It is super light. It accelerates so easily. The other day when I was getting ready for a downwind run I had to ask Rod to hold onto it so I could run back to the car. If not it would get blown around easily.
Awesome! Congrats on the new ski. Jeff is awesome. Sold me my first ski a few years ago. He definitely goes the extra mile. Can't wait to hear more reports on the Vega. Love to check it out if you're gonna be at the Carolina Cup (if it actually happens this year.)
Love the colour scheme. big fan of fluoro colours for visibility. Small rudder is like my custom flat water rudder, plenty good enough for flat water, still turns well, less resistance=faster, the extra tippiness makes it feel even more lively. Obviously less chance of rudder damage. How is the hump height in comparison to a V10 Gen 1?
Great feedback on the flat water rudder. I haven’t tried it yet but I think it will definitely be faster in the flats. As far as the hump in each boat. The hump in the 1st generation V10 is rather high and allows for very little leg movement. I had paddled Thoth 1st Gen V10 for about 1 year and 9 months so I was very used to this hump and the smaller leg movement. The hump in the Vega is much smaller in comparison I had a V11 for a few months and the hump is similar to that boat. The smaller hump in the Vega allows for more leg movement for sure. With each paddle I am getting more leg drive / hip mobility. I have been more sore in my hips and legs because of this but I don’t think that is a bad thing. I think these muscles are getting more involved which is good. More legs = more power and more speed and less upper body. The music happens when they are all coordinated in a nice rhythm. Stoked to learn something new with each paddle. The Vega is a joy to paddle. It is certainly more stable than the 1st Gen V10.
@@barryblackburn5910 I have a gen 3 V10 and the hump is much lower and the whole balance and feel is much better than the old v10. I think it is a sign of the evolution of ski designs which are all becoming more enjoyable boats to paddle
Thank you! Sorry about the salt spray on the lens for some of the ocean clips. I am really enjoying this Surfski. If anyone is looking for a new Surfski they need to try the. Vega or Vega Flex, especially if you paddle in the ocean.
Nice video guys! I have a Vega with an almost identical color grey/orange color scheme and I've been loving it of course, especially in bumps. Are you guys coming out to the Gorge Fest for 2021? By the way, there are almost no Vegas out here. I think JD Davies and I are the only ones who regularly paddle them here in the Gorge. I expected the boat to take off but it's been slow to catch on, and I think it's partly due to the relatively narrow and deep bucket and not the stability which is similar to the other 17 inch skis out there. I think between Portland and Bellingham, there must be 50 Flexes. That design has been extremely popular out here.
Unfortunately it looks like we will not be able to get to the Gorge Fest this year -- but it's definitely on our bucket list. We've heard similar comments from other folks about the Vega -- at first the depth of the bucket can be unsettling. Barry mentioned it at first, but after 2-3 sessions was completely comfortable with the bucket depth. The Flex is definitely a popular ski -- we're looking forward to having one in our quiver at some point! Catch some of those Gorge bumps for us!
I would love to paddle at The Gorge one day. It is a long way from North Carolina and I would want to bring my boat(s)… Vega and Ares. I really really like the Vega. My first session I commented on the deep bucket but after that I haven’t noticed it except that it is ideal for balance in the ocean. I have heard that the Flex appeals to more paddlers because of its width and a bucket that is not quite as deep. I would say that if someone has been paddling a V11, V12, V14 or 1st Generation V10 then the Vega is your boat for sure. I think the Vega will grow in popularity, especially as it starts to place in more big races. Pat Dolan placed 3rd in the Molokai Solo paddling his Vega. Tupuria King recently won the New Zealand Surfski Championship in his Vega as well. I think Kai Bartlett is old school humble when it comes to marketing. He really wants the boats to speak for themselves and have people like us share how stoked they are. The popularity of the Ares OC1 grew slowly at first then it became THE OC1 to beat. I think the Vega will follow suit, especially as more pros (like Tupuria King) decide to partner with Kai Wa’a.
Hey Peter, that allows the boat to “breathe.” My OC1 has the same black stem which is actually a straw of sorts. All the Outrigger Zone manufactured boats use this same system. Their boats are all single hull construction which gives them more strength.
How does it rate on the stability? I am considering a new one. Would you recommend this one for a beginner surf skier? You refer to it as a elite ski, so only good for elite skiers?
If you are new to Surfski you should try the Vega Flex. I love OC1 as well. Rod asked me the other day which one I like the best and I replied, “the one I paddled last.”
As an athletic beginner....do you think it is stable enough or will I be in the water more than in the seat for the first month ? I was warned to not get anything faster than a Nelo 520 or Epic V8 pro as a beginner . You mentioned that this boat is very stable for an elite boat. Thanks
It IS stable for an elite boat....but still an elite boat. If you're just starting out, the Vega probably isn't your best choice. You could start with a Vega Flex, which is more stable than the Vega, but it would still be challenging. For us, with a lot of OC1 time prior to picking up surfski, the V10 Sport (more stable than than Flex) was pretty challenging, at least in ocean conditions. It really depends on how much swimming and remounting you're comfortable with, but stability before ability is pretty good advice. We've had very athletic friends who were unable to stay in a Gen 1 V10, despite trying for an hour, and the Vega is just slightly more stable than that. Go with the more stable boat at first, nail your technique and plenty of mileage, and then look at moving to a more elite boat. Remember, a 520 or V8 Pro is much faster than a Vega if the Vega paddler is falling out... :) Keep us updated and let us know what you go with, and how it goes!
Excited and happy for you. Hope you have a blast riding those bumps.
Thanks so much! Loving the challenge of the Surfski. Had a great downwind paddle last Monday on the Ares as well. Blessed indeed.
Wow, that's a light boat! Nice.
It is super light. It accelerates so easily. The other day when I was getting ready for a downwind run I had to ask Rod to hold onto it so I could run back to the car. If not it would get blown around easily.
Awesome! Congrats on the new ski. Jeff is awesome. Sold me my first ski a few years ago. He definitely goes the extra mile. Can't wait to hear more reports on the Vega. Love to check it out if you're gonna be at the Carolina Cup (if it actually happens this year.)
The. Carolina Cup is supposed to take place in November 2021. Feeling like it will happen!
Love the colour scheme. big fan of fluoro colours for visibility. Small rudder is like my custom flat water rudder, plenty good enough for flat water, still turns well, less resistance=faster, the extra tippiness makes it feel even more lively. Obviously less chance of rudder damage.
How is the hump height in comparison to a V10 Gen 1?
Great feedback on the flat water rudder. I haven’t tried it yet but I think it will definitely be faster in the flats.
As far as the hump in each boat. The hump in the 1st generation V10 is rather high and allows for very little leg movement. I had paddled Thoth 1st Gen V10 for about 1 year and 9 months so I was very used to this hump and the smaller leg movement.
The hump in the Vega is much smaller in comparison I had a V11 for a few months and the hump is similar to that boat. The smaller hump in the Vega allows for more leg movement for sure. With each paddle I am getting more leg drive / hip mobility. I have been more sore in my hips and legs because of this but I don’t think that is a bad thing. I think these muscles are getting more involved which is good. More legs = more power and more speed and less upper body. The music happens when they are all coordinated in a nice rhythm. Stoked to learn something new with each paddle. The Vega is a joy to paddle. It is certainly more stable than the 1st Gen V10.
@@barryblackburn5910 I have a gen 3 V10 and the hump is much lower and the whole balance and feel is much better than the old v10. I think it is a sign of the evolution of ski designs which are all becoming more enjoyable boats to paddle
first one to congratulate you! looks very mean and lean.
Thank you! Sorry about the salt spray on the lens for some of the ocean clips. I am really enjoying this Surfski. If anyone is looking for a new Surfski they need to try the. Vega or Vega Flex, especially if you paddle in the ocean.
Nice video guys! I have a Vega with an almost identical color grey/orange color scheme and I've been loving it of course, especially in bumps. Are you guys coming out to the Gorge Fest for 2021?
By the way, there are almost no Vegas out here. I think JD Davies and I are the only ones who regularly paddle them here in the Gorge. I expected the boat to take off but it's been slow to catch on, and I think it's partly due to the relatively narrow and deep bucket and not the stability which is similar to the other 17 inch skis out there. I think between Portland and Bellingham, there must be 50 Flexes. That design has been extremely popular out here.
Unfortunately it looks like we will not be able to get to the Gorge Fest this year -- but it's definitely on our bucket list. We've heard similar comments from other folks about the Vega -- at first the depth of the bucket can be unsettling. Barry mentioned it at first, but after 2-3 sessions was completely comfortable with the bucket depth. The Flex is definitely a popular ski -- we're looking forward to having one in our quiver at some point! Catch some of those Gorge bumps for us!
I would love to paddle at The Gorge one day. It is a long way from North Carolina and I would want to bring my boat(s)… Vega and Ares.
I really really like the Vega. My first session I commented on the deep bucket but after that I haven’t noticed it except that it is ideal for balance in the ocean. I have heard that the Flex appeals to more paddlers because of its width and a bucket that is not quite as deep.
I would say that if someone has been paddling a V11, V12, V14 or 1st Generation V10 then the Vega is your boat for sure.
I think the Vega will grow in popularity, especially as it starts to place in more big races. Pat Dolan placed 3rd in the Molokai Solo paddling his Vega. Tupuria King recently won the New Zealand Surfski Championship in his Vega as well.
I think Kai Bartlett is old school humble when it comes to marketing. He really wants the boats to speak for themselves and have people like us share how stoked they are. The popularity of the Ares OC1 grew slowly at first then it became THE OC1 to beat. I think the Vega will follow suit, especially as more pros (like Tupuria King) decide to partner with Kai Wa’a.
Nice boat! What is the stem near the rudder?
Hey Peter, that allows the boat to “breathe.” My OC1 has the same black stem which is actually a straw of sorts. All the Outrigger Zone manufactured boats use this same system. Their boats are all single hull construction which gives them more strength.
How does it rate on the stability? I am considering a new one. Would you recommend this one for a beginner surf skier? You refer to it as a elite ski, so only good for elite skiers?
If you are new to Surfski you should try the Vega Flex. I love OC1 as well. Rod asked me the other day which one I like the best and I replied, “the one I paddled last.”
As an athletic beginner....do you think it is stable enough or will I be in the water more than in the seat for the first month ? I was warned to not get anything faster than a Nelo 520 or Epic V8 pro as a beginner . You mentioned that this boat is very stable for an elite boat.
Thanks
It IS stable for an elite boat....but still an elite boat. If you're just starting out, the Vega probably isn't your best choice. You could start with a Vega Flex, which is more stable than the Vega, but it would still be challenging. For us, with a lot of OC1 time prior to picking up surfski, the V10 Sport (more stable than than Flex) was pretty challenging, at least in ocean conditions. It really depends on how much swimming and remounting you're comfortable with, but stability before ability is pretty good advice. We've had very athletic friends who were unable to stay in a Gen 1 V10, despite trying for an hour, and the Vega is just slightly more stable than that. Go with the more stable boat at first, nail your technique and plenty of mileage, and then look at moving to a more elite boat. Remember, a 520 or V8 Pro is much faster than a Vega if the Vega paddler is falling out... :)
Keep us updated and let us know what you go with, and how it goes!
Nice 🤩
Thanks Ben. Blessed indeed.