Should racing SUPs be designed like ocean racing yachts?

Surftech has just released a new board that's turning heads for several reasons almost six months before it gets released. You can own one for the mere price of $6500, but would you paddle it? Or send it straight to the pool room? 

Not only is the board painted in the same amazing colour scheme, with black carbon and red octopus tentacles. It also shares a very similar hull shape with a wide nose, and the stern is almost as wide as the widest point of the board. One forum user said it looks like a 28 foot Stand up paddle board had been cut in the middle. 

With a design so radical, many wonder where the association lies with Liard Hamilton, who has reportedly co-designed the stand up paddle board with award winning yacht designer Juan Kouyoumdjian of Juan Yacht Design. Juan's design for the PUMA Mar Mostro is rumoured to smash the race record, if conditions are favourable during the nine-month long race around the world - the Volvo Ocean Race.



Radical designs don't come cheap - although this board will be available to retail customers, the piece of carbon and red paint is going to cost a hefty $6500. At this price, many are wondering whether the board will be used as a performance board, or simply sat on a board rack in someones home. Compared to some artworks, this board could be considered spare change - but cheap or expensive, nobody can deny - it is definitely a work of art. 

Compare the stand up paddle board, and the yacht above, and check out the video of the yacht below.