the begining of an international exponential development and expansion.
This birthplace is where one of the world's leading kayaker pioneers - Rob Roy MacGregor - explorer and designer.
This track record, coupled with a culture that demands quality, makes England the best choice for a company that wants to grow and strengthen.

It has a more ergonomic cockpit and slimer lines.
Extremely light versions of the boat were built for marathon events, with boats weighing only 3kg.

As orders for Nelo boats grew, so did the company in size and recognition.
It was in 1991, due to a significant increase in its production that Nelo change the factory to Mosteiró, with an area 3 times bigger.

It was in 1992, that Nelo achieves its first bronze medal, by the portuguese athlete, Rui Câncio.

In 1996, in Atlanta, Nelo achieves its first medal in the Olympics, through the Russian crew, in K4 1000m.

Moskito was the first line of boats designed 100% by Nelo.
At a time when the rules demanded that the boats had to have a minimum width and could not have concavities in the hull, the Moskitos implemented a remarkable change, carrying the widest point to the athlete´s area were it have the best impact and removing dead work.
Downing the seam line allowed to develop an ergonomic deck and that made the stroke easier.
The impact of Moskito in the world of canoeing was so remarkable that the International Canoe Federation was obliged to abolish the rule of the minimum width.

Van-quish: 1- Win in battle; 2-Inflict submission by a superior force; 3- Dominate(an emotion, passion or temptation).

The first Games in which Nelo was chosen as Official Supplier, were also those where he won most medals.

Because in the old factory there we couldn´t fit any more employees.
As a result of sustainable development and continuous growth, Nelo changes its location. Canidelo, Vila do Conde as the choice for its new factory and offices, which had 5000m2.

By inverting the bow, the boat has become faster and more efficient. This technical superiority is proven by all the titles won, as well as Nelo's concern to reserve the exclusivity of its design and functional characteristics for all "Cinco" boats, through the first patent ever granted for this type of sports.

Nelo achieves the best result of all time, in the Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro: 27 medals in 36 possible, of which 8 are gold, 9 silver and 10 bronze.

In 2017, with the goal of increasing the production, Nelo turn to expand its factory. Now with 20000 m2, the news facilities have the best possible conditions for the production of high quality products.