On Downwinding: You’re Not Surfing
Most paddlers learn to think about downwind paddling in terms of waves. You catch a wave, you ride the wave, and you look for the next wave. Wash, rinse, repeat. That model works well enough [...]
On Training: Stress and Adaptation
Nothing in training happens without stress. In the absence of a stressor, our system remains exactly as it is. But stress alone is not improvement, and in an ocean environment, misunderstanding that difference is one [...]
On Racing: Starting Right
Most races are decided long before the first buoy or the first run. They begin in the final minutes before the start, when paddlers are already spending physical, mental, and emotional energy, whether they realize [...]
Blackburn Challenge to host 2026 National Championships
The American Canoe Association has selected the Cape Ann Rowing Club's Blackburn Challenge as the host venue for the 2026 USA Canoe Ocean Racing National Championships, placing one of America’s most iconic open-water races at [...]
USA Surfski Paddlers @ 2025 ICF COR World Championships
The 2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing (COR) World Championships were held in Durban, South Africa this past October. Worlds is the pinnacle international competition for surfski paddlers all over the world, in addition to World Cups [...]
Latest News
ICF World Ocean Racing Championship in Hong Kong
The World Championship of Surfski Racing(ICF World Ocean Racing) was held in Hong Kong with qualified paddlers from various countries. There is a standard you must meet to qualify to represent your country. They also have a non-qualified field who can just race. I have not seen those results yet as [...]
East Coast Surfski Championships (L2L)
This race is one my favorite race of the season because of the race organization, competition, sponsorship, venue, and race course. We had roughly 67 surfskis registered in all the classes including the 13 mile race and the 7 mile race. We also had 40 racers in other classes of watercraft [...]
My East Coast Surfski Championship Video
2017 East Coast Surfski Champs from Wesley Echols on Vimeo.
Great Stone Dam Race
The Great Stone Dam Race in Lawrence, Massachusetts on the Merrimack River in its 8th year is a wonderful race for many reasons. Today it had a record field with the Unlimited Class(surfskis and K1's) leading the way but Sups, kayaks, doubles, etc were in good numbers too. It was nice [...]
Nahant Bay Cup: Socked In
With a couple of Rhode Island races shifted into July to avoid the hustle and bustle of kraken season (and, sure, the boat-chomping too), the Nahant Bay Cup remained as the only August race in New England. Despite retiring from competitive paddling back in the mid-teens, Mike McDonough was on hand [...]
Fast and Furious-Nahant 2017
Due to fog, course was shortened to a loop course with plenty of turns. It was Fast and Furious! Shortest ski race I have done but fun! Nahant Race 2017 from Wesley Echols on Vimeo.
Surfski Classifieds
Find your perfect boat today!
Surfski Reviews
Looking for an ocean ski? Check out the surfski comparison chart!
