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IMPORTANT: WE RIDE THE GEAR WE TEST, RESEARCH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND GET VIEWS FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES. OUR SOURCES ARE SOMETIMES INSTRUCTORS, PRO RIDERS, RESEARCH AND
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DEVELOPMENT TEAMS AND ORDINARY PADDLERS FROM OUR LOCAL BEACH. ALL REVIEWS AIM TO GIVE YOU AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF WHAT IS NEW THIS YEAR.
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Starboard // All Star 14 26
The All Star is an all-rounder with highly diverse characteristics. Fast in chop, great for
beach-start racing, fantastic for downwinders, yet competitive in flat water. The middle and upper part of the rails are raised and box-shaped around the standing area, providing added volume/stability. Sup Mag: A medium-round bow penetrates upwind, and provides a slippery ride through and over waves downwind. Just sufficient nose volume makes the nose shoot through waves and pop up again with minimal friction. JP // 10 X 33 fusion
The JP fusion is a wave orientated all round board. They are short, wide and have more volume. The board has a deep V, which makes it very easy to turn on big waves.
Sup Mag: We fell in love with this board. If you are looking for something, which is easy to learn on, capable of performing well in descent surf, then you cant go beyond the Fusion. The board is quick, planes fast and feels very agile. Go for it! Channel Islands 10'1 // Caddi (Al Merrick)
The 10'1" Caddi is designed for good stability for open water paddling but still allows easy maneuverability in the surf. Al has added rocker that enhances maneuverability but still allows a nice clean track while paddling and surfing. A slight bump near the front fins to makes it turn even quicker when you need to.
Sup Mag: This is one of the best boards I’ve ever tried. It’s already a smash hit.. Expect explosive takeoff, incredible stability and sensational carving power. Surf Tech // B1 Bomber
Surftech has teamed up with Bounce Composites to develop the most exciting, innovative and practical SUP construction ever. Utilizing exclusive new patent pending technology, the B-1 features a thermal composite fiber-fused polymer, resulting in a high performance stand up paddle board with unparalleled strength to weight ratio. The Surftech B-1 is highly impact resistant - the resulting durability makes it easy to own and maintain.
Sup Mag: This board can take anything you can throw at it. Built for high impact use, it works well when paddled in flat-water, white-water or surf. The B-1 won’t scratch, chip, dent and so far no one has been able to break it. Drive over it in your car and it won’t break. Awesome! Hobie // Elite 12’6
The Race proven 12’6 Elite is a quintessential part of SUP racing evolution. Developed in conjunction with world class paddlers it is one of the most well rounded race/tour boards on the SUP market today. It is stable in the chop, fast in all conditions, and performs well in the surf. The Race 12’6” is for the smaller and more agile racer.
Sup Mag: It’s a bit tippy after 7kms of solid paddling if you are unfit. The board is light, durable, and fantastic at catching and riding runners. I love this board for its surfing abilities, it turns well and because it is so light, you can pull off the wave easy enough. Go for it and grow with it. F-One // Anakao 8’ 4’’
The big design innovation is the new bottom contour and bevelled rails which offer a thinner rail than a traditional stand up providing the rider a short board feel. Carving and acceleration are amazing and vertical turns are easier to perform. The Anakao is setup as a thruster with a 4.5’
central fin, similar to a standard short board. SUP MAG: Designed in conjunction with Remi Quique, with the goal of surfing hollow reef waves is where the Anakao is right at home. The 28’ width, narrowed nose and tail and optimal volume distribution allows for sharp turns in critical sections of the wave while maintaining board control. This is high performance stuff for young guns or paddlers weighing less than 80 kilograms. |
F-One // Inflatable 10 6
This is a remarkably light board, considering its size. This board is 6 inches thick, which perfect for beginner or bigger riders.
Sup Mag: Solo or in tandem, the 10’6’’ is indestructible and can take a beating. Yes this is perfect for learning on and for children, but if you want to head down rapids, this board is more than capable. Surftech – Wateryder 12’ 6”
The Wateryder is in a class by itself. However, if you must put this board into a category then you could argue that it defines the “expedition” class of Stand Up Paddle boards. Designed by surfing big wave legend and small wave trendsetter Mickey Munoz, this is an amazing board. With long waterlines for effortlessly covering long distances and a classic surf gun profile with a few modern twists, this board has it all for the serious Stand Up Paddler.
Sup Mag: Review by Lynda Lim. “Even for the recreational paddler, it’s the kind of board you can use to happily cruise around your favourite water environment. Starboard // BOP 12’’ 6’
Brian Szymanski designed the Race BOP specifically for smoother ocean conditions with cleaner swell, and for in-and-out surf race events like the Battle of the Paddle (BOP). It features a flatter rocker, flat deck, piercing nose for wave penetration paddling out and a square tail for stability when riding swell coming in. Team rider test results show the 12’6” Race BOP to be faster than the previous 12’6” Race boards in flat water and small chop. Sup Mag: This is a race winner, fast, stable and one of the best choices you will make if you are serious about competition racing. The shape of the nose of the board is revolutionary; it is entirely different to what is out there. It looks like a surf ski to pierce through swell and provides more speed while riding runners and waves in. This is a great board, a very wise decision for the competitive paddler or for downwinders. SUP Wheels // Compact SUP Carrier
These wheels are for those that want a workout on the water rather than when they are trying to get there. You can easily carry two boards to and from the beach and there is no wind resistance even on the gustiest days. Sup Mag: This is perfect for carrying race boards and it now makes the long hike possible into the bush to that remote break. Take a backpack and paddle too rather than walk again, the Sup Carrier is light and easy to carry and takes Sup to places it has never been before. |
