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Nicholas "Niki" Notten
Nicholas "Niki" Notten is a titan of South African surfski, a 2021 World Champion, and as of 2026, he remains one of the fastest "downwind specialists" in the global circuit. While some champions rely on raw flat-water power, Notten is a master of "surfing the bumps"—using the kinetic energy of the ocean to maintain speeds that seem impossible to others. >>
Nicolò Razeto
Nicolò Razeto is a prominent Italian canoe and kayak athlete who specializes primarily in Wildwater Canoeing (canoa discesa) and Canoe Ocean Racing (surfski), while also competing in Canoe Slalom. >>
Oscar Chalupsky
Oscar Chalupsky, known as "The Big O," is a living legend in the world of surfski and surf lifesaving. He is widely considered the most iconic figure the sport has ever seen, not just for his record-breaking 12 World Titles, but for his larger-than-life personality and his ongoing battle against terminal illness. >>
Paul Marais
Paul Marais is often referred to as one of the "Founding Fathers" of the modern South African surfski movement. While names like Hank McGregor and Dawid Mocke dominate the modern era, Marais was the dominant force of the 1980s and early 90s, bridging the gap between traditional "spec" surf lifesaving and professional long-distance ocean racing. >>
Pierre Vilella
Pierre Vilella is the undisputed "Crown Prince" and the face of the European surge in surfski. As of 2026, he is the highest-ranked European paddler and the primary challenger to Australian and South African dominance. >>
Rachel Clarke
Rachel Clarke is the undisputed queen of New Zealand ocean paddling and a dominant force in the international female surfski circuit. While legends like Hank McGregor and Dean Gardiner defined the men's era, Clarke has been instrumental in elevating the profile and professional standards of women’s ocean racing. >>
Sean Rice
Sean Rice is a legendary figure in ocean racing, widely regarded as one of the most technical and intellectually sharp paddlers in the history of the sport. While his younger brother Kenny is known for raw power, Sean is the "Professor" of surfski, famous for his strategic mastery and his global efforts to coach the next generation. >>
Surf ski? what's the history of...
A surf ski (or surfski, or surf-ski) is a type of kayak in the kayaking family of paddling craft. It is generally the longest of all kayaks and is a performance oriented kayak designed for speed on open water, most commonly the ocean, although it is well suited to all bodies of water and recreational paddling. The most common use of surfskis is in surf lifesaving competitions and downwind paddling. >>
The Doctor (Perth, Western Australia)
Australia's premier ocean paddling event. It is a 27-kilometer downwind sprint from Rottnest Island across the ocean to Sorrento Beach on the mainland. The race is famous for the "Fremantle Doctor," a consistent and powerful sea breeze that creates arguably the best and most highly contested downwind surfing conditions in the world. >>