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@@gadgetman_nz4092 I am usually ok but after the rain I was totally wet and started to get cold… Plus my left ear started to hurt with all the cold wind. We landed at North Head to get some rest before paddling back to Kohimarama. That last short trip was tense because there were many sail boats racing. We tried to stay away but there were just too many so we were paddling between the boats!

Hi! Thank you. Nice to see a visitor from 9000 miles away! It was a fun windy trip. The next video is about the same trip but with the rain on top 😂

Absolutely! I was happy I wasn't paddling a surfski that day. Not only you can tip over but you can also hit badly the surfski with missed paddle strokes...

@@kayakintro don't you have these transparant sticker/covers on your ski to protect scratches from your paddle?

@@IamNothing82 Yes, I do but with the gust sometimes I can hit more in the middle, in front of me...

Thanks! About 20 mn later we couldn't see anything because of a massive shower! The rain drops were even painful because of the strong wind 😂 At some point our speed was only 2 km/h when paddling normally. I started to get quite cold that day, it was about 6h out in the wind and rain. I will upload the video in the rain next. I run out of hard disk space for editing the video, I need to get another hard disk soon.

@@kayakintro In the big wind I cranked it right up and made a whole 100m in 30 minutes. Got hit with a side gust and it moved me about 2m in the Arcadia. On the bicycle I didn't bother with wet weather gear, just got soaked from the inside. Just wore shorts and singlet, the same as I use for the kayaks. Hail hurt in winter but the colder it was the higher I cranked it up so never cold.

@@gadgetman_nz4092 Where do you paddle in Christchurch? I love my Acadia 12.5! I only need a trolley with wheels small enough to fit into the hatch. Currently I just leave the trolley at the beach...

@@kayakintro Mainly the Avon, Lyttelton Harbour and Lake Rua with young folk (Boys Brigade leader and help with Girls Brigade too).

Not that small when you go upwind! And this kayak has a reasonably high bow/rocker. With a V10L it would be a submarine 😂

Most of my kayak trips are between 12 and 28km. I think on a sea kayak I could paddle easily more because balance isn’t an issue. With surfskis more concentration is required and after 20km it’s becoming harder. The guy paddling with me is just 70 yr old 😊

Absolutely! That’s where a sea kayak like the Beachcomber and its banana shape would do very well! The Riot Edge has a flat hull but a high bow to help in the waves but the waves still come all around me. The spray deck is needed!

@@kayakintro One thing with the Prijon Marlin is that it has very little rocker great on the flat stuff and slow to turn. Haven't had it in anything rough yet. The Chinese Liker Explorer has big rocker and is so easy to turn though they are the same length.

@@gadgetman_nz4092 I find the Riot Edge 14.5 hard to turn but it tracks well at least. With the rudder it turns well, but it isn't a sharp turn. The Perception Spectrum turns very well. I am curious about the Liker Explorer. Is it well built?

@@sajjadanwarnz Thank you. It is about one hour from Okahu Bay to Rangitoto ferry terminal. In all it was 14 km so 7 km one way. The shortest way to get there is from St Heliers, I think it’s 4.5 km.

@@kayakintro thanks maybe next summer I explore.

@@sajjadanwarnz Have you been to Browns island? It is quite easy from St Heliers. Motuihe island is beautiful too!

@@kayakintro na I usually go for fishing in kayak.

@@sajjadanwarnz I don't fish yet but I did get a fishing road. I see many fishing around Browns Island and Motuihe Island.

@@larscrantz The funny hill you see at the end is Mt Wellington, one of the 53 volcanoes in Auckland region.

@@kayakintro Thanks for the info and thanks for sharing that video. Sometimes it's really nice to be paddling, innit...😊?!

@@larscrantz The next video will be the total opposite with 20-25 knots winds, choppy sea… I still have some kind of ear infection from the cold wind 😂

@@kayakintro Looking forward...😊

@@larscrantz th-cam.com/video/3Fuc2E6Le8c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LN4vNPYOFaK76G6l 😊

@@jsyangyu It really depends on the weather/sea conditions. Upwind I can keep 12-13km/h but then I could do it on a V7 as well but with more effort. Downwind it is the speed of the wave you are on! The V10L glides very well so even by the beach you can reach 13-15km/h and keep the speed without paddling if the waves are good.

@@gadgetman_nz4092 It was lovely! It has been a long time I haven’t paddled the V10L due to a knee problem. I did 24km that way and managed to capsize by km 23 because of a sleepy hand and I had to open it to get some feeling back. That was enough to fall out. The water was also choppy with some swell where I capsized, nothing like in this video 😂 It was icy that day and I should have been better dressed with spare gloves.

@@kayakintro I tend to paddle all year in rugby shorts and singlet, just like when I used to row at school. Always paddling at a rate I'm just under too hot. 🤔

@@gadgetman_nz4092 I am also usually very lightly dressed 😂 with just a short and a top when everyone is wearing a wetsuit here. I am ok most of the time but the icy wind can get me toward the end. I can be shaking carrying the surfski all the way home and then feeling still cold even after a 3h hot bath!

@@kayakintro With you there. I've always been on the lean side so not a lot of insulation. But come on, Auckland and icy just don't go together. 😉

@@gadgetman_nz4092 😂 It’s nothing compared to Chch or Wellington but I did have some frostbite under my eyes two years ago after an early morning paddle at 3 degrees. It was windy and the spray from the sea was freezing!

Thank you. I enjoy paddling a surfski but when it gets cold a kayak with a closed cockpit is nice :)

@@kayakintro That's the difference between outdoor and indoor paddling...😂

@@larscrantz It often gets so cold because it is around 6 degrees and then the wind is icy. I capsized two weeks ago because my right hand was like sleepy from the cold and I couldn't feel the shaft. I opened my hands to stretch my fingers and that was it, a 5mn swim in the swell!

@@larscrantz haha

@@IamNothing82 😂

Next video will be another very calm smooth sea with the V10L, and then a very rough sea with the Riot Edge!

@@kayakintro Great! I'm looking forward to watch...:)

@@larscrantz Just uploaded! It was so smooth you could see the sky in the water. It can even be disturbing 😂

@@gadgetman_nz4092 The V7 is more stable and still quite fast! Both have storage which is really great.

@@kayakintro I like the extra length 500mm and lower weight (-4kg) of the Spirit. It has a lower weight capacity of only 110kg compared to the 135 kg of the V7, but barely tipping over 70kg myself I don't see either as an issue. V7 is easier to get hold of and does have two rudders but three times the price. Should do the coin toss. Flick it in the air and choose the one you want it to come down on. Catch the coin and put it in your pocket without looking at it. This would be harder with digital currency. I suppose I could do my usual and get both, the Spirit when I can drive.

@@gadgetman_nz4092The PRS has also more storage than the V7, the whole front deck is also a storage. Just be sure to leash everything because it is easy to lose stuff inside 😂 It is tippy compared to the V7 and I was surprised by its round hull at the beginning but you get used to it quickly! I like its seating position much better than on a V7. With both surfskis they aren’t that easy to carry using the side handles because they are unbalanced and in the heavy side.

@@kayakintro I'm used to 20-30kg kayaks so I don't see either as an issue, but understand the balance problem with the Spirit. I'm not meant to carry over 15kg. I told the surgeon that had zero chance of success to just put in a zip or Velcro when he was finished. Yes, I was at his door just 5 years later. I'll go for the V7 and a drive to the offshore Island when I can drive and the tubs across the strait are proving more reliable for the Spirit. That should cover me for stages 1 & 2 of ski paddling. I really want both.

@@gadgetman_nz4092I am sure you will be fine with the Spirit! The V7 only needs less attention when paddling so it is more relaxing and an excellent surfski for guests who are new to paddling. My wife, who has no problem with sup, had her balance challenged on the Nelo 510 but never on the V7. At th-cam.com/video/eF9GqIOFHHc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=PTA2H28q1lxGJgcf they are paddling the Spirit so it’s a tough and very capable surfski!!

@@maldrury8313 Well I am well overweight according to my BMI!! I definitely need to lose some weight this winter. The comfort is quite good compared to a ski! I am paddling more the sea kayaks because it’s getting quite cold now. No more wet bottom, no icy wind over the legs or frozen feet making me walk like a zombie after a surfski paddle! The seat is well padded. Personally I think the best kayak for Auckland is a multisport or something like the Epic 18X (and a ski for summer).

I have had a Perception kayak where my legs were in the same position and I had the same problem, that sucked so bad. I really tried everything to make it better (I even made a video abt it), it was a improvement but didn't solve it. Pain became so bad after more and more trips, I just had to sell it.

Thanks! I like music from the seventies/jazz. As for the position I am ok but indeed you have to choose about the legs together (not easy here as the top of the cockpit is low) or using the knee braces in order to be well "locked in" (I can get out easily of course...).

@@IamNothing82 Found your clip which is at th-cam.com/video/-zJnyGqXVAg/w-d-xo.html I agree with you in general about the backrest in the way of the spray deck. Very annoying and I sometimes remove the backrest totally. With the Perception Spectrum the seat has a kind of divider... After a few hours it really hurts! I just put a foam on it. The numb legs symptoms you have is common with some old Fenn surfskis when it is too narrow for the hips. The seat in the Stratos is comfortable compared to many of the sea kayaks I paddled.

@@IamNothing82 I have come to accept that I am just not built for those types of kayaks. Luckily I can choose kayaks with a footrest...:)

@@larscrantzIt has a footrest of some sort, it is the wall of the bulkhead. I am quoting them “Touring bulkhead foot brace: We've incorporated our world-class white water foot brace technology into the Stratos, providing a more ergonomic connection to the kayak and increased comfort and security.”

Yes, we can say that! Personally I prefer having a rudder than a skeg but I can see some advantage to it. I forgot to put a link about the Stratos: www.dagger.com/us/stratos I haven't paddled the Acadia for awhile. It is great small kayak, super fast for just 370 cm.

Giving unsolicited advice is a common etiquette mistake 😉 I actually used leg drive. Lately I have been paddling sea kayaks because of a knee problem not allowing me to push my foot on a surfski. I don’t think you can actually reach speeds like 16km/h on flat on a 43-44cm wide surfskis with just your arms, you wouldn’t have the balance.

@@kayakintro sorry it wasn't noted from the video, after all I only paddle sprint where I use a huge amount of pressure off the plate. But we tend to be closer to 20kmh.

@@conansmith3871 I was just kidding about the comment! I do like sprinting but surfskis aren’t the best for that with their rocker. It is more about taking advantages of the waves in order to do the least effort possible, for me anyway! As for the leg drive, it is only if I want to paddle very fast. I do push quite hard onto the footplate and I didn’t realise it until I injured my knee playing tennis! I had to stop every 5mn because of the sharp pain and it was compromising my balance. With sea kayaks it is so stable I don’t have this problem. Same with the Fenn Bluefin S which is quite wide. One surfski I can’t have a leg drive is the Fenn Mako Elite: its hump is quite high locking my legs and I am nearly too short (173cm) for it. To go back to the V8, it has a hump but not too bad. A shorter paddler would do better with a V8Pro that has a lower hump. You need to do a video about the Ruahine F1! I can’t see any and it looks pretty impressive.

​Amazing if you look at the nelo quattro K1 it actually has a fair bit of rocker, decreases the wetted area. Yes the F1 looks impressive and attracts attention but on the flat it's not that fast. Down the river however with some wash up the wings on those long river runs it's great. The F1 is very twitchy especially as I'm light and suited to a smaller boat. It's long, very thin about 350-380mm from memory with no rocket, very resistive. However it's not as twitchy as the top K1s, maybe a 2 primary and 3 secondary.

@@conansmith3871 The Nelo Quattro K1 is only 41 cm wide for 520 cm long. Probably the fact you sit high helps to paddle hard... if you have the balance. Can you roll easily the F1 if you capsize? It is indeed 35 cm wide. I think that's the thinnest kayak ever. Can you sit first and then bring your legs in or do you need to slide your legs inside first? I am looking for a multisport that's fast at sea (and also stable), something like the Swallow.

It was a bit more than expected but all went well for the beginners :)

A new generation is coming :) There is a club in Christchurch too. www.canoeracing.org.nz/get-involved/try-learn-explore/

@@kayakintro I really do need to find a ski.

@@gadgetman_nz4092I would get a multisport instead of a surfski! I think they are as fast as surfskis. Probably more use in the South Island too.

The maximum speed on flat water for me is 15km/h and the V10L is good at that with not much rocker and 615x44cm for 11.6kg but I know K1 can weigh 7kg and definitely beat surfskis on flat. I haven’t tried a K1 yet!

@@kayakintro my nelo quattro is 13kg. My NK 43 marathon is 7.1kgs. When you wind the K1 up it feels like an absolute missile. But the K1 is definitely alot more twitchy.

@@conansmith3871 I am usually at sea so I don’t often see K1 (except some rare wider Nelo Viper) but on TV I see Carrington/Fisher can lift the bow at each paddle stroke. It does look twitchy. Well, being light, narrow and a high sitting position don’t help! I will probably join a multisport/K1 club in Spring (it is currently winter here) and then I will have the opportunity to try some K1. I am sure it’s going to help me to swim ;-) There is a 10km race the 8 July and it is on a river and open to any kayak (K1, multisport, surfski and even sea kayaks). I might participate and finally see the K1s.

@@kayakintro yep I'm in NZ as well. Have a flow rockstar and ruahine F1 multisport boats as well. I paddle karapiro in the K1 but recently at Tauranga and Napier.

@@conansmith3871 I might see you if you do the Crazies series this winter! I am thinking about getting a multisport. So many choices! Paddling Perfection, Nautique, Flow, Ruahine…

Thank you! I didn't know much about rowing. I never thought they were that fast! Their cadence is slow by comparison so it felt they were slow at first before they disappeared. I felt like a speedy duckling 🤣 Have to try with a double surfski next time 😊

@@kayakintro Yeah, and they could see your face as they vanished. With rowing you get massive drive from the legs and back and a very long stroke that lifts the craft. I like seeing where I'm going nowadays.

It is ok… Double kayaks are often called the divorce boat 😂 for some reason. So far my daughter is good at following my cadence. The best is to be in sync when paddling a double. If not we can clash our paddles 😮 This one is short for a double surfski: 600x60cm. I find it less stable than the Epic V8 double which is 670x57cm. We will be doing the short 6km race and it’s going to be choppy probably…

Let’s see! It looks like we are getting some southerlies and the tide current on top!

@@kayakintro About -4 here at the moment. Didn't get out much over spring and summer due to work. Weather is about right to go ham in the yaks in my favourite 'wife beater' (black singlet according to my middle daughter).

@@gadgetman_nz4092 4 degrees at my place this morning, some places in Auckland had 2.6 and with the wind it’s rather chilly 🥶😂 I saw -6.3 in Chch! It’s going to be something with the water spray tomorrow! There is a large group of Tahitians who arrived here for the race. I wonder what they think coming from 28 degrees to at least half of that 🤣

The hump is too high for my legs on the Mako Elite which is known for it.

(i presume my EPIRB will float) 😂

Nice! I am considering something like a Lazer later! Did some sailing many many years ago on Optimist and 420. Not into fishing yet but I bought a fishing rod so let’s see 😄

This little Acadia always surprises me! It’s a pity it doesn’t have a bulkhead at the bow. I got a Squall which is much faster but it has a narrow cockpit forcing you to slide your legs in first. I am not that flexible anymore and a paddle float is required if I capsize!

@@kayakintro There will only be a couple of hundred mm at most between the foot pegs and the front polystyrene if it is like mine. My middle daughter would have s good half a metre (not that I'm saying anything). I'm hearing you on the flexibility thing, I entered my seventh decade about a month ago.

@@gadgetman_nz4092 😂 well 53 here but a bad knee (tennis…) for a couple of months now. It’s hard to use my legs and push the footplate on a surfski. With a sea kayak I am still fine. The polystyrene is gone on mine. Some water went through it and it was falling apart. I am using an air bag for now. My only problem with the Acadia is the round hatch at the back. Should have been oval! I can’t fit my Railblaza trolley and have to leave it attached to a stair.

@@kayakintro Yeah, five damaged discs in the lower back, at least one in the neck, two frozen shoulders and a brain tumour. If I was any other species someone would be before a beak for no having me euthanised. Mine has no bulkheads so trolley storage not an issue but will stuff a drybag in the boot if venturing far from sure. My sea kayaks are quite narrow and tippy so company is wise.

@@gadgetman_nz4092 You are doing well despite all that!! I finally got a paddle float so I will try it soon.

Thank you! It is a nice spot around Okahu bay and Bean Rock lighthouse in Auckland.

If I am not entangled I can be up in 10 seconds! With the V10L I remount sideways but with the Swordfish and its high sides it was best the cowboy way. I should try that way with the Elite but it rolls significantly faster than the Swordfish 🤣

@@kayakintro do you find the cowboy more stable in rough conditions than the sideways remount?

@@jprmac1 Yes because it is faster but that’s me. Some might have a different opinion. It works well if the surfski is narrow. I wouldn’t try on large surfskis.

It is not a bad kayak at all! Slower than a V7 but still fast and a lot of storage. Almost the whole hull can be used as storage.

She was! And there were lots of breaking waves once we reached the boat channel, we even had a fishing boat going extremely close to us because the two fishermen were at the back with their rod and not looking!! Thanks to the lady on her Fenn Sparks who yelled at them if she watches this video! This paddle trip was about 50mn resumed in 3mn.

Now Alexandra will be your tandem partner😊

@@josuedelucca7252 First day together on a double! It went well despite the choppy lake!

Good question! Possibly me 😄 as I was worried because she wasn’t used to paddle that long in that type of sea. She still had to climb to the summit after the paddle! She really surprised me, she had no stress no worries and telling me about some funny characters in a cartoon while paddling 😂

It is extremely buoyant indeed and excellent in the surf. If you click on Josue’s profile (he posted in the comments here) you can see some great clips of his V5. He just swapped to a V7 now because it glides better.

I wished I could get the fibreglass version here! Where do you paddle? Such a good kayak but on the heavy side with its plastic version. I also could keep your average speed. It is slow to accelerate but once it is launched it keeps going whatever the sea! th-cam.com/video/5KHGJ2yCvxg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=UkoBLSMVdrwHu9EM

Super choppy that day!

​@@kayakintroI always prefer water in motion, so much 😊

The most stable surfski would be the rotomold V5. If you want light and still stable it would be the V5 in performance layout (black tip). Having a light surfski doesn’t help stability. It will usually be in carbon and you will feel all the waves hitting the hull.

@@kayakintro Thanks for the advice. A carbon ski would be much easier to transport so would probably get more use. A rotomold ski would be fine on the water but harder to load onto my vehicle and would need a cart to get down to the water. I am going to try and get a test paddle to see how I go.

@@maldrury8313 You are welcome! It is my problem as well. I carry my light surfskis for about 10mn to go to the beach. However on the water they are more fun (fast acceleration, better bounce over the waves) but less stable. With a V5 it shouldn’t be a problem at all but be sure to have a leg leash: They just go with the wind. I have had my V10L red tip rolling on the beach on a gusty day. I had to run to catch it! There are new Epic V5 coming out lately, the second generation. It is a bit longer and narrower. If you purchase one now it is going to be the “old” one. You might want to wait for the new ones. I believe the plastic version stays unchanged.

The foam pads? I use them for better contact with my calves and also to get less water in to help the bailer flushing the water out.

@@kayakintro Yes, I talked about them. It seems to me that to prevent water from getting into the boat, you need pads along the entire length of the cockpit. Yes, this boat gets a lot of water (I have an Epic V7).

@@BelevichAB I am not trying to prevent water from getting into the boat (the V10L is quite a wet ride compared to the V7 which was my first surfski), just to have less water staying in because there is less space. I have pads by the hips and at the bottom of the bucket too. I had a foam block in front of the footplate as well. I don't really need to pad all the length of the cockpit because it is quite narrow (-10cm compared to the V7). The stroke catch is even narrower than on a V14: www.epickayaks.com/post/_v10l

@@kayakintro I managed to lean on the oar and not fall on V7. I think the whole question is in training. When rowing, you cannot use supports near your knees - your knees move.

@@BelevichABI don’t know about rowing as I paddle only. At surfskiracing.org/2023/04/100-surf-skis-initial-set-up/ please read 18) You do what’s good for you and I do what’s good for me 😊

Hi Paul, we all go through that exciting phase! After a few weeks it gets a lot easier! I haven’t seen that video for awhile 😅I had the V7 and thought I wasn’t learning enough as it was so forgiving. The Swordfish was a great learning surfski despite the big jump. I fell a lot the first 3 weeks then didn’t fall ever again.

@@kayakintro I’ve been kayaking for a year, loving all techniques (prefer a carbon Greenland paddle) but this is where the exercise and focus are heightened. I got a cheap Aussie made ski 5.7m x 48cm. But it’s a hand made one size and has zero flat area under/behind the seat. According to carbonology specs, their 48cm rates at 3/5 stability and 42cm at 1/5 stability. But the shape of the hull in my new “Wave Master” (with the flared nose style) has zero edging or natural roll and doesn’t feel it has a centre of gravity like a kayak. Three weeks? Hmm 🤔 I’m not putting pressure on myself but am preparing to spend plenty of time enjoying the difficulty level. Peace brother ☮️ (jeez I gotta change that profile pic!)

@@paulhillsdon7163 From what I read people who are beginners do better in surfskis than long time sea kayakers because of some habits they need to lose. I started paddling mostly by mid 2021. I am possibly more into sea kayaks lately because I like to paddle long distances. For the stability I think 48cm is a good width for whatever type of sea. Stability depends a lot on the water. A 42cm is fine if you paddle in a flat water lake! If it is choppy I would suffer! No pressure! I used to live just by the beach so I paddled 3 times a day. I am also into paddle boards. Totally different experience and it is quite cool to be able to see what’s in the water compared to kayaks/surfskis.

It’s going to be twice a week. I have more footage than I have the time to edit them! Also it seems I can’t upload new clips on Instagram because of some bugs! This is a good kayak! It has a good seat and is fast. We don’t see often that brand in NZ. The only problem is it dives well in choppy sea, like from the bow to the cockpit under water 😂. I need to get a sprayskirt for that one.

Waiting for your video 😊

This is wrong. There is no need to go decisively. You need to skip a powerful set, then make a pass. If a high wave forms, it is better to drive back. You don’t have to be decisive, you have to be smart! :)

Great choice, I am sure you will enjoy it! Yes the pedals/footplate and the rudder underneath are included. What’s optional is a stern rudder at the back (the one at the back).

I actually usually keep paddling when hitting the waves unless they are taller than me, in which case I prefer to have the paddle above the waves. I paddle with an Orca Superflex Pro, it is hard to get much larger blades than that, which means a wave hitting them can make me spin. Sometimes it is best to have them flat and ready to brace so they don't offer any resistance. Keep in mind I uploaded here a fail clip as people like them ;-) and I don't have any problem uploading fail clips (like when I first got the Fennix Swordfish S). I actually went many times at sea without any problem but in that type of surf and a surfski there is a lot of luck involved! A sea kayak is a lot more stable but on that surf beach there was only a spec surfski (made for that type of waves) and me with a small ocean ski, all the rest were surfers. I believe it would be very hard to launch there with a sea kayak because of the wash taking you to the sea. I sat a few times behind the bucket because the surfski was like towed hard by the sea!

Indeed! You only learn once you have a mouth full of sand 😂

I think I already got used to it with nearly 16 km/h sprinting it! It is a great surfski that glides very well and is quite responsive. My balance is ok but I need more endurance as I run out of steam quickly.

@@kayakintro Good job, that's a fair lick for a paddle craft.