Ocean Ski Paddling Course

Skills sessions to make harbour, lake and open water paddling all the more fun!

About Ocean Ski Paddling

Surf skis started as long wide surfboards to paddle through the surf with paddles. Over time these developed into 18ft fibreglass kayaks. Unlike a kayak, they are unable to take water on board as you sit on them, not in them. This feature makes them the ideal craft for paddling through waves and choppy water, if you fall off you simply flip the craft over and remount the surf ski. Over time races started getting longer and the design of surf skis started to develop. As the longer racing typically meant more time chasing wind and swell, ocean skis became lighter and longer. Meaning a bit less durable and harder to handle through breaking waves but a much more efficient and comfortable ride out in the ocean. These skis are perfect for advancing your paddling as it brings the entire coastline as a training ground. Once you have the core skills of remounting, solid paddling stroke and basic downwinding skills, you are away. You can choose to paddle in more mild open harbours or take it to an advanced level and take on 20 plus knots (after a fair bit of practise 😎) in the open ocean with confidence. 

Flow Kayaks are known for tough kayaks, great handling in river conditions and light enough to be at the pointy end without compromising durability, put that combo into an Ocean Ski with Ben’s help and you’re onto a great time with limited concerns.

About Ben

…The Athlete

Learned to paddle surf skis around 2006 at Waimairi SLSC, and went on to represent NZ in Sprint and Marathon Kayaking. After some time racing surf life-saving again and moving into more long-distance events Ocean surf ski became my focus. Since training and racing seriously I have won: 

  • 2 x king of the harbour races, 

  • 2 x Darcy Price series events,  

  • 3 x King and queen of the bay 

  • 1 x Windy Welly

  • 1 x Poor Knights crossing 

  • 1 x Bhutty Moore Memorial 

I have also finished in the top 50 in the “Doctor” and 18th overall in the Perth race week events in 2022 and finished 4th in Forster Race weekend in Sydney. 

…The Coach

I originally trained with a BPhEd (Hons) from Otago and a trained Physical education and outdoor ed teacher. I have since coached at the local surf clubs and private lessons. I see real value in multi-sport paddlers using ocean ski paddling as a way to upskill and become more competent paddlers. Flow kayaks with surf skis designed based on their successful multi-sport boats are the perfect way for multi-sporters to take their paddling to the next level. Let us show you how. 

Ocean Paddling Basics $150 per person (Ski included if needed/wanted)

2 hour session
Groups of 4 per instructor

Locations: Corsair Bay, Lyttelton Harbour.

16th Dec / 17th Dec (subject to weather and conditions at the time)

Minimum of 3 people is required for the course to go ahead

Prerequisites:

  • By signing up for this course you will have a good basic understanding and practise using a wing paddle. If not, we have solutions, scroll down to “Other Coaching Services”

Gear requirements (let us know if there’s anything you don’t have)

  • life jacket/buoyancy aid

  • Surf/Ocean Ski

  • paddle

  • calf leash

  • communication device in a waterproof and secure container/bag.

  • extra warm clothes

What you’ll learn

How to be safe in open water

When to go, your limits, recovering from whoopsies and training for the one-day inevitable art of swimming.

Reading the water

Open water paddling is rarely a still lake of a view. Learn how to read what’s in front of you, the difference between moving water of the river and out in the open and how to handle it.

Upskill in all ways

From stability exercises to technique improvement, this course will set you up to start having fun in the harbour.

These sessions give you the basic skills to start venturing out into the harbour and advancing your moving water skills by paddling in open water.

We will focus on remounts, some basic technique, and look to head out around the bays of Lyttelton. 

Don’t have your own ski?

Flow kayaks skis are available for use, for free, when coaching with Ben

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Other Coaching Services

Kayak erg session 1hr $100

Kayakpro ergometer. 

Initial session: Taken through each phase of the kayak stroke giving you an understanding of the cues and language used to improve technique efficiency. These sessions will give you key takeaways that will improve your paddling technique the most as well as some takeaway drills for both on and off the water. 

Follow up session: 30min $60

Check in see how the technique is going, further advancing your takeaway drills and key work ons

Come to you:

The Ergo folds up and is easily transportable  happy to arrange a session at your home for a small extra transport and time roughly ranging from $20-$50 extra depending where you are

Too much? Happy to double up so two people can be coached at the same time effectively splitting the costs. 


Extra stuff: OSC mainly focuses on ocean paddling; you will get little surf ski tips as well, and how surf ski can be used to advance your multisport paddling performance.  

Double Ski with Ben: $150

Are you an intermediate or experienced river paddler, Book a session with Ben. Depending on the weather on the day and your experience paddle in the double with Ben. 

Wing Paddle Technique Coaching Sessions with Chris (Arawa/Avon): $85

In your own kayak/ski or a Flow Kayak vessel


All sessions stay within the legal requirements and close to shore with safety management systems and backups in place. These activities are considered low-risk and are introductions to paddling Ocean Ski.