I want to get into paddling. I live in Palos Verdes, CA and would like to enjoy the ocean. I have a long term goal of paddling to catalina (25miles) I paddled a kayak in Hawaii on vacation and really enjoyed it. I am 6ft and 260lbs have played football and my knees are ready for a different sport. At my weight I do not expect to be a competitor, but I am very active and fit just heavy muscle. Please help!
1) I was suggested an epic V10 sport. I tried a surf ski once and really had a tough time balancing it. I like the motion of using one paddle (like in a canoe) better than the two sided paddle. Is a one man outrigger like a surf ski with a balancer (sorry for my terminology)?
2) If an outrigger and a surf ski took off in a race is the surf ski much faster? Obviously the outrigger would add weight and drag but it looks like it would be similar.
3) Is it common for people to like the one sided paddle better than the two sided or am I just not understanding the technique? I really feel like the double paddle is a lot of oblique twisting/core and I get a stronger pull on a single sided paddle.
Sincere thanks
Submitted by Shawn Michael on Sun, 01/06/2008 - 5:13pm
Check your private mail. There's a ton of paddlers just down the hill in Redondo Beach. We're always looking for new ones.
#1 Sun, 01/06/2008 - 5:46pm
Outrigger Rocks!
Shawn, like you I enjoyed kayaking for some time. When I felt the need for speed and a better trainging tool, I tried a surfski. I found that I spent as much energy keeping my balance as actually paddling forward. I live on the East Coast, and had never seen or tried an OC-1 when I ordered one. Since I got it, I have never looked back. My kayaks now sit unused unless I take my kids out. The OC-1 is a great workout, and I like the single blade paddle for power and technique. I enjoy the "high seat" position of the OC-1, versus sitting down on your tailbone with your knees up in a surfski. Also, I can put less effort to balance and more to hammering down the paddle, so I am much faster than on a surfski. That said, a surfski is still SLIGHTLY faster in the hands of an experienced paddler, based on race results here and in Hawaii. However, I find outrigger to be a blast, as you really feel like a part of the canoe and the waves you ride. I know several senior athletes who took up OC-1 after years on surfskis due to back and arm problems, and they find the stroke of the outrigger to be a far better workout with less stress on the joints. Be sure to try out as many canoes as you can before buying, definitely check out local clubs; most outrigger paddlers are happy to introduce necomers to the sport. Good luck!
#2 Mon, 01/07/2008 - 7:07pm
Thanks for the post! Really good to hear, I was curious about the relative speed of the surfski vs the oc-1. For whatever reason I feel drawn to the oc-1. I was on vactation at a ranch recently and they have several types of kayaks and canoes for the lake and I just flat out enjoyed the canoes more...I like the feel of the single paddle better and my body was really happy with the sitting position. I am going to roll down to redondo beach and try to get on some oc-1 and see if there is an ideal canoe for a heavier paddler. Much thanks I am excited to get out there!
#3 Mon, 01/07/2008 - 9:05pm