Surf ski
The sit-on-top cockpit means a surfski is easy to remount in the event of a capsize and also that the hull will not fill with water.
Their performance design and steering system makes it possible to paddle onto and ride open water wind swells on the ocean and other large bodies of water The modern day version of the surfski originated in the surf lifesaving movement as a means to assist swimmers in distress.
[2] In the mid-1990s the sport started becoming more widely adopted outside of surf lifesaving with the first non-affiliated series of races being organised in Cape Town, South Africa by BiIlly Harker.
The spec ski is the traditional craft used by surf life saving clubs and must adhere to strict size and weight.
They are most popular in warmer coastal regions where the sport originated such as Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Hawaii; however the versatility of surfski as a kayaking discipline has made it a very popular choice for paddlers worldwide especially in the Nordic regions, Western Europe, the Pacific Northwest and the East Coast of the US.
Many enjoy paddling surfskis as an outdoor water sport for what it offers in terms of fitness, competition and adventure.
Light weight surfskis are made of composite layers of epoxy or polyester resin-bonded cloth: fibreglass, kevlar, carbon fibre or a mixture.
To cut weight, the number of layers of the material and the amount of resin may be minimised to just that necessary for structural integrity or increased for extra strength and durability in heavy surf.
Ocean racing surfskis differ from spec skis in that they are longer, have sharply pointed bows and under stern rudders.
The front of the modern lifesaving type surfski is often flared to prevent nose diving on returning to shore when surfing down large steep waves.
Ocean racing surfskis are also usually longer than long distance racing kayaks; they have more longitudinal curvature (rocker); they typically have less transverse primary and secondary stability but more longitudinal stability because the paddler is seated more towards the centre of the craft to enhance wave riding ability.
The board was propelled in a sitting position with two small hand blades, which was probably not a highly efficient method to negotiate the surf.
The deck was flat with a bung plug at the rear and a nose ring with a leash, possibly originally required for mooring.
The surfski is used in surf lifesaving competitions all over the world including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and in Europe.
In the mid-1990s the sport started becoming more widely adopted outside of surf lifesaving with the first non-affiliated series of races being organised in Cape Town, South Africa by Billy Harker.
More recently, there has been a huge growth in ocean surfski racing in mainland USA, Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific countries.
Locally there is a large community of paddlers that travel from around Cape Town to paddle out of Fish Hoek bay on any one of the numerous routes on offer.
