Beginner Surfski Paddler Test Drives the Epic 14X, V8, V8 Pro, and V9 -- Which Surfski Does He Buy?

[@DaveTheKayaker]

I absolutely love these honest reviews from non-elite paddlers. Great job.

[@ThePaddleChannel]

We really appreciate that, thank you!

[@giff06]

V8 is a wise choice. It is my choice as a go anywhere, all conditions craft. Best of luck with it. It also surfs and downwinds vet well and is confidence inspiring.

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Agreed! The V8 seems like a great craft for a brand new paddler to grow into, with all the rewards of stability and good speed, too. We're looking forward to seeing David downwind in his soon! Thanks for sharing -- it's always good to hear wise choices were made! :)

[@JamesHunterRoss]

Happy 60th... what a perfect gift! (I want an OC1 for my 64th birthday coming up.) This is a fun casual way to review, and I really appreciate it.

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Happy birthday! An OC1 would be a perfect gift for 64, definitely!

[@MulderXfile]

I've been paddling my V7 for 6 years now and will be upgrading to a carbonology Boost next month.

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Awesome! You'll have to let us know how that goes!

[@garettreid8729]

Im in the same situation..and Im looking at V8. Been in the V7 for about 1 year

[@ThePaddleChannel]

The V8, V8 Pro and V9 are all worth looking into, depending on your goals. Let us know what you end up with, Garett!

[@lov2playtn]

Very interesting and informative!

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tommycheshire5508]

I have been paddling 15 years in various sea kayaks, including an Explorer, a Delphin 155 in the ocean for 7 years and an Epic 18x on flat water. I can surf the Delphin 155 pretty good. Am I at age 76 to old for a ski? I am beginning to develop a few balance problems. I await your wisdom.

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Hey Tommy, Epic recently released an article about this very topic. If you haven't seen it, you might want to check out www.epickayaks.com/post/in-search-of-stability-aging-gracefully-with-a-wider-surfski. With your experience, odds are you'll take right to it. The Epic V6 might be worth checking out. You might also find the lighter weight of most surfskis, when compared to something like the 155, is a bonus, too! We do know several paddlers your age who really enjoy the surfski, so hopefully you will too.

[@rogermedler5686]

@@ThePaddleChanneli am 74. I have been paddling about 25 years. surf kayak .wave ski, ,Delphin, Meridian. I am now paddling a surf ski. Running out of time. Be all you can be. GO FOR IT.

[@michaeltowler2632]

I have both the v8 performance and v8 pro performance and the v8 pro is 15kg, and the v8 15.5kg

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Thanks for those numbers, Michael. The only V8 Pro we have been able to play with was a, um, "robust" demo model that apparently was built to take some knocks. Even so, it was so. Much. Fun. to downwind with...

[@madogblue]

How would you describe the experience between the 2?

[@IanCurwood]

What are your comments on a V5 as a sea surf ski ?

[@ThePaddleChannel]

We have not paddled the V5, but here are our impressions based on what we've learned. Very stable, but a takes a bit of work to move through the water. Some people like it as a surf zone boat because of its durability. It does downwind (see the video on www.epickayaks.com/v5), though it might be a bit of work to catch the runs (we're guessing). Check out this video by our friend Jim Smith -- it does a great job of highlighting the V5: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r17NfZhulNJpg9U

[@Chris_PerthWA]

Just bought the V8

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Nice, Chris! Circle back to us and let us know what you think after you've spent some time with it! Where do you plan to paddle? Flatwater, ocean?

[@Chris_PerthWA]

@@ThePaddleChannel Flat to start with and then will venture out. Our container arrived yesterday and I pick it up Wednesday. Very excited

[@ThePaddleChannel]

@@Chris_PerthWA Stoked for you!

[@garettreid8729]

Hey man....you have an update? And skill level or how long youve been paddling? Im looking at upgrading from a V7

[@Chris_PerthWA]

@@garettreid8729 Paddling for a year now and on the V8 for 7 months. First race on flat water last weekend. Love the V8

[@tincanfilms]

The spec sheet on the epic website has the "Performance" V8 Pro at 33lbs vs "Performance" V8 at 34lbs. It was mentioned that the V8 was lighter than the V8 pro. Could you clarify this?

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Ah, yeah, that is confusing. The demo V8 Pro we paddled is out of spec -- we were told it was built heavy for durability. So those comments apply only to the particular V8 Pro we had on hand. Sorry for the confusion!

[@mattm00ey]

Givening the poor guy some paddling instruction would help with stability and that would affect purchase choice

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Everybody starts at the beginning, and not everybody (especially in this area) has easy access to coaching and instruction or even access to surfskis. Within an hour of paddling his new ski, David's stability and form improved dramatically, and continues to do so. We're very grateful David allowed us to film and share his very early experience with the surfski, and we hope it is helpful to other paddlers who are taking up the sport well after the nipper age!

[@barryblackburn5910]

It was his first time in a Surfski. I am sure my first time in a ski was much the same! He made a great choice in the V8.

[@chenkarp]

So true. Without a good technical ability anything which is above v8 is a bad choice.

[@doubledark2]

@@ThePaddleChannel so a V8 would be a good choice for a 66yr old novice?

[@ThePaddleChannel]

@@doubledark2 everyone is unique, but in general, we would say yes. It may feel "slippery" at first, but if you stick with it, you'll quickly love it!