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
What a trip, L2L… by Joseph DiChiacchio and Mark McKenzie
Part I: what a trip... by Joseph DiChiacchio At the start of this year I made the decision to feed my competitive inner child and give Surfski racing a try. So in my signature style I would entrench myself in the experience not unlike a cultural anthropologist in order to get a [...]
Australian National Champs – Race 1 Wrap Up
Re-posted with permission from Oceanpaddler. Make sure you check out their cool site!!! National Champs race 1 Wrap Up The cream of the Australian Ocean Racing elite were on show at Manly Beach in NSW last weekend for the first race of the National Championships, the Belle Property Manly King of [...]
Unusual Clockwise Suspects at Nayaug Race by Tim Hudyncia
I demand the best out of my competitors, and they do not disappoint, beating the snot and tar out of me month after month along the coasts of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts (I’ve been told there’s something above the Commonwealth, haven’t been there yet). They come in packs, from the [...]
New England Surfski Downwind: Finishing Touches
The weather for the final race of the season went off-script, ad-libbing uncooperative winds and a light but steady rain. Despite the gloomy day that lacked proper downwind conditions, 25 skis, a rowing shell, and 3 SUPs gathered at Long Sands Beach in Maine for one last grab at fame, glory, [...]
Winners of SurskiRacing.com Series: Borys, Andrius, Greg, Beata
This series is the best of 6 races of 10 for the Northeast paddlers. Since 2012 Borys Markin has dominated the surfski racing scene with little competition except in the bigger races like the Blackburn and the Lighthouse that brings in other top paddlers of Borys' caliber. Many of us had [...]
Racing in the Deep South:Gator Bait Race by Joseph Di Chiacchio
I’ve heard it said that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” For most of 2014, I have looked forward to and planned to line up for the Tybee Island race in Georgia. Unfortunately, events conspired to thwart my attendance. All dressed up and nowhere to go; [...]
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