It is common to hear paddlers describe a downwind run as having “good conditions” or “bad conditions,” as if the ocean environment were a consistent entity. That shorthand is convenient, but it hides away so much context. Anyone who has paddled the same route on different days knows that it [...]
Many athletes think racing is mainly about physical fitness. They train harder, go longer, and arrive at the start line believing the strongest engine will win. Of course, sometimes it does. But more often than not, it doesn’t. Ocean racing, especially in surfskis, rewards the complete operator: people who have [...]
In surfski paddling, training is often treated as a simple equation: more time on the water leads to more fitness, and more fitness should lead to better results. When that works, it feels obvious. When it doesn’t, the failure is rarely dramatic. Instead, failure shows up gradually, even quietly. Performances [...]
Downwind paddling is often described in terms of sensation: speed, lift, control, and moments when the boat seems to move on its own. What’s discussed less often is why those moments happen, or how to recognize the conditions that make them possible. This Downwinding series is about exploring that underlying [...]
A letter from Scott Darling, founder of our community's much-loved brand, Giant Fish, states: A CLOSING NOTE As we begin 2026, I’ve found myself slowing down and thinking about what really mattered along the way. Not the plans or the outcomes, but the people—the conversations, the notes that landed at [...]
