Latest News
On Racing: Finishing Strong
Finishing well has little to do with who is most tired. Everyone is tired. What separates paddlers at the end of a race is not how much they have left, but how clearly they can still act with what remains. The finish is rarely a single effort. It is a sequence [...]
Stability in the Boat-Do you need more?
By Wesley Echols I have paddled a wide range of skis over the years from advanced to beginner in all types of conditions. Below are some helpful hints on becoming more stable in your ski. Boat Choice: think about the conditions that you will be paddling in the 75% of the [...]
On Racing: Expecting the Unexpected
The forecast you checked the night before is completely different when you wake up. The wind has increased, the swell period has changed, and there's a conversation happening near the water's edge about which direction the gusts are going to come from and when. Of course, nobody really knows, at least [...]
On Downwinding: Reading Lines
The line appears before the decision to take it is fully formed. A shift in the water texture, maybe forty meters ahead, something about the way a long roller is organizing at an angle to the dominant swell, and the bow is already moving in that direction. A few strokes in [...]
On Training: Chain of Fools
The stroke catches and the boat runs. There is a feeling to it, a brief firmness in the water that holds long enough for the body to push through, and the boat moves with more economy than it did on the stroke before. Paddlers sometimes describe a boat as "running" on [...]
Nationals: Meet the (Blackburn) Challenge
Every local racing community has a structure. You know who the fast paddlers are, roughly how you stack up against them, and what a good day on the water looks like for you. That knowledge shapes your training, your expectations, and your sense of progress over a season. It also has [...]
Surfski Reviews
Looking for an ocean ski? Check out the surfski comparison chart!
Stellar S18S 2G Review is Coming!
Dave Thomas of Stellar Kayaks and Surfskis paddling the new S18S 2G on the Sakonnet. Dave dropped off the Stellar S18S 2G surfski for me to review. I have a lot of paddling to do with surfski reviews stacking up! I love it! Fall/winter is actually a better [...]
Stellar Double (SE2) 1st Impression
Maiden Voyage I am not sure who was more excited me or Tim(my training partner) over the arrival of the new Stellar double(SE2). The SE2 is just one of the new models coming out for Stellar this year. My previous experience in doubles was demoing two popular models [...]
New and Updated 2016 Surf Ski Comparison Charts.
Click on the link below for all the charts and tables or go to Wesley's Surfski Chart Reviews on the Home page. https://surfskiracing.org/surfski-reviews-updated-march-2012/
Huki S1X Special Review – by Wesley Echols
Like most of us buying a new Huki ski, we relish the idea of thinking about all the great options available to choose from, like color, rudder size, seat option, etc. The fact that this was my third new Huki did not diminish my excitement for latest designed Huki, the [...]
Mako 6 Carbon Review – by Wesley Echols
If you keep up with the national and international surfski race scene you’ll note most of the field astride Fenn Mako 6’s, Mako Elites or some version of the Epic V10. Why, you might ask? Well, two immediate answers are these boats are fast and they are readily available in [...]