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Vajda · Surfski

Vajda Next 43

Vajda's flagship elite race ski and the longest (6.3m) in its stable, at a narrow 43cm beam. Flat hull with a progressive double-cut nose and front-deck cutaway, De Brito racing bailer and a water-resistant day hatch. The flat hull makes downwind surfing easier, but the 43cm beam demands elite balance.

Length
6.3 m
Beam
43 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
9.5 kg
Side view unavailable
Source image flipped
Vajda Next 43, manufacturer product render
manufacturer product render · australianpaddlesports.com.au

Specifications

Length
6.3 m
Beam
43 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Racers
New price
A$3,490

Layup weights

Racing15 kg
Elite11.5 kg
Elite Pro9.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
4–6
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
9

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 3 linked sources.

Suits: Elite flatwater and ocean racing, downwind surfing for advanced and elite paddlers

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 77–90 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 63–93 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

2017-present

Vajda's flagship elite race ski and the longest (6.3m) in its stable; flat hull, progressive double-cut nose, water-resistant day hatch and De Brito racing bailer

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Long 6.3m fast elite race hull
  • Flat hull surfs downwind well
  • Sub-10kg Elite Pro option, plus a day hatch

Cons

  • Narrow 43cm beam demands elite stability
  • Not suited to intermediates
  • Top layups are expensive

What paddlers say

Vajda/APS copy: 'The Vajda Next is stable and comfortable with a flat hull, progressive double cut nose... the flat hull makes downwind surfing easier than ever before', rated 2/5 stability and the longest ski in Vajda's stable (australianpaddlesports.com.au)Reported experience

Where to buy

Vajda Group ↗

Dealers:

Australian Paddle Sports · AU ↗

AUD is the Racing layup (fibreglass/carbon vacuum, 15kg) at A$3,490 (Australian Paddle Sports, 2026); Elite (carbon/Herex, 11.5kg) A$4,950 and Elite Pro (aramid/Nomex honeycomb, 9.5kg) A$5,590.

Sources

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 Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.