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Nordic Kayaks · Surfski

Nordic Kayaks Squall 580

Medium-volume 49cm fitness hull with a pronounced side cutout at the catch, so effective paddling width feels narrower than the beam suggests. The 5.80m long-cockpit hull carries more waterline than the 540, trading a little agility for glide, and Nordic's own dimensions give it a 41cm seat and a 165-200cm+ fit.

Length
5.8 m
Beam
49 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
8.5 kg
Source image flipped
Source image flipped
Nordic Kayaks Squall 580, studio side profile, stealth black / green nose
studio side profile, stealth black / green nose · nordickayaksnsw.com.au

Specifications

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

Layup weights

CarbonX8.5 kg
CarbonLite9.5 kg
CarbonComp11.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
7–9
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 4 linked sources.

Suits: Fitness paddling, flatwater to moderate ocean chop, downwind runs for taller or heavier paddlers

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 82–96 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 65–99 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

~2019-present

Long-cockpit (580) variant of the Squall fitness platform, for paddlers roughly 165-200cm and over 65kg; the 540 is the short-cockpit sibling on the same 49cm beam.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • More glide than the 540 without giving up the Squall stability profile
  • Side cutout gives a clean, narrow-feeling catch at 49cm beam
  • Long cockpit genuinely fits taller paddlers
  • Same light ProLine layup range as the race boats

Cons

  • Carbon-only pricing is steep for an intermediate ski
  • Less manoeuvrable than the 540 in tight, steep runs
  • Less stable than wide beginner skis like the Exrcize or Flow
  • Thin second-hand market in Australia

What paddlers say

Nordic Kayaks copy: 'The Squall 580 has the long cockpit and fits paddlers from 165cm to approx. 200cm and more', on a hull they describe as 'a stable fitness ski, fast and fun with great responsiveness in waves' (nordickayaks.com).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 and Pro Kayaks, 2026). CarbonLite A$6,095, CarbonLite-S A$6,395 (Nordic Kayaks NSW) 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.