Trying to figure out best ski to rent at this year’s Gorge race in Oregon. I did it last year in an Epic v8Pro. I paddle a v10Sport on mostly flat water and Fenn XT for surfing shore break and swells further out. Last year’s Gorge was my first true downwind paddling, which is why I opted for more stable v8Pro. While I did not ever fall in and felt stable, I did not fare very well, mainly due to lack of experience downwinding. I had to paddle extremely hard in spurts to catch waves, then ride for a bit (great fun), then stall and start over. Exhausting. I am 53 yrs old and 215 lbs (~100 kg). I wonder if I was too heavy for v8Pro. When waves would pass me, I would get totally swamped. The nose seemed to be submerged a lot, too. Surely a bad skillset, but I wonder if a different ski would do better for me. I am considering Nelo 520, but am concerned about it being too short, nose really burying, wet, swamp, etc. Anybody have an opinion on 520 for Gorge type waves? Also considering Huki S1-R, xt, v10 sport. Obviously I am not looking to beat Rice’s or Mocke’s, but just want to have fun surfing without exhausting myself. Any suggestions appreciated.
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