They may look similar...but are they? One might be inclined to think that a white water kayak and a surf kayak are interchangeable. Well yes...and no. Craft that have a similar look, in fact, perform quite differently when it comes to surfing ocean waves.

Up until fairly recently, traditional white water kayaks were designed to go primarily with the flow of the river. While most WW kayaks employed a displacement type hull to accomplish passage down a swift river, this hull configuration fell short when river runners began executing tricks and stunts on standing waves or while riding holes. Enter the planing hull favored by ocean surfers. By flattening out the bottom, the river runner could now paddle into a standing wave and execute maneuvers that appear similar to surfing ocean waves. Would that mean a drive to the coast would bring similar results? Not quite...

The major difference is that a WW kayak is essentially surfing in place, with water passing below the craft at fairly high surface velocity. A planing hull in this setting will literally cause the kayak to skip and bounce on the surface of the water. By contrast, riding an ocean wave means that the craft is propelled forward and across the surface by the motion of the wave as it heads toward shore. And this is where the design elements unique to a river boat begin to detract from its performance in the ocean.

To start with, the basic design of a WW kayak incorporates a high degree of symmetry to deal with the multi-directional forces that currents exert on a boat in the river. To keep a WW boat from "tripping" when moving sideways or even backwards, the rail or chine is placed well above the water line. Further, the hull will have a fairly pronounced up turn or "kick" both fore and aft. And finally, the seat is placed in the middle of the craft to achieve a center of balance that addresses the frequent changes of attitude the kayak will take in a typical river run.

In contrast, the chine or rail of a surf kayak will appear at or near the water line. This important design element allows the rider to lean the craft to one side or the other onto the rail in order to execute a carving turn. In addition, surf boats are constructed of more rigid, albeit fragile material and are generally lighter in weight. When viewing the profile of a surf kayak, there will be almost no kick in the stern or tail and only a moderate amount in the nose or bow. Employing the same basic steering principles as a surfboard, the position of the rider is set back of center. This weights the boat slightly to the back, which facilitates steering the craft as it moves in its primary and intended direction...which is the direction the rider is facing. This is contrasted with a river boat, which might find its rider facing sideways or even backward to the direction the boat is moving.

Since most WW kayaks today are made of roto-mold polythylene plastic, they tend to be relatively heavier when compared to a surf kayak and the bottom of the hull more prone to flex when riding a standing wave. But because of the greater speed generated in a fast moving river, these elements of weight and flexibility are not significant factors. However, when the same craft is placed in an ocean wave riding mode, where water passes beneath the craft at a slower speed, these elements tend to generate drag, causing the boat to become sluggish and unresponsive.

Another design feature that causes a WW kayak to be less than fully functional in the ocean is the high chine or rail. Once underway, the absence of a sharp rail or chine at the water line makes it difficult to establish and hold direction on a wave. The end result is that a WW kayak will tend to slide and be pushed in a more or less straight direction toward shore, whether it is oriented forward, backwards or sideways on the wave.

A final distinction, and this point generates considerable debate among the surf set, is the use of fins. Fins on a white water boat serve no real purpose in a setting where the craft is essentially riding with the current. When a change of direction is desired, a river paddler will use various paddle strokes to propel the craft in the desired direction. In contrast, a fair number of paddle surfers argue that fins are essential to achieving optimum wave riding performance. Fin proponents equate ocean surfing with riding down a mountain of water and feel that fins are needed to keep the craft from slipping or "spinning out". In contrast, a few feel that fins cause the boat to be too "stiff", thus significantly restricting the amount of slippage desired to execute spins and other maneuvers. Another argument in support of no-fins is the sense that fins can so restrict sideways slippage that the craft becomes prone to catching an edge and flipping, particularly when traversing the face of steep waves.

Almost anything that floats can be pushed shoreward by waves. Is that surfing? The answer to that depends on what the individual rider expects or desires from his or her craft. But...when all is said and done, the opportunity to ride ocean waves with the flair and style traditionally associated with surfing, greatly depends on a craft specifically designed for that venue. Optimum performance in the ocean or the river can only be achieved in a kayak that integrates the design elements that fit the setting.

White water kayaks...Surf Kayaks. Similar...yes. The same...no.

 

Special thanks to contributors to this article: Steve Boehne, Mike Johnson & Byron Olson.