History
Severin Racing Shells was purchased from Wayne Severin in 2004 by Paul Smith and Andy Maclachlan, when it was re-named Macarbi Racing, falling under "The Rowshop cc". The business has relocated from Benoni to Wemmer Pan aquatics club, and as a result is now more accessible to paddlers and oarspersons.
The business was started in 1993 with the aim to provide the South African rowing market with more affordable rowing boats, repairs & spares, with the eventual goal (which was succesfully achieved in 2004) to open a kayaking section in order to offer all products required by the South African canoeing market, linked directly to the best follow-up maintenance and repair service around.
In 2009 Macarbi very succesfully joined the cycling industry and opened their carbon bicycle frame and wheel repair section, repairing in excess of 50 carbon frames in their first season of business. All feedback was completely positive, and their reputation for the new venture has gone rapidly from strength to strength.
Macarbi Racing has a full range of products and services to meet all one's paddling or rowing needs, from the individual client to the larger clubs in South Africa. They offer year round repairs to all types of boat from wooden shells to the latest honeycomb composite boats. Their cycle repair section is gaining in popularity too, as it now offers cyclists an opportunity to avoid discarding very expensive equipment, instead performing 100% sound repairs at a fraction of the original equipment price.
Management - The art of taking something great and making it fantastic.
The business is now owned by Andy Maclachlan and Stephen Riley (as a share holder). Andy has achieved at various levels in rowing and canoeing circles. He has won 7 University Boat races and numerous Blues titles in SA Student Colours during his academic days, captaining the Blues crew on most occasions. He is also the holder of 5 University Sportsman of the year titles, an awesome feat. On an international front, Andy has represented South Africa and participated in at least 40 international tours, gaining over 60 international caps, a number of those being at World Championship level. He has won most SA rowing titles during his rowing career, including the Grand Challenge and coveted Silver Sculls trophy on a number of occasions.
Andy is a relative beginner on the kayaking front, yet has achieved remarkably well in his paddling career. He narrowly missed silver medals in the Dusi and Drak Marathons in his early years of paddling, after achieving a 3rd position in the K1 in the 2005 50 Miler race. He has also achieved two silver medals in the Fish Marathon to date, just missed a top 10 finish in the 2007 Umko Marathon, and achieved a top 30 position in the 2006 Fish. He has also found himself on the podium for various other Gauteng races. Although he strictly considers himself a social paddler, he consistently finds himself finishing in the top 10% of most races.
Stephen Riley (factory manager) has also excelled on the paddling front, achieving top results in past South African canoe polo tournaments.
With the Macarbi management exhibiting this experience, the customer is offered a quality product from a boat and accessories provider with an intimate understanding of the sports. Macarbi recognizes one's requirements and is constantly striving to discover new and dynamic innovations to make your experience more successful, pleasurable and as efficient as possible.
The Macarbi Offering:
Rowing:
Macarbi has identified the numerous requirements of SA rowing, with our international athletes having achieved medals at the highest level possible, and all developing athletes striving to do the same. As a result, Macarbi has identified the manufacturers of the best rowing products available world-wide, and has secured the agency rights for these manufacturers. We strive to bring these products to our rowers as efficiently as possible, whilst doing our best to make them affordable for all athletes. Croker, Concept 2, Rowfit, Wintech, Olym Sports, NK, Coxmate, Martinoli are just a few of the products that Macarbi has on offer.
Spares, Repairs and Maintenance
Macarbi offers the best Spares, Repairs and Maintenance service in South Africa, by far. Our recent record shows that we are number one in South African rowing when it comes to service and repairs of rowing boats and equipment. Our recent launch of Winter Fleet Maintenance programs for schools and clubs has indicated our commitment to maintaining the best performance of our customer's clubs. We have repaired a huge nuber of broken oars, boats and other equipment, and have recently been approached by a top international rowing union to service their rowing fleet in South Africa. Our repair and accessories section continues to grow from strength to strength.
Canoeing:
The factory canoe section is headed up by Steven Riley, an individual whose selection into the South African Canoe Polo team a few years back ensures an intimate understanding of the paddler's requirements; this section is in safe and capable hands. Steve has also had a good few years' experience working for and heading up sections at two other kayak manufacturing businesses, and has an immense pool of knowlege and experience to bring to the party.
Macarbi has created a niche for itself by offering paddlers ON TIME repairs, service and delivery. We have outsourced a large amount of our manufacturing to other top boat manufacturers, in order to focus more on our service to the customer. This has also enabled us to expand our range of boats available dramatically, and we now offer an entire range, from absolute beginner boats to top level sprint boats.
Macarbi Kayaking offers all accessories, services, repairs and spares, and strives to make the sport more affordable and enjoyable for all paddlers.
Cycling:
Macarbi Carbon bicycle repairs is now an experienced outfit, and has succesfully repaired a large number of top-end carbon bicycle frames and wheels. Our repair technique has evolved from a complex rowing oar splint and double-sleeve repair process in order to ensure that any carbon break or crack on one's cycling equipment is completely remedied. On average it costs R1000.00 to do a splint and double-sleeve repair, which is as strong and as balanced as the original product, saving the client up to R60 000.00 on the cost of a new frame.
We have even succesfully repaired frames that were accidentally driven into garage doors whilst fastened to vehicle roof-racks, frames that were initially considered totally irrepairable. Our confidence in the strength and weight of these repairs is complete, as we have spent numerous years repairing broken rowing oar shafts - items of equipment that come under stress and pressure levels many times higher than those on bicycle frames and wheels.
This is a very exciting development, as we are now able to offer bicycle owners an alternative to having to pay such high insurance premiums, as their equipment is no longer considered a write-off should it sustain a break or crack.
