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| If this is your first ever investigation of surfskis, you may want to start on [[:sport|our introduction page]]. | If this is your first ever investigation of surfskis, you may want to start on [[:sport|our introduction page]]. | ||
| - | This page is a good place to start research on choosing [[:surfskis#your_first_surfski|your first surfski]] or [[:surfskis#your_next_surfski|your next surfski]]. Here is information we hope will help guide paddlers toward good decisions on the types of skis that will best work for each paddler's skill level and their local paddling conditions. No sales talk here. Just advice and accumulated experience in choosing surfskis. | + | This page is a good place to **start research on choosing** [[:surfskis#your_first_surfski|your first surfski]] or [[:surfskis#your_next_surfski|your next surfski]]. Here is information we hope will help guide paddlers toward good decisions on the types of skis that will best work for each paddler's skill level and their local paddling conditions. No sales talk here. Just advice and accumulated experience in choosing surfskis. |
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| + | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
| Comparison of **Intermediate Surfski**: **NK Storm 570** and **Beginner Surfski**: **Think Zen** | Comparison of **Intermediate Surfski**: **NK Storm 570** and **Beginner Surfski**: **Think Zen** | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | {{ :equipment:ss_comparison3.jpg?direct&500x182 |ss_comparison3.jpg}} |
| - | **Visual Comparison:** | + | Photo (click to enlarge) from [[http://surfskicomparison.com|surfskicomparison.com]] (which as of 2025 is a little out of date) |
| - | <WRAP centeralign> | + | </WRAP> |
| - | {{:equipment:ss_comparison3.jpg?direct&700x255|ss_comparison3.jpg}} | + | <WRAP indent> |
| - | Photo (click to enlarge) from [[http://surfskicomparison.com|surfskicomparison.com]] | + | **Visual Comparison:** |
| - | + | ||
| - | </WRAP> | + | |
| (note that some stats at surfskicomparison.com are missing or differ from the ones in [[:surfski_tables|our surfski tables]] - it is not always easy to keep stats completely up to date - the manufacturers occasionally change them, particularly with new generations) | (note that some stats at surfskicomparison.com are missing or differ from the ones in [[:surfski_tables|our surfski tables]] - it is not always easy to keep stats completely up to date - the manufacturers occasionally change them, particularly with new generations) | ||
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| - | ===== Surfski Specs Lists and Brands (now on separate pages) ===== | + | ===== Surfski Specs Lists and Brands ===== |
| * [[:surfski_tables|Surfski Spec Tables with Reviews]] (singles and doubles) | * [[:surfski_tables|Surfski Spec Tables with Reviews]] (singles and doubles) | ||
| * [[:ski_makers|Surfski Companies]] | * [[:ski_makers|Surfski Companies]] | ||
| * [[:plastic_surfskis|Plastic Surfski Models]] | * [[:plastic_surfskis|Plastic Surfski Models]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.surfski.tv/equipment|Surfski.TV Brand Videos]] Some videos are introductions or reviews, but others are simply paddles or downwinders displaying the equipment brand in question | ||
| * … | * … | ||
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| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Many 1st timers will probably feel some "jittering" the first couple of times they paddle a surfski. But for almost everyone that will quickly diminish if you are in a stable, beginner class surfski. Jitters and instability can last much longer or be interminable if you are trying to paddle a surfski that is beyond your current comfort and skill level. | ||
| After you have paddled a surfski a fair amount, you should have a much better idea about what you are looking for in any surfski you subsequently wish to purchase. There's no substitute for experience in teaching you what you prefer in performance and fit. But there are some general guidelines to seriously consider for a first surfski: | After you have paddled a surfski a fair amount, you should have a much better idea about what you are looking for in any surfski you subsequently wish to purchase. There's no substitute for experience in teaching you what you prefer in performance and fit. But there are some general guidelines to seriously consider for a first surfski: | ||
| - | * **Previous Paddling Experience (Can I, Should I Jump to Intermediate Skis, Nah…Probably Not A Good Idea for Most Paddlers)** | + | ---- |
| - | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/2011/07/sea-kayak-to-surfskis-by-greg-lesher/|One Person's Experience Moving from Sea Kayaks to Surfskis]] Greg Lesher | + | |
| - | * [[:does_other_kayak_experience_help|Discussion: Does Other Kayaking Experience Help]] | + | <WRAP indent> |
| - | * **Choosing** | + | |
| - | * [[:first_surfski|First surfski - which one]] | + | ==== Previous Paddling Experience (Can I, Should I Jump to Intermediate Skis, Yeah, Nah…Probably Not A Good Idea for Most Paddlers) ==== |
| - | * [[:beginner_surfskis|Beginner surfskis]] (a warning about "good deals" on older surfskis) | + | |
| - | * [[https://www.surfski.info/component/k2/story/1501/an-exciting-recipe-for-tuna-kassie-paddles-a-bluefin.html|One Beginner's Take on Surfski Choice - Surfski.info 8/31/2013]] | + | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/2011/07/sea-kayak-to-surfskis-by-greg-lesher/|One Person's Experience Moving from Sea Kayaks to Surfskis]] Greg Lesher |
| - | * **Can't Overemphasize Stability** | + | * [[:does_other_kayak_experience_help|Discussion: Does Other Kayaking Experience Help]] |
| - | * [[:stable_surfski_myths|5 myths about stable, "slow", surfskis 5/15/2020 Boyan Zlatarev]] | + | |
| - | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZFMfecmnb8|Glassy Conditions can Challenge Stability]] Jasper Mocke video | + | |
| - | * [[https://tcsurfski.com/2024/05/24/the-debate-between-beginner-and-elite-surfskis/|TCSurfski Stable vs. Elite]] | + | |
| - | * **Rough Approximation of Stability by Width**: (the primary and secondary stability will vary with hull shape, cockpit height and your personal fit in the cockpit so your experience of stability in any surfski in comparison to other surfskis can easily differ from a comparison just based on width) | + | |
| - | * Example of [[https://surfski.info/forum/19-boats/20529-picking-a-surfski-why-do-the-think-six-and-epic-v9-feel-so-different.html|2 surfskis with similar specs but different handling]] surfski.info discussion | + | |
| - | * Remember - a heavier version of the same model will generally be more stable & for many a bigger/better rudder can add significant stability | + | |
| - | * 52cm or more - **Beginner** | + | |
| - | * 48cm -52cm - **Improver** | + | |
| - | * 45cm-48cm - **Intermediate** | + | |
| - | * 44cm or less - **Advanced/Elite** | + | |
| - | * … | + | |
| - | * **Bob Putnam's ****Surfski Stability Scale** | + | |
| - | * **Really Tippy Ski**: You have no idea what time it is, because if you try to look at your watch, you're going in. | + | |
| - | * **Regular Ski**: You can glance at your watch to figure out what time it is. | + | |
| - | * **Stable Ski**: It's so stable you can set you watch on it. | + | |
| * … | * … | ||
| - | * **Not Interested in Racing?** | + | |
| - | * [[https://paddlingthesalishsea.substack.com/p/touring-surf-skis|Touring Surfskis]] This is a growing category of stable surfskis, built to accommodate more gear | + | ---- |
| - | * [[https://www.facebook.com/p/Dougals-Epic-Adventure-100089749931241/?paipv=0&eav=Afa6W7y23XEwELeyCQbRYIqgF-W5oPFP8fze0APHXgeaD55EBeofPBJWxu9uIQsEnP4&_rdr|Dougal's Epic Adventure (facebook)]] ([[https://youtu.be/tUMCbenMMv4|video]]) Dougal Glaisher has been a trend setter in terms of long distance surfski travel | + | |
| - | * [[https://kirtonkayaks.co.uk/products/v8-gt/|Kirton's Dougal Touring V8]] | + | ==== Choosing ==== |
| - | * Nicholas Cryder (fasterfarther.com) Nicholas was an early experimenter in modifying surfskis for long distance. His original website is gone but this link is from the Internet Wayback Machine. If you have patience, more of the photos will probably eventually appear. [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190813010331/https://news.fasterfarther.com/custom-surfskis|Custom Surfskis]] (scroll down to the V10 touring model and the Ego Smuggler) | + | |
| - | * **Setup** | + | * [[:first_surfski|First surfski - thinking about which one]] |
| - | * [[:setup|Surfski & Paddle Setup]] | + | * [[:beginner_surfskis|Beginner surfskis]] (a warning about "good deals" on older surfskis) |
| + | * [[:comparison_beginner_surfskis|2025 Comparisons of Beginner Surfskis]] | ||
| + | * [[:surfski_tables#beginner_surfskis|Beginner Surfski Specs and Reviews]] | ||
| + | * **Surfski.info** | ||
| + | * **2013 ** [[https://www.surfski.info/component/k2/story/1501/an-exciting-recipe-for-tuna-kassie-paddles-a-bluefin.html|One Beginner's Take on Surfski Choice - Surfski.info 8/31/2013]] | ||
| + | * **2021 ** [[https://surfski.info/forum/15-tips/20037-advice-on-my-first-ski-purchase.html#37985|Advice on First Surfski Purchase - Surfski.info Jan 2021]] | ||
| * … | * … | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Can't Overemphasize Stability ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[:stable_surfski_myths|5 myths about stable, "slow", surfskis 5/15/2020 Boyan Zlatarev]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZFMfecmnb8|Glassy Conditions can Challenge Stability]] Jasper Mocke video | ||
| + | * [[https://tcsurfski.com/2024/05/24/the-debate-between-beginner-and-elite-surfskis/|TCSurfski Stable vs. Elite]] | ||
| + | * **Rough Approximation of Stability by Width**: (the primary and secondary stability will vary with hull shape, cockpit height and your personal fit in the cockpit so your experience of stability in any surfski in comparison to other surfskis can easily differ from a comparison just based on width) | ||
| + | * Example of [[https://surfski.info/forum/19-boats/20529-picking-a-surfski-why-do-the-think-six-and-epic-v9-feel-so-different.html|2 surfskis with similar specs but different handling]] surfski.info discussion | ||
| + | * Remember - a heavier version of the same model will generally be more stable & for many a [[:rudders|bigger/better rudder]] can add significant stability | ||
| + | * 52cm or more - **Beginner** | ||
| + | * 48cm -52cm - **Improver** | ||
| + | * 45cm-48cm - **Intermediate** | ||
| + | * 44cm or less - **Advanced/Elite** | ||
| + | * … | ||
| + | * **Bob Putnam's ****Surfski Stability Scale** | ||
| + | * **Really Tippy Ski**: You have no idea what time it is, because if you try to look at your watch, you're going in. | ||
| + | * **Regular Ski**: You can glance at your watch to figure out what time it is. | ||
| + | * **Stable Ski**: It's so stable you can set your watch on it. | ||
| + | * … | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Not Interested in Racing? ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Touring Surfskis **This is a growing category of stable surfskis, built to accommodate more gear | ||
| + | * **Epic** | ||
| + | * **Standard Models** | ||
| + | * Epic added the **V5 Tourer** and **V8 Tourer** (find in [[:surfski_tables|surfski table]]) in 2024 | ||
| + | * **Stellar** | ||
| + | * [[https://paddlingthesalishsea.substack.com/p/touring-surf-skis|Stellar Touring Surfskis]] | ||
| + | * **DIY Custom** | ||
| + | * See [[:modifications#hatches_gear_bags|Hatch Modifications]] | ||
| + | * **Adventures - **check out [[:journeys|tales of more ambitious trips]] attempted and/or completed with surfskis or various forms of boat that seem like distant relatives of surfskis or kayaks but sometimes paddled with double bladed paddles at least. | ||
| + | * … | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Equipment Setup ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[:setup|Surfski & Paddle Setup]] | ||
| + | * … | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | </WRAP> | + | </WRAP></WRAP> |
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| Ready for a more "advanced" surfski? | Ready for a more "advanced" surfski? | ||
| - | * **Stable Surfskis Are Not Just For Beginners** | + | ---- |
| - | * [[:downwind#best_surfski_for_downwinding|The Best Surfski for Downwinding]] | + | |
| - | * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/in-search-of-stability-aging-gracefully-with-a-wider-surfski|Epic Kayaks Aging Gracefully with a Wider Surfski]] | + | ==== "Catch And Release" ==== |
| - | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/2023/04/boat-fatigue-oh-no/|Wesley Echols on Boat Fatigue]] (racing or downwinding with unstable surfskis) | + | |
| + | <WRAP indent> | ||
| + | |||
| + | **- **On surfski.info Pilotdov's creative way to sample surfskis where he otherwise does not have access to variety - | ||
| + | * "To get a feel for different designs, I’ve resorted to buying, testing, and reselling skis. I don’t make money on the sales—sometimes I break even, and sometimes I take a small loss—but it’s worth it to sample what’s out there. I jokingly call it my “Catch-and-Release Ski Program,” though some paddling friends call it “Surfski Speed Dating.”" *** Note *** for this to work without taking too much financial loss, we assume there has to be some sort of decent resale market not too distant from the paddler. | ||
| + | * … | ||
| + | |||
| + | </WRAP> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Stable Surfskis Are Not Just For Beginners ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[:downwind#best_surfski_for_downwinding|The Best Surfski for Downwinding]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/in-search-of-stability-aging-gracefully-with-a-wider-surfski|Epic Kayaks Aging Gracefully with a Wider Surfski]] | ||
| + | * Wesley Echols on [[:boatfatigue|Boat Fatigue]] (racing or downwinding with unstable surfskis) | ||
| * [[https://paddle2fitness.com.au/are-you-upgrading-your-surf-ski/|Upgrading your surfski]] Paddle2Fitness podcast - reducing weight can be just as much of an upgrade as getting a narrower, more advanced model | * [[https://paddle2fitness.com.au/are-you-upgrading-your-surf-ski/|Upgrading your surfski]] Paddle2Fitness podcast - reducing weight can be just as much of an upgrade as getting a narrower, more advanced model | ||
| - | * **Speed Comparisons** | ||
| - | * **Flatwater** | ||
| - | * Greg Barton on [[https://forums.paddling.com/t/epic-boat-speed-comparison/52138|Relative Flatwater Speeds of Epic Surfskis]] (the 2017 last version with the V8 Pro and V12 2nd gen sometimes disappears from websites - here is a [[https://www.surfski.ch/speed-vergleich-barton|surfski switzerland version]] that adds a bit of information but does not include all of the skis the 2017 version had) | ||
| - | * **Paddle Channel **these guys have some tendency to ramble, but they have plenty of personality and they add plenty of good natured color to their presentations | ||
| - | * [[https://youtu.be/ST0MNi0xjyA|Vega Flex vs. Vega video]] | ||
| - | * [[https://www.paddledynamics.com/Epic-V8-Pro-V10-Sport-V10-Speed-Testing-s/131.htm|Paddle Dynamics V8/V10 Sport/V10]] | ||
| - | * [[https://tcsurfski.com/2018/11/30/epic-v5-v8-v10-speed-comparison/|TCSurfski]] V5/V8/V10 2nd gen | ||
| - | * **Mixed Conditions** | ||
| - | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/surfski-reviews-updated-march-2012/|Wesley Echols Stability/Speed Charts]] 2020 many models | ||
| - | * [[:modifications#speedperformance_tweaks|Surfski Weight, Modification Effects on Speed]] | ||
| - | * **Humor** | ||
| - | * [[:stories:bellingham_only|Only in Bellingham 10/20/2010]] | ||
| - | * [[:priorities|]] | ||
| - | * [[:stories:buy_surfskis_digital_world|Buying Surfskis in the Digital World]] | ||
| - | * **More Resources** | ||
| - | * [[http://surfskicomparison.com/|Surfskicomparison.com]] Allows you to visually compare surfskis side-by-side | ||
| - | * **Surfski Reviews** | ||
| - | * [[:surfski_tables|Our Surfski Spec Tables with Collected Reviews from Diverse Sources]] (singles and doubles) | ||
| - | * [[https://www.surfskiracing.org/category/paddler-reviews/|Wesley Echols Surfski Reviews]] | ||
| - | * [[https://www.surfski.info/reviews.html|Surfski.info Reviews]] (these are review articles, but you can also find in depth discussions and comparisons in the forums) | ||
| - | * [[https://paddling.com/gear/kayaks/surf-ski/|Paddle.com Reviews]] | ||
| - | * [[https://www.sestaro.com.br/category/canoagem/surfski/|Jefferson Sestaro Reviews]] (Brazil) | ||
| * … | * … | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | <WRAP centeralign> | + | ==== Speed Comparisons ==== |
| - | {{youtube>ST0MNi0xjyA}} | + | * **Flatwater** |
| + | * Greg Barton on [[https://forums.paddling.com/t/epic-boat-speed-comparison/52138|Relative Flatwater Speeds of Epic Surfskis]] (the 2017 last version with the V8 Pro and V12 2nd gen sometimes disappears from websites | ||
| + | * **Paddle Channel **these guys have some tendency to ramble, but they have plenty of personality and they add plenty of good natured color to their presentations | ||
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/ST0MNi0xjyA|Vega Flex vs. Vega video]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.paddledynamics.com/Epic-V8-Pro-V10-Sport-V10-Speed-Testing-s/131.htm|Paddle Dynamics V8/V10 Sport/V10]] | ||
| + | * [[https://tcsurfski.com/2018/11/30/epic-v5-v8-v10-speed-comparison/|TCSurfski]] V5/V8/V10 2nd gen | ||
| + | * **Mixed Conditions** | ||
| + | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/surfski-reviews-updated-march-2012/|Wesley Echols Stability/Speed Charts]] 2020 many models | ||
| + | * [[:modifications#speedperformance_tweaks|Surfski Weight, Modification Effects on Speed]] | ||
| + | * … | ||
| - | **Vega Flex vs Vega Flatwater Speed**</WRAP> | + | ---- |
| + | |||
| + | ==== Humor ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[:stories:bellingham_only|Only in Bellingham 10/20/2010]] | ||
| + | * [[:priorities|]] | ||
| + | * [[:stories:buy_surfskis_digital_world|Buying Surfskis in the Digital World]] | ||
| + | * [[https://surfski.info/tips/story/1006/the-epic-ultra-ultra-elite.html|Creating a Surfski that Weighs Less Than Zero]] | ||
| + | * … | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== More Resources ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[http://surfskicomparison.com/|Surfskicomparison.com]] Allows you to visually compare surfskis side-by-side (but as of 2025 is a little out of date) | ||
| + | * **Surfski Reviews** | ||
| + | * [[:surfski_tables|Our Surfski Spec Tables with Collected Reviews from Diverse Sources]] (singles and doubles) | ||
| + | * [[https://www.surfskiracing.org/category/paddler-reviews/|Wesley Echols Surfski Reviews]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.surfski.info/reviews.html|Surfski.info Reviews]] (these are review articles, but you can also find in depth discussions and comparisons in the forums) | ||
| + | * [[https://paddling.com/gear/kayaks/surf-ski/|Paddle.com Reviews]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.sestaro.com.br/category/canoagem/surfski/|Jefferson Sestaro Reviews]] (Brazil) | ||
| + | * … | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{youtube>ST0MNi0xjyA}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Vega Flex vs Vega Flatwater Speed**</WRAP> | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
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| * [[https://www.thomassondesign.com/en/catalog/my-kayaks/spray|Spray]] | * [[https://www.thomassondesign.com/en/catalog/my-kayaks/spray|Spray]] | ||
| * [[https://forums.paddling.com/t/making-a-surf-ski/30257|Discussion - Making A Surfski]] Paddling.com | * [[https://forums.paddling.com/t/making-a-surf-ski/30257|Discussion - Making A Surfski]] Paddling.com | ||
| + | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/2014/12/building-wooden-surf-ski-ken-katz/|Ken Katz Making A Wooden Surfski]] | ||
| * … | * … | ||
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