Having been a fan of Kai Barlett’s outrigger canoe innovation for several years, Cali Paddler was very excited when he introduced the Vega in his foray into the surfski realm. With the original Vega geared towards the elite audience, and a follow up shortly after with the Vega Flex to the intermediate surf ski paddler, Kai had created two skis with a targeted audience and had received quality reviews from paddlers. Using the production innovations of OZONE in their canoe manufacturing processes, Kai was able to bring the lightweight carbon experience to a craft that has typically weighed 6-15 more lbs. depending on the model and layup. With the advanced and intermediate markets catered to, Kai had not yet created a surfski designed with stability as the most important aspect. For the beginner entry level paddler or those looking to go out in downwinders and not worry as much about falling in as conditions get more challenging. Enter the Vega Arc!
We recently met up with Lindsey Richman of OZONE SoCal and he had the Vega Arc for demo. A little background on my experience in surf ski: I am representative of a OC1 cross-over paddler. I have paddled oc1 for 12 years and have forged fond associations with the ama. But three years ago I wanted to vary the motions my body was repeating, see if I could improve on my balance and centering, and start from scratch on a challenging craft to improve my overall paddle skills. That said the journey has been very humbling. But it has allowed me to work through some of the challenges a beginner surfski paddler would encounter and so I was right at home on a beginner craft like the Vega Arc and could appreciate some of the design choices Kai made to create a positive early experience.
Surfski paddlers often preach about starting on a stable craft to hone in proper technique and stroke. When we are unbalanced and tippy we resort to horrible technique. And so I can appreciate how I can be on a more stable ski and not worry about falling in while I work hard to rotate and incorporate all the tips and tricks I have been told by paddlers and watched on online videos. The Vega Arc was a super stable experience where I could really be focused on proper hip engagement and work through the phases of the stroke and feel safe. I was able to jump into some choppy water in the Mission Bay Channel where several boats had passed by and mixed in with swell along the rocks and never felt unstable. I took awkward angles every chance I could and the ski punched through no problem.
Based on my limited surfski experience over the last few years trying various models and manufacturers, the stability was very similar to the Fenn Blue Fin. A ski that I have taken on light downwinders and even raced a few times in the SoCal Winter Racing Series. For the last year, I have been on a Fenn Swordfish. An intermediate surfski and certainly a step towards speed at the cost of the stability. The Vega Arc, as mentioned before had stability of the Blue Fin, but speeds were significantly faster. While not as fast as the Swordfish based on several race starts and short bursts which I do regularly in HIIT workouts, my Garmin showed me about .2-.4mph from Swordfish speeds. These were about .4-.6mph faster though than what I would have hit on the Blue Fin as I played around in different zones. The sample size was small. And while I would have preferred to paddle more than the 15 minutes, and in different conditions, it was very clear that this Vega Arc offered some speed without sacrificing stability. And it locked into some nice boat wake where I could sit and think about life for a good 30 seconds or so before taking a paddle stroke. Some of the speed advantage likely comes from the weight difference I assume. Which brings me to my next points.
The weight of this ski was so noticeable that my walk to the water was pleasurable carrying the ski a good 200 yards. Throw in the handles that are comfortably placed and I was strutting on land like it was nothing. How light? The Ozone website lists the Regular Vega Arc rigged at 19.8 lbs. The Arc Pro would be lighter at 17lbs. My swordfish is around 26lbs. That said, if you are a clutz like I sometimes am, these light boats require an added sense of thoughtfulness to ensure you don’t ding them. I tapped the craft a few times mid stroke with my paddle, due to its wideness and was glad there was strike tape to absorb my paddle. And a craft this light would not be something I would be as confident to take for ins-and-outs at surf spots on a regular basis. That said, my skills doesn’t warrant that yet anyways. As with most Ozone boats, this is made for speed. And they offer 16 gorgeous color options as well as split hull color combos. So we factor that in as well as an OZONE benefit.
One last note, while I did not get a chance to take it out in downwind conditions, I would imagine Kai has this pretty dialed in since his designs are regularly considered among the best in downwind conditions. I can see the Vega Arc being a craft I would love on downwinder days where the conditions are more challenging and sleigh-rides are to be had.
So there you have it. A quick first impressions recap of this new surfski from Kai Bartlett. A super stable ski I would love my oc1 friends to get on when they are ski-curious and wanting to learn this discipline. But with speeds of almost an intermediate proven surfski.
