Comments for Essential Surf Ski Skills - The Remount at http://www.surfski.info , comment 0 to 20 out of 27 comments http://www.surfski.info Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:32:28 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_2703 I glued some foam to mine where they bite me in the ribs doing a side-saddle mount. Works, sort of.... but introduces a new problem in that your bod no longer slides into the cockpit over that area: it tents to hang up on the rubber, especially when wearing a PFD. Pending discovery of something that offers some padding, but is slippery, I reverted to rubber only on the opposite side from where I mount. - Pete Cresswell Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:25:00 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_2305 You mean like this? http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2422013532_583ce65b00.jpg?v=0 That's a slight modification of Huki's carrying handle. It was aft of COG, but turned out tb right on the money when a paddle park was added and a paddle inserted. The mod was replacing Huki's more robust handle with plain webbing - which doesn't chafe the thighs when paddling. - Pete Cresswell Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:20:55 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_917 Rob, excellent pics and discussion on the remount. I have a red7 and the problem i have encountered is trying to hold the foot-strap and paddle is a problem due to the depth of the footwell. Any suggestions??? :-* - Robert Sharpe Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:34:32 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_916 I paddled the Honcho for about 5kms and I really enjoyed it. It looks very much like the Fenn Mako6 above water but the hull is certainly different. I lay them side by side and the Honcho has a rounder hull. I agree the deck looks similar but it is not identical. While Rob fiddled with his camera I fell out and remounted 20 times and I am glad to report that it is more "remount friendly" than the 6. The feel is also different, but more about that on the upcoming review.... - Alain Jaques Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:35:54 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_915 We'll be posting information about the development of the Honcho including the CAD drawings and photos of the plug being built up out of wooden frames. I'm sure that it may have been inspired by the Mako6 (and I'm sure the V10) but this is no copy. The design team included well-known Cape Town yacht designer Phil Southwell, Honcho owner Andrew Fyfe, with input from Jamii Hamlin, Richard Kohler and John van der Vyver. - Rob Mousley Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:51:47 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_914 I did a short stint in the Honcho, although I'm definitely not experienced enough to provide any more meaningful feedback than "it's more stable than a Millenium". However, at the risk of opening a can of worms when I'm fairly indifferent to the XLR8 issue: to my untrained eye, it does look a lot like the Mako6. Looking forward to your review with morbid curiosity. - LS Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:24:45 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_908 We've had a couple of inquiries about the ski used in the photos. It's a new design by a crowd called Honcho, built here in Cape Town. We'll have a review out in the next week or so. Their website (currently under construction) is at: http://www.honchosurfskis.co.za/ - Rob Mousley Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:51:47 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_901 Rob As a beginner in this great sport any help would be great especially in paddling technique so any future articles along those lines would be appreciated tomb - tomb Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:41:38 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_896 Rob, the remount article w/ pix and clips is terrific. Surfskiers in the US and especially on the east coast lament the lack of participation. Then, they do little to help the beginners. We, the beginners, need more articles like the remount article. I have a suggestion for an article: bracing. And two: how to practice bracing. The Plea to Manufacturers by AJ is right on mark. Surfskis could be modified to be ergonometrically much easier for things like remounting and carrying with no impack on performance. If the participants and manufacturers want to keep this a niche sport, then continue the status quo. But, if surf skiers and manufacturers want to make entry to the sport easier for people of all skill levels, then it is time to provide articles like Rob's, produce how-to DVD's (available in every other sport), write expert instructional manuals, and make the surf skis more user friendly. It is also important for manufacturers to encourage paddle shops/stores to sell surf skis AND provide instruction. - KW Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:29:35 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_886 When designing your next surfski please consider the ergonomics of remounting. The deep single footwells and high sides make grabbing the paddle and footstrap with one hand diffcult. Sharp edges around the seat are very unfriendly to the crotch area. Also think about innovations to make the ski easier to carry on your hip. Tired hands find it difficult to grip the smooth wet surface next to the seat, if you lose your grip there the ski bounces off the rudder, how about some indentations or a rubber strip? - Alain Jaques Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:01:32 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_885 >> Anyone else suffer from that? Absolutely. I'm sure it's the same for everyone. Problem is, in the surf zone you need to get on quick from either side. A couple of years ago I was taken into some fair sized surf by my coach in Durban - after an hour of being absolutely smashed by the surf I found my remounting technique becoming really polished... ;D - Rob Mousley Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:51:20 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_884 Great article Rob and team, more practice required. I'm right handed and tend to head to the left of the ski to remount. Anyone else suffer from that? I guess I need to practice mounting from the right. More stuff like this please. How about staying on crossing heavy chop!? - Trinpad Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:25:10 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_882 We've had a great response to this article - clearly it's struck a chord with many of our readers. We'd welcome suggestions for more. For example, we're going to take some photos/video of some elite paddlers demonstrating the "ideal forward stroke". Rob - Rob Mousley Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:16:23 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_876 It might not be the best for the ski but if you do not have the strength or the water is extremely choppy to pull yourself out at the seat safely/easily. You can push the stern down in the water and straddle the stern. Then "leap frog" to the seat. It keeps the face/brainmatter away from the (on my ski) nasty aluminum peddles. - Tebera Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:08:55 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_873 If wearing PFD it's important that paddlers that are less agile, "bob underwater" for additional boost out of the water, particularly for the side saddle method where a higher boost is needed. - Johann van Blerck Sun, 03 Jun 2007 19:38:49 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_872 Hi Rob. Shot for a great article and website! Just a quickie to add to your article, especially for those paddlers amongst us who are getting started: Remember that every failed attempt to get back into your surfski requires huge amounts of energy. After three or more failed attempts, you may find you just can't get in any more. Make SURE you get it right during the first (or at least second) attempt. Practice getting into your surfski in a variety of conditions. Do enough arm/chest strengthening exrcises to ensure you can mount the ski easily. Alain's comments (below) on getting into the ski with the wind behind you is really important and helpful in this respect. - John Blacklaws Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:59:50 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_871 Great Article! I've switched from "Straddle" to "Sidesaddle" for two reasons. First, I find the "Sidesaddle" works for a wider range of boats and is more reliable in interesting conditions. Second, I pulled a groin muscle using the "Straddle" method and was limping for 8 months. I was surprised at how easy it is to cause an injury like this in cold water with the help of adrenalin. - John Dixon Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:58:53 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_870 These instructions, in one form or another have been around and can be found - but are really hard to visualize. Thanks for a great contribution... - Capt Jimbo Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:39:07 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_869 Rob many years ago when I first started surfing waveski's I hadn't mastered the art of the Eskimo roll and so initially I had to remount when I wiped out or as was the case when I was begining lost my balance. I actually used both methods to mount the waveski and it would actually be asier for those who have not done a remount to practice on a waveski. Since starting to paddle surfski's have only come off once and it was just second nature to remount using the straddle method. - tomb Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:24:56 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/421/155/#pc_868 I use the straddle method too. Learned that during ICF K-1 training days. Its easier to do on a surf ski but its tiring after a while. Thanks for the side saddle instructions, will try that out next time. :D - MFB Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:46:34 +0100