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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. |
| - | ---- | + | <font inherit/inherit;;#ffffff;;inherit>.</font> |
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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+ | Photo (click to enlarge) from [[http://surfskicomparison.com|surfskicomparison.com]] (which as of 2025 is a little out of date) |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- | Photo (click to enlarge) from [[http://surfskicomparison.com|surfskicomparison.com]] (which as of 2025 is a little out of date) | + | **Visual Comparison:** |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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| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| - | **Previous Paddling Experience (Can I, Should I Jump to Intermediate Skis, Yeah, Nah…Probably Not A Good Idea for Most Paddlers)** | + | ==== Previous Paddling Experience (Can I, Should I Jump to Intermediate Skis, Yeah, 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 | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/2011/07/sea-kayak-to-surfskis-by-greg-lesher/|One Person's Experience Moving from Sea Kayaks to Surfskis]] Greg Lesher | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | **Choosing** | + | ==== Choosing ==== |
| * [[:first_surfski|First surfski - thinking about which one]] | * [[:first_surfski|First surfski - thinking about which one]] | ||
| * [[:beginner_surfskis|Beginner surfskis]] (a warning about "good deals" on older surfskis) | * [[:beginner_surfskis|Beginner surfskis]] (a warning about "good deals" on older surfskis) | ||
| * [[:comparison_beginner_surfskis|2025 Comparisons of Beginner Surfskis]] | * [[:comparison_beginner_surfskis|2025 Comparisons of Beginner Surfskis]] | ||
| + | * [[:surfski_tables#beginner_surfskis|Beginner Surfski Specs and Reviews]] | ||
| * **Surfski.info** | * **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]] | * **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]] | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | **Can't Overemphasize Stability** | + | ==== Can't Overemphasize Stability ==== |
| * [[:stable_surfski_myths|5 myths about stable, "slow", surfskis 5/15/2020 Boyan Zlatarev]] | * [[:stable_surfski_myths|5 myths about stable, "slow", surfskis 5/15/2020 Boyan Zlatarev]] | ||
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| * **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) | * **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 | * 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 | + | * 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** | * 52cm or more - **Beginner** | ||
| * 48cm -52cm - **Improver** | * 48cm -52cm - **Improver** | ||
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| * **Really Tippy Ski**: You have no idea what time it is, because if you try to look at your watch, you're going in. | * **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. | * **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. | + | * **Stable Ski**: It's so stable you can set your watch on it. |
| * … | * … | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | **Not Interested in Racing?** | + | ==== Not Interested in Racing? ==== |
| * **Touring Surfskis **This is a growing category of stable surfskis, built to accommodate more gear | * **Touring Surfskis **This is a growing category of stable surfskis, built to accommodate more gear | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | **Equipment Setup** | + | ==== Equipment Setup ==== |
| * [[:setup|Surfski & Paddle Setup]] | * [[:setup|Surfski & Paddle Setup]] | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | </WRAP> | + | </WRAP></WRAP> |
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | **"Catch And Release" - **On surfski.info Pilotdov's creative way to sample surfskis where he otherwise does not have access to variety - | + | ==== "Catch And Release" ==== |
| + | <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. | * "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** | + | ==== Stable Surfskis Are Not Just For Beginners ==== |
| * [[:downwind#best_surfski_for_downwinding|The Best Surfski for Downwinding]] | * [[: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]] | * [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/in-search-of-stability-aging-gracefully-with-a-wider-surfski|Epic Kayaks Aging Gracefully with a Wider Surfski]] | ||
| - | * [[https://surfskiracing.org/2023/04/boat-fatigue-oh-no/|Wesley Echols on Boat Fatigue]] (racing or downwinding with unstable surfskis) | + | * 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 | ||
| * … | * … | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | **Speed Comparisons** | + | ==== Speed Comparisons ==== |
| * **Flatwater** | * **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) | + | * 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 | * **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://youtu.be/ST0MNi0xjyA|Vega Flex vs. Vega video]] | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | **Humor** | + | ==== Humor ==== |
| * [[:stories:bellingham_only|Only in Bellingham 10/20/2010]] | * [[:stories:bellingham_only|Only in Bellingham 10/20/2010]] | ||
| * [[:priorities|]] | * [[:priorities|]] | ||
| * [[:stories:buy_surfskis_digital_world|Buying Surfskis in the Digital World]] | * [[: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** | + | ==== 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) | * [[http://surfskicomparison.com/|Surfskicomparison.com]] Allows you to visually compare surfskis side-by-side (but as of 2025 is a little out of date) | ||
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| **Vega Flex vs Vega Flatwater Speed**</WRAP> | **Vega Flex vs Vega Flatwater Speed**</WRAP> | ||
| - | |||
| - | ---- | ||
| - | |||
| - | </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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