Kayak surf practice session- Viking kayaks Oxygen 570 ski

[@TheBabyskywalker]

Nice video thanks.... Love to see a detailed review of the oxygen please Paddle Guy.... Side by side with the reload if that isnt too much to ask...

[@PaddleGuy1]

thanks - perhaps easier if you give em more perspective to your needs as they are both very different kayaks designed for very different reasons and needs - I push the limits a little and fish from it where most would not and would use it for fitness as its designed (alot of compromises when fishing from it that would see me rather in the reload for fishing trips for convenience - the oxygen is my go to when fishing is secondary to my desire to just go for a paddle)

[@TheBabyskywalker]

Cheers Paddle Guy.... I already have a green/black Viking reload which I absolutely love. Amazing how safe i feel in the reload,.. a tad under 10kms offshore is the furthest she's taken me so far. Only another 8 out til the shelf. Yikes! Its just that the oxygen is such a sexy looking thing... i'm sure they'd make a great couple. How about a video where you target a big fish from the Oxygen... That'd be a spectacle... paddling back to the boat ramp with a monster spanyid strapped under the bow bungies.

[@PaddleGuy1]

sounds like the Reload is serving you well, and you can never have too many kayaks in the shed :-) - spaniard would be awesome and am sure to try for one - you seen this one? the Cod certainly pulled some string before I got the camera on, ski handled i fine - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIuwYp13f5tkrJY

[@mattm00ey]

Were you wearing (would i need to wear) a belt at #01:00 when it flipped on you?

[@PaddleGuy1]

No my paddle was leashed and I also have thigh braces which help to lock your legs in - even when upside down these help to stay connected while the wave settles then you can release and grab the kayak. Never tie yourself to the kayak, dangerous in the surf.

[@mattm00ey]

@@PaddleGuy1 thanks for the reply. Been looking at that model. Used to paddle flat water but it looks a good intro to moving water ;)

[@PaddleGuy1]

@@mattm00ey yeh very stable too for a ski as its a little wider than most with a flat hull..love the plastic as its bulletproof too. Take one for a test paddle if you can - wheres your local retailer?

[@mattm00ey]

@@PaddleGuy1 kawana i think

[@PaddleGuy1]

@@mattm00eySweet that's even easier as they have 2 demos there - my old one which is also rigged for fishing is there too - I could not justify so many yaks so let that one go - they have a great price on it too from memory like $800..stop in and see Chris or Marty and mentionwe chatted - Chris will take you for a paddle if you need to test it - I live Yandina now and would love to have one again for playing in the Noosa river mouth but alas still don't have enough space to add another yak (have 5 around the house plus 2 SUPs at present)

[@Jrhnhemp]

Yes Jas, that's how I knew about them. I wanted to know how to install them. Where to drill? etc Thks.

[@PaddleGuy1]

Which model Kayak do you have mate ?

[@Jrhnhemp]

Do you or Viking have a video on the knee straps..how they work and how to install them? thanks!

[@PaddleGuy1]

I will make a video shortly - stay tuned - all filmed just need time to edit

[@PaddleGuy1]

Jrhnhemp you seen this one ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4PHioB_iph3n5o

[@kevmac5252]

What kind of paddle do you use normally when you use this ski?

[@PaddleGuy1]

Kev Mac either the oracle or odyssey from adventure technology- both flat blades as I fine I have better control for bracing a stern rudder using them over a wing

[@kevmac5252]

Paddle Guy perfect thanks. I just got myself a rotomold surfski. Which version Oracle or Odyssey is better? For on shore and off shore surf?

[@PaddleGuy1]

Kev Mac ones a low angle paddle (odyssey) and the other a high angle (oracle) I like the low angle for less resistance when my body needs a break if I’ve been paddling a lot or if planning to paddle big kms - for general use the high angle will be fine and good for strength and fitness as it’s a larger Blade face.

[@kevmac5252]

Paddle Guy out of interest what length paddle are you using in this video please?

[@PaddleGuy1]

Kev Mac 215cm-220cm - usually have it at 215 for the ski

[@TheDcrocks1]

You should try planting your blade a bit after the crest. It will hold you in place. Yoir correct about punching through the wave but you might jave a bit more energy if you plant the blade. Its the same thing when you surf side way, you brace ( plant ) so you dont roll over.

[@PaddleGuy1]

Forward stroke/brace to not only try to hold position but as you say to slow a the backwards momentum also putting yourself in the key position to either side brace and to allow you to feel as the wave power decreases enough to start paddling - I know it well and apply it - surprised I did not in this clip, would have to watch it back and see where I did not and poss why. There will be a reason as that’s second nature for me, worst thing I see is people taking paddle completely out of the water at the moment a wave hits - never makes for an easy recovery

[@Jrhnhemp]

you tie your paddle leash up around the bow?

[@PaddleGuy1]

less resistance if you get knocked off, pulls the kayak from the bow rather than the wave hitting the side which creates more tension on your leash and greater chance of breaking it

[@Jrhnhemp]

Good point...if you fall off, hold on to the paddle and youre still connected to the boat, from the attachment point that pulls the yak to you not pulls you to the boat. thks. Gotta rerig my GT leash.

[@Jrhnhemp]

thks

[@Jrhnhemp]

Sounds like Juz music

[@aarynj]

If only they had a hatch that allowed rod and catch storage then it would be a durable rival to stealth.

[@PaddleGuy1]

aarynj not easy to do with rotomolding unfortunately. It’s a compromise but I manage to fish from it ok - just got to keep things simple - and your right it can take a beating, I’m yet to break it and thats saying something when using in this surf environment.

[@aarynj]

Paddle Guy true. I think it could be done in two parts. The complete hull with a hole for the hatch and another which is the hatch insert and lid. Kinda like the reload pod

[@Jrhnhemp]

GT PROFISH