Latest News
National Series Notebook: A Red-Hot October
The USA Surfski leaderboard grew to 203 paddlers this week, with seven new names added in five days. Kieffer now sits just ahead of Wilson Reavley (A26), whose 1,959 points represent a full season of racing in the Pacific Northwest. Leon de la Barra moved up to fourth with 1,611, Errez [...]
On Downwinding: Crosswind and Mixed Days
From the parking lot the water looks like nothing worth the drive. Wind chop runs in from the southwest, a leftover groundswell rolls in from the southeast, and where the two meet the surface has no grain to it at all. Somebody at the ramp says he's going to do intervals [...]
2026 Great Stone Dam Race
By Wesley Echols I really enjoyed myself today at the Great Stone Dam Classic, an 8.14 mile race in Lawrence, MA hosted by Shawn Burke, and Francisco. It was a perfect day New England day with 50 degree temps and virtually no wind, so today was about power, can I draft, [...]
On Training: Decision and Commitment
A runner lifts behind you, and for half a second you know exactly what to do. Then the half second passes, and you're still thinking about it. The gap between the boat and the swell has changed by the time you finally push, and what would have been a clean connection [...]
National Series Notebook: A Loaded July
Patrick Dolan flew 5,000 miles from Hawaii to Massachusetts and won the 2026 USA COR National Championships on a grueling open water course against a stacked field of athletes. Five days later, Austin Kieffer won the showcase race at the Gorge Downwind Championships paddlesports festival in the biggest conditions the event [...]
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 [...]
Surfski Reviews
Looking for an ocean ski? Check out the surfski comparison chart!
The New Innovative Stellar 18S Surfski, Review 2012
The New Innovative Stellar 18S Surfski is Here!! Read On! 2 Hatches w/2 bulkheads Nice shaped cockpit, drink holder, leash attachment Nice lines Handles, 4 inch rudder McCorrie Beach w/Good Boy Kayak Racks Profile [...]
2018 Stellar S18S 2G Ultra Update
Stellar S18S 2G Ultra, September 3, 2018 Over the last few months I was able to paddle the 28lb Ultra layup in a varied conditions. So this lighter version was a welcome relief over the 35lb advantage layup I had originally paddled. I don't like time trialing or paddling skis [...]
Think Six Surfski Review
I first heard about the newest model in the Think line up about a year ago and knew little about it before I talked to Chris Laughlin, US Distributor, in May 2020, who had just come back from his initial paddle in the New SIX. He put it through the [...]
2020 Surf Ski Comparison Chart
I updated the 2016 Surfski Comparison Chart with many new skis. Please click on the CHART ALL SKIS header tab above or on the Home page to view the 2020 Chart and the 2016 Chart. Be sure and read the text accompanied with the Chart for clarification. Enjoy! More boats [...]
Epic V12 2G Surfski Review
My Epic V12 story started in 2009 when I got the first V12 1g on the East Coast. I paddled it for 3 months, reviewed it and sold it to my training partner Tim who paddled it for years. The 1G had a distinctive roll but once you got used [...]