18 MIN DOWNWIND

This is what I could get from the battery of my camera. It was a quick downwind session from Tarifa to Punta Paloma with very nice fresh wind and beautiful downwind surf.

[@denise-ski907]

Yee Haw! Of course you make it look so easy. You are well within your budget $ Glad you could get out there and do your thing!

[@boyanzlatarev]

Thanks Denise!

[@DavidMorrison]

Smooth. Love watching you in action!

[@boyanzlatarev]

Thank you !

[@parisbrowne1]

Nice one Boytjie. Good demonstration of bouncing moguls.

[@surfskicenter8575]

Thanks Phil! I appreciate it.

[@tvepaddler]

What a disappointment, I thought this was going to be 18 minutes without paddle stroke!? 😂😂 Seriously, nice surfin'! Thanks for posting. (But you do need either a new battery or a new camera if it conks out after 18 minutes...)

[@boyanzlatarev]

Thanks! You are right about the camera! I recently got a new GoPro and I hope to get more than 18 min next time I film! 18 min no stroke would be something ha!

[@cycologist7069]

Have you ever paddled an OC1? I’m asking because I’m looking to try that or a ski.

[@boyanzlatarev]

I have tried OC1 once and I couldn't keep balance. I think downwind is much easier in a stable surfski compared to an OC1. Obviously I have a bias toward surfski.

[@cycologist7069]

@@boyanzlatarev Thanks. I’m kind of drawn to the aesthetic of OC, and they do appear to be proficient downwind machines but surfskis seem to do it a bit better. The only paddling I do now is flat water SUP but want to try other craft.

[@boyanzlatarev]

@@cycologist7069 to be honest, if you are doing SUP, the transition to an OC1 would be more intuitive because you will be using very similar single blade to paddle. On the other hand surfski and wing paddle are easy to get used to (if you get good stable surfski and easy to manage carbon paddle). It’s best to borrow and try and even better would be to take a number classes with someone who could show you the basics.

[@cycologist7069]

@@boyanzlatarev Makes good sense.

[@andreteixeira5635]

is this surfski a V8?

[@boyanzlatarev]

Hi Andre, yes this is the v8. It surfs very well.

[@andreteixeira5635]

@@boyanzlatarev I am beginner with this thing of surfski (I am starting with a V7) and I am curious about something. You are clearly a master in surfski technique and it makes me wonder why you prefer to use a v8 insteat of a V9, a v10 sport or a v10, since balancing the boat would not be a problem for you. These more advanced boats wouldn't be even better to catch bumps and waves? Maybe you use a V8 simply beacause you have it at hand because of your surfiski school. I ask this because as I progress fastly with my v7 I am beginning to consider changing it for a V9, in order to have something lighter and better for the surf. A V9 is a better ski than the v8 as long as I do not have any problems to balance it, right?

[@boyanzlatarev]

@@andreteixeira5635 thank you for the comment! The reason I love paddling v8 is because it artificially puts a limit on my speed “budget” in downwind. That means that I need to focus on my downwind skills to compensate for the lack of speed and acceleration. I love that challenge and I can honestly say that because of using v8 I have learned a lot in the last years. On the other hand you are right that I also paddle v8 because of my work. With the v8 I can take photos and videos while speaking to different people on water. Something I would struggle to do in a v10. Also I need to be able to hand my boat to someone if they had some damage on their surfski and that means I need to use the most stable boat everyone else lose in the group could paddle. This is done for safety. Here is a bit more on my perspective on stable surfskis: www.gosurfski.com/post/five-myths-about-stable-surfskis I think v9 is also a great boat and 99% of the paddlers will not benefit from anything less stable than the v9.

[@andreteixeira5635]

Thank you very much for your answer and your excellent article. I fully understand the point you make on stable boats like the V8. I consider upgrading from the my current V7 to a V9 because the v9 is a lighter boat and also because the V9 has a reputation to be easier to catch waves and bumps in conditions with little or only moderate winds. Does it make sense to you or do you still believe It probably would be better to me go get a V8 because it is a more stable boat? As far as I understand the V9 is not an elite surfski, but an intermediate boat, not really tippy.

[@boyanzlatarev]

@@andreteixeira5635 if you ask me to chose one surfski model I would chose v8 … but … I like to do exclusively downwind. In my opinion the v8 allows me to go out in rough seas and strong wind and at those conditions I don’t see benefit in having theoretically faster surfski. On the other hand v9 is also a stable boat and i honestly think either way you will not make a bad decision. Maybe give the v9 and v8 a try just in case. There is a slight difference in the seat width and you should test for comfort and fit to be sure. V9 is slightly narrower seat.

[@tomerweiss8336]

What is the wind speed ?

[@boyanzlatarev]

I am not sure about the wind speed. Maybe 30-35 knots gusts.