Introducing the Ride Solar: A Surf Kayak Designed for the Taller and Heavier Riders!
While you’ve been enjoying the incredible surf experience with our Zenith and Sirius, we understand that taller and heavier surf kayakers have been eagerly awaiting their turn. The wait is over! The Ride Solar is here, specifically shaped from scratch for you!
Our commitment to innovation is evident in our design process, utilising CAD and CNC plug production to create a unique plug for each new model. Inspired by the Zenith, the Solar stands out with its distinctive features.
We’ve enhanced the Solar with a larger cockpit for easy entry and exit, increased volume to provide ample space and buoyancy for larger limbs, and added a touch more width for faster planing. The widest point near the hips enables tight turns, powering through the wave’s bottom, up the face, and into the air!
Ride’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the forgiving front rails, allowing smooth re-entry after pushing the limits with lip smashes or technical aerial manoeuvres. Combining manoeuvrability and speed is a challenge, but Ride has succeeded. By fine-tuning the rocker, we’ve unlocked impressive speed without sacrificing the Solar’s turning capabilities. Whether it’s choppy, fat, hollow, or slow, the Solar will accelerate your radical assault.
As with all Ride kayaks, the Solar boasts exceptional quality. It comes with mini cell foam outfitting and and foam seat set to your preferred height. The integral cockpit rim provides added strength, improved aesthetics, and a superior seal for your spray deck.
Reviews
I’ve had my Solar for just over two months, although I haven’t surfed it nearly as much as I’d like.
It’s marketed as a big boy’s Zenith. I also own a Zenith and, at 90kg, I’m towards its upper weight limit and at the lower end for the Solar.
The first thing I noticed was the space. Bigger paddlers should have plenty of room; for me, it feels luxurious compared with squeezing into my Zenith. Getting in and out is easy, with loads of room for my feet and toes. The supplied foam T-piece still lets me achieve a snug fit. I added foam beneath the seat to raise myself towards the cockpit, and the outfitting made getting comfortable and secure straightforward.
Paddling:
The paddling speed is impressive. I worried the extra volume would make getting through breaking waves difficult, as I can’t duck dive it like my Zenith. Instead, its speed and good timing let it hop over sizeable foam piles. The width makes it very stable in messy, swirling conditions, and I can comfortably pop the deck to stretch my legs or adjust my position.
Speed:
This boat is quick, particularly on take-off. The width and volume help it pick up the wave and start planing almost immediately. At my weight, it feels nearly as quick onto a wave as an Eclipse or Equinox.
Down the line, the low rocker keeps it moving fast over lumpy sections. Hitting the foam, the extra volume carries it over the whitewater while maintaining momentum.
Manoeuvrability:
Coming from a Zenith, the extra width took some adjustment. Once I had the outfitting right, turning and driving became easy. Where the Zenith cuts through a turn, the Solar drives through it, staying on top of the water and carrying speed.
I got flipped a few times initially, but now I love the instant drop and drive as it accelerates without needing to shed water. Tight outfitting helps me control the rail through sharper turns into the pocket. Really crank a turn and there’s a lovely feeling of release as the boat lifts and shows its hull.
Its standout feature is what I call the “ping”. Hit the lip or a foam pile and there’s a definite pop as it releases and rockets over the foam or bursts through the lip. It’s an awesome, distinctive feeling.
Verdict:
Over 95kg? The Solar would be my pick. For expert paddlers under 95kg who prioritise sharp turning, I’d lean towards the Zenith.
At 90–95kg, the Solar is a great option if you want comfort, speed, strong drive out of turns and plenty of pop off the lip.
After four weeks, I felt confident taking it into heavy, overhead competition waves and finished third against a strong international field. By seven weeks, I was confident paddling it at the Worlds too.
I’m looking forward to more time in this boat and discovering what else it can do.