homebuilt

Tried a 'Splashy' when canoeing? Sure you have. Now for a SplashSki, for surf-skis!

Splashski Hood

I thought this might be interesting to those lucky enough to use their surfskis in their natural environment... namely the ocean.  There is an increasing use of surfskis in locations literally hundreds of miles from the nearest tide.

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A year ago Steven Kelly sent us some pics of a ski that he built himself out of wood.  Well, he's been at it again. Check out the pics of his latest work of art...

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I enjoy the science and design of surfskis nearly as much as paddling them and have experimented with a number of things including:

• A low aspect ventral fin under the seat of the paddler
• A winged rudder with an endplate
• A hydrofoil located on the bow of the ski

Dale Lippstreu's articulated rudder (Pic: Dale Lippstreu)

Our story on New Zealander Brad Haye's wooden surfski, aroused plenty of interest including a comment that it was ‘great to see some "SOUL" in the sport'... Well, it seems there's plenty of "soul" down under - here's news of another timber-ski project, this time by Stephen Kelly of Brisbane, Australia.

Soul ski! (Pic: Stephen Kelly)

Brad Hayes of Hamilton, New Zealand sent us some pics of his new surf ski... 

Cockpit, complete with 'Bumfortable' seat (Pic: Brad Hayes)