Mauritius Ocean Classic

As the three men rounded the point at Le Morne, “Flash” Gordan Harbrecht shouted, “Is it 16 or 18km for the race?” “Mate, you see that red object up ahead? That’s the finish!” Instead of the 3 or 4km that Harbrecht had expected, the line was only about 800m away – and the big German exploded into a sprint…

A beginner paddler test pilots the Fenn Bluefin in the 2013 Mauritius Ocean Classic.

As a beginner paddler I confess I don’t give a lot of weight to reviews of entry-level skis by guys who usually paddle a greased toothpick.  For starters, I am certain that my definition of "stability" is wildly different to theirs.  So here's my (not really a) review of an entry level ski... by an entry level paddler.