Surf ski

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A surf ski (or surfski, or surf-ski) is a type of kayak in the kayaking family of paddling craft. It is generally the longest of all kayaks and is a performance oriented kayak designed for speed on open water, most commonly the ocean, although it is well suited to all bodies of water and recreational paddling.

The most common use of surfskis is in surf lifesaving competitions and downwind paddling.^[1]

Because of the surfski's unique open water capabilities, its speed and versatility, and the physical training it requires to paddle, it has become a popular pastime for water sports enthusiasts who want to combine the elements of adventure, fitness and competition into a single discipline.

A surfski uses an open "sit-on-top" (SOT) cockpit and not an enclosed cockpit that requires a splash cover, or spray deck, such as olympic flatwater sprint kayaks, white-water or slalom kayaks, or touring kayaks. Many surfski models use a self-bailer to eliminate water in the cockpit area. The sit-on-top cockpit means a surfski is easy to remount in the event of a capsize and also that the hull will not fill with water.

Surfskis are steered by foot-controlled pedals connected to a stern rudder. Their performance design and steering system makes it possible to paddle onto and ride open water wind swells on the ocean and other large bodies of water

The modern day version of the surfski originated in the surf lifesaving movement as a means to assist swimmers in distress. As the sport of lifesaving began to develop out of the lifesaving movement, surfski paddling became one of the hallmark events of being a fit, competent lifeguard. Surfski paddling is still incorporated into a number of lifesaving events and is a well established discipline in surf lifesaving.

In the 1950s lifeguards began holding stand alone, long distance surfski races. These races were only raced by qualified lifesavers. In the 1970s the first "open" surfski races began appearing, most notably the "Molokai Challenge" in Hawaii.^[2] In the mid-1990s the sport started becoming more widely adopted outside of surf lifesaving with the first non-affiliated series of races being organised in Cape Town, South Africa by BiIlly Harker. At the same time a series of non-affiliated races was organised in Sydney, Australia by Dean Gardiner.

In 2004 the first I.C.F (International Canoe Federation) World Cup was held in Cape Town, South Africa

In 2006 the first World Surfski Series was held.

In 2013, nearly 10 years after the first I.C.F world Cup in Cape Town, the International Canoe Federation hosted their inaugural World Championship in Vila do Conde, Porto, Portugal.^[3]