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< Jan/Feb 2001
	Surf Zone
Surfing Down the Line by Ben Hilke

Surfers take heed: a new form of wave-riding vehicle is hitting the beach. Surfing vocabulary like "green room, floaters and cut-backs," are no longer just reserved for boardsurfers. With the growth of paddlesports, it was just a matter of time before kayaks ended up in the surf zone. Until recently, many paddlers noticed that their crafts performed poorly in the surf. They lacked the ability to gain speed and drive on breaking wave faces and began side surfing whenever the waves got big and hollow.

Now, however, a few manufacturers are beginning to design kayaks specifically for the surf. With planing hulls, removable fins and hard edges for down-the-line speed, surf kayaks now come in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on wave type and the paddler's ability. When deciding what to buy, ask yourself two questions: What type of waves will you be riding and what's your ability? If you're a beginner and paddle out on a six-foot day in a high-performance, decked boat, you'll likely get pounded. If you’re looking for a boat the family can use, a sit-on-top surfer will be your best bet. If you stare at the weather channel waiting for the surf to hit the six- to 10-foot category, try a high-end, performance boat with hard edges and fins to ensure down-the-line speed, responsiveness and drive through long, carving turns. Good luck and we'll see you in the line-up.

Wilderness Systems Alamax/Kaos
Just looking at the Alamax makes you think about speed. Reminiscent of a 1970s big wave surfboard, the Alamax is long and narrow with no rocker 20 inches back from its upturned nose. The boat felt heavier than its 42 pounds, with many commenting on sore shoulders after a long carry to the beach. Getting in the boat was easy, but once inside comfort for the seat and knees (which rest against the hull) took some outfitting. Custom outfitting solves these problems, but the low deck and odd chine did produce an unusual sitting position.

Small to mid-size surf isn't the boat's forté. Even with an upturned nose, the lack of continuous rocker caused it to pearl on take-off. The planing hull with sharp chine makes it sensitive for beginners. Advanced paddlers found the boat a little too long in small surf. However, as the surf increased, the Alamax began to shine. Due to its size, early take-offs were easy. Once on the wave the boat needed to be coaxed down the line, but as it achieved proper trim it took off like a rocket. The sharp chine and removable fins help it hold its edge on hollow faces. It has trouble turning quickly, but makes long, drawn-out turns fine. Bottom line: the Alamax is a big wave boat. When the swell starts pumping and all you care about is speed, you won’t find much better.

The Kaos is essentially a sit-on-top version of the Alamax, retaining many of its decked cousin's features. But you don't have to roll it, making it better for beginners and intermediates. It handled well on everything from small to larger surf, and retains the hull speed of the Alamax. Hint: purchase the thigh straps as an accessory for better handling.
Boat Beta
Designer: Dave Johnson
Length: 10'6"/10'2"
Width: 24"/27"
Weight: 42/40 lbs.
Volume: 50 gal./NA
MSRP: $799/$449
Info.: (336) 434-7470, www.youcanpaddle.com

Perception Five-O
Normally when I hear the phrase "Five-O," I get nervous and check the rear view mirror. This time it was a pleasant surprise. At 9'9" long and 28.5" wide, with a planing hull, concave tail and removable fin under the seat, this sit-on-top became many reviewers' favorite.

Beginners and intermediates were the first to be won over. Similar to a fiberglass waveski, the boat has lots of rocker in the front half, making it easy to paddle out. Just lean back and paddle as a wave approaches and the Five-O will ride over it no problem. The boat was easy to maneuver and stable for all paddlers. Catching waves didn't take much effort due to the boat’s volume and length. Without the fin, the Five-O's stern was loose and had a tendency to slide down steep-walled waves, resulting in a long side-surf into the beach. With the fin in place, the Five-O held its line better without compromising maneuverability.

Advanced kayakers had fun because of the boat's simplicity and ease of catching any wave that came their way. Long rides were common and smiles erupted after every ride. If you’re looking for a surf kayak that can cartwheel, stern squirt or throw 360s, look elsewhere. But if you’re searching for a kayak the whole family can enjoy, yet still perform when the waves get big, the Five-O is worth every penny.
Boat Beta
Length: 9'9"
Width: 28.5"
Weight: 43 lbs.
Volume: NA
MSRP: $629
Info.: (800) 59-KAYAK, www.kayaker.com

Cobra Wave Witch
Let's start with the obvious: this is one weird looking sit-on-top. From the stern to about three feet back from the bow, the boat looks like fun with a planing hull and hard edges. However, its bow contours--resembling a V-hull common in touring kayaks to aid in tracking--give it a different look and make surfing a breaker more difficult.

With a thruster-like set-up, the rear fin is actually a rudder that resembles a 1960’s surfboard fin. The rudder is steered with the feet by pushing a plastic bar around a central pivot point. Just forward are two fin slots where thruster fins can be added. Paddling out through the surf was quick and easy, although wet and tippy due to the boat's narrow, 22-inch width. Waves crashed over the bow and, without drain holes, the kayak did take on some water. But the water didn't affect performance once it was surfing. Catching waves was a snap. As the boat picked up speed, the rudder became critical. Without thigh straps the Wave Witch was difficult to edge, but with a turn of the rudder and body English it carved quickly and picked up speed down the line. At this point it began to shine. By ruddering, you could turn up and down the wave, allowing even beginners to feel the rush of rising and falling while creating speed, a sensation normally reserved for experts.

Because of its V-shape, when the kayak cut back toward the beach, the bow sometimes caught in the trough and its nose buried. And when using the rudder, many reviewers hit their ankles on the foot slots. But all in all, it's a fun boat for surfing in small and big waves, and though the bow takes getting used to in the surf zone, it enables the boat to be paddled efficiently in flat water, making it a good pick for those looking for a hybrid.
Boat Beta
Designer: Hunt Johnsen
Length: 10'4"
Width: 22.5"
Weight: 36 lbs.
MSRP: $510
Info.: (310) 327-9216, www.cobrakayaks.com

Walden Milo
Upon first look, the Milo screams fun and simple. Due to its sit-on-top nature and small size, it's a beginner’s dream.

The hull, however, modeled after South African waveskis, takes getting used to. When we held it up to the light, we noticed some odd contours that caused experienced surf kayakers to "hmmm" like doctors staring at an odd case of influenza. If you laid the boat on the ground, its center was suspended slightly. In surfboards, this causes water to channel through the fins, creating increased speed but less maneuverability. After talking with designers, it turns out that the boat's hull got compressed somewhat during shipping. After placing it in the sun, its shape returned to the widened and de-tuned waveski planing hull it was designed after.

For beginners, the Milo felt kind of tippy. A few paddlers didn't even make it outside the breakers on a two- to three-foot day. It's also slower than some other boats due to its shortness and lack of volume. Still, the large stern helped the boat accelerate as the wave began to break. The Milo pearled on hollow waves, but many riders cured this by leaning back and angling their take-off.

The planing hull, however, creates looseness and makes spinning 360s easy. The Milo was fun, but seemed geared more for intermediate and experienced paddlers. Still, its low price of $499 makes it perfect if you're a fast learner or an advanced boater looking for an affordable, indestructible version of a waveski.
Boat Beta
Designer: Walden's R&D staff
Length: 8'9"
Width: 27"
Weight: 36 lbs.
MSRP: $499
Info.: (978) 456-9200, www.waldenkayak.com

Riot Boogie
Somebody at Riot is paying attention. Remember that first time you caught a decent wave on a short surfboard? The speed and drive was incredible. The ability to carve short, powerful cutbacks and power the surfboard wherever you wanted was enlightening. Well, now you can do all of those things in a plastic kayak.

The Boogie has a hard time catching waves, just like a short-board surfboard. But because of its short stern, the kayak can turn quickly and make late drops on steep waves. Once on the wave, the boat is sensitive and reacts to the slightest movement--which is great when you know what you're doing, and bad when you don't.

The hard edges that resemble a surfboard rail and planing hull allow the boat to actually carve a wave in order to gain speed. The Boogie is the first surf kayak I've seen carve a wave as well as a surfboard. The fins are tiny--about two inches tall once installed--but provide just enough control to prevent spin-outs in small to mid-size surf. When the waves got overhead the boat needed a larger trailer fin to compensate for greater speeds. One bad thing is that the two outside thrusters are placed in a spot that nicked a few paddlers' hands when they rolled.

The Device 2 seat is an interesting bit of engineering that works. The ability to move the seat front and back allowed paddlers to change their position according to their weight or type of wave riding. On big hollow days where speed is important, the seat can be moved forward. When spinning 360s and bashing the lip, scoot the seat back for added control.

The Boogie is tons of fun, and made a few advanced paddlers realize there's room for improvement in surf kayak design. But even with existing models, there's also endless opportunity to come up with new tricks and ride waves they never thought they could conquer.
Boat Beta
Designer: Corran Addison
Length: 7'8"
Width: 25"
Volume: 64 gallons
Weight: 33 lbs.
MSRP: $1,050
Info.: (514) 931-0366, www.riotkayaks.com

More High-tech Options
Occasionally, you'll look out at the waves and see paddlers getting barrel after barrel. When you paddle out, all you can do is stare at their sleek fiberglass surf kayak. A few companies make such boats, but before you get too excited, here's the bad news: similar to the Batmobile, these boats are difficult to come by. We were unable to get our hands on any for this review. Necky makes a boat called the Stinger, and Pyranha/Impex makes one called the Groove Tube. There are several other custom-made options as well. We've heard wonderful tales of how well these boats perform, and because they're fiberglass they're light and responsive. If you're willing to pay the price for top of the line, and have the patience to hunt them down, one of them might suit your surfing needs well.