Fenn Fenix Cuda First Impressions

First Impressions: Fenn Fenix Cuda
I picked up the Fenn Fenix Cuda this morning from Bruce Gipson and immediately took it for a paddle in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Boca Raton. Later in the day, after driving back to Miami and getting some work done, I took it out again at Virginia Key, where I chased crew boats and their coaching skiffs while riding their wakes.
Based on these two paddle sessions, I can already tell this ski is special. While it’s still early in my experience with the Cuda—and I haven’t taken it on a full downwind run or into big conditions yet—my initial impressions are very positive. I think many paddlers, especially those familiar with Epic V9, V10, Fenn Swordfish, Spark, or Carbonology Vault, will find this review useful.

My Skill Level & Approach
For context, I consider myself an intermediate-level paddler, and I am not an expert. My stroke technique is something I need to improve, and I plan to work on it with coaching. However, now that I have a ski with good stability, I can focus more on my paddling technique, I know I’ll be able to refine my skills, improve my efficiency, and build more strength.

Stability & Handling
Right away, the Cuda feels like an intermediate ski in terms of stability—similar to the older, pre-factory fire Fenn Swordfish S (which I own two of), but with handling and acceleration that remind me more of an elite ski like the Fenn Fenix Elite Spark.
The secondary stability is excellent, allowing for solid maneuvering without feeling twitchy. This gives it a very confidence-inspiring feel, making it easier to control the ski in dynamic water.
While the bucket width feels similar to the Spark, the Cuda is about a half-inch wider overall and appears to have slightly more volume. I believe this contributes to its stability while still keeping it highly performance-oriented.

Maneuverability & Surfing
One of the standout features so far is how maneuverable the Cuda feels. During my second session, I followed crew boats and their coaching skiffs, using their wakes to get a feel for how the ski moves in a surf setting.
The Cuda responded effortlessly, letting me position myself in the best part of the wake, accelerate when needed, and exit left or right with confidence. It doesn’t feel like a ski that locks into a line and dictates where you go—it responds well to the paddler’s inputs, making it easy to adjust positioning while surfing.
Given this, I have high hopes for its downwind capabilities, but I’ll know more after I get it into proper conditions.

Acceleration & Downwind Potential
While I haven’t tested it in full downwind conditions yet, the acceleration is noticeably quick. Being able to sprint into the sweet spot of a swell is crucial for downwind paddling, and the Cuda seems like it will do this well.
Tomorrow, I’ll be testing it in ocean swell, wind chop, and in-and-out surf conditions at Norris Cut, so I’ll have a better idea of how well it picks up runs, holds a line, and maneuvers in bigger water.

Comfort & Seating Position
Fenn is known for making comfortable buckets, and the Cuda is no exception. Of all Fenn skis, I’ve always found the Spark to have the most snug and comfortable bucket, and the Cuda is right in that zone.
One of the biggest things I noticed was how the seating position naturally promotes an upright posture. I tend to slouch while paddling (something I’m actively working on improving), but the deep seat and low hump kept me in a strong, engaged position without forcing my knees too high.
This also helped me reach further forward during the catch phase of my stroke, which is a key part of improving my technique.

Comparison to Other Skis
I’ve paddled a range of skis over the years, from beginner/intermediate to elite-level models, and here’s where I think the Cuda fits in:
More stable than the Spark, thanks to it being slightly wider and reduced rocker.
Similar in stability to the Swordfish S, but possibly even more stable for me since the Swordfish sits higher in the water due to its higher volume.
Maneuverability is closer to an elite ski like the Spark or Carbonology Vault. The Vault is known for being twitchy but very agile—I think the Cuda has some of that agility but without the twitchiness.
Great acceleration, making it easier to get onto waves and adjust position while surfing.
Ideal for intermediate to advanced paddlers looking for a mix of stability and performance without jumping fully into an elite ski.
That said, I believe the Cuda is listed as an elite ski, but since the Fenn website is still down, it’s challenging to confirm that directly from Fenn or get any information from Fenn. I suppose they just make good boats, and that's enough in this context.

Final Thoughts (For Now)
The Fenn Fenix Cuda seems to strike a perfect balance between stability and performance—stable enough that I can focus on refining my stroke technique rather than just staying upright, but still quick, agile, and responsive.
While it’s too early to make a final judgment, my first impressions are that this ski will be fantastic for downwind, surf zones, and technical ocean conditions.
Tomorrow’s session at Norris Cut should give me more insight into:
✅ How it handles cross chop
✅ How well it holds a line
✅ Its ability to maneuver in ocean swell
I’ll update this review with more thoughts after that session.
If you’ve paddled a Swordfish, Spark, Vault, or similar skis, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how the Cuda compares! Since this ski is brand new, the more paddler feedback we can gather, the better.