Swift Canoe & Kayak Dragonfly Customer Reveal: Solo Canoe l Harold Deal

Information provided by Dave Curtis of Hemlock Canoe Works:

The Dragonfly was originally a Curtis Canoe model designed by Harold Deal. After the closing of Curtis Canoe by then owner John Renner the mold was passed on to Paul Mayer at Colden Canoe and then ultimately on to Bill Swift at Swift Canoe. The design has been mistakenly listed as a David Yost design, that is incorrect. The discussion for that design was started by Harold on a trip to BWCA in 1983 with David Yost & myself. It was the main topic of discussion all the way out and back. Several innovative features were discussed including the side shoulder. Upon return I asked Harold to send me a complete list of the features he wanted in this canoe and I forwarded them to DY and commissioned the building of the plug. The wood strip plug was then paddled extensively by Harold and some changes were made before building the mold. This design was originated by Harold to compete in the ACA WW Solo Combined Class (same equipment paddled in downriver as well as slalom event). The first 2 Dragonflies were delivered to Harold at the 1984 WW Nationals at Nantahala. He dominated that class for at least a decade.

Harold's original concept was a flatwater design capable of whitewater. On a trip to everglades in early 1990's he suggested he wanted to do another similar design but rather a whitewater design capable of flatwater. He said he wanted to flip-flop his idea. The result was the SRT, which he designed and built the wood strip plug for. He & I then built that mold together. The SRT is currently available thru Hemlock Canoe Works.