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
Great Stone Dam Classic: Apples and Oranges
Despite being an undeniably flatwater race (I measured) during ocean racing season, the Great Stone Dam Classic has become an essential stop in the New England surfski circuit. Hosted by the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program, co-chaired by Francisco Urena and Shawn Burke, and staffed largely by an enthusiastic army of [...]
2016 East Coast Championships/Lighthouse to Lighthouse Sponsors Registration OPEN!
Gary Williams, Race Director L2L, and I are happy to announce the sponsors for the 2016 East Coast Surfski Championships hosted by the Lighthouse to Lighthouse Race, September 17th and 18th. Stellar Kayaks and Surfskis has been the Premier Sponsor since we began the East Coast Surfski Championships several years ago. [...]
2013 L2L- Huge Success, East Coast Surfski Championships by Wesley Echols
HUGE SUCCESS The Lighthouse to Lighthouse Race (L2L) was a great success yesterday on many diffferent fronts. The Surfski Divison had the largest field of approximate 50 surfskis including the seven and 14 mile races. Included in this field was some of the top paddlers in the country and the top [...]
2014 Lighthouse to Lighthouse: Fevered Paddling
Two years ago the Lighthouse to Lighthouse race boasted a complement of twenty-some surfskis - a respectable showing for an East Coast race, but nothing to work yourself into a lather over. Jump forward 25 months (we had a long winter) and the L2L is now the largest ski race in [...]
Nahant Bay Cup: Ramblings
The Nahant Bay Cup traditionally marks a break in the summer surfski season. The savvy paddler will collect enough momentum in Mike McDonough's race to carry him or her into the September races, coasting smoothly over the doldrums of late August. The rest of us just thrash around in Nahant Bay [...]
Sean Rice, Paddle Life in Newport RI
It's all about the Surfskis in Rhode Island: Weekend with Sean Rice, Battle the Bay Race and Surfski Workshops. Racers Battle of the Bay For the second year in a row, World Champion Sean Rice included Newport, Rhode Island on his Paddle Life Tour of workshops. Tim Dwyer hosted [...]
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