About Strie Strømmer
Strie Strømmer was started in 2004 by Kay-Arne Randen and Jon Kristen Garmo. We inherited the name from Petter Granrud's legendary shop on the shady side of Heidal, which in the 90s sold quality gear ordered by fax from the USA with a minimal markup. We inherited the market from Anett at Sjoa Kajakksenter, who decided to drop the shop and focus on courses after the 2003 season. On top of that, Jon Kristen's father had a warehouse full of junk in the middle of Heidal that could easily be put to better use. Through sponsorship deals with the importers Voss Ski og Surf (Riot Kayaks), Eian Fritid (Dagger Kayaks) and Sweet Protection, who saw the value of having their gear on sale in Heidal, we also got stock on commission – our starting capital was somewhat limited.
Everything was in place for a shop.
A shop it became. We agree that we both peaked as paddlers in the 2003 season, but we still paddle as often as we can – and this is how we advertised when we opened in 2004:
Strie Strømmer Elvesport DA was founded by two paddling enthusiasts, Jon Kristen Garmo and Kay-Arne Randen, in the winter of 2004. Our shop is in Heidal, within walking distance of the river Sjoa. We who run Strie Strømmer are active river paddlers ourselves, with more than 20 years of combined whitewater experience, both racing and river running. Our customers will benefit from this experience, whether choosing gear or looking for other paddling tips. We focus on offering high-quality gear at a sensible price, with plenty of expertise and service thrown in.
– From our opening in 2004
The same holds true today – add 40+ years to the experience and, as anyone who knows us will tell you, go a little easy on the "active river paddlers" part, and that is where we are today. We are still a small shop, as a specialist whitewater shop in Norway has to be. That suits us fine, because we still get like kids when a new kayak model arrives.
Meet our ambassadors
Luckily, we've got some people on board who are still young and promising.