Ten years since our return to Devon, and taking over Epic Kayaks UK from Ivan Lawler, we have evolved into Ocean Surfski. We are the UK dealers for the world's two best surfski brands, Epic and Fenn.

We also have the UK's largest range of Vaikobi clothing, and all the other gear that we use and highly recommend, including Funky Pants, Coco Loco wetsuit shampoo and Sunzapper.

Midway between the north coast surfing beaches like Woolacombe and south to Exmouth, and close to the M5 (junction 27) our customers come from all over the UK (and further afield) to try out the different skis.

We often dig out the passports to head to Cornwall, Wales and Scotland, and take occasional forays to Tarifa to visit the Zen Master, or trips with the GB Ocean Racing Team (Portugal, Sardinia, Lanzarote, Perth, Belgium). We do all we can to get young (and young at heart) paddlers on the water. Working with various partners and paddlers our boats are constantly being used for bigger challenges, to take records including crossing the Irish Sea, circumnavigation of the coast of GB, the Isle of Wight and Isle of Anglesey (See Challenges and our Ambassador pages). 

As the UK dealers for Epic Surfskis and Paddles and Fenn Surfskis we are good at getting distracted from the day job, with the overall theme of getting others into surfskis including:  

• Youth Development, Mentoring and Coaching - using our years of experience with racing clubs, in Army teams, with school DW teams, coaching and teaching, with even greater things to come with Stride Forward and Annabel's work with Future Smart Careers Guidance. 
• Race Management - Epic Bay is now in it's 9th year; we consult on other Ocean Racing events and are currently helping to organise the exciting new Thames 200 Ultra. We're looking forward to multi-craft OR events in 2025.  
• Supporting Challenges - with many, many modest but epic endeavours, and the headliners such as Kayaks 4 Heroes, Dougal's Epic Adventure, the Ultraman, and Live. Laugh. Graft. We love dot watching! 
• Adaptive Rehabilitation - working closely with the force of nature Holly King of HK Physio, to help her clients overcome catastrophic injury and get onto the water. 

Alongside the freedom of being on the ocean the most rewarding part of our vocation is meeting and spending time with like-minded hydrophiles, we couldn't do this job without the support of our family, partners, and the paddling community (some of whom we have know for far too long). 

Jim Taylor-Ross

Jim is the driving force behind Ocean Surfski, with a multi-disciplinary canoeing, sailing and surf life saving background. He has represented GB in Ocean Racing, Wild Water Racing, Marathon, and Dragon Boat. His motivation comes from sharing his passion for the freedom and independence of being on the water, and in particular giving young paddlers the foundations on which to develop their own love of paddling.

Having established the GB Ocean Racing Team he is now the Safety Advisor on the Committee and a Team Selector. He is a member of the British Canoeing Safety Advisory Board, a National Race Coach Tutor and previously sat on the British Canoeing Marathon Racing Committee, Jim has always encouraged the cross over between canoeing disciplines and has been highly influential in the growth of ocean racing and surfski in the UK. With an engineering background (civilian and military) and numerous expeditions under his belt expedition planning is the best part of the job. 

Jim has also been known (occasionally) to sell boats. 

Annabel Taylor-Ross

Annabel runs Jim, the business, the family and the farm, but when the sun is out she will try to be on the beach. A self-confessed fair weather paddler, she is absolute proof that a surfski life is not about racing, and that waves don't need to be huge to be enjoyed. 

With a background in the Army, international aid, teaching and farming she now runs Ocean Surfski and is a part time Careers Advisor.

 "Jim and Annabel are knowledgeable and detailed with their approach. Their years of competing and involvement at all levels of paddling across many disciplines, from the elite level to the grass roots of the sport, is evident. As is their love of paddling and willingness to help build the future of the sport. Excellent to deal with and always willing to go the extra mile." Jono Crowe