Last Sunday Tim, Bob and myself launched from Bay Voyage Inn, Jamestown, Rhode Island. We are suited up in our Kokatat Goretex Paddling Suits with a light weight base layer, mukluks, pogies, spare hat, gloves, gels, water, gps w/heart rate, phone, video camera,camera and leashes. Air temps were almost 50 so felt balmy for us. However, the wind continued to build, so by the time we made our second pass under the Newport Bridge it was gusting to 30 mph. Conditions were typical in this course for us: grind upwind/upcurrent and then turn for some sloppy downwind punctuated with some chaotic conditions under the bridge. The conditions were bigger than the video presents under the bridge. I was five strokes away from hitting the bridge abutment slightly under estimating the force of the water/wind. I was ready to get off the water after roughly two hours. This was a great test for me in the Stellar SR Excel with the 4 inch rudder. I continued to be very impressed with its speed and stability in my flat water time trials and my downwind time trials with my training partners. With all the design changes from the previous version, it really is a new designed boat.  More to come so stay tuned. Enjoy the video.

2015 Stellar SR Surf Ski from Wesley Echols on Vimeo.