# Nelo 560

> Surfski by Nelo. Canonical page: https://surfskiindex.com/surfskis/nelo-560/
> Cite as: Nelo 560, Surfski Index, https://surfskiindex.com/surfskis/nelo-560/ (checked 2026-10-15). Terms: https://surfskiindex.com/using-our-data/

## Specifications
- Length: 5.6 m
- Beam: 45 cm
- Deck height: 33.5 cm (estimated)
- Layup weights: AIR 8.5 kg, SCS 11 kg, WWR 12.5 kg
- Usually paddled by: Confident ocean paddlers

## Ratings (Surfski Index estimates)
- Stability rated 6 out of 10 (traced hull, medium confidence).
- Speed rated 9 out of 10.

Modelled from this hull's traced beam and depth at its design weight. Medium 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. Method: https://surfskiindex.com/how-it-works/#limits

Evidence note: This band is based on a trace of this hull’s geometry. Qualitative context includes 3 paddler reports and 6 linked sources.

## Paddler weight
Nelo rates this hull for paddlers from 75 kg to 90 kg.

## Suits
Best in clean-to-moderate ocean swell and flat-water racing for paddlers with strong balance; not forgiving in confused/cross chop for less experienced paddlers - Nelo's own copy for the 550 explicitly markets it as more forgiving than the 560.

## Hull
Shorter, narrower elite hull (5.6m x 0.45m) with reduced wetted surface engineered to trade a small friction penalty for lower drag; low, narrow seat and reduced bow volume make it very maneuverable for its speed class and easy to transport on a standard roof rack, but the tradeoff is a narrow, tippy platform.

## What works
- Fast in all conditions - reduced wetted surface pays off on flat water and downwind alike
- Very maneuverable for an elite-length ski - easy to change direction and surf waves
- Stiff, light builds (as low as 8.5kg in AIR layup)
- Shorter length (5.6m vs older ~6.4m elite skis) fits standard roof racks
- Secure, highly adjustable foot strap system praised by reviewers

## Trade-offs
- Low stability - not beginner or intermediate friendly; steep learning curve
- The pre-2016 'old' 560 was notoriously unstable, and even the modern redesign is one of the tippier elite skis
- Requires a genuinely advanced paddler to unlock its speed; slower paddlers may go faster in a more stable boat

## Generations
- ~2010-2016: Original ('old') 560, essentially a sit-on-top K1-style racing hull carried over from Nelo's flatwater sprint pedigree. Extremely tippy - forum consensus it suited roughly 5% of the ocean ski paddling population; discontinued.
- 2016-2020: Full redesign ('new 560') - wider, lower, more forgiving seat position while retaining flat-water speed; first Nelo surfski line to get the redesign, ahead of the 520/510/550/600.
- 2020-present: '560 2020' refresh - reduced wetted surface vs the 2016 boat for a faster hull in all conditions, WWR/SCS layups, AIR ultralight (8.5kg) added subsequently. Current dimensions 5.6m x 0.45m, stability [rating omitted] on Nelo's own scale.

## What paddlers say
- "The original 560 became known as a boat that suited 5% of the ocean ski paddling population... a terrific boat for flat water or harbour" - paraphrased, performancepaddling.net 2016 review
- "NELO 560 lightweight 11kg SCS construction... faster acceleration is a major plus for high-speed downwind paddling" - Garth Spencer review, via ipaddle.co.nz
- "The old 560 is an awesome boat. It's much more a sit-on-top K1 style boat. It is almost as unstable as a modern K1" - paraphrased forum comment, surfski.info

## Sources
- https://www.nelo.eu/surfski2020/560-2
- https://www.nelo.eu/nelo-layups
- https://nelocanada.ca/products/560-surfski
- https://shop.prokayaks.com.au/products/nelo-560
- https://ipaddle.co.nz/products/nelo-560-surfski
- https://surfskiracing.org/2017/07/nelo-550-first-take

## Prices
Current new prices and dealers: https://surfskiindex.com/surfskis/nelo-560/#buy