Noob 1st Wanna Be Surf Ski

Put a deposit down on the v7.

Part of me was tempted to wait and lurk for a something in a higher grade layup, but I just could not get past that I wanted something that could take some abuse on local rivers where I have more opportunity to train on.

In related news, a woman I work with lives on a small lake not far from my house...it is about a 2km loop...it only has access for private owners and their friends...it is close to my carpool meetup spot so that is promising....

I will also be down at the beach for a 4 day weekend end of August and you can bet ill get out and paddle some!

Congrats PG. Whatever you get you'll love. Keep in mind, if a powerboat can cruise your local waters then you won't bottom out a ski. The V7 will be nice. When do you take ownership?

when I talk about some skinnier local rivers, this is not power boat territory...deep enough in "most" spots to not bottom out, but some bits (water level dependent) would have that risk....if I was talking about lakes only, I would have far less concerns for durability indeed yeah.

I was told about 1 week ago by a person from Kayak Trader that they were getting some in this week...so in theory perhaps ill pickup this weekend...that is my goal anyway

Then the 7 will work well for you. You should give it a paddle in Lake Lanier before drive back. It'll keep you from rushing home and getting a speeding ticket.

My brother is in the process of moving just north of ATL

Any suggestions on a launch location?

I'll have my kids (wife will be working) but may snag a sitter and go solo perhaps

Longwood Park is the closest place to Kayak Trader but to my knowledge you'll have to carry the ski a hundred yards (but I may he wrong). It's been a while since I've been there. The lake is enormous so anywhere you see a park you can put in there. Stay close to shore in case you go swimming and have issues getting back in. Be careful of the jetskis. They're evil.

Thanks! I'm aware of some of the issues with kayaking at popular lakes like that lol

I was out paddling smith lake yesterday in my touring kayak - got my roll down better and better and I did my first stand up paddling standing in the cockpit

I think I'll do fine on this ski

The V7 is a pretty wide ski so you should do fine but just in case don't leave your cell phone in your pocket.

Memorize this...

www.epickayaks.com/article/article/epic-technique-series


If I were you I'd set up a demo paddle with Kayak Trader. This may be a rare opportunity to paddle an elite ski. Try a V12 or 14. That way you'll have a good idea of what ski to get next.

I also recommend paddling gloves. I'm a button pusher so I don't have lumberjack-rough hands. The carbon paddles don't do well with my skin so gloves help a lot. Plus I look really cool.

Wow - great videos! I'm sooo new to getting all the technique at this point....it will take some instruction and practice

PG, did you get a chance to pick up your V7 and give it a paddle? Did you try out any elite skis?

Tomorrow I'm gonna get an update on where the new v7 is in delivery to the dealer - hope is that I can get over this week and I have requested to test paddle a couple other skis in the intermediate and elite nature...

Hopefully will have an update this week.

Well hurry up. I'm not getting any younger.

"Patience is a virtue" mom always told me...I'm not a virtuous man it seems.

Well you do deal drugs for a living so patience is the least of your worries.

Glad to see you'll get to try a couple other skis. You'll have a lot of fun. Give us a review of the V7 and your impressions of the others you try out.

Well - my kayak is there - but I cannot make it this week and will be out of town in NJ for a week - so tentative plan is picking it up on way back on Sunday 7/23. This is painful

Not sure I'll be able to demo other boats that day - but if not will find time to swing by and try some soon

I'm not sure what's worse, waiting another 13 days to get your ski or having to go to New Jersey.

Be brave.

Well - picked V7 up - paddled it a whopping 20 min nearby at lake Lanier near the dealer location. Family was with me at tail end of a LONG road trip so I could only do a short paddle.

Stability: non issue - very stable. At first for a moment felt "different" but quickly settled in no prob.

The rudder steering was most odd to me as I never have used one and i found myself trying to engage my "leg drive" and flubbing the steering lol - it will take some practice - a LOT of practice I'm sure...looking forward to it

Did a few deep water re-entries - very easy for me.

The wing paddle (nabbed an epic small mid full carbon wing) was new to me - did fine with it but will take some getting used to as well.

Got it up to some speed and felt guuud

I'm excited.

Gonna line up some form of coaching within the year and I have planned soon a schedule of two times per week a 2 hour paddle to excercise and train.

Beach trip to Gulf of Mexico in 4 weeks - she will see saltwater soon!!!

Congrats! Good to hear you enjoyed it. You'll be a pro in no time. Too bad you didn't have time to demo an elite ski. Would have loved to hear your opinion.

Is that overalls you're wearing? Your Alabama is showing.

Hahaha - no - I own no overalls

That would make a funny photo paddling a ski in just overalls.

I plan on getting back over there to paddle some others

I met a guy who lives 2 hours north of me and paddles with a group of folks with Elmore elite skis and I've been invited to come paddle with them and try their goodies - may find time for that in a few weeks.