Surf Ski vs Kayak: Which Should a Beginner Start On?

Trying to decide between a surf ski and a kayak? If your goal is fitness, ocean paddling or racing around Perth, here is an honest comparison to help you start on the right craft.

The basic difference

A surf ski is a long, narrow sit-on-top craft built for open water and speed. A kayak, the sit-in type, sits lower, feels more enclosed, and is generally built for touring, flat water or whitewater. Both are paddled with a double-bladed paddle.

Stability and the learning curve

A kayak feels more stable on day one because you sit lower and inside the hull. A surf ski feels tippier at first, but on calm water with a coach you adapt quickly, and it rewards you with far more speed and a better workout. Most beginners are comfortable within a few sessions.

Speed and fitness

This is where the surf ski wins. The narrow, efficient hull glides faster for the same effort, which makes it the choice for fitness paddlers, ocean racing and downwind runs. If you want a serious cardio workout on the water, a surf ski is hard to beat.

Getting back on after a fall

On a surf ski you fall off the top, and remounting is a skill we teach on day one. In a sit-in kayak, capsizing means a wet exit and emptying the cockpit, which is harder to manage in open water. For ocean paddling, the ski is actually more practical.

Which should a beginner start on?

If your aim is relaxed flat-water touring, a kayak is a fine start. If your aim is fitness, ocean paddling, downwind runs or racing, start on a surf ski. In Perth, with our coast and conditions, the surf ski is what most of our paddlers fall in love with.

How to start on a surf ski

You do not need to own one. We provide everything and coach you from your very first stroke across four Perth locations. Read our beginner's guide to learning surf ski in Perth, or book your free first session and try it for yourself.