Hi there, we have a problem with loggin into the site after we did a security upgrade of the site's software. Some people can log in but most can't so they can't post comments. Very irritating fixing one thing and breaking another.

I was there the other day but by the time I got my sorry ass to the shore everyone was already showered and in the pub.

I also have some morning lower back pain but not enough to go see a doctor. I hurt it nearly 2 years ago moving a bloody mattress.

I find that running helps, paddling makes it worse but it seems to be more the carrying of the ski and putting on the car roof than the actual paddling. After a downwind especially my back suffers and I think this is due to carrying the ski up the beach and fighting the wind.

My new V10 sport ultra's lightness makes a big difference too - not that this helps when the wind is pumping.

I think I have fixed it now. Please let me know if you experience any more problems with the forums or with logging on...

Hi Gary,

I upgraded the software due to a security fix and that broke the bridge between the forums and the Content Management System. I am working on fixing it.

Alain.

Dear Athlete,

The "Centro Treino Mar" is responsible for the organization of the XVIIth edition of the Tour Round Madeira Island in Kayak taking place between the 23rd and the 31st of August 2008.

This year the Tour is integrating the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the City of Funchal, which includes a wide program of cultural and sportive events, with the city properly decorated and ready to receive all those that wish to join these celebrations.

Our event, other than the competitive toughness already known by many, allows pleasant moments of joy and entertainment.

We think that it's compulsory that the athletes feel pleasure in defying the sea around Madeira Island, for the different conditions it presents throughout the several stages, in which the Round takes place, allowing exchange of experiences that only such a gathering allows and becoming a plus in each individual's adventure.

In terms of competition, we're testing a new classification system, in which the athletes add up the times made in each stage and the winner will be the one summing less time at the end of all stages.

We offer accommodation in schools, meals between the 26th and 31st of August and transfers from and to the airport.

We look forward to your inscription...

PS: further information please visit www.madeiraemcanoa.com


Regards

Rui Drumond

Try putting the ski facing backwards. I had a Hammerhead and a bakkie (read truck for Americans) and I found facing the ski backwards much better. With the nose bung removed the salt water drips on the car behind you instead of on your windscreen.

Also the volume of the nose tucks nicely behind the cab instead of obscuring your forward vision.

This topic has been moved to Surfski Innovations.

http://www.surfski.info/forum/index.php?topic=283.0

AWESOME Rob, that is flying the surfski flag high and once again confirming that the surfski is the fastest human powered craft on the ocean.

Let us know your mailing address, we want to send you the highly coveted large www.surfski.info stickers for your ski.

Sorry Daryl about the 'looks slow' comment. The full context is 'looks slow in the chop'. But I stand corrected that it is not the case. We look forward to getting some comments from paddlers or even getting the Legend reviewed. Any chance of getting one to Hawaii for the Molokai? Rob will be there.

Well done on the new design, with any different looking design there is bound to be speculation and opinions flying around.

That IS flat. I wonder what the experts have to say. What is the drawback of having such a flat bottom and sharp angles? I looks  like it is very stable but slow in the chop as those angles resist the roll.

Congratulations on the Ultra. Tell me about the damage and how you got it repaired. I am paranoid about dinging mine, there are warnings all over the boat and Epic website about taking extra care. I am interested to learn that a ding can be repaired.

I am no expert in nautical engineering but I would think that weight must make a difference in two areas. Firstly your boat is going to sit lower in the water which will increase the wetted surface which will increase the drag. And secondly you will have to accelerate the additional mass every time you try catch a run.

However, take a look at the Team Epic bio's on the EpicKayaks.com website. Oscar clocks in at an impressive 119kgs, Matt Bouwman weighs 100kgs, Bevan Manson is a lightweight at 89kgs. These are weights that you'd expect from front row rugby players, not from surfski race winners.

It looks like as long as you have a good power-to-weight ratio it does not matter what you weigh.

This link gives the same as above but also gives a scale to convert the meters/second to knots or kilometers per hour. http://www.spaceweather.co.za/Romanrock.htm

Both Fenn and Epic have small breather tubes to prevent this phenomenon. Taking a hot boat off your roof and putting it in cold water causes the air inside to contract which can potentially implode your boat. 

The Epics come with a nice integrated drainage port, lid and breather tube in one.