Which Surfski for Me?

Surfski paddling on the new breed of ocean racing skis, has moved very quickly in recent years from the exclusive domain of elite surf lifesaving athletes, to one where even the most modest of recreational paddlers can now enjoy the rush of chasing a wave in these sleek boats.

The turning point, without question, was the breakthrough Epic V8, released in 2010 & offering a super stable ski, and genuine performance for paddlers entirely unskilled in the sport of ski paddling. The attraction was easy to identify. These craft are light in comparison to most kayaks in the same price range, simpler to paddle with a very responsive rudder, with the advantage of hull speed for fitness, and stability for the fun part of the sport on open water. If you're not looking to journey or develop kayak-specific skills, they're a very uncomplicated & accessible craft.

Other manufacturers have followed on with their own more user-friendly designs, so the picture for a prospective buyer is now much more clouded, for anyone attempting to weigh up the relative merits of different skis, in different stability & performance categories.

To simplify, but by no means comprehensively define these different skis, we've put together a guide to the boats we have both paddled enough to gain a good appreciation of the attributes of each, and also sell as part of our stable of skis from the leading brands Epic, Fenn, Think & Carbonology. We have demo boats on hand for most of the designs summarised below if you'd like to give one a try in live conditions.

photo by Alan Coker (www.allancoker.com)

Note, our impressions of these boats are based on our own paddling. Both Rob & I consider ourselves competent enough on each of the skis listed to paddle them well in moderate conditions, so we're not speaking from the perspective of elite ski paddlers, more for the viewpoint of enjoying the skis in the conditions for which they were designed.

We have coached & instructed scores of paddlers over the past couple of years specifically aimed at making them competent enough to enjoy open water in their ski, as opposed to shaving a few minutes off their race time. In many cases our views vary slightly from the manufacturer's own spiel; we're attempting to simplify this at-times confusing market place with a simple statement about how each ski differs, from our brand-neutral viewpoint.

The sorts of typical conditions I enjoy paddling are summarised in the short video below, to give you an idea of where we paddle these skis & the kinds of adventures you can have! It's not a race, it's not scary, it's just great fun, accessible to all with the right boat & a bit of dedication.

Broadly, the sport has evolved into four categories; Entry Level, Transition, Intermediate, and Elite:

Entry Level Skis
With the starting point that surf skis are designed for moving water, each of these ski designs combine varying degrees of glide and 'run' in the following seas in which they excel, with stability to allow the less experienced paddler the opportunity to get to know the dynamic environment of the ocean.

Epic V7

The new Epic V7 sets a new standard for rotomold performance. It is lightweight, extremely efficient, and easy to handle. The V7 is outfitted with the same high quality fittings as every surfski in the Epic lineup, including the carbon fiber footboard and pedals and the hugely popular Epic designed bailer. In addition, it features an aft storage compartment with a lightweight hatch. 

Length 520cm

Width 54cm

Weight 20kg

Paddler Weight 65-110kg

$1990

Think Eze

Unquestionably the best entry level ski on the market for smaller framed paddlers. Short, nimble, light & quick for it's length, with Think's renowned disciplined seating position. 

Length 520cm

Width 51cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 50-85kg

$3750 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Think Ace

Along with the V8 the base line ski in the market, designed to be easy to paddle for even the greenest paddler. Features carry handles, and also the lightest ski for the price. 

Length 522cm

Width 53cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 75-110kg

$3750 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Epic V8

The ski which single-handedly broadened the sport of surfski when it was introduced a few years ago. Stable, solid on the water, and built to Epic's exacting standards. The easiest surfski to paddle on the market. You can see a video of the V8 in action HERE. 

Length 549cm

Width 56cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 70-110kg

$3195 (Club - 17kg) $3995 (Performance 15.5kg) $4995 (Ultra 12.5kg)

The Transition Skis
A recent development to the genre, skis that have a bit more to burn, yet retain a level of stability the an ambitious beginner can live with.

Think Zen

The latest arrival into the transition genre, more nimble than it's rivals at 5.6m long so an excellent one for garage storage, and designed with stability in mind. This is a ski we're excited about, we think 560cm is a great length for most paddlers ability. 

Length 560cm

Width 52cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 60-90kg
$3750 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Epic V9

Bridging the gap between entry-level and the sub elite V10, this is Epic's latest ski & it sits on it's own in a sub category.If you've been wondering about a step up from your V8but haven't quite been able to make the leap, then this boat is such a logical step. It feels like a V10 with a lot more stability, and as such generates way less anxiety in the rough stuff, and as far as ocean paddling goes it also turns more instinctively. You can read a detailed description here & see a cool video of the ski in action HERE. 

Length 580cm

Width 49cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 70-110kg
$3195 (Club - 17kg) $3995 (Performance 15.5kg) $4995 (Ultra 12.5kg)

Intermediate Skis

Intermediate level skis by definition should look after a paddler with good technique, allowing them to get the boat out into more challenging water and enjoy it, rather than dread it. Fast enough to ride ocean runners but without the sheer glide of the elite skis, these are designs that are sympathetic enough to allow a good percentage of improving paddlers to graduate into.

Think Evo (Gen 3)

Probably the fastest intermediate ski, for the accomplished intermediate paddler looking to progress to the ocean in a craft that runs like an elite ski, with a substantially higher level of secondary stability. Blessed with above-average glide, and all of the extras that come as standard on Think surfskis. HERE'S a short video of the Evo running along in Botany Bay 

Length 625cm

Width 48cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 65-100kg

$3700 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Think 6 

The longest and fastest of the sub intermediate skis, Think's latest design offers rough water stability, but enough waterline length to chase and catch the big ones out on the ocean. Designed around the same stability profile as the Think Zen, with a flatter hill than traditional Think skis, this promises to be a must-try ski for ambitious paddlers moving up from their entry level craft, and also for more experienced paddlers who've been having a hard time in more demanding designs. You can read the specs and layup options HERE.

Length 600cm

Width 49cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 65-100kg

$3750 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Elite Skis

As the classification suggests, elite skis for paddlers with an elite attitude to developing & maintaining their rough water skills. Nowadays almost universally stable enough for an average paddler to handle on dead flat water, but require dedication to master on moving water, let alone in the dynamic environment of the sea.

Think Uno

The Uno is the elite ski for the taller or smaller paddler that does not need the volume of the Uno Max. The new Uno is designed with lighter paddlers in mind.

Length 645cm

Width 43cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 50-85kg

$3700 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Think Uno Max

You only have to sit in the Uno Max to appreciate the pinpoint ergonomics, this boat just feels fast. As stable as any of the elite designs, with an incredibly disciplined feel on the water. Sea Rice's craft of choice as he powered his way to the World Championship.

Length 645cm

Width 43cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 70-110kg

$3700 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Think Ion

A buoyant and dynamic ski which feels light on the water & accelerates beautifully. Sits with the Epic V10 just below the stability & ability of the true elite skis, now remodelled with extra stability. 

Length 642cm

Width 44cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 70-110kg

$3700 (Performance - 14.5kg) $4800 (Elite 12.5kg)

Epic V10

The ski which popularised the ocean racing genre, with plenty of glide, predictable, stable for it's minimal beam & designed for the rough stuff. An icon with a new configuration, bailer, and shape. Probably the most user-friendly elite-level ski doing the rounds. You can see a video of the V10 in action HERE. 

Length 650cm

Width 43cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 70-110kg

$3195 (Club - 17kg) $3995 (Performance 15.5kg) $4995 (Ultra 12.5kg)

Epic V11

Along with the V12 a true elite ski for elite paddlers. Fast enough for very competitive flat water racing, but in the purest form an ocean racing performance beast for paddlers with advanced skills. See the specs HERE

Length 579cm

Width 43cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 65-95kg

$3995 (Performance 15.5kg) $4995 (Ultra 12.5kg)

Epic V12

Revamped in 2016 to overcome the previous model's shortcomings in cross chop handling, the new V12 is a downwind ski if ever there was one. In big water, buoyancy is your friend & this ski has it in spades, with plenty of stability for papers with above-average skills in the rough stuff.

Length 640cm

Width 43cm

Weight See Below

Paddler Weight 65-110kg

$4995 (Ultra 12.5kg)