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====== Switching from Surfski to Outrigger ======

Whatcom Paddlers Discussion May 2023

**Hulls, suggestions for SS(HPK) > OC1?**

**Justin** May 14 #33771

I can't be the only one curious about crossing the aisle and getting into OC1's too after paddling a 'fairly advanced' ski for a while.

Can you just hop in one and it will make sense if you know a basic six-man pull stroke? Do they all have rudders now? Obviously there are completely different stroke techniques and weight shifts etc. What else will surprise me?

Can these be found used? Or what are people starting on?

Does this get asked frequently?

**Reivers Dustin** May 14 #33772

I've always thought I could step over to OC someday. Now I don't think so. As the OC one-man technique has evolved - I have not. From what I am seeing the surf technique is every bit as tricky as 'ski. Maybe more. It's just what I'm seeing when I watch. I am not the right guy to ask.

rd

**michaelwood **May 14 #33773

From my experience first as a ski guy, adding an OC1 to my downwind quiver wasn't as difficult as I had imagined. If you can surf well on a ski you can most likely quickly start surfing waves on a canoe.

Yes, the stroke`s somewhat different but there's still the catch, power, and exit as on a ski as well as some rotation. But you understand the concepts and have the feel of a good or not so good ski stroke. So once you get the canoe stroke fundamentals down it's all about practice.

Although the canoe is more stable, it may take you a little time to get used to the ama, paddling on the left, then right ,and how all that affects your balance and staying upright. There's strategies to accelerate the learning curve with iako settings and attaching a small filled water bottle on the rear iako by the ama to minimize hulis as you start out.

Good used canoes are hard to find but they're out there. Knowing whether you want flat to moderate vs big water will be useful in your search. All OC1`s have rudders. V1's don't have rudders and would take more time to get proficient.

The canoe is a serious surfing machine. I feel it floats more over the bump and sitting more upright higher in the water gives a completely different surfing experience than on a ski. They're both fun,just different. I also feel paddling ski and canoe in the same conditions makes me a better wave surfer. And switching between canoe and ski is more like cross training for me as different stroke, different posture,etc. I know doing both has extended my paddling years and shoulder and back health.

Maybe this helps. I'll be a Bellingham barnacle again starting end of next week so feel free to ask more questions.\\
Aloha

**Paul Reavley **May 15 #33776

Justin,

There are plenty of very good OC paddlers in the PNW and if I say anything too egregious one of them will surely call me out here. I agree with everything that Michael Wood said (MW is another very good OCer, soon to be back in the PNW because he missed our weather).

I started out with an OC when I was 66. I figured I could get into downwinders faster that way and provide safety for my wife who was rapidly advancing with her surfski. And that's pretty much the way it worked out. I used the water bottle trick a little while and gradually started putting less weight on my ama with the adjustment options. My confidence in not huli'ing only really took off when I learned how quickly and effectively I could low brace on the right side when paddling on the right. Some OCers avoid right side paddling too much and for too long (I think - of course Kai Bartlett's dad, Tom, paddles 95% on the left and he's a pretty good OCer) - but in my opinion the right side is where it really is going on - where you want to practice improving balance and knowing how you can control your tipping point, (popping and flying your ama, etc.). There will always be times to lean left, but one important goal should be to practice paddling and low bracing on the right side to sooner realize the boost of confidence and capability that can quickly develop from that.

Reaching out on local boards is definitely the way to start looking for a boat. Sometimes dealers are willing to put you in touch with someone who is buying a new boat from them and wants to sell their previous boat. That's how I got my used OC - JD Davies, the Ozone dealer in the Gorge told me about it.

A few links to try [[:used_boats_equipment#canada_usa|surfski.wiki USA outrigger used]]\\
A Kahele just came up on the [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/HoodRiverOutrigger|Gorge Small Boat Paddlers facebook page]] (a good place to watch if you are anywhere near the Gorge)

Paul

PS There's not a lot of options as far as the foam seats that come with the OCs - one size does not fit all butts. Maybe younger asses fare better, but I had to do some experimentation with shaping my seat before I got to where my butt didn't ache and my legs weren't going to sleep way too quickly - worse for me on flat water, downwinding with all of the additional body movement there tends to reduce that problem.

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