Waveski

A waveski at Carlsbad, California in 2007

Not to be confused with Surf ski.

The Waveski, previously known as the "Paddle Ski” is a surfboard where the rider 'sits' on top of the surfboard. Waveski surfing is a dynamic sport combining paddle power with the manoeuvrability and performance of a surfboard. A Waveski resembles a larger volume surfboard, with the addition of a hollowed out seat with seat belt, foot straps and double ended paddle enabling the rider to remain attached to the board for maneuvers and to 'Eskimo roll' if overturned. The waveski rider or surfer uses a double-ended paddle while seated. To turn the rider uses their weight to lean on the side rails and paddle to pivot or propel the board up the wave. The sport is categorized under the International Canoe Federation. The discipline holds biennial World championship events, the next of which will be held at the Nahoon Reef, outside the town of East London, South Africa.

History

The history of Waveski is not as well documented as standup or bodyboarding. It is known that Peruvian fisherman surfed their wicker boats to the shore with their catch. There are also documented accounts by Captain Cook of sightings of Polynesians riding waves on dugout and outrigger canoes. By the 1970s, Australian and South African Lifeguards used two person "ski's" as rescue boats at beaches. They could patrol the surf zone with these craft and drag distressed swimmers or surfers back to shore quickly on the ski. In North America, Danny Broadhurst, a surfer from Long Island, created some early waveskis in the 1970s, although these were heavy, bulky and not particularly maneuverable. The sport experienced its major growth in the 1980s with manufacturers in South Africa, Australia and the United States. Original boards had wooden frames covered in glass fiber. Later, they were constructed with molded hollow boards, which evolved to foam injected and followed by custom hand made boards shaped and glassed out of polystyrene foam and epoxy resins. Contemporary boards are shaped in precision CNC machines and weigh around 6 kilograms (13 lb) when completed.

Description

Many of the maneuvers waveskiers have been performing since the 1980s are only now becoming mainstream moves in surfing, where they were previously derided by surfers. Maneuvers such as aerials, flip aerials, 360's and various other moves stemming from freestyle white water kayaking are all mainstream in the professional waveski surfing community. The sport is experiencing a growth in countries such as Brazil and France tying in with the river and sea kayak sports and holding joint competitions as they share a common functionality. Competitions are formatted similar to stand up surfing and are judged on the performance of the rider on the waves within a 20-minute heat.

Construction and Paddle

Waveski design prioritizes performance and maneuverability in ocean waves. Key components include:

Lightweight, High-Performance Construction:

• Waveskis are typically custom-made (using traditional foam shaping) or CNC-routed from EPS foam blanks for a lightweight build (6–8 kg or 13–18 lb).
• Material selection balances strength and weight:
  • Fiberglass: Common and affordable, offering a good balance of rigidity and weight.
  • Carbon Fiber: Lighter and stiffer for superior performance at a higher cost.
  • Carbon Kevlar Blends: Combine carbon fiber stiffness with Kevlar's impact resistance.
• The chosen material (fiberglass cloth, carbon fiber, etc.) is laminated onto the blank using epoxy resin for a strong and lightweight final product.

Waveski Paddle: Propulsion and Control

The paddle is an extension of the rider, serving dual purposes:

• Propulsion: The primary means of propelling the waveski and catching waves.
• Maneuvering and Control: The paddle blade acts as a rudder for steering, carving turns, and maintaining balance.

Paddle Selection:

• Length: Varies depending on rider height (1.75–2.0 meters).
• Personal Preference: Similar to stance in surfing, paddle selection considers:
  • Offset Angle: The angle between the shaft and blade (0–90 degrees) affects paddling efficiency and leverage.
  • Blade Handedness: Left or right-handed blades cater to the dominant hand.
• Buoyancy: Waveski paddles often have more buoyant blades for leverage during maneuvers and stability while paddling out through waves.
• Material and Construction: Materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, and composite blends offer different weight-to-stiffness ratios.

By understanding these aspects of construction and paddle selection, riders can optimize their equipment for a more enjoyable and high-performing waveski surfing experience.

See also

• Kayak
• Surf Kayaking
• Surfing