Great stuff. I paddle an OC1 and recently bought a used Fenn Mako 6. I dunked too many times trying it out and chilled too much, so I'll put it away for winter and take out the OC1 (and a Dragonboat) until summer. I also aim to race competitively. I'm 65 and so looking forward to mastering the Ski.
Hi Michael, it is fun to start a new sport, isn't it? I started paddling for the first time only 2 years ago, at 50, and it was by getting a little sit on top for my daughter. Love surfskis but also the OC1 and the rudderless waka. Never tried them but I see them a lot and they look great. At the races here many are in their sixties, even up to 72, and paddling fast! I wish to be as fit as them!!
Excellent video! And excellent work. The phases of acquiring balance are noticeable: hesitation, shakiness, speed to avoid losing balance, rapid breathing, controlled breathing, reflex bracing, relaxed paddling, less shaking... Like you, I'm on my 50's. And at this stage of life, we can still improve! If I may, I want to share some tips that I've used to improve my balance in rougher water. I wear booties for grip on the footrest. I use a neoprene paddling shortie, 2.5-3 mm, to make the cockpit better fitting and avoid slipping. But this doesn't inhibit my rotation. I use bike handlebar grip on the paddle shaft, it relaxes my grip and neck. I lean forward from the hips to improve my balance when underway, and always engage the footrest. I stop the ski in turbulent waters to feel its reactions to chop, I hydrate and nibble on a bar while at it. I stay there for a while, sometimes talking to my partner, while balancing. I placed a sticker with a positive message and a graphic design of a turtle just in front of the cockpit. When I become unsteady, glancing at it instantly breaks the crescendo of tension that leads to over reacting and shakiness. I installed a DK "deep chord" rudder to quiet initial stability and reduce the effect of chop on the hull. Hope these help!
Thank you again for all your advice! We certainly have room for improvement at 50! After 3 or 4 paddles I got the Epic hip pads because I was moving too much in the cockpit. While not being well in the middle did not matter in the V7, in the Swordfish it does a lot. Once I had more contact with it it went much better. I got some Vaikobi booties but it was very bad for the grip, almost none. I ended adding some Epic grip to the pedals and now the grip is fantastic. Here is another video when I was new to the Swordfish. It was maybe day 3 and the sea was not great. ua-cam.com/video/AxbEoTrS94A/v-deo.html
@@kayakintro You're welcome! I tried padding a cockpit early when I had my first XT. Its cockpit was huge! I installed a bum pad, and it solved my sliding around. But, it impeded hip rotation and reduced my leg drive. You're right, cockpit contact becomes information, which translates into early righting reactions. Going to see your next video! Thanks for sharing your learning process 😁
@@josuedelucca7252 interesting what you say about the bum pad impeding hip rotation and leg drive. Leg drive is a big weakness of mine (often leading to more instability when I am more purposeful with it), and I suspect a contributing factor to my feet going to sleep. I bought a Mocke seat pad, thinking it might help reduce numb feet, but am wary of installing it if it will further impede hip rotation. My old Hayden currently just has a foam rubber padding in the seat, and now wonder if this and my neoprene shorts are affecting my hip rotation, will have to take note next time I am on the water.
@@jprmac1 It depends on the material of the Mocke pad. About the material, if it grabs your paddling shorts, it'll inhibit rotation. If it allows some movement, it could work 👍 Please note that numbness might arise from a posteriorly tilted pelvis on the bucket, which compresses the sciatic nerve. This is a posture issue. It could also arise from a bucket that just doesn't blend with your sit bone anatomy. This is easy to confirm if the numbness disappears on other skis. Hope this helps 👍
@@josuedelucca7252 Thanks, you've given me something to look for and think about when I go out in the morning. I'm pretty skinny, so hope that more padding on the seat will make a difference. I had the same foot numbness, maybe a bit worse, when I took out my friend's very skinny (& tippy) river kayak, so that probably suggests it's more my anatomy than the ski. Interestingly, at a race we did in the weekend, my wife observed that many of the men came out of the kayaks and skis with sleepy legs, whereas all the women just sprang right out of their boats for the run finish, which in my mind suggests a hip flexibility component.
Just stumbled on your clips and enjoying them, gives me some hope. Im in a similar situation, mid 50s and I decided to get my first surfski a Fenn Mako Elite a year ago although in hindsight I wish I hadnt been too shy to ask for advice. Havent been out to much over winter but really enjoyed the flat water in the summer. Will definitely take inspiration from your clips. Cheers
Hi Nick, thank you for your kind message! I realised not long ago I had so many videos I could share instead of forgetting them on hard drives. Where do you paddle? You started the hard way with a Mako Elite but I think it is still part of the fun! I started paddling only in January 2021 and it was my daughter's kayak. I started with the V7 in November last year. I never got any formal training because I started paddling during the lockdown. At the end of the month my daughter is getting some surfski lesson. She might teach me a thing or two.
@@kayakintro Yes it was definitely a hard way to start, especially as im on the chubbier side for an Elite ski, I only got one as my my wife invested in a single scull rowing boat last year and I was struggling to keep up with her on my sit on top. I read about the surfski's and thought yep that sounds like me. Somehow I managed to paddle it around the waterways at Whitford (Turanga estuary) and stay on top but not confidently, I now realise what they say about the stability affecting the ability, if there is any chop then Im in trouble, so I am looking at getting another Surfski thats a bit more stable and comfortable as the seat in the Elite is a bit too narrow for me, possibly a Bluefin or maybe a Swordfish but the seat only seems to be 10mm wider that my Elite. Seeing your clips and where you go has given me something to strive for. I'll be watching to see how you and your daughter go. I must admit it is nicer having someone to have in the water beside you, even in my case if your chasing after your wife as shes rowing :)
@@nickaugust557 You start with an Elite ski from start and I got people telling me I was mad to jump from a V7 to a Swordfish! 😁You are probably very good because I don't think I could have paddled the Swordfish without all the time spent paddling the V7. Your wife's boat is one of the fastest on flat water... Aren't they something like 8m long? It must be hard to follow them even on surfski! You would need one without much rocker, like a V10 Sport or a V8 Pro. Does your wife compete? It would be interesting to compare the speed. This Sunday and Monday are supposed to be sunny and not too windy. I am sick of this very wet winter!! Plus every time it rains too much the sewage goes into the beach here... If you visit Mission Bay you can try my surfskis. It is not far from Fergs so you could also try a V8 Pro (they have it for demo). I bet it is one of the best for you in you are on the heavy side.
@@kayakintro I appreciate what you are saying about the Mako, to be fair I was desperate and couldnt afford to be picky, as I mentioned I shouldve had the courage to ask. I got it and started following after my wife, I loved it because compared to the sit on this just glided thru the water with little effort. My wife took up rowing as a learner back in 2019-20 and loved it so much she decided to get her own one so she could improve ( which isnt common for a novice rower) I can keep pace with her but only for short burst due to lack of fitness and stamina and on glassy water. I see Sunday and Monday are looking great for a paddle, my wife has a paddle at Whitford this afternoon so I might have to get back on the ski to see if I can still balance on it, if we werent going away tonight I wouldve loved to come out to Mission Bay and check out your ski as I see there is one for sale on Trademe that has caught my eye. If you dont mind I will send my number and next time your heading out for a paddle I can pop over from South Auckland and have a look. Cheers
@@nickaugust557 I don't think it is just a lack of fitness, that type of boat is real fast with its long waterline! I went paddling for a coffee with Auckland Canoe Club members this morning and the sea was surprisingly rough! Was it the case at your place as well? No problem at all, email me from ua-cam.com/channels/mqswlbfjG7MarbUfq7xhPA.htmlabout It will be like day and night in term of stability when trying the V7!!
Salut JeanYan, merci! Je viens de voir quelques une de tes videos. Es-tu de Tahiti? 🏄 J'espère pagayer un Waka ama bientôt! Le Swordfish est tres bien après quelques semaines et quelques seances de natation 😁
Great stuff. I paddle an OC1 and recently bought a used Fenn Mako 6. I dunked too many times trying it out and chilled too much, so I'll put it away for winter and take out the OC1 (and a Dragonboat) until summer. I also aim to race competitively. I'm 65 and so looking forward to mastering the Ski.
Hi Michael, it is fun to start a new sport, isn't it? I started paddling for the first time only 2 years ago, at 50, and it was by getting a little sit on top for my daughter. Love surfskis but also the OC1 and the rudderless waka. Never tried them but I see them a lot and they look great. At the races here many are in their sixties, even up to 72, and paddling fast! I wish to be as fit as them!!
Excellent video! And excellent work.
The phases of acquiring balance are noticeable: hesitation, shakiness, speed to avoid losing balance, rapid breathing, controlled breathing, reflex bracing, relaxed paddling, less shaking...
Like you, I'm on my 50's. And at this stage of life, we can still improve!
If I may, I want to share some tips that I've used to improve my balance in rougher water.
I wear booties for grip on the footrest. I use a neoprene paddling shortie, 2.5-3 mm, to make the cockpit better fitting and avoid slipping. But this doesn't inhibit my rotation. I use bike handlebar grip on the paddle shaft, it relaxes my grip and neck.
I lean forward from the hips to improve my balance when underway, and always engage the footrest.
I stop the ski in turbulent waters to feel its reactions to chop, I hydrate and nibble on a bar while at it. I stay there for a while, sometimes talking to my partner, while balancing.
I placed a sticker with a positive message and a graphic design of a turtle just in front of the cockpit. When I become unsteady, glancing at it instantly breaks the crescendo of tension that leads to over reacting and shakiness.
I installed a DK "deep chord" rudder to quiet initial stability and reduce the effect of chop on the hull.
Hope these help!
Thank you again for all your advice! We certainly have room for improvement at 50! After 3 or 4 paddles I got the Epic hip pads because I was moving too much in the cockpit. While not being well in the middle did not matter in the V7, in the Swordfish it does a lot. Once I had more contact with it it went much better. I got some Vaikobi booties but it was very bad for the grip, almost none. I ended adding some Epic grip to the pedals and now the grip is fantastic. Here is another video when I was new to the Swordfish. It was maybe day 3 and the sea was not great.
ua-cam.com/video/AxbEoTrS94A/v-deo.html
@@kayakintro You're welcome!
I tried padding a cockpit early when I had my first XT. Its cockpit was huge! I installed a bum pad, and it solved my sliding around. But, it impeded hip rotation and reduced my leg drive.
You're right, cockpit contact becomes information, which translates into early righting reactions.
Going to see your next video! Thanks for sharing your learning process 😁
@@josuedelucca7252 interesting what you say about the bum pad impeding hip rotation and leg drive. Leg drive is a big weakness of mine (often leading to more instability when I am more purposeful with it), and I suspect a contributing factor to my feet going to sleep. I bought a Mocke seat pad, thinking it might help reduce numb feet, but am wary of installing it if it will further impede hip rotation. My old Hayden currently just has a foam rubber padding in the seat, and now wonder if this and my neoprene shorts are affecting my hip rotation, will have to take note next time I am on the water.
@@jprmac1 It depends on the material of the Mocke pad.
About the material, if it grabs your paddling shorts, it'll inhibit rotation. If it allows some movement, it could work 👍
Please note that numbness might arise from a posteriorly tilted pelvis on the bucket, which compresses the sciatic nerve. This is a posture issue.
It could also arise from a bucket that just doesn't blend with your sit bone anatomy. This is easy to confirm if the numbness disappears on other skis.
Hope this helps 👍
@@josuedelucca7252 Thanks, you've given me something to look for and think about when I go out in the morning. I'm pretty skinny, so hope that more padding on the seat will make a difference.
I had the same foot numbness, maybe a bit worse, when I took out my friend's very skinny (& tippy) river kayak, so that probably suggests it's more my anatomy than the ski. Interestingly, at a race we did in the weekend, my wife observed that many of the men came out of the kayaks and skis with sleepy legs, whereas all the women just sprang right out of their boats for the run finish, which in my mind suggests a hip flexibility component.
Just stumbled on your clips and enjoying them, gives me some hope. Im in a similar situation, mid 50s and I decided to get my first surfski a Fenn Mako Elite a year ago although in hindsight I wish I hadnt been too shy to ask for advice. Havent been out to much over winter but really enjoyed the flat water in the summer. Will definitely take inspiration from your clips. Cheers
Hi Nick, thank you for your kind message! I realised not long ago I had so many videos I could share instead of forgetting them on hard drives.
Where do you paddle? You started the hard way with a Mako Elite but I think it is still part of the fun! I started paddling only in January 2021 and it was my daughter's kayak. I started with the V7 in November last year. I never got any formal training because I started paddling during the lockdown.
At the end of the month my daughter is getting some surfski lesson. She might teach me a thing or two.
@@kayakintro Yes it was definitely a hard way to start, especially as im on the chubbier side for an Elite ski, I only got one as my my wife invested in a single scull rowing boat last year and I was struggling to keep up with her on my sit on top. I read about the surfski's and thought yep that sounds like me. Somehow I managed to paddle it around the waterways at Whitford (Turanga estuary) and stay on top but not confidently, I now realise what they say about the stability affecting the ability, if there is any chop then Im in trouble, so I am looking at getting another Surfski thats a bit more stable and comfortable as the seat in the Elite is a bit too narrow for me, possibly a Bluefin or maybe a Swordfish but the seat only seems to be 10mm wider that my Elite. Seeing your clips and where you go has given me something to strive for. I'll be watching to see how you and your daughter go. I must admit it is nicer having someone to have in the water beside you, even in my case if your chasing after your wife as shes rowing :)
@@nickaugust557 You start with an Elite ski from start and I got people telling me I was mad to jump from a V7 to a Swordfish! 😁You are probably very good because I don't think I could have paddled the Swordfish without all the time spent paddling the V7.
Your wife's boat is one of the fastest on flat water... Aren't they something like 8m long? It must be hard to follow them even on surfski! You would need one without much rocker, like a V10 Sport or a V8 Pro.
Does your wife compete? It would be interesting to compare the speed.
This Sunday and Monday are supposed to be sunny and not too windy. I am sick of this very wet winter!! Plus every time it rains too much the sewage goes into the beach here... If you visit Mission Bay you can try my surfskis. It is not far from Fergs so you could also try a V8 Pro (they have it for demo). I bet it is one of the best for you in you are on the heavy side.
@@kayakintro I appreciate what you are saying about the Mako, to be fair I was desperate and couldnt afford to be picky, as I mentioned I shouldve had the courage to ask. I got it and started following after my wife, I loved it because compared to the sit on this just glided thru the water with little effort. My wife took up rowing as a learner back in 2019-20 and loved it so much she decided to get her own one so she could improve ( which isnt common for a novice rower) I can keep pace with her but only for short burst due to lack of fitness and stamina and on glassy water.
I see Sunday and Monday are looking great for a paddle, my wife has a paddle at Whitford this afternoon so I might have to get back on the ski to see if I can still balance on it, if we werent going away tonight I wouldve loved to come out to Mission Bay and check out your ski as I see there is one for sale on Trademe that has caught my eye. If you dont mind I will send my number and next time your heading out for a paddle I can pop over from South Auckland and have a look. Cheers
@@nickaugust557 I don't think it is just a lack of fitness, that type of boat is real fast with its long waterline!
I went paddling for a coffee with Auckland Canoe Club members this morning and the sea was surprisingly rough! Was it the case at your place as well?
No problem at all, email me from ua-cam.com/channels/mqswlbfjG7MarbUfq7xhPA.htmlabout
It will be like day and night in term of stability when trying the V7!!
Good job bruh!
Salut JeanYan, merci! Je viens de voir quelques une de tes videos. Es-tu de Tahiti? 🏄 J'espère pagayer un Waka ama bientôt! Le Swordfish est tres bien après quelques semaines et quelques seances de natation 😁