Custom Kayaks Icon

Hi guys,

I have bought a Custom Kayaks Icon surf ski - my first ski. Made in Durban, SA. Are Custom Kayaks still trading? Their site on the web is down. I am looking for a replacement rudder - mine is just a bit battered. Is there another one that will fit?

Perhaps a dumb question - there are some neoprene-covered straps that you tuck your feet under to get to the foot pedals - what are these for? They aren't close enough to my feet to allow me to pull against them when paddling. They are in the right place for my hand when carrying it on my shoulder... Something to do with levering the boat when surfing down waves? I live in the UK, so we don't really have waves unless you drive for hours to find them, then they are covered with surfers.

Cheers,

Vulch

Mark Lewin, who used to own Custom Kayaks, and who made that boat, is still making skis.

He's now with a company called Point Watersport

You could leave a message there - or you could try his old email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The URL is still live, even if the site is not.

If you don't come right, give me a shout.

Those foot straps are to help you stay in the boat when you take a massive breaking wave over the nose as you go out through big surf...! I have horribly clear memories of paddling an ICON out through the surf at a place called Scottburgh on the Durban coast many years ago. The footstraps didn't help and twice I was smashed backwards right off the back of the ski. Suffice to say it was a sobering experience for a Cape Town paddler - like you we seldom go out through the kind of surf the Durban boys face on a daily basis!

Cheers, Rob

Hi,

I will give him a call and let him know that you are looking for him.

Hi Vulch,

I make custom rudders. I'm in the USA, but have shipped a few to the UK. Contact me directly if you want to discuss.

surfski
at
gmail
.com

Don