Happy Days

Ok, so the forum is an opportunity to share your news and views, well my news is I have just upgraded my ski from a Custom Kayaks Mentor (entry Level) to a Custom Kayaks Focus (intermediate).

So what, you might ask. Well, I am stoked, I am completely passionate about this sport and have been working like a dog to keep up with the mid-packers on their intermediate skis - now I am going to take them out!

I just wanted to share my joy with the world.

Happy happy joy joy!

Pleased for you mate, how about some pictures of your new ski with some thoughts on how different it is to your Mentor for all those other beginners ready to take the next step. What made you chose the focus over the other intermediate ski's around?

Yep well done
Give it heaps

I paddle in Durban, and have just seen how many happy Focus paddlers there are - there are many testimonies about how paddlers have improved their race times significantly since they got their focus - I wanted some of that!

The ski is very stable and from that point of view, it is an easy step up to take with a big improvement in speed, the after sales service from Custom Kayaks I have found is excellent.

Comparing to other intermediate boats, I have only paddled the Fenn Swordfish, and found the Focus to be slightly more stable and it seemed to pick up slightly better on small wind swell than the Swordfish. It would be interesting though to see a shootout with a whole range of intermediate skis to compare apples with apples.

Don't forget the stickers....the more stickers on your Ski, the faster it will go !!

Congrats and have fun!
Be safe,
Aloha,
-Rich

Hi I agree, would love to see a shoot out between the Focus and the Swordfish.. and have eagerly been trolling the site for one Hint hint Rob You are welcome to use mine in the shootout if you are looking for one in Cape Town. Everyone who paddled it on Sunday thought it was great. Just let me know i can drop it off some time.

Hey Rookie,

There's a real buzz around the Focus - I'm intrigued. I only got to paddle it once over the Christmas period for a very mild reverse Millers Run... None of my usual marks were around so it was difficult to tell how fast I was going and the conditions were so mellow I couldn't really tell how stable I was feeling.

Your mate Richard (I'm guessing) was chatting about it on Saturday at the Paddle for the Planet at Fish Hoek... I'd love to give the boat a go.

I'm mostly paddlng the Genius Blu at the moment; another really nice intermediate boat... We had a great (mellow) Millers Run on Sunday afternoon.

Blu v Focus v Swordfish...

There's a winter racing series starting up in Hout Bay on Sundays, starting June 17, which gives a great opportunity to compare the boats. I find there's nothing like racing to do comparisons!

Let's chat! Presumably you live in the Southern Suburbs? Maybe get together this coming weekend?

Done I have a massive presentation for the end of my course on Sat (9th) so I am bogged down until after that. But would love to paddle on Sunday if you are free otherwise i could drop it off Sat afternoon and you keep it until after the race on the 17th and then i would take it back. Lets chat This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0791376963 regards

Just hyjacking the forum a little, but happy days def fits. Since my patients decided it was too icy to come and see me I went paddling, I know there is no surfski in sight, but the kayak is warmer and i can just walk down my drive and put it in the river.

On other trending posts I worked out I cant really leg drive in this boat without changing my set up as I've always been quite snug as this improves the feel through rapids, will make some changes and try again, will have to keep using this boat as my boat bulider is out paddling with me instead of working on my ski.

In Australia, winter means wearing a thicker rashie. Putting on booties is a sign of weakness and will result in an hour of insults from those tough enough to paddle without them. Don't even consider gloves, unless you want to be branded for life.

It's wintertime in Huahine (French Polynesia)... i still paddle in speedo.

yep we had coldest temps on record

Uuurgh, cold and wet in Cape Town... I must be getting old - opting for gym during the week instead of getting on the sea in the lovely rain and dark.

Getting worried about the fat paddler v surfski.info challenge in Mauritius!

One day, Hiro, one day, I'll get over to your beautiful part of the world!

Australia includes Tasmania Dicko, and there is snow on the Mountain. OK if I wear a sharkskin top with my shorts?

We have two great races in september :
- sept 1st, I Mua Nui, channel crossing from Tahiti to Moorea;
- sept 8th, Maraamu Surfski, channel crossing from Tahaa to BoraBora, part of Oceanpaddler World Series...

Oh ! I almost forgot, nice pic Physio. New Zealand is a beautiful country. Last time I saw snow was sooo long ago !

Same day, same place, before the sun came out.

www.canoeracing.org.nz/home-1/news/archi...12/winter-wonderland