Stellar Eagle

Any review is as much about the paddler is it is the ski: I paddled white water river and sea kayaks for many years. A few years ago, a friend encouraged me to get into surf ski paddling so I picked up - the SX18x as a starter boat. What fun! The SX18x is a relatively stable ski and I was able to paddle it easily without changing any of the bad paddling habits I'd picked up over a lifetime of paddling - over-reliance on arms, not engaging my hips and legs fully.

Fast forward to last summer - Bob at Ocean Flight was kind enough to spend a few hours with me one morning while I demo'd three different skis on the river near his shop. On a whim, I purchased the Eagle and paddled it a grand total of twice in relatively calm conditions before heading to the Gorge and taking on the Bob's Beach to Drano Lake run in gusting 25 knot winds and 2-3 foot waves with side chop. I dropped out of the race at Home Valley. I had much to learn (and still do) - get a good night's sleep before a race, eat a good breakfast at least 4 hours before the race, wear a sun hat, physical conditioning, and practice, practice, practice!

The Eagle is a borderline advanced-elite ski. Many new ski paddlers (like me) are tempted to jump into a narrow racing ski, but their technique isn't on par with the skills needed to achieve optimal performance and fastest times. "Stability is king." If you don't feel stable in a ski, you'll waste energy and forward momentum throwing bracing strokes, missing waves - all of which destroy your rhythm. A beginner surf ski paddler is probably going to be faster in a stable ski. But if you are motivated, prepared to get dumped in the water at times, and put in the hours and miles perfecting your technique, this ski will reward you.

You don't just sit in a ski, you wear it. It becomes an extension of your body, and therein lies the possibility of mastering a narrow ski like the Eagle. I'm not a naval architect so I can't speak in those terms. The Stellar website has those important details. I just know that the Eagle is beginning to talk to me. It has become my brush with which I paint the endless canvas of this planet of water.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention that the service at Ocean Flight is both friendly and thorough. Bob has always been quick to respond to my equipment questions. Thank you! See you on the water.