Category Archives: Reviews

The Mirage 583 Freeride sea kayak

First Look: Mirage 583 Freeride Sea Kayak

It’s been some time since I’ve paddled sea kayaks as I’ve been paddling surfskis for the past few years, but today I got to experience a very different type of…

Blast paddlers pose for the stern to nose surfski shot

In Pictures: The Australian Launch of the Stellar SEI Intermediate Surfski with Blast Paddlers and Matt OGarey

Last saturday at the Balmoral Blast in Sydney I had the exciting task of covering the Australian launch of the new Stellar SEI surfski. Slipstream Surf owner and paddler Gav…

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 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…

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…

The Fat Paddler by Sean Smith

Guest Review: The Fat Paddler by Sean Smith

I received this lovely review of my book today from US paddler Moulton Avery. He doesn’t have his own website but wanted to share his thoughts on the book, so…

The Badgers (from left): The Cub, the Tripper and the Sliver

Review: Badger Paddles and Paddle Socks

At the beginning of the year I was lucky enough to travel to Canada where I picked up a number of canoe paddles from the man who makes them himself,…

Wenonah Minnesota II in ultra-light graphite layup - one damn sexy boat!

Canoe Test Paddle: Wenonah Minnesota II

With Hawkesbury Canoe Classic 2011 just four months away, it was time to test the boat I’ve been looking at using for this year’s race. Like last year I’m keen…