Mike Hammond
For kayakers out there looking for more speed and a challenge, a surfski may be the perfect step to the next level.
A friend recently asked me to describe a surfski. My quick explanation usually is, “It is a long, fast, light and tippy sit-on-top kayak.” If the person is over 40, I may ask if they remember what actor Tom Selleck paddled in a few episodes of “Magnum P.I.”
Magnum made it look easy but there is a bit of a learning curve. In fact, as I write this, my clothing is still wet from my first attempt at paddling a surfski this morning. This shouldn’t be a deterrent though. Most of the surfski manufacturers have added entry level skis into their lineup in the last eight years. This is good news for larger, less coordinated paddlers such as myself.
Even with an entry level surfski, I would still recommend lessons to jumpstart the fun factor and eliminate potential frustration. Jay Rose from Paddle Sports of Naples offers lessons and can help people stay upright much quicker than trying to do it themselves. Jay gave me a few tips to pass on.
He advised that many paddlers try to get into a surfski that is intended for a higher skill level than they are ready for, whereas the fit of the cockpit is crucial for performance and stability. So don’t get discouraged if you swim a few times – you might unintentionally be in a race ski built for a smaller paddler. That’s my excuse for sitting here wet. Just get help if needed, and find a good fit for your size and ability.
The rewards for finding the right ski and getting comfortable in it are pretty awesome. You can go faster, farther and eventually start riding “bumps” (small waves) out in open water. There are a lot of videos available of paddlers who appear to be flying in their surfskis over water.
You may not win the Molokai Surfski Race like Magnum did in 1987, but you will have a fun challenge if you should give surfskis a try.
