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Waveskis, previously known as "Paddle Ski,” are a type of surfboard that allows the rider to 'sit’ on top of the surfboard. Waveski surfing is a dynamic sport combining paddle power with the manoeuvrability and performance of a surfboard. A Waveski resembles a larger volume surfboard, with the addition of a seat, fins, foot straps, and seat belt, enabling the rider to 'eskimo roll' if overturned. The waveski rider or waveski surfer uses a double-ended paddle for paddling motion while seated in the waveski. To turn the rider uses his weight to lean on the side rails and paddle to pivot or propel the board up the wave.
History
Danny Broadhurst, a
Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...
, New York, surfer created some early waveskis in the 1970s, although these were heavy, bulky and not particularly maneuverable. The sport experienced its major growth in the 1980s with manufacturers like Macski & Kolaski being a dominant force in the market exporting worldwide to countries such as Australia, the US as well as Europe. Original boards had wooden frames covered in glass fibre then molded 'Pop=Out' molded hollow boards which evolved to foam injected and followed by custom hand made boards were being shaped and glassed out of polystyrene foam and epoxy resins. Contemporary boards are shaped in precision CNC machines and weigh around when completed.
Description
Many of the manoeuvres waveskiers have been performing since the 1980s are only now becoming mainstream moves in surfing, where they were mocked in days gone by surfers, maneuvers such as aerials, flip aerials and various other radical moves one can do on a wave. The sport is experiencing a resurgence in countries such as Brazil and France tying in with the river and
sea kayak
A sea kayak or touring kayak is a kayak developed for the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays, and the ocean. Sea kayaks are seaworthy small boats with a covered deck and the ability to incorporate a spray deck. They trade off the man ...
sports and holding joint competitions as they share a common functionality. Competitions are similar to stand up surfing ones and are judged on the performance of the rider on the waves within a 20-minute heat.
Equipment
High performance skis weigh and are custom made using
epoxy
Epoxy is the family of basic components or cured end products of epoxy resins. Epoxy resins, also known as polyepoxides, are a class of reactive prepolymers and polymers which contain epoxide groups. The epoxide functional group is also coll ...
resin and EPS foam, which makes the waveski light and strong.{{Citation needed, date=January 2016 Waveskis are designed for surfing ocean waves, while
surf ski
A surfski (or: "surf ski", "surf-ski") is a type of kayak in the kayaking "family" of paddling craft. It is generally the longest of all kayaks and is a performance oriented kayak designed for speed on open water, most commonly the ocean, althoug ...
are designed for racing in open water.
Waveskis designs include:
*Shorter and "fatter" Australian style skis, used for high performance "slash and burn" surfing.
*American style waveskis.
*"Skegles" skis for performing tricks.
*Tandem skis.
*The "Jbay" wave-shape ski, which enables riders to position further back on the ski for better maneuverability.
See also
*
Kayak
A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft which is typically propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The word kayak originates from the Greenlandic word ''qajaq'' ().
The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each se ...
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Surf Kayaking
Surf kayaking is the sport, technique, and equipment, used in surfing ocean waves with kayaks. Surf kayaking has many similarities to surf board surfing, but with boats designed for use in surf zones, and with a paddle. A number of kayak designs ...
*
Surf
Human-powered vehicles
Kayaks