Managed to take my new toy out today for the first time, here is my first impressions:
Conditions: Flat water (river) with 11-13knt wind, current against the wind.
Distance paddled: 3.6km (quick one before work)
Me: SUPing since 2012 on a Starboard Wopper. 98kg, 1.78m tall.
Impressive build quality, looks great. Took me 7 min to inflate to 18Psi - next time will most probably increase that to 20Psi (didnt feel like it flexed a lot, however noticed a crease in the deck post session)
Very stable, did not notice much of a difference between this and my 34" Wopper - will update once I take it on the ocean. Felt a lot faster, and was tracking great. Paddled into the wind first up - was working reasonable hard, but did not notice any problems with the increased volume. Its light, easy to carry (my partner picked it up with ease when I first inflated it at home), I will update when she has had a go on it (64kg @ 1.64m) - personally I dont think she is going to have a problem. Packs away easy and clean. Taking it on the plane to Gero with me tomorrow, so will see how that goes as this is the reason I bought it (travelling board). As it was only a short test paddle, I dont have anything I dislike about the board (except maybe the fastening of the fin, took me ages to get the bolt to bite!).
Looking forward to your long-term review. I'm interested in how this board handles in all conditions with a 68kg paddler. Good luck travelling with it tomorrow!
A quick update of how the iSUP performed on the weekend. Easilly travelled with it, opted to take the paddle as carry-on to protect it. Had quite a strong wind Friday afternoon (cross-off - around 18-20knots) = hard paddle! Saturday morning no wind, but reasonable swell. Definately worked harder keeping my balance on the 30" vs my regular 34" in those conditions. Still had fun. Also inflating it to 20PSI did the trick - definately better rigidity.
Will this board replace my hard board as my regular board? No, but it will give me a lot more time on the water with my travelling schedule. Very happy with my purchase.
Spirit, hope to take my partner and her 9 year old out on Friday with it, will let you know how they go!
Select to expand quoteMedic said..
A quick update of how the iSUP performed on the weekend. Easilly travelled with it, opted to take the paddle as carry-on to protect it. Had quite a strong wind Friday afternoon (cross-off - around 18-20knots) = hard paddle! Saturday morning no wind, but reasonable swell. Definately worked harder keeping my balance on the 30" vs my regular 34" in those conditions. Still had fun. Also inflating it to 20PSI did the trick - definately better rigidity.
Will this board replace my hard board as my regular board? No, but it will give me a lot more time on the water with my travelling schedule. Very happy with my purchase.
Spirit, hope to take my partner and her 9 year old out on Friday with it, will let you know how they go!
I'm glad you're enjoying the board! I've read that the 2016 build quality is really excellent. I'm looking forward to hearing how it handles with the lighter paddlers.
Thanks for the update . I am only a few pay packets away from buying a 12'6 explorer. I don't need the speed of the sport and this year's model comes in
2 and a bit kilos lighter. The build quality looks great on the sport. Just a quick question re the paddle. Do you like it? I was thinking of getting the fanatic 3 piece carbon 80 as I have a 2 piece one and love both the size and the blade shape of the 7.25 model. I'd go with the 2016 red paddle carbon 3 piece but it doesn't seem to be available here and I always buy local.
Hey Jojameka, I like it. As you would have seen I got the Vario carbon/nylon upgraded paddle. Unfortunately the only other paddle I can compare it to is my 2012 Starboard 1 piece non-carbon one. The adjustability is great, and once you figure out the 2 handed top adjustment, you can easilly do this on the fly.
First impressions is that it is the same great built quality as the board. I also tried to go local, but couldnt find a reseller. I then ordered directly from Red Paddle Co Aus. I will do a side by side comparison this weekend and let you know.
Select to expand quotejojameka said..
Thanks for the update . I am only a few pay packets away from buying a 12'6 explorer. I don't need the speed of the sport and this year's model comes in
2 and a bit kilos lighter. The build quality looks great on the sport. Just a quick question re the paddle. Do you like it? I was thinking of getting the fanatic 3 piece carbon 80 as I have a 2 piece one and love both the size and the blade shape of the 7.25 model. I'd go with the 2016 red paddle carbon 3 piece but it doesn't seem to be available here and I always buy local.
I'm going with a Werner Trance 85 3-piece.
Select to expand quoteMedic said...
A quick update of how the iSUP performed on the weekend. Easilly travelled with it, opted to take the paddle as carry-on to protect it. Had quite a strong wind Friday afternoon (cross-off - around 18-20knots) = hard paddle! Saturday morning no wind, but reasonable swell. Definately worked harder keeping my balance on the 30" vs my regular 34" in those conditions. Still had fun. Also inflating it to 20PSI did the trick - definately better rigidity.
Will this board replace my hard board as my regular board? No, but it will give me a lot more time on the water with my travelling schedule. Very happy with my purchase.
Spirit, hope to take my partner and her 9 year old out on Friday with it, will let you know how they go!
Thank you for the update! How much more effort did you have to put to bring the board to 20 psi compared to your previous review? Thanks
Hey Cucufate, reasonably out of breath with arms burning at 18PSI (getting old...), but i would say less than a minute more to get up to 20PSI. Good warmup. Really no excuse, but I might have bought a Ryobi1+ inflator to try out next time (who doesnt need more toys). Want to see what difference that makes to the inflation time. Recon I will still do the volume inflation upto 10PSI myself (most probably faster), and let the inflator do the hard work for pressure while I get ready to go out!
So my partner and her daughter went with me this morning to the river. Not the best conditions - very wind with a bit of chop. She said she could feel a difference in stability between the Starboard and Red Paddle, but not much. Her paddle position was better with the Red. She found it difficult to turn (3rd time she has been out - and think the wind played a major part).
Her 9 year old used it no problem - again just turning around seemed an issue. Personally I think it was due to their ability and the conditions - and it is a big board.
Then I got her to sit on the Red whilst I paddled (combined weight around 140 kg) - the board handled it with ease - very forgiving even in the conditions.
I think if there was less wind, they both would have been able to handle the board better. Spirit - in my opinion it might be better if you go for the 11' option at your weight - but as I have never ridden it I cant really compare if there is a big difference between them. I love the board though
Select to expand quoteMedic said..
So my partner and her daughter went with me this morning to the river. Not the best conditions - very wind with a bit of chop. She said she could feel a difference in stability between the Starboard and Red Paddle, but not much. Her paddle position was better with the Red. She found it difficult to turn (3rd time she has been out - and think the wind played a major part).
Her 9 year old used it no problem - again just turning around seemed an issue. Personally I think it was due to their ability and the conditions - and it is a big board.
Then I got her to sit on the Red whilst I paddled (combined weight around 140 kg) - the board handled it with ease - very forgiving even in the conditions.
I think if there was less wind, they both would have been able to handle the board better. Spirit - in my opinion it might be better if you go for the 11' option at your weight - but as I have never ridden it I cant really compare if there is a big difference between them. I love the board though
Thanks, Medic. Let's see how they do after being out in different conditions, and getting used to the board, I would probably go with an 11' or a 12'6 Race, but I'm also looking at a Bic Wing 11', if I decide to go with a hard board. Thanks for all your input and updates----keep 'me coming! Enjoy!
Select to expand quoteMedic said...
Managed to take my new toy out today for the first time, here is my first impressions:
Conditions: Flat water (river) with 11-13knt wind, current against the wind.
Distance paddled: 3.6km (quick one before work)
Me: SUPing since 2012 on a Starboard Wopper. 98kg, 1.78m tall.
Impressive build quality, looks great. Took me 7 min to inflate to 18Psi - next time will most probably increase that to 20Psi (didnt feel like it flexed a lot, however noticed a crease in the deck post session)
Very stable, did not notice much of a difference between this and my 34" Wopper - will update once I take it on the ocean. Felt a lot faster, and was tracking great. Paddled into the wind first up - was working reasonable hard, but did not notice any problems with the increased volume. Its light, easy to carry (my partner picked it up with ease when I first inflated it at home), I will update when she has had a go on it (64kg @ 1.64m) - personally I dont think she is going to have a problem. Packs away easy and clean. Taking it on the plane to Gero with me tomorrow, so will see how that goes as this is the reason I bought it (travelling board). As it was only a short test paddle, I dont have anything I dislike about the board (except maybe the fastening of the fin, took me ages to get the bolt to bite!).
Hi Medic, quick question about the pump: does it show ( and hold )the reached preasure in the gauge at all times or only during the down strocke ? I read on line that the needle will not stand still but on the video from the manufacturer seems to do so...
Thanks as always
Only on down stroke and even then you have to be quick to read it , electric is best set it to 20 or 25 psi and flick the on switch
Select to expand quoteFoam said..
Only on down stroke and even then you have to be quick to read it , electric is best set it to 20 or 25 psi and flick the on switch
Which electric pump do you use for 20-25 psi?
ive tried the high pressure 4wd pumps but they get hot and generate steam, which means you get moisture pumped into the sup. Having water inside can't be good for the materials or mould.
Select to expand quoteMedic said..
Hey Cucufate, reasonably out of breath with arms burning at 18PSI (getting old...), but i would say less than a minute more to get up to 20PSI. Good warmup. Really no excuse, but I might have bought a Ryobi1+ inflator to try out next time (who doesnt need more toys). Want to see what difference that makes to the inflation time. Recon I will still do the volume inflation upto 10PSI myself (most probably faster), and let the inflator do the hard work for pressure while I get ready to go out!
Normally you do this the other way around. You plug in the inflator and let it run while you get changed and stuff. Once it tops out you then do the rest with your muscle.
This is true for those little inflators. There are solutions for high pressure inflation if you insist on being lazy.
Nothing to do with being lazy I want to paddle not piss about inflating a board which takes a lot more effort than stated
Oops, sorry.
A friend of mine perfected inflation of his Red Paddle 14’ elite. He’d arrive, first pull out the board and plug in one of those Ryobi inflators and let it run while changing. When it topped out he’d switch it for a mini high pressure inflator (one of those with air pressure tanks but a small one) which runs on 12V hooked up to an extra car battery he had in the trunk (just to save time by not popping the hood) and let that run. I think it even stopped at a given pressure. Pretty much took the time for him to change etc. I’d need to ask him details (he’s moved away) on it if you want but I guess it's standard gear if you shop for it.
We’d, of course, give him **** but for sure he was ready pretty damn fast upon arriving with a crew of guys with rigid boards and truthfully we were thankful for that.
Has your wife or daughter tried the board yet? I'm thinking about getting a 12'6 Race, but I'm not sure if it would be too big.
Spirit4earth. If getting a hard board is not out of the question i would deffinately get a hard board over an inflatable if i was you. Yes the inflatables can pack down into a back pack and you can travel with them or store them easily and this will suit a lot of people. As stated above the pumping up can be a pain when you just want to get out on the water. I bought inflatables for myself and wife and kept them inflated most of the time so they took up as much room as hard boards. After trying a hard board i got rid of the inflatables straight away, hard board was much easier to paddle sat better in the water and lighter in weight. My wife was soo much happier as was I. Whatever you get i hope you are happy it and enjoy your paddling 
