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Fenn · Surfski · Out of production

Fenn Swordfish

Higher-volume, higher-hump predecessor to the Swordfish S with a fuller bow deck and more upright seating position. Fenn marketed it as splitting the difference between the stable XT and the fast Elite: a medium-high-volume, low-moderate rocker hull built to be forgiving in chop while still surfing runs well.

Length
6.2 m
Beam
45 cm
Deck
33 cm
Lightest
10.5 kg
 
 
Fenn Swordfish, studio side profile, original green-chevron Fenn livery with Ocean Paddler demo decals
studio side profile, original green-chevron Fenn livery with Ocean Paddler demo decals · Expedition Kayaks (AU Fenn dealer)

Specifications

Length
6.2 m
Beam
45 cm
Deck height
33 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
Not listed new

Layup weights

Glass14 kg
Vacuum12.5 kg
Carbon10.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
5–7
Inherited traceLow confidence
Speed
7

Modelled from the Fenn Swordfish S trace, not this generation itself. Low confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.

These ratings are Surfski Index estimates, worked out from published dimensions, traced hull shapes where we have them, and reviews. They are not supplied by the maker or timed on the water. How a ski feels depends on your weight, skill, set-up and the conditions, so use them to shortlist skis and paddle one before you buy. How we rate.

Stability here means how steady the ski feels sitting still on flat water. Where two craft have overlapping ranges, we can't say which is more stable. Downwind handling is a separate thing, covered in the evidence note below.

Evidence note

This band uses a related hull trace rather than a trace of this generation. Qualitative context includes 2 paddler reports and 6 linked sources.

Suits: Choppy ocean and downwind swell; forgiving enough for building-confidence paddlers moving up from a beginner ski, capable enough to race socially.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 78–90 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 63–94 kg. This estimate is a guide, not a limit. Seat fit, conditions and paddling style matter. Lighter paddlers can still enjoy a larger hull, especially downwind. A test paddle is the best check.

Estimated from hull dimensions using a formula fitted to makers’ own paddler limits. It does not establish the designer’s intended paddler weight. How this is worked out.

Generations

~2010-2016

Original Fenn Swordfish, South Africa's most popular intermediate ski of its era. Discontinued and superseded by the Swordfish S from 2016. No longer sold new by Fenn or its AU distributor - second-hand market only. Wears the original green-and-black Fenn livery: black SWORDFISH and FENN wordmarks over a green chevron, on white, with a black waterline pinstripe. The Swordfish S that replaced it is branded in orange, which is the quickest way to tell the two apart in a second-hand listing.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very stable for an ocean ski, confidence-inspiring in chop
  • Excellent downwind surfing and wave-catching
  • Fenn build quality/durability reputation
  • Cheaper second-hand entry into a well-regarded SA brand

Cons

  • Discontinued - no warranty/current-model support, parts sourced as spares
  • Higher hump and older seat design vs the S update, less comfortable leg drive
  • Slower than an Elite on flat/upwind sections
  • Harder to find second-hand in AU than the newer Swordfish S

What paddlers say

"The advertisement claimed a stability close to the XT and speed close to an Elite... I could pack a cut lunch and eat it on the deck... Downwind, the Swordfish is by far the best ski I've ever paddled" - chriswalkeralive, surfski.info forum reviewReported experience
"Stable! no more bracing! I now go out in conditions that would have made me apprehensive on a more extreme ski... Fast - obviously not as fast as a top Elite but I can really pull in the Swordfish" - mario, surfski.info forum replyReported experience

Where to buy

The Swordfish is out of production. You can only buy it second-hand.

Fenn Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Ocean Paddler · AU ↗Paddleshop (PADDLES) · AU ↗Ocean Paddlesports · AU ↗Paddle 2 Fitness · AU ↗Sydney Harbour Kayaks · AU ↗Race One Surf Craft · AU ↗

Discontinued by Fenn ~2016; no current new pricing.

Sources

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