Thank you 🤙🏽🤙🏽

Try out the different drills and see which one (or maybe more) resonates with you -- it's pretty common for one drill to "click", when others don't. We're working on another leg drive video with a land drill that really simplifies learning leg drive, so stay tuned for that!

Sold by Outrigger Zone. Do you have a sales rep near you?

@@barryblackburn5910 overall OC1/Waka ama are very rare in Israel, no one bring outrigger zone products, the shipping is making it very expensive.

I hope you can find one. I really love the V1. I am still playing with the ama settings. Even a small change in how I rig the ama really changes the balance of the boat. I’m loving the challenge.

@@barryblackburn5910 do you find it less stable than an OC1?

@@chenkarpNo. You do sit higher and the V1 is more narrow than most OC1s but the V1 is longer and you can use your legs and feet more like you can in an OC6.

I saw you in that clip. 😂

Thanks Jody! Rod paddled a Vega Arc and loved it. He said you were looking to get one!

@@barryblackburn5910 april got one ordered for me already. I have a flex for sail if yoi know anyone looking

Jody, when is your Vega Arc coming in? Let us know when you are in NC!

Sound advice. That was one of our first observations after reviewing first reviewing this footage. We now always snug the straps on the PFD before going out -- doing so doesn't decrease comfort at all. The Mocke PFD stays in place just fine if the strap are tightened properly. In truth, even with the straps loose, it would be nearly impossible to slip out of that PFD accidentally, but it does give one a heckuva chin rash if not tightened up. 😃

Thanks, Mike! That's cool to hear -- we always wonder if others' experience matches what we're learning and seeing.

We both still paddle zero feather. Rod tried feathering everywhere from 15-60 degrees for a while, but returned to 0 degrees after a few months due to wrist pain. A few reasons we stick with zero degree are: * When we were learning, a number of coaches/teachers recommended zero feather for easier bracing. Since we paddle in the ocean most of the time, that seemed like a good option. * Despite both of us having backgrounds in exercise physiology, we couldn't see that feathering really offers a true biomechanical advantage (though many very experienced paddlers would disagree). * Feathering does introduce additional movement at the wrist, and that has the potential for repetitive use injury. A good technique coach would probably mitigate that risk, but we don't have a coach here, so we just kept it simple. :) * Both of us have been pleased with our performance, both downwinding and racing, at zero degree feather. Again, there are plenty of paddlers who would disagree, but we're both happy with zero degree feather and don't have plans to change. Thanks for your kind comments!

@@ThePaddleChannel 🙏🌊😎

We still paddle at zero degree feather. What did you decide to do?

Awesome! You'll have to circle back. Be sure to read through the comments here, too -- there's some great advice there. Enjoy that new paddle!

Unfortunately we don't -- we wish we did. Our friend Jim made this mount, and we just bummed it off of him. 😄

Different teaching cues resonate with different individuals, so a variety of explanations can be beneficial to a variety of paddlers. Most paddlers have been conditioned all their lives to "paddle with a pull" -- place the blade and pull. We've found that simply telling a developing paddler to "let the paddle go where it wants" still results in a pull, and their habit overcomes the natural path of the wing paddle. The first step is to let go of the pull concept and realize the wing wants to travel outward, toward that leading edge. The second step is to realize the surfski stroke is a push, not a pull. And yep, after that, the wing will find its own efficient path. No doubt your succinct explanation will connect with some paddlers and cause that light bulb moment -- thanks for sharing.

Lol, true!

Very well said -- thank you for sharing!

Lol, you're always good for a smile. Actually, this topic is far from pointless for many paddlers....the question of advancing to a more "elite" boat is one many developing surfski paddling ask at some point. The video demonstrates our experience that elite isn't always faster for every paddler, and that the more stable platform may be a better choice for some. And that perhaps all paddlers shouldn't feel pressured to "move up" in boats until they're good and ready.

Glad you enjoyed it -- thank you!

Well, now it sounds like you're just one upping us. :) 'Hope you were able to get that repaired -- we were very fortunate that we could get these boats repaired, and they're still getting out on water and doing their thing!

@@ThePaddleChannel bought v9

@@jrsmith502 great boat -- we're sure your enjoying it!

Wish I could add picture here

We'll try to work that one into our next test 😂

We're in the eastern US, but don't offer formal lessons. Check out surfskischool.co.za/ and surfskischool.co.za/surfski-school-international/ -- that's probably where we would start.

If I had the money I would go to South Africa and paddle with Dawid Mocke!!

Agreed, the extrapolation is just an illustration to help us gain context regarding the differences in speed we saw in these few tests. As you say, there are many factors and athlete differences that would affect these projections over the course of an actual race -- and of course, environmental variance would play a significant role. On a rough day, the stable craft may produce a significantly better result, but in flat water, the opposite may be true. Speaking specifically to your example, the more hydrodynamic boat would have more run and would thus be less fatiguing...but if that same boat has less stability, it will eventually become more fatiguing (for some athletes). So many variables...which makes things fun. 'Love the points about why we should upgrade...especially ego (which isn't a bad thing -- there's value in doing something hard and nailing it!). Always great to hear your perspective!

Looking forward to seeing you next week!

We love the OC1, too!

Well, maybe one elite boat in the garage....and then a second elite boat in the garage as a back up to the one elite boat...you know, just in case. 😄

Lol, we're not sure our tests actually *prove* anything, but yes, that principle is proven true again and again. There are clearly some other conditions at play here, too, since stability wasn't a big factor in these flatwater tests. But definitely, stable is fast.

Maybe not even its the weight but the length of the should to the water line is the factor that contributes to propulsion differently in wider boats

We didn't even consider the Fat Head Factor. 🤣 But yes, Jody, you make a good point. Stability wasn't a big (or at least noticeable) factor on test day. Maybe it was geometry, comfort, etc -- more likely, a combination of multiple factors. Hope to paddle with you soon!

@@ThePaddleChannel all comes to your point, paddle for the love it and find the bpat that works for you.

Agreed, it's great that so many of the surfski manufacturers are providing many options for all goals and styles and skill levels these days. We haven't had a chance to try the new V5, but we do hear it's different from old model as well.

It is a challenging and very rewarding sport, but Barry started out in an elite level boat, which definitely made it more challenging than a more stable boat would have been. Fortunately, many brands now offer a broad range of surfskis for a variety of skill levels. Most people recommend starting out with a stable boat to learn the basics (even a stable boat may feel tippy if you're accustomed to, say, a canoe or a wide sit on top kayak), but trust the boat and work on good technique, and the reward will be well worth the effort!

It is a fun challenge and we love it! Even the falling out and remounting. That’s part of the workout for sure.

Well, you know, the California price conversion must be applied. :) Prices here in coastal North Carolina have increased over the past year, too, but like everywhere, local rates may vary. Thanks for sharing that info!

Thanks for sharing!

Yes, my mom said when I was little I started running as soon as I thought I could walk and fell a lot!! Not much has changed 😂😂😂. Hope your paddling is full of stoke and smiles!

Very cool! We're looking forward to seeing those videos! Congrats on the Ares -- great boat.

Valid point of view, thanks for sharing. For us, learning to paddle the more tippy craft is part of the fun (when the water is warm :) ), and having the ability to paddle a wider range of surfskis is a bonus. We've found that paddling the more elite and high end intermediate skis is more enjoyable in most conditions (though Rod finds the intermediate ski more enjoyable on rough days, so that's in agreement with your experience). We have also found that downwind speeds do improve, with a lower heart rate, in more advanced boats, *as long as the paddler is stable*. That's been our experience, but we're in 100% agreement that a paddler could start with one of the boats you listed and stay with it forever, and have a great time without ever trading up. It all depends on the paddler, their goals, personality, conditions, etc. Thanks for sharing your experience -- definitely a point of view paddlers should consider.

We have found that in downwind conditions, a wider boat is practically the same speed as a skinny/tippy boat so I would agree with you there. In the flat water, a narrow boat is definitely faster. Different strokes, for different folks right!? Pun intended. Hope your paddling is full of stoke and smiles!!

Lol, it's always a possibility. Rod almost took a swim yesterday coming in through the inlet, and Barry rolled over in completely flat water while paddling backwards to clear a rudder a few days ago. We always say you always need to be ready to remount if you're going to paddle a surfski. :)

It really depends on the individual paddler. If you're okay with falling a fair bit at first and having a craft you can "grow into", the Flex might be okay. If you prefer a more conservative approach, the Flex might be a little "lively" for now. We recommend just being really honest with yourself in thinking about whether you're okay with many remounts in the early stages. Many, many coaches recommend "stability before ability"...we kind of straddle the fence on the issue. It really just depends. 'Wish we had a more definitive answer for you!

April shares a lot of knowledge!

Thank for sharing that -- good info!

Thanks for the correction!

Hey Mark, Rod here. Sorry I missed your comment earlier. I should clarify --- the Flex might not be someone's first choice for flatwater racing (though it's definitely no slouch). But for downwind racing, I would turn to the Flex every time, personally. I don't have enough experience in the V10 or V12 to really compare, but I wouldn't hesitate to race my Flex downwind on any day. Let us know what you decide!

@@ThePaddleChannel thanks for a great reply!!! Look forward to more videos