Surfski IndexAn index of surfskis
Feedback
263craft

Beginners

Surfskis for beginners

On your first ski you will fall off a lot, and that's how you learn. So the useful question is which ski lets you stay upright long enough to build a stroke, not which one is fastest.

These have the highest stability ratings in the index. That mostly means width: the median hull here is 53 cm wide, and the few under 48 cm are here because of their hull shape. The cost is speed. Most rate 3 to 6 out of 10, slower than what most people at a race will be paddling.

The stability ratings overlap, so this is a shortlist, not a ranking. Try a ski before you buy it, in the water you'll use it in, because stability on flat water and stability downwind are different things. Check the weight fit too: extra load changes freeboard and handling, so check the maker’s limits and try it in your usual conditions.

Stability and speed are our estimates, not maker figures or timed tests. How we rate.

These prices haven't been checked for more than three months and may be out of date. Check with a dealer before relying on one.

Epic V10

A$5,400US$4,995new

6.1 m × 46 cmEst. sweet spot 82–96 kg

Stability7 of 10
Speed8 of 10

Stability: traced hull, medium confidence

Epic V5

A$3,850US$4,320new

4.56 m × 59 cmEst. sweet spot 81–95 kg

Stability9–10 of 10
Speed3 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Epic V5 Roto

A$2,145US$1,850new

4.26 m × 60 cmEst. sweet spot 58–67 kg

Stability9–10 of 10
Speed2 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Epic V6

US$3,895new

4.88 m × 58.4 cmEst. sweet spot 65–76 kg

Stability9–10 of 10
Speed4 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Epic V7

A$2,245US$1,995new

5.2 m × 54 cmEst. sweet spot 72–84 kg

Stability9–10 of 10
Speed4 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Epic V8

A$5,400US$4,695new

5.48 m × 52.7 cmEst. sweet spot 87–101 kg

Stability8–10 of 10
Speed5 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Epic V8 Pro

A$4,250US$3,895new

5.79 m × 50.8 cmEst. sweet spot 79–92 kg

Stability8–10 of 10
Speed6 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Epic V9

A$4,250US$3,895new

5.79 m × 49 cmEst. sweet spot 76–89 kg

Stability7–9 of 10
Speed6 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Fenn Bonito

A$2,000new

4.2 m × 50 cmEst. sweet spot 65–75 kg

Stability7–9 of 10
Speed2 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Flow Kayaks Superstar

No list priceask a dealer

5.95 m × 49 cmEst. sweet spot 80–93 kg

Stability7–9 of 10
Speed6 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Kai Wa'a Vega Arc

A$6,950US$4,450new

5.94 m × 51.4 cmEst. sweet spot 90–105 kg

Stability8–10 of 10
Speed6 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Knysna Racing Jester S1

A$2,150new

4.57 m × 49 cmEst. sweet spot 48–56 kg

Stability7–9 of 10
Speed3 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Stellar Falcon

A$4,695US$4,475new

5.95 m × 47.5 cmEst. sweet spot 81–94 kg

Stability8 of 10
Speed7 of 10

Stability: traced hull, medium confidence

Stellar S14S

A$4,595US$4,250new

4.36 m × 62.6 cmEst. sweet spot 77–89 kg

Stability9–10 of 10
Speed4 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Stellar S16S

A$4,345US$4,395new

4.95 m × 57.5 cmEst. sweet spot 79–92 kg

Stability9–10 of 10
Speed5 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Stellar S18S

A$4,895US$4,700new

5.48 m × 51.2 cmEst. sweet spot 79–92 kg

Stability9 of 10
Speed6 of 10

Stability: traced hull, medium confidence

Stellar S18SX

A$4,695US$4,360new

5.48 m × 51.2 cmEst. sweet spot 79–92 kg

Stability8–10 of 10
Speed5 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Stellar SR

A$3,595new

5.84 m × 48 cmEst. sweet spot 80–93 kg

Stability7 of 10
Speed7 of 10

Stability: traced hull, medium confidence

Vajda Makai 48

A$5,200new

5.8 m × 48 cmMaker weight guide 55–110 kg

Stability8 of 10
Speed7 of 10

Stability: traced hull, medium confidence

Vajda Makai 50

A$5,200new

5.8 m × 50 cmMaker weight guide 55–100 kg

Stability8–10 of 10
Speed6 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Vajda Makai 53

A$5,200new

5.2 m × 53 cmEst. sweet spot 78–90 kg

Stability8–10 of 10
Speed4 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

Vajda Makai Mini

A$1,550new

4.15 m × 49.5 cmEst. sweet spot 53–62 kg

Stability8 of 10
Speed2 of 10

Stability: traced hull, medium confidence

Vajda Raptor

A$2,290new

5.35 m × 53 cmEst. sweet spot 73–84 kg

Stability8–10 of 10
Speed4 of 10

Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence

BetaRatings are estimatesRatings are estimates. How we get the numbers. Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.