Surfski IndexAn index of surfskis
Feedback
263craft

Nordic Kayaks · Surfski

Nordic Kayaks Rapido

5.95m x 47cm intermediate hull, fits ~155-195cm, minimum paddler about 55kg and a maker-stated ceiling near 95kg. Tighter Nitro-like bucket for good connection but a wider, more forgiving hull than the race models.

Length
5.95 m
Beam
47 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
10.5 kg
Source image flipped
Source image flipped
Nordic Kayaks Rapido, Rapido Carbon Lite side profile
Rapido Carbon Lite side profile · nordickayaks.com

Specifications

Length
5.95 m
Beam
47 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
A$5,095

Layup weights

Carbon10.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
6–8
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
7

Modelled from published beam, length and deck height. 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 is estimated from published dimensions. Qualitative context includes 1 paddler report and 2 linked sources.

Suits: Intermediate ocean, downwind progression, flat-water fitness.

Paddler weight

Nordic Kayaks rates this hull for paddlers from 55 kg to 95 kg.

The maker’s published range. How this is worked out.

Generations

~2020-present (Rapido 2.0)

Sits between the Storm and Squall; Nitro-style tight seat but wider, more stable hull. Carbon Lite layup offered.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Stable-but-quick intermediate
  • Very light Carbon Lite option (~10-11kg)
  • Good race-seat connection
  • Reputable brand

Cons

  • ~95kg paddler cap
  • Smaller AU dealer network
  • Import pricing/lead time

What paddlers say

The Rapido Carbon Lite is being cross-compared against the Epic V9 in a current surfski.info performance thread, showing active AU/global interest.Reported experience

Where to buy

Nordic Kayaks ↗

We don't have a dealer listed for Nordic Kayaks yet. All makers and dealers.

AUD is the Carbon Composite layup at A$5,095 (Nordic Kayaks NSW, 2026); CarbonLite-S A$6,395 and Carbon X A$6,695. Direct from nordickayaks.com: CarbonComp EUR 3,595 up to Carbon X EUR 4,595. No official USD price.

Sources

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 Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.