Fat Squad – surfski training on Sydney’s North Shore
There’s been an interesting development (or is that evolution?) within Team Fat Paddler. Many of the crew have made the switch from kayaker to surfski paddler, and gradually their goals have shifted from coffee cruises & flat water marathons, to riding waves on the ocean and competing in open water races. As part of that evolution, many of the crew have also joined morning training squads and sought extra coaching, but for a few of us (namely those of us on Sydney’s north shore) the distance to the coast is just too big to get to these squads before work.
Paddling in the beautiful Ku-ring-gai National Park
On Sydney’s upper north shore, our closest waterway is the pristine Hawkesbury River system and it’s many meandering waterways, better known to many of us as the venue for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. And nestled in Ku-ring-gai National Park is a little spot called Apple Tree Bay, a quick 15 drive for many of us and a convenient spot to launch a surfski.
Fat Squad: a magnificent start to the day
And so it is in this pristine spot that Fat Squad has been born … an early morning “training” squad that meets on the water in the darkness at 5.15am, trains/plays/races for an hour before each of us heads off to our respective daytime responsibilities. This is not an intense squad for top class paddlers, but a fun squad for the bottom packers who want to get better, who want to enjoy the fun of competitiveness but against paddlers of their own pace.
Currently Fat Squad trains Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 5.15am … Anyone welcome to come along and take part, just don’t expect too much structure just yet! For more details, head over to Fat Squad on Facebook. Cheers, FP
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Just after your opinion. I have joined a surf club and started to try the surf skis, but have found very tippy. I am alright when conditions are flat (rarely is) and were looking for a stable ski. Doing more research I have come across the ocean surf ski. I am looking at the EPIC V8 and would like to know how they compare in the surf environment riding waves. What is the maximum size they would be suitable for? In stability of the Hayden Fat Boy ski what would be the equivalent EPIC version?
Hey Steven. The beginner ocean skis are far more stable – Stellar S18S, Stellar SR, Epic V8, Fenn Bluefin, Think Eze are all great beginner skis, and much MUCH more stable than SLSC spec skis. That said, you cant compete in SLSC events in an ocean ski as they dont meet the specification, so if that’s your goal, you’ll need to get a handle on a beginner spec like the Fat Boy. In terms of weight capacity, I’m 125kg and all the above skis are fine for me with the exception of the Think Eze, which is a great ski but not really designed for people of my, err, girth! Anyway, get out and try a few, its the best way to see what might feel right for you. Good luck!