ocean racing

Ocean Racing is an exhilarating sport encompassing long-distance surfski, sea kayak, and sea touring races. It mixes endurance and navigational skills as well as other ocean-going expertise like surfing ocean swells. Races range from circumnavigations of off-shore islands to point-to-point downwind races, with typical distances from 10 to 30 km. 



Surfskis are used worldwide for surf lifesaving, wave surfing, and for training and competition on flat-water or ocean (downwind) racing. They are most popular in warmer coastal regions where the sport originated such as Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Hawaii; however, the versatility has made it a very popular choice for paddlers worldwide especially in the Nordic regions, Western Europe, the Pacific Northwest and the East Coast of the USA.

Ocean racers in Scotland range from experienced athletes training for peak performance to people who paddle for fitness and camaraderie. The craft they use are equally diverse, ranging from plastic sea and touring kayaks with enclosed cockpits, long skinny racing surfskis designed for ultimate speed, outrigger canoes and even stand-up paddleboards (SUP). The one thing every ocean paddler shares is the thrill and adventure of getting out on sea and riding the waves.

With an abundance of beautiful coastline, waters ranging from glassy and calm sheltered coves to thrilling exposed downwind conditions and a community of welcoming paddlers, Scotland is the perfect place for ocean racing - bar it being a little chilly, but that’s nothing some good kit won’t fit.