Cross Training Never Got More Fun

Cyclists keen to exercise the whole body, often do more than just ride a bike; some do yoga; some hit the gym; and some paddle surf ski’s. I have just got back into paddling after a decade or so and the paddling world has changed since I last bought a ski / kayak. How do you know what to buy ? How do you know what’s right for you ?

The main players include EPIC, FENN and THINK. All make fantastic ski’s and all deserve a test paddle. However, buying a surf ski is nothing like buying a bike. Price determines the weight of a ski; how it will handle; how fast and sensitive it is; and how it reacts in a variety of weather conditions. Also, unlike the push bike market, the paddle market is filled with people all claiming to sell the fastest and best product. How do you identify the truth; hidden deep within the used car salesman type spin ?

My Experience

I would categorise myself as an intermediate flat water paddler. I have paddled K1, K2, TK2, Surf Ski’s and a wide range of Racing Sea Kayaks. I have raced the 20 Beaches, the Hawkesbury Classic and a variety of club and state races. My paddling experiences were however, around a decade ago and spanned across an 8 year period. It was without doubt, my love sport. Racing with my best mate David Kirkby was for me about as good as a sport could get. But after such a long break away from the sport, and now looking to buy a ski for open water (Inner Sydney Harbour and Ocean), I had much to learn. Whilst I had paddled on the ocean and raced in the 20 beaches, it had always been in a sea kayak; wide and stable. Buying a ski for these conditions was something I didn’t know much about nor, was I much good at it. Sea swell, wind chop and boat wash had not previously been my friend when paddling tippy and fast ski’s or kayaks.

My Story

Anyway, my first contact after some 14 yrs or so was with Tony King from EPIC Kayaks and I met him down at Clontarf and paddled the V 10 Sport and V 12.  The V 10 Sport felt like I had never left the sport. I was stable, it was quick and I felt as if I could power down in almost any conditions; it was simply fantastic … but it wasn’t EPIC’s fastest ski and my ego was searching for the quickest ski the market had to offer !

The EPIC V 12 was far less stable than the V 10 Sport but something I felt I could master reasonably quickly. The V 12 was reported to be EPIC’s speed machine on flat and / or inner harbour conditions and that was all I needed to flick the V 10 Sport.

But to ensure I had tried them all, I test paddled the Think Uno; a ski that felt very much like a K 1 Racing Kayak. I test paddled the Think Uno off Rose Bay and regardless of what my ego was telling me, this ski was simply too tippy for me. As much as I wanted my ego to tell me things would be ok if I just stuck at it, this ski was built for someone much better than me.

Then a mate of mine suggested I chat with Ocean Sports Australia about potentially buying a Fenn; EPIC’s South African cousin. I test paddled their speed machine the Fenn Elite (Full Carbon) and listened to a lot of negative comments in regards to the EPIC Ski’s; (*) negative comments in regards to their manufacture; their price point; their warranties; their durability etc. Ocean Sports Australia sold hard the benefits of a Fenn and whilst I always knew I was getting a one sided argument, the Fenn Elite was a bloody nice ski; very quick on flat and a good buy.

(*) If someone needs to bag a competitors product in order to sell their own, they probably have a hidden agenda.

Leg Numbness

So, I became the very happy owner of a Fenn Elite; until I realised my legs would go numb after about a 30 minute paddle. First the left leg and then in around 60 minutes, both legs would go completely numb from the buttocks to the toes.  If you have ever tried to paddle with leg numbness you will know, this was not a good sign and not something I could just put up with. I stuck at it for 7 weeks; but with each and every paddle sending my legs to sleep, I was soon back talking to Tony King of EPIC Kayaks about what options EPIC had that would prevent this from occurring.

Why did I trade the Fenn for an EPIC ?

From chatting to other paddlers at the time and from spending time reading various ski reviews, it appeared I wasn’t alone. Leg numbness had impacted many paddlers before me and the impacts seemed personal. Not necessarily linked to a particular manufacturer; but linked more to how individual people fitted individual ski’s.

The numbness is a result of pressure being applied to a blood vessel in the buttocks that stops the circulation of blood getting to the legs. Getting the legs lower than the buttocks can relieve the pressure however, with the Fenn Elite already being a tippy ski, raising the seat was not an option for me. The EPIC V 12 had the lowest leg position to the buttocks and felt equally as fast. So after a quick test paddle and chat with Tony King, a deal was done; and I was the proud owner of the EPIC V 12.

After trading my much loved Fenn, I was keen to see how the EPIC V 12 compared so I set course from Balmoral to Roseville Bridge and return; the same 18 k course that previously sent my legs to sleep. To my surprise, I showed absolutely no signs of leg numbness; the ski felt fantastic and all was good.

Tennis Elbow

So just when I thought the world was now sorted, my over enthusiasm for paddling lead to a variety of tennis elbow ailments. 3 Months of paddling tippy ski’s had resulted in a change in paddle stroke and poor technique that had given me tennis elbow . Tennis elbow pain sneaks up slowly and can stay with you for many months. It is not something you can ignore as it impacts everything. So after 3 months on the water, I was back in Physio and now off the water for the same period.

How did I get an EPIC V 10 Sport ?

After the injuries and all the mucking around and as soon as my tennis elbow was resolved, I traded the EPIC V 12 for a ski that would allow me to paddle without worrying about stability; a ski that would allow me to venture beyond Sydney heads without fear; a ski that would allow me to power down all day long without the need to brace and reignite my tennis elbow.

The EPIC V 10 Sport

The V 10 Sport Ultra; the ski I fell in love with some 6 months ago. The ski my head said to buy but my ego wouldn’t allow. The V10 Sport Ultra is full Kevlar and weighs in at 9.5 kilos. The ski is shorter than the V 12 and a little wider. The difference in stability is significant however, the drop off in speed is negligible. My first paddle after a 3 month layoff took me from Balmoral out past north head to Manly. A trip I could never have handled in the other ski’s but, a trip I can see myself doing regularly. The V 10 Sport is a ski I could race right now. It is a ski I could do the 20 Beaches in. It is a ski that meets my level of competency and a ski I hope will keep me injury free. All hail the V 10 Sport. Happy Days !

Tips before you buy:

1. park your ego and buy wise
2. paddle the ski for up to an hour … this will identify issue’s around numbness and comfort-ability
3. test paddle in a series of conditions
4. talk to paddlers and see what they reckon
5. make the time to talk to Tony King of EPIC Kayaks .. highly professionally and a great contact to have
6. beware the used car salesman
7. buy something you can paddle now … and upgrade as you improve
8. have a think about whether you may want to race or tour

Note: the fastest ski will be the one you can most competently paddle !

Visit EPIC Kayak Australia and ask for Tony King.

In my opinion, EPIC Kayaks Australia had the best range of ski’s; the best team of people (headed up by Tony King); a series of options to purchase (including direct from the warehouse or retail outlets); and a truly fantastic product. The EPIC ski’s are produced out of China and are beautifully made. Do yourself a favour and check them out.

Website: www.epickayaks.net.au

Epic V10 Sport Ultra: Review

Epic Mid Wing Paddle: Review

Visit Zhik for wet weather gear.

Whilst in summer, a simple rash vest and shorts is all that’s required … not so in winter. I made the decision to purchase gear designed by ZHIK (the worlds leading dinghy sailing gear). ZHIK is a small Australia company that started business in 2005 and much like EPIC, has their product produced out of China and I got to tell you, it is truly fantastic stuff.

My recent wet weather purchase was their Microfleece Mens Skiff suit. The suit is super light and designed for skiff sailors. So it is built to keep active people warm and mobile whilst not over heating them. If you are looking for a top quality product to keep you dry in winter, take a look at Zhik.

Finally, for news and views on surf ski’s, visit Surf Ski Info.

Happy Paddling.

Kent Williams
Director Entoure