Slipstream Surf

Over the next three weeks I hope to give you, the consumer and paddling enthusiast, an insight into what makes the Slipstream Surf X such a dynamic ski. Firstly many of you will need to know a bit about me and what gives me the right to hold an opinion at all. In brief its simple, I am a boat builder who has spent the past 20 years working alongside some of the world’s best naval architects and on some of the leading yachts including Sydney to Hobart winners. Working alongside some of these designers has put a wealth of knowledge on how boats move and why. I have been fortunate to input this knowledge into my own brand and products. I also have paddled and been involved in surf since nippers, I am also very fortunate to have been surrounded by great friends who are Australian champions and Olympic athletes like Jimmy Walker of My Kayak Coach. Like everything I do, I love to soak up information; I will never die asking the question especially from the best. I also want to have you on the best gear. During this series I hope to deliver a total Surf Ski Design for Dummies approach. Please take the time to read and get involved in a discussion, tell us your thoughts.

PART 1: A BALANCED SURF SKI

When I mention balance, I am not talking about stability; we will cover this in a later topic.  I am in fact referring to the trim of a ski on the water. In the wonderful world of Surf, we have such an uneven and totally unpredictable playing field as opposed to our Olympic hopefuls in the world of flat water kayaks. More often than not the best ski design is not on a computer believe it or not, but more through the knowledge of the manufacturer and a lot of trial and error. This is where in the world of spec skis we have to be mindful when designing a surf ski; we must find a happy medium. In a perfect world, we would love to be able to set every ski to everyone’s specific weight, body height/configuration, and then have the ability to trim it to the conditions on the day. Unfortunately the market would not accommodate $10k plus skis. The Slipstream Surf X  the key to the balance is the positive and Negative buoyancy you get in the nose and tail shape coupled with what is commonly referred to as Rocker. In Spec skis we are somewhat restricted in Rocker by set measurements, but there is still plenty of scope to be innovative. Over the years the word volume has entered our vocabulary from somewhere; in fact volume has no relevance what so ever in any ski design or in any craft or boat anywhere in the world, but since its term we have all become accustomed to, let’s call it volume. By having a well-balanced ski, you will find you have a platform to accommodate all conditions, an unbalanced ski with more tail buoyancy/ volume will lead to a ski that is very easy to slew and hard to control on a wave, a ski that’s nose that has more buoyancy/volume hence doesn’t run as well, but lifts over the swells and handles the chop well. For us we have found the balance and by doing this you are at no disadvantage in any conditions, but as an average have a far superior all round performing surf ski. If you were to think of it as simple physics, you will be better served, what goes up must come down. For a ski to run it must do 2 very important things on a swell, the nose must have enough negative buoyancy to be able to drop, but for the nose to drop the tail must have enough buoyancy in this case positive, for it to lift. Going to sea or through the surf it must do the opposite, in the flat it needs to be sitting as level as possible giving it the longest waterline length this is why it is referred to as balance. In the Surf X range the only similarity in design is balance, with a balanced ski you have the advantage. We always here about how hard everyone is training, and how the  little 1% things can win or lose you a race, but don’t forget the top guys don’t just win because they are the best, they don’t paddle gear because its free, they paddle the best gear because it compliments there ability and needs for success. People always ask me what makes the Slipstream Surf X  the best; I always say it’s the most balanced ski on the market. Now you know why. Yours on the water,

Gavin Clark