Category Archives: Gear

The Fat Paddler on adventure in Alaska

The Fat Paddler (book) by Sean Smith

As a hard-playing, hard-living rugby forward, Sean Smith was used to putting his body on the line. However, that soon changed when two severe motor-vehicle accidents left him with devastating…

The new Stellar S2E surfski - Stellar's 2nd double surfski

New Surfski Announced: The Stellar S2E Double Surfski

I’ve just received word that Stellar has announced another new surfski to their range, and their second double surfski after their original Stellar S2EL – the all new Stellar S2E….

Team Fat Paddler member Mick Rees testing the Fenn Blue Fin

Surfski Review: Fenn Blue-fin Beginners Ocean Racing Ski

Team Fat Paddler’s southern NSW paddler Mick Rees has fallen in love with the Fenn Blue-Fin. Find out why in his review below. Cheers, FP One of the traits of…

The new Epic V8 (what we're calling "Series 2")

Surfski Review: Epic V8 (Series 2) Beginners Ocean Ski

This week Brian Partridge, a South Australian member of Team Fat Paddler, got to try out his new Epic V8 for the first time. His thoughts on the V8 are…

Stellar K1 Combo Ultra

News: Stellar Kayaks about to enter the K1 Fray

My spies over at Stellar have just confirmed a rumour I’d heard recently – that they are indeed about to release a K1 flat water kayak range. Clearly this isn’t…

Stellar SR surfski

Surfski Review: Stellar SR beginner to intermediate ocean surfski 12 month review

Since I wrote my first beginners review of the Stellar SR surfski a year ago, I’ve put my various SRs  through more conditions than you could possibly imagine. I’ve taken…

Hayden Fat Boy spec surfski

Surfski Review: Hayden 18′ Fat Boy Spec Ski

This week Brian Partridge, a South Australian member of Team Fat Paddler, got curious about the differences between ocean surfskis and spec surfskis. He was able to get his hands…

Paddlemag Edition 2 – Out Now, complete with Team Fat Paddler Mauritius Shamaal Goodness

Something really exciting has happened in the world of kayaking recently – the launch 4 months back here in Australia of the e-magazine Paddlemag. It covers stories across all paddling…

Technique Training with Pro Paddler Mat Gorzkiewicz

I’ve been paddling for a few years now and have gone through a few different iterations of paddle-craft and techniques; flat water kayaking, canoeing, rock gardening, white water, Greenland paddling…

Book & DVD Review: Extreme South & Crossing the Ice (James Castrission and Justin Jones)

I was captivated and inspired back in 2009 when I read the story of two Australian adventurers, known as Cas and Jonesy, who became the first (and only) people to…

First Look: Stellar S18S Crossover Surfski

In the surfski arena the biggest barrier to growth of the sport at the bottom end is the inherent instability of ocean skis. A few brands have started to address…

Fearless by Joe Glickman

Book Review: Fearless, by Joe Glickman

In 2009 when I took up kayaking as a way to rebuild my health, I came across a remarkable undertaking – a German woman by the name of Freya Hoffmeister…

Stellar skis still come in white, but also come in a great range of colours as well

Boat Review: Stellar SR Ocean Ski, A Beginners Perspective on a Beginner to Intermediate Surf Ski

Background For the past three years I’ve been paddling a range of boats including sea kayaks, white water kayaks and canoes. My paddling has usually been general touring, kayak surfing…

The Stellar SR and the Think Evo II - two great surfskis for two average paddlers!

Ocean Ski Comparison: Think Evo II and Stellar SR

My old friend Nat, fellow Team Fat Paddler and blogger of Sydneysurfski.com fame, dropped around the other day with his family  to spend a day of fun with us. We’d…