Born and Tested at Alnes
I have a somewhat unique perspective on the Alnes Ocean — I paddle it right where
it got its name. Alnes, on the island of Godøy on Norway’s west coast, is where this
kayak was born, and it’s where I’ve watched it evolve from early prototype to the
finished product you see today. I was there when the first prototypes hit the water,
and I’ve followed the development closely ever since. Now I’ve bought my own Alnes
Ocean, and I’m out surfing it every chance I get.
The Fit
The first thing that struck me was the fit. It feels like the cockpit was moulded around
me. The thigh braces lock you in, and you become one with the boat. That
connection matters when things get interesting — and out here, they often do.
Surfing Becomes Play
This is where the Alnes Ocean truly comes alive. I’ve had it side surfing in proper
waves, and what surprised me was how easy it is to recover and change direction
mid-surf. Where other sea kayaks would leave you committed to whatever the wave
decides, the Alnes Ocean lets you stay in control. It turns on a dime, and you can
reposition for the next wave without fighting the boat. Surfing goes from being a
challenge to being pure play.
Tracking and Distance
What makes this kayak special is that it doesn’t sacrifice touring ability for surf
performance. It tracks beautifully, and I’ve paddled it on longer distances without any
issues. It holds speed remarkably well for its length. With the skeg down, it’s as
directionally stable as you’d want for a proper day out on the water.
Summary
The Alnes Ocean is simply the most fun sea kayak I’ve ever paddled. It does
everything well — surfs like a dream, tracks like a touring boat, and puts a grin on
your face every single session. Having seen this kayak grow up in the waters it was
designed for, I can tell you: it belongs here. And it will feel at home wherever your
coastline takes you.
Øystein Pilskog
Øystein is a sea kayak instructor and the founder of Kajakkguiden, based on Valderøya in the Ålesund/Giske area on Norway’s west coast. He has been paddling since 2008 and holds certifications including NPF Veileder Hav (the highest guiding level in the Norwegian Paddling Federation), British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader (tidal), ISKGA Incident
Management, and Wilderness First Responder. When he’s not running courses or guiding trips, you’ll find him exploring the coastline of Sunnmøre — often in his Alnes Ocean.
