So... I spotted this video being promoted on Facebook:
It's the launch video for Epic's latest version of the V10.
I've always had a soft spot for the V10 - it truly changed the surfski world - and it changed my paddling life. The V10 popped up in 2005. The first boats were built in Durban, South Africa.
At the time I had moved from my first old second hand Wedge, to a new Cape Town built Brian's Kayaks Molokai. Then for the very first surfski world cup, held here in Cape Town, Custom Kayaks built 4 of their ICON skis for the New Zealand team - and I picked up one of them after the event at a discount.
I battled to learn to paddle it, enjoying it occasionally in downwind conditions, but struggling even after 18months (and a Cape Point Challenge) in choppy water. I swear it was the tippiest ski on the planet.
And then, for the second half of our local racing season, Richard Kohler lent me his battered old demo V10. I paddled that thing for 3 months and loved every minute of it. Here was something much more stable, that I felt bullet-proof in, no matter the conditions. It went downwind like an angel but was still fast on the flat.
I was bleak when I handed it back. I paddled my ICON one last time, returning to the beach after 100m, swearing never to paddle it again. For various complicated reasons, though, I ended up with Fenn Mako6, which they'd brought out rapidly in order to compete with the V10.
I did buy the second generation V10, after having paddled it in Mauritius, but in our local conditions (the Miller's Run generally features short, steep runs) I battled to catch waves with it. I seem to remember it had a very slim tail that tended not to lift with the wave behind, leaving you to have to paddle your guts out to accelerate onto the run.
So I sold that one...
It wasn't until 2019, that I got the chance to paddle the V10 3g in Perth during a memorable "snapper run" in perfect downwind conditions, in a gap between the WA Surfski Week races. I loved it.
And now the 4th generation of this iconic boat has been released... There's one coming to South Africa in the next few weeks that'll have my name on it, and I can't wait.
There are one or two of the latest V12s here in Cape Town, and those who've paddled it, rave about it. I took it for short spin on a rough day and found it a little too spicy for my aging balance... Mmmm..., I thought, if this was only a little more stable...
Well, from what I understand, this boat is exactly that. Like a slightly tamed V12.
Anyone had a go on it yet?
Share your impressions?!
I just made my New Year's resolution... or at any rate a declaration of intent. My Personal Best for the Miller's Run is 43:10. I'm going to beat that in my 60th year on the V10 4g.
It's the launch video for Epic's latest version of the V10.
I've always had a soft spot for the V10 - it truly changed the surfski world - and it changed my paddling life. The V10 popped up in 2005. The first boats were built in Durban, South Africa.
At the time I had moved from my first old second hand Wedge, to a new Cape Town built Brian's Kayaks Molokai. Then for the very first surfski world cup, held here in Cape Town, Custom Kayaks built 4 of their ICON skis for the New Zealand team - and I picked up one of them after the event at a discount.
I battled to learn to paddle it, enjoying it occasionally in downwind conditions, but struggling even after 18months (and a Cape Point Challenge) in choppy water. I swear it was the tippiest ski on the planet.
And then, for the second half of our local racing season, Richard Kohler lent me his battered old demo V10. I paddled that thing for 3 months and loved every minute of it. Here was something much more stable, that I felt bullet-proof in, no matter the conditions. It went downwind like an angel but was still fast on the flat.
I was bleak when I handed it back. I paddled my ICON one last time, returning to the beach after 100m, swearing never to paddle it again. For various complicated reasons, though, I ended up with Fenn Mako6, which they'd brought out rapidly in order to compete with the V10.
I did buy the second generation V10, after having paddled it in Mauritius, but in our local conditions (the Miller's Run generally features short, steep runs) I battled to catch waves with it. I seem to remember it had a very slim tail that tended not to lift with the wave behind, leaving you to have to paddle your guts out to accelerate onto the run.
So I sold that one...
It wasn't until 2019, that I got the chance to paddle the V10 3g in Perth during a memorable "snapper run" in perfect downwind conditions, in a gap between the WA Surfski Week races. I loved it.
And now the 4th generation of this iconic boat has been released... There's one coming to South Africa in the next few weeks that'll have my name on it, and I can't wait.
There are one or two of the latest V12s here in Cape Town, and those who've paddled it, rave about it. I took it for short spin on a rough day and found it a little too spicy for my aging balance... Mmmm..., I thought, if this was only a little more stable...
Well, from what I understand, this boat is exactly that. Like a slightly tamed V12.
Anyone had a go on it yet?
Share your impressions?!
I just made my New Year's resolution... or at any rate a declaration of intent. My Personal Best for the Miller's Run is 43:10. I'm going to beat that in my 60th year on the V10 4g.