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Surfski paddling is taking off in Scandinavia - the first surf ski race ever in Sweden took place on September 1, 2007 near Arkösund. The race course was 20km in calm weather. Oscar Chalupsky, in Europe to attend the World Kayaking Championships in Hungary took the opportunity to participate in the race.
Oscar Chalupsky
It is always an unknown when you paddle in a different country and you can never underestimate the opposition. I only got to bed at 2.00am then woke at 7.00 to be ready for an early start.
I sorted out my V10 Ultra with non grip etc and put on rudder. I was ready for the start but ran a little late so I didn't have time to do a proper warm up. As we took off I thought I was in for a tough time as the guy Martin [Nordstrom] took off faster than I expected. He looks like a Viking!!
After a km I loosened up and felt more comfortable on his wave. I got better and then started pulling at about 8 km I just pulled a little harder and managed to drop him and the rest of the pack. The scenery was very nice and the weather was perfect. The wind that was blowing in the morning had dropped and it was almost nothing only an odd run on the way back.
 Start of first Swedish Surf Ski Champs (Photo: Annette Wildenstam)
 Jorgen's GPS Track
Jørgen Dyblie
Norwegian Jørgen Dyblie also took part and came second, four minutes behind the big O.
I'm very happy with my result in the first Scandinavian surfski race. Unfortunately it was flat water, but the weather was nice and the race was also well organized.
Oscar, Martin Nordstrand and Par Linden started the race very hard. After 2km I was 200m behind them and I thought it would be more during the race. I tried to forget the guys in front and maintain a good speed during the whole race.
 Martin Nordstrand leads the way - Oscar chasing (Photo: Annette Wildenstam)
From previous races I knew that I could be able to maintain 170+ in heart rate for 20km so that was what I did. I stabilized my heart rate at 170+ and tried to use my legs as much as possible.
After 4km I surprisingly managed to catch up Par Linden and after 7km I was side by side with Martin Nordstrand. When it was 6km left of the race I was on my own, It was a nice feeling to be second after Oscar, that feeling gave me some extra power at the end of the race.
 Oscar fights back (Photo: Annette Wildenstam)
After the race Oscar had a session about paddling technique and how to catch waves. He also answered all our questions about seat padding, paddle length, new equipment etc...
My impression of Oscar is that he is a very nice guy and a very enthusiastic paddler. He seems so strong and he must be one of those guys who never gets tired! He came by car from Germany (arriving at) 02.00am only a few hours before start of the race. At 16.00 (same day) he left us with no sign of tiredness...
 The big O at the presentations (Photo: Annette Wildenstam)
I think surfski will grow also in Scandinavia, but it will take time. People are very curious, but they don't buy one. I think they need to see more videos of surfskis in action.
I am surprised that there is so little video of surfskis in hardcore conditions, but I know that you are making DVDs now.
He went on to comment on the conditions in Scandinavia:
This summer I've had approx. 10 downwind trips. My wife usually drives me 14km upwind and then I surf back home. The conditions are not very wild, but I frequently measure 15-20km/h on my GPS if the wind is 20knots. 1 hour from my home the conditions can be pretty wild with 3-4m waves and 30knots wind.
The problem is that you have to ride the waves far from shore and the wind is side or slight offshore so I don't like to ride there alone.
Jørgen's GPS data is at: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3855290
Erik Wildenstam
Erik added (on paddling conditions):
The water temp right now I think is around 14 degrees Celsius (middle of summer it reached 20). There would be ice sometime during winter, probably mid January to the end of March.
Last four years I have paddled all months of the year. But in February and March I have to search for water that not is frozen. Normally you could say that paddling season is April to October.
 Typical Scandinavian paddling condtions - yes, that's ice!
Results:
Oscar Chalupsky 1.36.11 (South Africa)
Jørgen Dyblie 1.40.10 (Norway)
Martin Nordstrand 1.42.07 (Swedish champion)
Kalle Sundkvist 1.45.19
Pär Lindén 1.46.38
Nicklas Levinsson 1.49.15
Johan Hasselmark 1.52.02
Ola Olsson 1.57.19
Mats Nilsson 2.07.50
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Are Epic now offering colour choices on their skis?
Cheers,
Ben