Newsflash - new skis
Exciting times are with us...
I've been talking to a number of manufacturers (Epic, Fenn, Red 7, Knysna Kayaks) and it seems that there's a wave of new model skis just around the corner.
Look out for articles on each of these manufacturers in the coming weeks, here's a snippet on each of them...
Epic V10
Production is well under way in China, the first skis are expected (in South Africa) in May; I'm not sure about the rest of the world. Oscar Chalupsky sent me some photos of the V10 Sport in action on the Fuchun River which will be published shortly.
Fenn
Fenn Kayaks have put another mould into production and we're expecting a demo model of the new single ski in Cape Town some time in the next three weeks. Look out for an in depth review article shortly after that!
Knysna Kayaks Robberg Express
A single copy of the Robberg Express has been raising eyebrows in Hout Bay. Notably on Tuesday when, driven by Tom Thring, it showed its paces in an awkward downwind section on the way back from Vulcan Rock...
There's a great story behind the design of this ski - coming soon.
Red 7
No fewer than three new models are on the way from Red 7. I'm waiting for photos and will be writing up an article when they get to me.
Stability, speed, new technologies and techniques
It looks as though 2006 is the year of innovation in surf ski. At least three new models seem to have combined stability with speed and all the manufacturers are experimenting with new materials that combine lightness with strength.
Stay tuned!