Visual Comparison:

(note that some stats at surfskicomparison.com are missing or differ from the ones in our surfski tables - it is not always easy to keep stats completely up to date - the manufacturers occasionally change them, particularly with new generations)

Paddling Speed Comparison:

• Speed comparison video of NK Storm 570 and Think Zen
• It is not at all uncommon for speed tests done by beginning or intermediate paddlers to result in more stable surfskis being as fast or faster for them than more advanced surfskis - example Vega vs Vega Flex comparison from the Paddle Channel.
• …

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:

• Previous Paddling Experience (Can I, Should I Jump to Intermediate Skis, Nah…Probably Not A Good Idea for Most Paddlers)
  • One Person's Experience Moving from Sea Kayaks to Surfskis Greg Lesher
  • Discussion: Does Other Kayaking Experience Help
• Choosing
  • First surfski - thinking about which one
  • Beginner surfskis (a warning about “good deals” on older surfskis)
  • 2025 Comparisons of Beginner Surfskis
  • Surfski.info
    • 2013 One Beginner's Take on Surfski Choice - Surfski.info 8/31/2013
    • 2021 Advice on First Surfski Purchase - Surfski.info Jan 2021
• Can't Overemphasize Stability
  • 5 myths about stable, "slow", surfskis 5/15/2020 Boyan Zlatarev
  • Glassy Conditions can Challenge Stability Jasper Mocke video
  • 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 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?
  • 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 table) in 2024
    • Stellar
      • Stellar Touring Surfskis
    • DIY Custom
      • See Hatch Modifications
  • Adventures - check out 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.
• Setup
  • Surfski & Paddle Setup
  • …

Ready for a more “advanced” surfski?

• “Catch And Release” - 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.
• Stable Surfskis Are Not Just For Beginners
  • The Best Surfski for Downwinding
  • Epic Kayaks Aging Gracefully with a Wider Surfski
  • Wesley Echols on Boat Fatigue (racing or downwinding with unstable surfskis)
• 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 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 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
      • Vega Flex vs. Vega video
    • Paddle Dynamics V8/V10 Sport/V10
    • TCSurfski V5/V8/V10 2nd gen
  • Mixed Conditions
    • Wesley Echols Stability/Speed Charts 2020 many models
  • Surfski Weight, Modification Effects on Speed
• Humor
  • Only in Bellingham 10/20/2010
  • Managing Your Priorities
  • Buying Surfskis in the Digital World
• More Resources
  • Surfskicomparison.com Allows you to visually compare surfskis side-by-side
  • Surfski Reviews
    • Our Surfski Spec Tables with Collected Reviews from Diverse Sources (singles and doubles)
    • Wesley Echols Surfski Reviews
    • Surfski.info Reviews (these are review articles, but you can also find in depth discussions and comparisons in the forums)
    • Paddle.com Reviews
    • Jefferson Sestaro Reviews (Brazil)
• …