I have been looking out at Catalina Island for the last two years and thought it would be great to paddle out there. I knew nothing about anything related to paddling. So the first thing I encountered on the net was “surf ski” which was sold as the fastest, funnest, most sea worthy thing out there. The videos of surf ski are amazing and caneo was portrayed as slow outdated technology. I ended up buying an OC-1 because
1) The paddling motion of a canoe feels better to me than a surf ski. After getting off a kayak I feel it to be a little more of a shortened torso twisting motion than a long powerful pull through. It has a great flow but my body feels better after canoe than kayak and I feel like I can put my whole body into the canoe stroke though a longer range of motion.
2) There seemed to be more community around outrigger here in so cal than in surf ski and the possibility of being part of a team and having some comraderie was appealing. This is just a perception and may not be true!
any thoughts?? I am a novice so take it for what it is worth. I dont think it has to be either/or but I am curious if anyone else leans toward or away from OC for these reasons.
Thanks!
Submitted by Shawn Michael on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 3:51pm.
334 Posts
When you gonna paddle to Catalina?
Mon, 01/14/2008 - 3:58pm
426 Posts
They both have great attributes and are similar but different I started in dugout canoes, and out rigging in 1990 and two years ago started learning surf skiing But I try to keep an open mind and learn as much as I can from each. My roots go deep hear or I would move to Hawaii and pull there with the big boys.
dugout,piczo.com
Listen….I can hear the water calling.
Mon, 01/14/2008 - 4:59pm
7 Posts
Hello Shawn
I really think its a great personal advantage to try your hand at as many water craft as you can, coz the benefits feed off and into each other. You learn something from each one, which contributes to you becoming more of an all round waterperson.
For example, I have paddled outriggers canoes for nearly 10 years. Mainly OC6 (paddling and steering), but never felt inclined to buy an OC1. About 6 years ago, I bought a racing ski and am totally besotted with it. The main aspect that attracts me to my ski is the symmetry and balance involved and being low to the water. To me, it is a highly technical stroke, and if you felt like you could get more power out of an OC1 stroke, I think maybe your technique was faulty. That is not hard to do, coz I find the technical side of an efficient stroke is very complex on a ski, and after 6+ years, I am still learning. Pushing off the front foot, engaging your abs and rotating your body through the stroke are all similar to OC1ing, without the added safety of an outrigger to give you ‘free’ balance.
If you are going offshore, the safety of an outrigger attached to your canoe is a huge plus…coz there are lots of places I would go on an OC1, but would never go on a ski…coz if you are really tuckered and you are knocked off your ski and the wind has pulled your hull broadside to the wind…it can be tricky to get back on before fatigue takes over.
In Australia, ski paddlers usuallly come from the Surf Life Saving Club background and are usually VERY selfsufficient, so they are usually not into paddling for the social side…so I agree that outrigging is probably way more social than ski paddling.
So enjoy your OC1, but still keep your mind open to what you can learn from a racing or ocean ski. Actually, I paddled a specific ocean ski a few weeks ago for the first time..and now I am secretly planning how to add an ocean ski to my collection of water toys….coz it does allow you to slice through the chop and not plough through it.
PS. Have you ever tried Stand Up Paddling? That will take you on another very educational journey and you will learn heaps about balance and rotation and using your legs and hips and it goes on and on and on…
So…my advice is close your mind to nothing and open it to everything and you’ll learn bucketloads and get to enjoy the ocean even more than you do now.
All the best
Janita K
Mon, 01/14/2008 - 5:18pm
234 Posts
Shawn,
Check this race out,
www.catalinachallenge.com
I don’t know anything about your fitness but theres one man and two man relay divisions.
See you there,
“If you’re not certified you’re not qualified”
Mon, 01/14/2008 - 6:27pm
344 Posts
Janita, I figured that I was missing something with the double paddle stroke, I think the initial ease of paddling and balancing the OC-1 makes it more approachable.
Going on an OC-6 to across the channel looks like a ton of fun.
My wifes family has serveral are all elite rowers…they travel all over the world competing and have such great friendships with the guys they row with, just seems like a blast. I imagine going to Hawaii someday and paddling out to an island just being a very amazing experience.
Shawn Michael
Mon, 01/14/2008 - 9:29pm
344 Posts
nb1376 I think the catalina challenge is way beyond my current level, , but I will get there next year.
Thanks for posting the link. I was thinking of going going Avalon to redondo beach or san pedro..26 miles but maybe not a good route for some reason.
Shawn Michael
Mon, 01/14/2008 - 9:32pm
344 Posts
I was wondering what the oc-1 times are on those crossings vs surf ski?
Shawn Michael
Mon, 01/14/2008 - 9:33pm
51 Posts
The stroke techniques and boat designs are so different, as to make it very hard to compare. I would say that due to the lack of an ama, and a paddle stroke that allows for a faster cadence, the surf-ski engenders a more aggressive aproach to how I maneuver through the water. In extreme conditions, I find myself to be more seaworthy on a surf-ski.
Tue, 01/15/2008 - 6:29am
892 Posts
Surf skis are faster, generally.
Tue, 01/15/2008 - 6:35am
708 Posts
Surfskis are faster than oc-1. Surfskis have a slower learning curve because they can be hard to balance in so hardly anyone paddles them. anyone can paddle an oc-1.
Surfskis have always been the faster craft. No ama to add drag, surfs super good. These days it seems that because of the huge oc-1 market surfski technology is falling behind and I think soon oc-1s will be just as fast.
This is all under the assumption that both crafts are being paddled by equally talented athletes.
Tue, 01/15/2008 - 8:56am
344 Posts
You wouldnt think the ama would add that much drag but I caught a little peice of weed on my rudder yesterday and I could feel it instantly…that must be a problem in racing condition!
Maybe the choice for many comes down to just that, OC-1 is easier…but for me it was the feeling of the stroke (which is also easier I guess and I “got it” and felt it broke up the monotony to switch sides as desired, fry one side and then go back to the next etc.
the oppurtunity to be in a 6 man was the other.
Shawn Michael
Tue, 01/15/2008 - 10:57am
9 Posts
Surfski also saves time because you don’t need to rig—take it off your car and go directly to the water.
Wed, 01/30/2008 - 9:34pm
708 Posts
Shawn Michael, I have something else for you to consider. Instead of a one man or surfski why not consider a nice high end recliner. I figure you’re going to have to drop $3500 for either a one man or kayak. So instead buy a 42” LCD Hi-Def TV and a nice comfy recliner and go that route instead. I can guarantee that you’ll use that wayyy more then a one man or kayak.
Thu, 01/31/2008 - 8:16am
36 Posts
Hey Shawn Michael,
I started surfskiing last year as a way to crosstrain for the OC-1 (and 6-man I guess) and ended up totally falling in love with it! So much that I have only been on my one-man twice since..
It’s faster, you catch waves better and it’s a great workout!
I’m sure I will eventually do some OC-1 races but for right now, this is still a challenge and SOOO much fun!! Try it!
:)
Fri, 02/01/2008 - 9:48am
344 Posts
Im going to give the OC-1 two years and then I will try the surf ski, esp if the novice team boat thing does not work out.
Thanks for replies.
4000$ for a pair of arm chairs from ho hum crate and barrel last month, boats are a better buy than I thought
Shawn Michael
Fri, 02/01/2008 - 11:00am
111 Posts
Try both now. Each has its own benefits, especially when learning how to paddle. I’m relatively new to OC and Surfski. I find the learning curve in surfski complements OC and vice-versa. Best to develop technique right from the beginning than fixing old bad-habits. Plus, surfski is lots of fun and you develop great balance that makes OC1 like sitting on a barge.
Fri, 02/01/2008 - 12:02pm
1 Posts
Aloha Shawn,
It has been my experience that learning both technics will make you a better paddler. Kayaking is a stroke for maximum stability and great conditioning. (That is where I first started) Then when I jumped into a one man, there was a minor learning curve to develop the techniche. The balance was solid and the confidence in big surf was tried and true. I believe that the paddler that takes the time to learn both, expands their experience to levels few realize. Consider it!
Cano
Hilo
Sat, 02/02/2008 - 11:46pm