Paddling Diaries: Touring Lake Chelan By Surfski

In this episode of the Paddling Diaries, I explore a novel way of touring by surfski in Washington State's Lake Chelan wilderness. Backstory: From my earliest days, I've been defined by my love of adventure. Mountain biking. Backcountry skiing. Mountain Climbing. Backpacking. Fishing in remote alpine lakes. I loved playing in the granite playground in the sky. And when I discovered surfskis in my early 30's, I could see the potential for these craft to cover great distances with grace, speed and power. Not to mention the potential of scoring a downwind in an exotic and wild location. The only problem of course was that they didn't yet exist. So when a brand new Epic V12 Ultra flew off of my truck one day after a downwind paddle with a friend, I used the opportunity to reimagine the boat as a touring ski. A very very fast one that I named the "ego smuggler". Bring everything together and you might just score a wilderness experience unlike any other.

[@NikolaiRogich]

drooling over that silver Epic. So dang gorgeous.

[@HYPRFIT]

Love your custom job on the V-12 ... none of us in Hawaii would think of using a V-12 packed for CAMPING !! - Wow, only downwind tracked mind

[@amosmoses8656]

Dude, I love everything about this video. It’s a peaceful adventure filled masterpiece. Well done!

[@adamsawyer]

Just fantastic - what a stunning conversion - which i appreciate even more after dabbling with epoxy last week!! Immense way to tour - I'm so inspired.

[@FasterFartherX]

Hey Adam, selling one of my touring skis, check it out! th-cam.com/video/liPm-Qjkth0/w-d-xo.html

[@barryblackburn5910]

Great job on the video. Beautiful location. That downwind leg coming home was great.

[@herbertmasing]

That downwind footage was superb!!

[@FasterFartherX]

Thanks! Easy to forget it's a lake and not the sea.

[@Ben-sl8su]

Sehr sehr coole Location 👌

[@FasterFartherX]

In der Tat ist es sowohl konzeptionell als auch wörtlich!

[@AngieWhittemoreCorrea]

So epic

[@Iaapwm]

Great relaxing video. Many thanks from Lismore NSW Australia

[@laughingluke]

Nice distance covered, and wish I had that V12...

[@vintagejake]

Cool video. You’re the only one I know who uses an elite racing ski as a touring boat.

[@FasterFartherX]

Pretty much... and that means the list of volunteers for joining me on missions like this is really short!

[@ryanrickerts5982]

Great idea. Makes me want to buy your boat and do this.

[@tonisurfski]

Amazing video!

[@mrpopo573]

Nice spot, I'm use to taking our Zodiacs up to Steheiken, spending our first night at Graham Harbor. Looks like you pulled off where there is no longer a dock? Missing Safety Harbor right now, favorite spot to chill by the river where it empties into Chelan. Beautiful setup!

[@FasterFartherX]

Yeah, when I realized the wind was picking way up I pulled into and turned on my GoPro. Not a day goes by I don't think about when my next trip up Lake Chelan will be.

[@mrpopo573]

@@FasterFartherX we're lucky to live here for sure. I'll keep an eye out for that awesome ski

[@adventureStaley]

We like adventure

[@christoforospilitsis541]

How did you get that v12 up there without touching the rocks with it?

[@FasterFartherX]

In rocky cliff landing's i'd use a 20 foot rope tethered to the bow, I would then swim to shore and then haul and hoist the ski in and gently set it down on the rocks. If the rocks were particularly bad I might use a sleeping pad to protect the hull. a bit of a hassle - but over all worth the price of admission. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯