Over the years we have met some wonderful people who arrive on our yard, wondering why we sell surfskis in Devon's furthest point from the sea. Finding us is the first initiative test - if you can get yourself to our yard you're likely be able to navigate at sea!

We've been called "the hardest people to buy a boat from" - we take pride in not being pushy sales people. We'd much prefer you have a good trial, do your research and understand what you are getting into before you buy a ski.

Compared to triathlon bikes, racing dingys and horses surfskis are by far the cheaper alternative, but it's still a significant investment and, more importantly, a change in mindset and possibly even lifestyle.

So we are here to help you choose the right boat, that you can enjoy, be safe and confident on, to fulfil your ambitions, and that you be able to enjoy in a variety of conditions.

Why surfski?

People come into surfski through a number of routes
• New to paddling, wanting to get out on the sea (and go further than a SUP, even when the wind is blowing!)
• Sit on Top paddlers who want to go farther for less effort and enjoy their paddle
• Curious sea kayakers and more traditional recreational paddlers looking for a more efficient craft
• Flat water marathon and sprint paddlers needing restorative respite and waves
• Surf Life Savers wanting to build on their ski skills, and go the distance
• Adventurers looking for their next challenge
• Paddler junkies needing more!

With a racing DNA, all surfskis are designed with the hydro-dynamics for maximum efficiency and therefore speed on the water, paired with a range of stability to suit all of the above. Surfskis are glorified sit on tops, a type of kayak that won't fill with water and sink when you fall in. Your first experience of kayaking may have been on a school outward bound week, where you had to go through the ordeal of turning upside down, forgetting to tap the bottom, and falling out in a mild panic amid a jumble of spray-decks and weeds, spending the rest of the session cold, soggy and unable to go in a straight line and only enjoying the splash at the end when you rafted up and ran across decks.

Surfskis offer the fun, without the fear and hassle of having to haul your boat to the side to empty it if you tip in. You can explore creeks and bays on your own, knowing you can remount if you fall in. You can go out in waves bigger than you would normally dare to, knowing you simply get yourself back on if you've lost concentration or mis-timed the break. You can go further than you might have done, and ultimately have the freedom to seriously enjoy yourself.

Which ski?

With the Epic rotomolded (robust, plastic) V5 and V7 ideal as introductory surfskis you can learn the skills and test the waves without fear of damaging the boat, but still being able to experience the joys of surfski - surfing down wind, catching the waves, and cutting across the water at distances and speeds and lack of effort that astounds sea kayakers.

Both the Fenn Bluefin and the Epic V8 are known as the ‘benchmark’ skis, ideal skis to get started on, with a clever balance of performance and stability for paddlers to relax and concentrate on their stroke or their environment, enjoying the ride, with versatility on the wave to cope with most conditions, from flat calm, regular surfing and lumpy randomness of many British wave patterns.

The next step up is with the Fenn XTS and Epic V9, they provide the cross-over, not full racing skis, but a ski with strong performance, that still looks after you, when the conditions become confused.

The hard-core racing community start on the Fenn Swordfish and Epic V10, perfecting their skills and confidence before progressing on to the Elite racing skis.

Stability equals efficiency equals speed

People often ask for a fast boat - and it's not being glib or disrespectful when we say the boat will go as fast as you can paddle it. Efficient forward paddling in offshore conditions is a skill to learn that can take a few years to master.

The more stable your platform the better your technique will be and the faster therefore your boat will move through the water. It is a balance, no pun intended but enjoyed, between stability and stroke technique, so that you achieve the maximum forward movement from each and every paddle stroke. On a ski that is too unstable for your competency level in the specific conditions of the day part of each stroke, and quite possibly 100% of every third or fourth stroke, will be a stabilising stroke, thus slowing down forward propulsion, using up energy unnecessarily, and testing your nerves and reducing performance, possibly to dangerous levels.

As shown in practically every clip from the Zen Master, Boyan, in Surfski School Tarifa, speed may not be the primary aim but is a by-product of efficient, effective downwind paddling, allowing you to go further, faster, having more fun, using less energy, and definitely falling in less!

We recommend you go for an entry level or intermediate ski, build up your skills, confidence and knowledge on the sea, then bring it back and trade it in for the next level up. The demand for a good used Fenn and Epics is tremendous, there's rarely a pause in moving them on and they don't lost their value if well looked after.

Other things to think about

You'll want to ski to suit not only your ability, but also your situation. And a well built, well looked after ski will last 20 years plus. The more suitable and easy it is to use the more use you can make of it. Can you keep it out of the wind and direct UV? Will it fit in your garage? Do you need V Bars fitted to your car to transport it?

Good clothing and equipment makes paddling enjoyable and safe in more conditions. What are you going to wear to paddle? Is your buoyancy aid a bit too old? Is your paddle lightweight?

Also think about where will you launch and paddle - pontoon, pebbles, rocky shoreline or sandy landings? All of the above will influence your choice of boat, regarding length, composition, transportation and kit required. Get it right and your boat will last and you'll be safe. We are here to advise.

In summary, stability is the most important element - with good stability you relax, you can paddle better for further, with less effort and positive gain all round.

So, if possible, come and demo the skis you are considering, before you buy. If you have a good looking ski in your garage that you are fearful of, swap it for a more stable craft and you will quickly progress and enjoy your paddling again.


Next steps

We recommend you come for a visit, have a walk and talk through the range of boats on the yard, head to the local canal with Jim for a demo, and try different models on the flat water (and the wing paddle if this is new to you), before making your decision. And if you like, Jim can go through the basics of paddle stroke technique, launching your ski, and remounting. While you are with us you can go through the shop to see the paddles and kit, and V Bars for transporting your new craft.

Buying a ski can be a transformative process, and it should be enjoyable. Get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.