Here are a few paragraphs on his impression of this new elite ski.
First & foremost I'm no elite paddler, just a wave junkie who loves nothing better than to get out & chase a few runs. I've generally been happiest on skis that are slightly above intermediate, in the Epic stable this is the V10. Something fast enough to catch nearly everything, but stable enough to pull rescues at sea and take photos etc.
I've only really been able to paddle one elite ski on big days on the ocean with full confidence, and that was the very first generation Elite S. So I'm not qualified to give a review as a super paddler, just a fella having a crack on the waves.
With two or three paddles a week for the last six months in the newest V12, nearly all of them out on the ocean, I can now expand that quiver to two.
For a proper elite ski this is an incredibly predictable hull, I've barely had an anxious moment, and feel like I can get power down in all situations. It goes without saying that it's not super stable, but importantly it is super predictable.
I'm astonished at the way it leaps up and over runs and catches waves that sometimes you don't even want to catch.
I haven't bothered to measure speed on flat water, but suffice to say it's way too quick for me, and the fast guys have said it's quick enough for them. Besides, it was clearly designed for the waves.
From my perspective it's a very manageable elite ski for paddlers looking to come up to something that won't terrify them, without compromising on a single thing that these craft are meant to do.
The video below is from our favourite Capes run, about 17km along the cliffs south of Botany Bay. It's typical of how the V12 handles and runs. Bloody awesome fun.
Sundo.
**We have our demo here in the shop for anyone wanting to have a crack, and with supply lines slowly beginning to loosen up you shouldn't be waiting too long for a new one. Get in touch if you'd like to arrange a test paddle.
