Posted on August 10, 2020

Patrick from Ocean Paddlesports had come up from Costa Mesa in SoCal to put on a demo day right here in my extended backyard, on the lagoons of Foster City. There were a number of paddlers anticipating to try out a new boat and it was an exciting event. Patrick had hauled up a trailer with at least 15 awesome surfskis and had something for every size of paddler and at every skill level.

I warmed up by taking out a Carbonology Boost, a lovely little boat which is 19’6″ long and 20″ wide, but it is too entry level for me. My plan was to experience an intermediate-level ski and had my eyes on the Swordfish.

Finally the Swordfish S became available. Patrick adjusted the foot braces and helped me into this delicate boat. The main concern was not to break it on the concrete wall of the boat launch. Otherwise, this boat has plenty of strength.

The test paddle went great. On the water I teamed up with another paddler by the name of Steve who now was in the Boost. Steve wanted to race me to the next bridge but I declined. I found the Swordfish challening enough and wanted to find my balance points under more relaxed conditions.

The Swordfish S fits me like a glove. It is a great surfski, something I can handle in a certain sense but also a boat that at least for me is aspirational. It offers room to grow, to start on lakes, then the SF Bay, and eventually surf the waves on open ocean.

Back on land I thanked Patrick for the great demo and the tips he provided before I ran into Steve again.

This encouter was to change my destiny. Steve was a Hawaiian guy who carried an outrigger canoe on the ladder rack of his truck. It was a Puakea KAHE KAI. I didn't know it at the moment but now — after some distance from the event — I realize that I want an outrigger canoe and not a surfski (or perhaps both, but first an outrigger). Steve thought that the outrigger is a bit slow and wanted to move to racing surfskis, but I am less concerned about the ultiamte speed (as long as it is fast) and loved the different seating position and the fishing potential of an outrigger canoe.

With that I say aloha as in goodbye but also as in hello outrigger canoe. Stay tuned, there will be outrigger paddling in my future...

Fenn Swordfish S Dimensions
20′ long, 18″ wide
26 lbs in Carbon Hybrid