I always thought I was a reasonably good sailor. I can jump on most boats, power or sail driven, and get them safely from point A to point B. This doesn't make me special, it just makes me a seasoned cruising sailor like so many who visit this site.
Well, I found a boat which I couldn't immediately get mobile on. Let me say firstly, that as a youngster in the 60s, I was a surf lifesaver based in Noosa Heads on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. I was quite accomplished on surf skis, which, at the time, were really just biggish surf boards. One could stand on them and run up and down on them. Easy!
My brother has recently taken on the challenge to paddle a new surf ski. Never one to refuse a challenge, I decided I would do the same.
The ski is made by Stellar and is a carbon fibre/kevlar composite, is light weight, about 19' or 5.8 m long,..and it's about 16 inches wide...and it doesn't have a keel.
So what happened?
It's like sitting on a greasy pole. And, as with any failed endeavour on any boat, there is always an audience!
Well after a month, I am getting to the stage where I can paddle this thing and only go for an unintended swim perhaps three times a session...and re-mounting is a real trial.
It is getting better, and I am determined. My first race will be in October. That should be a larf!
Capability
Linear Mode
