BASK - Kayak Surfing

Surf Kayaks

For sea kayakers the surfing experience can be thrilling, but is limited by the length and lack of maneuverability of a sea kayak. If you are willing to invest in a boat that is designed for surf or whitewater, a whole new world of opportunities for fun and excitement open up.
There is a wide range of boat options available to the surf kayaker. The most appropriate craft for you is ultimately the one that best suits your skills, style, wave preference and budget. Listed below are different categories of surf craft with their various pros and cons. The primary design differences between them - other than the obvious factors of sit-on-top versus decked boats are:

Length - A longer boat will typically be faster, at least until you've caught the wave. This speed can make catching the wave much easier and also minimize the amount of time that you spend paddling out through the waves. The price that you pay for this is weight and reduced maneuverability.
Rocker (amount of curvature of the hull measured bow to stern) - A boat with a lot of rocker (like most modern whitewater boats), will be more forgiving of certain things, like burying the nose of your boat when you reach the bottom of the wave (pearling), but it will typically be slower because the curvature ends up pushing the water aside rather than sliding over it.
Displacement hulls - Virtually all older boats have displacement hulls: they cut a swath through the water rather than slide over the top. This is by far the most efficient hull design at lower speeds, and is therefore generally preferable for the same reasons as a longer boat. Displacement hulls are also generally easier to roll as well, which makes older displacement hull river kayaks a popular entry level surf kayak choice. The problem is that a rounded displacement hull has very little to grab the wave with. Imagine trying to ski with soft, rounded edges rather than strips of sharpened stainless steel; your turning ability would be limited at best.
Planing hulls - A boat with a planing hull has very low speed potential until it gets on a wave. Then it can be extremely fast, because it is largely skimming the surface of the water rather than pushing through it. A planing hull boat has a relatively flat bottom, similar to a surf board. Where the hull meets the sides you will find a relatively sharp transition, and it is this transition (or chine) that gives planing hull boats most of their superior maneuverability. When you lean towards an edge, the edge "bites" the wave and you turn that direction. (Note: this is the opposite of how you carve turns on a sea kayak. Some people complain that their instincts get confused when they alternate between boat types.)

WARNING re: SIT-ON-TOP SURF KAYAKS
An abandoned sit-on-top in the surf zone can be extremely dangerous. Whereas an abandoned decked boat tends to fill with water which slows it down, a S-O-T stays on the surface and will be pushed further and faster by the wave. It is highly recommended that you use a paddle leash when surfing S-O-Ts. With a leash, if you become detached from your boat, and provided you don't let go of the paddle, you become an anchor that will reduce the likelihood of your boat hurting others. It will also lessen your swim back to your boat and shorten your exposure to the elements. When selecting a leash, make sure that it is elastic and compacts on itself (The ones coiled like an old telephone cord or slinky are best). The reasons for this are that it will cushion the yank when the cord pulls tight, and more importantly WILL KEEP YOU FROM LYNCHING YOURSELF. Never have unsecured cords dangling from your gear.

Here are the general types of surf boats:
Sit-On-Tops (Recreational, Plastic)

General: most beginning surf classes will put you in a sit-on-top unless you have a very strong roll. The good thing about S-O-Ts is that if you get flipped over, you can simply climb back on. Most S-O-Ts are wider than traditional kayaks, and most have semi-planing hulls, so flat-water speed is reduced, but they can be great as a non-intimidating way to catch your first waves.
Pros: easy to re-enter, stable, inexpensive.
Cons: hard to maneuver on the wave, heavy, exposed to water temperature, bulky.
Costs: recreational sit-on-tops are $350 to $700 new, and can be found used for $200 to $400.
Models: Cobra Play (shown); Ocean Kayak's Scrambler, Yak Board and Frenzy, etc.

Sit-On-Tops (Surf Specific, Plastic)

General: these are kayaks made primarily for surfing. They are 8 - 11 feet long and usually 25 - 28 inches wide. They typically have thigh straps and some have foot straps as well. Most are full planing hulls, some have channels to make the water flow better under the kayak. The Wave Witch also has a rudder. Some come with fins designed to aid either tracking or turning depending on their design.
Pros: designed for surfing, easy to transport, can be rolled.
Cons: exposed to the elements, less precise than composite boats, heavy compared to composite boats.
Costs: $500 - $1000 depending on model and accessories.
Models: Cobra's Strike and Wave Witch (also available in higher performance composite versions); Ocean Kayak's Rrrapido (shown), Walden Sports' Milo, Wilderness Systems Kaos, etc.

Sit-on-Top Surf Specific Composite Wave Skis

General: these are very specific boats for surfing. They started out as a surfboard and a 'dimple' to sit in. They can be 7' to 11' long. You can outfit them with a seat belt, knee straps and foot loops. Not as buoyant as enclosed deck boats. Highest performance models are capable of the most extreme moves currently being done from a seated position. These boats can attain great speeds on the waves, allowing slashing moves and aerials. There are a wide variety of offerings in wave skis. From the super user friendly models by Infinity to highly difficult performance models from Wavemaster and Island. Do not consider buying a high performance wave ski until you have tried it.
Pros: highest potential for advanced moves on the face of the wave, many models are easy to get back on.
Cons: can be difficult to get out through the waves, slow paddling speed, rolling can be hard.
Costs: new $700 to $1200, used $400 to $800.
Models: Dick Wold, Howe, Infinity, Island, Hunt Johnsen Designs, Wavemaster (Strata shown), etc.

White Water Boats (Displacement Hulls)

General: in the old days most everyone surfed a Pirouette, or some similar long (10 - 12 foot) whitewater kayak. The ones without much volume in the stern worked the best. These have displacement (rounded) hulls and require you to do quite a bit of ruddering to keep the kayak on the wave. They are easier to roll, have a little faster hull speed (to catch the waves), and are easier in a side surf. Depending on the size and type of waves, they can be a lot of fun, but have seriously limited maneuverability.
Pros: most are faster to catch waves, inexpensive, easy to roll.
Cons: displacement hulls limit available moves on the waves, longer boats can be prone to pearl in shallow waves.
Costs: you can find the older whitewater boats for $200 - $350, depending on the model and condition.
Models: Dagger's Outburst and RPM (shown), Perception Pirouette, Wavesport Frankenstein, etc.

Whitewater Boats (Planing Hulls, Plastic)

General: in the past few years, whitewater kayaks have changed to planing (flat) hulls. This was largely to improve the surfing of river waves. The newer whitewater boats are shorter and wider than older models. A typical whitewater boat now is 7 to 8.5 feet long and 24 - 27 inches wide. They also have higher sidewalls next to the hips. This can make rolling a bit more difficult. A shorter, wider, planing hull can make the kayak a lot slower in the water. This means you have to be close to the steepest part of a wave to catch it. Once on the wave, the planing hull is more responsive to boat lean/edging and your body control. Note: If you are not interested in the tumbling moves favored by playboaters, some of the older planing hull designs are longer and faster than the newer ones. Particularly good are the Rip and Jive from Necky, and the Hammer from Riot.
Pros: great control on the wave, many possible moves, most newer boats have superior outfitting.
Cons: slow to catch waves, harder to roll.
Costs: new kayaks are $800 to $1100. Used planing hulls can be found between $350 and $600.
Models: Dagger's Centrifuge, G-force and Super Ego; Necky's Gliss, Zip and Witch (shown); Perception's Method, Shock and Mr. Clean; Prijon's Machine and Delerious; Pyranha's H2, Prozone and Micro; Riot's Boogie, Techno and Booster; Wavesport's X, Z, EZ and Score; etc.

Composite Surf Kayaks (International Class, High Performance Class)

General: these boats are produced specifically for surfing. All newer designs are planing hulls. They are made of fiberglass or Kevlar/carbon, are generally light (~25 pounds), and are outfitted with foam for a snug and custom fit. Boats vary in length due to type of competition. International class boats are longer (>3 meters) and are not allowed fins, channels or concavities. High performance boats are generally 7 to 8.5 feet and usually have tri-fin capability.
Pros: along with wave skis are the best sit-down craft for surfing, fast and maneuverable on the waves, your skills won't outpace the boat.
Cons: cost, some models can be hard to learn, limited availability for demos.
Costs: new $900 to $2000, used $400 to $1300.
Models: Dick Wold's Dream Machine, Surf Machine and T-2; Mega's Airforce, Cyclone (shown), Jester, Marauder; Mike Johnson/PS Composite's Mako, Micro Mako, Mini Mako; Surfdog's UFO and Superfish; Spike Gladwin's Stingray and Groovy; etc.

Text copyright © 2002 by Berkeley Choate and Mark Burk