Super Stable Just Got Better: Nordic Kayaks’ Flow Leads the Surfski Pack Beyond the Epic V8

Epic Kayaks redefined the stable surfski market about 16 years ago with their iconic V8 model. Before the V8 was introduced in 2010, the most stable surfskis were the Epic V10 Sport and Fenn XT. Compared to those, the V8 felt amazingly stable, and that extra stability opened the sport to many more paddlers. It was clear that an even more stable type of surfskis were about to emerge and make open-water paddling even more accessible. Back in 2010, I personally didn’t see the need for anything more stable. My goal was simply to paddle the fastest, most speed-optimized surfski I could get. 

At the time I was working for Epic Kayaks, managing their dealership network in Europe. I often spoke with Oscar about his ideas for growing the surfski market. One of those ideas was the 18X Cross-Trainer — a very stable surfski designed as a tool to convert sea kayakers to surfski paddlers. It was meant to be based on the Epic 18X Sport sea kayak but with a full surfski cockpit. Oscar had been pushing for it for a while, but he made little headway with the other shareholders and operations managers.

The idea of super-stable surfskis wasn’t entirely foreign to Epic. They had previously produced an even more radically stable “surfski” (not exactly a true surfski) called the GP Sport — a sit-on-top composite kayak without a rudder, built on the GPX hull. I actually wanted to buy one for my boss to keep on his yacht. Unfortunately, it competed directly against plastic sit-on-tops that cost 3–4 times less. Very few people were willing to spend $3000 on a lightweight kayak when they could buy a much heavier plastic version for $500–600. Epic eventually dropped the GP Sport.

Back to 2010: Oscar finally convinced Greg Barton and the rest of Epic’s management that the 18X Cross-Trainer was worth pursuing. During the design phase there were disagreements about features and even the final name. Curiously, around the same time another manufacturer was moving in the same direction. Unknown to anyone at Epic, Andre Santos at Nelo was converting their Viper 55 fitness kayak into a stable surfski. This eventually became the Nelo 55. Andre told me in a phone call that they had a very successful sit-in fitness kayak in the Viper 55, especially popular in Scandinavia. Their goal was to make it safer and more user-friendly for open water and waves. “We leaned into that proven model, increased the volume where needed, and tweaked the rocker to handle chop better.” Said Andre. The idea was to give fitness paddlers a racy yet stable sit-on-top that would be easy to remount and safer in open water.At Epic, the final V8 design was completed without side handles — the plan was to add them as an upgrade on a second-generation model. That turned out to be a mistake. The 54 cm wide surfski was surprisingly difficult to carry single-handedly on the beach. Nelo went straight for side handles, and Epic soon followed.

The ultra-stable surfski niche was born. Soon every major manufacturer had an entry: Fenn with the Bluefin, Think with the Zen, and Carbonology with the Cruze, Nelo with the 55, which eventually became 520. There was even some controversy when Vajda released their stable model called the Oscar, which shared certain features with the V8 but added a pronounced keel line. Most of the debate was about using Oscar’s name.

I was initially skeptical about the V8 (you can read more about how I changed my mind in my earlier post). But the hard facts are undeniable: the V8 quickly became Epic’s best-selling surfski ever, outselling all their other models combined.For years after 2010, the V8 held the #1 spot for the best balance of speed, stability, comfort, and agility. I have personally paddled at least 30–40,000 km downwind in the V8 and loved every minute. It was unchallenged overall. Some boats matched its performance but lacked its stability; others matched the stability but fell short in downwind conditions. The V8 was king — until 2026.

Disclaimer: Nordic Kayaks is a partner brand at Surfski Center. The opinions in this article are completely truthful and based on my extensive personal experience. In the last 15 years working in Tarifa I have paddled roughly 60,000 km in stable surfskis (V8, V8 Double, V5, V7, Bluefin, Nelo 520, NK Club 540, Carbonology Cruze, and now the NK Flow). In recent years I average 5,000–5,500 km per year, almost exclusively downwind. I believe this gives me one of the highest downwind mileages in stable surfskis worldwide. 

Back in 2025, when Nordic Kayaks became a partner brand at Surfski Center, I asked them for their most stable model. That was the Club 540. I had some initial reservations, mainly the dull grey colour with green branding, which didn’t quite match the boat’s lively character. 

Gordan told me:

“I like the Club 540 — it’s a neat, stable surfski perfect for Tarifa. But you know what I like even better? Our 8–9 kg carbon prepreg construction. That’s the true DNA of Nordic Kayaks.”

“Well, then why not make the Club 540 in carbon? You already have the moulds.”

“It’s not that simple. Our carbon boats are baked at high temperature and 4 bar pressure in the autoclave. The Club series moulds can’t handle that process. We’d need high-temperature, high-pressure resistant moulds.”

“By the way, have you thought about a different name? Club 540 doesn’t really capture the character of the boat. Even in the heavier fibreglass version it’s a brilliant surfski to carve downwind — it really flows with the runs!”

“Funny you say that. I’ve been speaking to Jurgen (previous owner of Surfski Sport in Germany) and he used the exact same word to describe it. Look, I don’t like to make promises unless I’m sure, but we’re working on something and you’ll be the first to know when it’s ready.”

Several months later, in late 2025, Gordan informed me that a couple of Flow surfskis were in the container heading to Germany — and one was coming to Tarifa.I finally received the Flow in Tarifa in December. Oh yes — it was even better than I expected. My first thought was "Epic is in trouble".

If I had to describe this surfski in three words: Comfort. Manoeuvrability. Lightweight.

If I had to use only one word:

FLOW!

I still believe that V8 is a great choice for a stable surfski but Nordic Kayaks have clearly set a new higher standard at the super stable surfski market and it will be interesting to see how the other brands will respond to the challenge. 

A full detailed review of the Flow is coming shortly and in the mean time enjoy some footage from the last few months.