Latest News
Plum Island Lighthouse Race Oct 19, 2019
Last Race of the Season. Get registered. https://paddleguru.com/races/PlumBeachLighthouseRace2019 The 2nd annual Plum Beach Lighthouse Race will be held on October 19, 2019. Hosted by Wesley Echols, this 7 mile race on Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay is one of the final open-water race of the New England season. Although primarily for surfskis, [...]
Lighthouse to Lighthouse: Stocked Sound
In what has become something of a yearly ritual, Gary Williams summoned paddlers and rowers of all stripes to Shady Beach with promises of wealth and glory. Such is the Shangri-la allure of the Lighthouse to Lighthouse Race that we keep returning, even though what actually awaits most of us is blisters and [...]
Blackburn Challenge: Sprinbok’ed
As a surfski race, many people find the Blackburn Challenge aggravating. There's seldom any significant downwind, but there's always confused chop. It's nearly 20 miles long. At various points you'll have to contend with suck water, weeds, aggressive tidal currents, heavy traffic, fishing lines, lobstermen hauling traps, and a heart-breaking final [...]
2019 Blackburn Challenge
I was pleasantly surprised when Bob Blair, Race Director of the Blackburn Challenge asked the racers to show hands of the first timers. It seemed like half of the crowd eagerly raised their hands. Blackburn Finish I knew a few these folks like Jean Kostelich who I met years ago at [...]
2019 Ride The Bull Video
https://vimeo.com/346486896
Different Bull, Still Holding On!
2019 Ride the Bull Race I had the idea to several years ago that we needed a rough water race that would test our skills without being off shore. Having paddled in Jamestown for many years, there are sections that can be challenging on most days. If the wind is Northerly, [...]
Surfski Reviews
Looking for an ocean ski? Check out the surfski comparison chart!
Nelo 540L Surf Ski Review
Introduction My history with surf skis dates backs to 2003 and my kayak experience predates that. Over these years I launched this site, sold out my Surfski Basics DVD, started reviewing skis, raced extensively, started a race series, gave many lessons, responded to many paddlers regarding boat choices, was instrumental [...]
Think Evo Fiberglass Review – by Wesley Echols
My first paddling experience with my Evo was a 37 mile circumnavigation of Aquidneck Island with my partner in crime, Tim Dwyer. I had purchased the glass Evo the previous day and was excited to try out my latest acquisition. Tim paddled my Huki S1R. So, in comparable boats, we [...]
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 [...]
Chris on Nelo 550. It was a hit!
Training Paddle, Wesley and Chris from Wesley Echols on Vimeo.
Custom Kayaks Synergy Lite – by Mark Ceconi
Surfskis tend to fall into two main camps, 19’ x 19” ‘stable’ skis, tailored for those individuals welcomed to the fold, moving up from fast sea kayaks and the like, and the high performance skis (H.P.S.), measuring in at needlelike 21” x 17” dimensions. The transition (a.k.a.. ‘leap’) from one [...]