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A little introduction to surfski

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4 years 4 months ago - 4 years 2 months ago #35450 by Henning DK
Last year I wrote a small introduction to surfski in Danish.
I have now done an English version, that you can find attached to this post.
Please feel free to copy and use it if you like. 

Paddling is very popular in Denmark. We have lots of friendly coastline and it can be quite windy, but it's not really surfski territory. My surfski introduction was intended to stimulate interest for paddlers, who are new to surfski, to introduce them to surfski ocean race, and hopefully also help them with some useful advice. I am not trying to do any kind of official or complete guide, it is basically written to provide some thoughts, that I think I would have found useful myself, and which reflects my personal experience at this time.

I thought it would be fun to have some feedback from the international surfski community, so here it is, the English version. I have never lived in an English speaking country, so there may be some language issues, but my main interest would be to get some feedback on the actual contents, so I could learn something and maybe improve my original Danish version. 

Best Regards,
Henning
Attachments:
Last edit: 4 years 2 months ago by Henning DK. Reason: Small updates to attachment
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4 years 4 months ago #35454 by MCImes
Replied by MCImes on topic A little introduction to surfski
Superb into document Henning. There are many good nuggets in there even for intermediate and advanced paddlers. I suggest everyone read this front to back.

I love the hand animations. They are actually quite effective at conveying your words.

Rob, this should be pinned to the top of the forum!

Excellent document. Thanks!

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4 years 4 months ago #35457 by SurfskiEstonia
A very interesting document, especially the wave physics. Need to focus on reading it thoroughly though.

Also, You draw beautifully! That third picture on the first page reminds me of Picasso's Don Quixote:


I wonder how much of this could a beginner actually take in:D

But for us this was wonderful, thank You!

Current: Carbonology Boost double, Jantex Gamma Mid
Previous: Nelo Ocean Ski L, Jantex Gamma Rio Large Minus
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4 years 4 months ago #35476 by zachhandler
That’s a great little guide to surfski you made. I learned some things. You are a good artist and writer! 

Current Skis: Epic v10 g3, NK 670 double, NK exrcize, Kai Wa’a Vega, Carbonology Feather, Think Jet, Knysna Sonic X
Former Skis: Epic V12 g2, Epic V12 g1, Epic v10 double, Nelo 550 g2, Fenn Elite S, Custom Kayaks Synergy
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4 years 4 months ago #35491 by wesley
Nicely done. With your permission I can post on my site. thx Wesley, Surfskiracing.com

Wesley Echols
SurfskiRacing.com
#1 in Surfski Reviews.
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4 years 4 months ago - 4 years 4 months ago #35493 by Henning DK
Please post, I would be honoured :-)
Henning
Last edit: 4 years 4 months ago by Henning DK.

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4 years 4 months ago #35494 by jazzman
Henning ,if at all possible, I would like your permission please to post your article to a Facebook site that is solely used by paddlers in my home town.  I found your article really useful and I'm not a rank beginner. I think it would help a lot of beginning paddlers.
Many thanks for considering it,
Kevin
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4 years 4 months ago - 4 years 4 months ago #35496 by Henning DK
Anyone please feel free to post it and comment as you like.

Note that it reflects my current experience and what makes sense to me, but I come from a flatwater background. If you have been paddling a sea kayak or maybe a lifesaving specski, you will probably have different opinions on safety, technique, and other stuff.

BR,
Henning
Last edit: 4 years 4 months ago by Henning DK.

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4 years 4 months ago #35500 by CrabStick
Thanks very much, Henning, for sharing your accumulated wisdom. There are some fantastic tips in there and they are very clearly explained.
I can't remember if it was from Boyan or Ivan Lawler but some guru said that the tactic to teaching paddling technique and downwind skills is to explain each key point in different ways with various different similes and perspectives and eventually something will trigger the student towards clear understanding. You've made a really helpful contribution with your document which goes beyond an introduction.

CrabStick, Perth Western Australia
Current Boats: Epic V9 ultra, Fenn Swordfish S, Fenn Spark S
Previous: Think Eze, Stellar SR, Carbonology Boost LV, Fenn BlueFin S
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4 years 1 month ago #35966 by Henning DK
Nothing beats real conditions!

Reading about downwind, watching videos...
I don't know if it's most for entertainment and inspiration - that's fine, and my Introdution to Surfski was anyway just meant as an appetizer for Danish flatwater paddlers.

However, now I'm there, where downwind is really something, in Fish Hoek SA.
That's definately something else. Coaching sessions with Dawid Mocke and a number of Miller's Runs (incl. one in a double with Dawid) puts things into perspective - and puts my leaflet into perspective as well ;-)

It's really just an introduction. If you want to go further and bigger, come down here :-D
And I will surely recommend some sessions Dawid as well - great experience!

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4 years 1 month ago #35970 by ADL2020
As a beginner paddler I found this article extremely interesting and helpful.  I plan to read it through a couple more times.  Thank you!!!

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4 years 1 month ago #35975 by [email protected]
Nice one Henning! 

Hayley Nixon is putting a series of awesome videos that would be of interest to anyone starting out in their surfski career too.

Hayley Nixon's Youtube Channel

Rob

Currently Fenn Swordfish S, Epic V10 Double.
Previously: Think Evo II, Carbonology Zest, Fenn Swordfish, Epic V10, Fenn Elite, Red7 Surf70 Pro, Epic V10 Sport, Genius Blu, Kayak Centre Zeplin, Fenn Mako6, Custom Kayaks ICON, Brian's Kayaks Molokai, Brian's Kayaks Wedge and several others...
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4 years 1 month ago #35977 by paddlepop71
Hello there,

I am very new to this site and also to surfskis.  I would like to know if there are any diagrams that outline all the parts of a ski so that i can get to know what you're talkiing about? LOL  Also terminology like "runners" and downwinders?

THanks very much

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4 years 1 month ago #35979 by [email protected]
Hmm...  I'm sure I have seen such a diagram, but I can't remember where!

Some terms:

- Cockpit: the part of the boat that you sit in, including both the area where your bum goes and where your feet rest.
- Bucket, Seat - the part of the cockpit that your bum sits in.
- Footwell: the forward part of the cockpit where your feet go.
- Footplate: the flat board that your feet rest on.
- Foot pedals/rudder pedals: the pedals that the tops of your feet press on to activate the rudder.

- Nose/bow: the front-most part of the ski
- Tail/stern: the rear-most part of the ski

- Rails: the top edges of the cockpit.

- Rocker: the amount of curve in the bottom of the ski.  A ski that has a lot of rocker looks like a banana; a ski that has little rocker looks much flatter.  Skis with plenty of rocker catch waves more easily but are slower on flat water (as a general rule).

- Runner/Run: A wave on the open ocean that can be surfed.  The Aussies call them runners, South Africans call them runs. 
- Downwinder/downwind: a paddle where you're going with the wind, surfing the waves.  Aussies call them downwinders, Saffas call them downwinds!

- Wave deflector: A small shield taped to the front deck in front of the cockpit that deflects water coming over the nose of the ski and helps prevent the cockpit from being flooded.

- leash: made from rope or coiled plastic with a padded, velcro fastening on end that typically goes around a paddlers ankle and a rope loop on the other end that generally goes through an anchor point on the bottom of the cockpit.  Prevents the paddler from losing the ski when they fall off in windy conditions. 

Rob

Currently Fenn Swordfish S, Epic V10 Double.
Previously: Think Evo II, Carbonology Zest, Fenn Swordfish, Epic V10, Fenn Elite, Red7 Surf70 Pro, Epic V10 Sport, Genius Blu, Kayak Centre Zeplin, Fenn Mako6, Custom Kayaks ICON, Brian's Kayaks Molokai, Brian's Kayaks Wedge and several others...
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