Our story

THE STORY — OUR STORY

In 2015, while I was vacationing in Canada, I set out to paddle down the Saguenay River by canoe. At the time, staying true to the trapper spirit, I couldn’t imagine using anything other than an open canoe—a canot, as the Quebecois say. But then a friend told me about something called… a packraft. A pack-what?

In just a few seconds, he explained the concept: lightweight, compact, durable, stable...

Alright then, let’s try a packraft! I was instantly convinced. And what a surprise, right from the first hours on the water… I immediately saw the huge potential of this craft. For six days, on the water, on foot, and camping out, I had a life-changing adventure. An unforgettable memory, made possible by the packraft.

In 2020, after co-founding JAWS with Mathieu Forichon, I started designing my first model. A decisive meeting with Antoine, a passionate guide, quickly helped me envision boats suited for our Alpine rivers.

After several prototypes and a good dose of creativity, our first production packraft came to life. That same year, Antoine naturally became part of the JAWS adventure. He was soon followed by Thierry, a clever and talented engineer who quickly became indispensable.

In 2024, we launched the GAIA 4.0 packraft to the public. The response was immediate—from individual users, retailers… and even explorers. Its innovative 3-in-1 concept—one model for three uses—clearly set JAWS apart from the competition. This milestone also marked the arrival of Céline, who quickly became a key player, no matter the challenge.

To bring structure to our concepts, plans, and designs, Guillaume and Michael joined the team. Their calm, experience, and skills soon became essential in developing our new products.

Since then, our team has continued to grow. Eloha, our brilliant designer, makes sure you see us everywhere, all the time. Nolan, the marketing maestro, came on board to lead the marketing team with passion and energy. Camil, our visual wizard with endless inspiration, brings the JAWS universe to life across our platforms.

To support all this momentum, we needed a steady hand on the financial side. One meeting at OSV—and of course, out on the river—and Sylvain joined JAWS. It was a perfect fit.

Anniken, a true competitor at heart and a ski champion from Norway, came to strengthen our presence in Northern Europe.

Today, we’re a close-knit, skilled, and passionate team, driven by a shared love for adventure, nature, and freedom.

— Éric