Red7 brought the first examples of an all-new surf ski design to Durban for the 2007 ARB World Cup.  Red7 CEO Peter Mote asked me not to take any photos as the skis were not production grade... 

But I received a selection of images via email today - the secret is out!  Here they are along with some video shot of Tommy Woodruff paddling the ski in Durban.

First Looks

The first impression?  This ski is something completely different!  And when looking more closely, you can see that enormous thought has gone into the detail of the design:

• There's a ridge along the cockpit floor that not only provides additional longitudinal strength, but also acts as a base for the three-way locking mechanism for the footplate (this feature wasn't in the ski that I saw).
• The cover of the rudder shaft is open at the back - which means that it's easy to flush out with fresh water.  Plus it'll be easy to put an emergency shock-cord steering system in.
• The foredeck has a wave deflector built into the mould.
• The bulb that sits behind the scupper and adds to its efficiency is now part of the mould.
• And the hull has been given a bump that creates an built in weed deflector at the rudder.

First Paddle

The sea was flat calm the day I took the ski out - so I really couldn't tell all that much about the handling. 

However, I had intended to take it out for a ten minute spin and found it so comfortable that I ended up paddling it for just under an hour.  The bucket is one of the most comfortable I've ever sat in.

And I was able to tell that the ski is at least as stable as my Fenn Mako6.

Review?

I am very keen to take this ski on a big downwind run and Peter Mote has promised to send a light model down to Cape Town sometime in the near future for us to review...  Can't wait!

Video Clip

This clip was shot from Vetchies Pier, the day before the ARB Surf Ski World Cup and it shows Australian Tommy Woodruff in action.  The clip is very short - but it does show the lines of the ski as it moves through the water.

 

Comments (7)

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How do you know it is not a copy?
written by GD, July 20, 2007

Because it looks like nothing else we have ever seen!

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Comeback Kid
written by Wayne Randall, July 21, 2007

Nice one Peter ... the Ski looks really well finished, hope you ship a demo out to the Shamaal for the guys to try it out !!!

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watch out!!!!
written by Christo Tromp, July 22, 2007

The Time Has Come......
I believe there is going to be some good results from this ski, -- WATCH THIS SA{CE ---.
Great Peter, and may this ski, make you proud

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oops!!
written by Christo Tromp, July 22, 2007

Dhamn typo's

wanted to say - WATCH THIS SPACE -, but then again, you all knew this.

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Red 7
written by Joseph Pettigrew, July 23, 2007

WoW! Look's nice kind of like an older Stealth Ski I had with a bit of old OZ wing's on some of the ski's we also had.

Good Luck Cheers Joseph

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a fish eye view
written by David Tebera, July 23, 2007

Pete, call me weird but I always like to see a bottom shot too. Maybe the next set of photos? I wish your ski luck at Durban!

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...
written by Fouche, July 24, 2007

If looks are anything to go by, you have a winner! Will follow the performance reviews with interest. Good luck, Peter.
Cheers,
Fouche

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