SUP magazines 2013 Gear In Review

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Gear

in review

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Gear is how you use it. But what really makes us standup paddlers is our dedication to the water. We’re out there when it’s ankle-high, when it’s blowing 30 knots, when the tide’s too low, when the river’s water is too high and, of course, when it’s perfect.

And the gear—a hole-ridden wetsuit or patched-up, yellowed board and waxcovered paddle—is a story, telling of a thousand wonderful sessions. What’s also telling is the excitement and stoke that a new paddle or board can bring a seasoned veteran or a beginner. That piece is coveted, loved and guarded. And the story begins anew.

So for this Holiday Season, SUP magazine is giving you a gift: In this special digital magazine we present every gear review we’ve done in our print magazine throughout 2013—including the upcoming Winter issue. And to intersperse the gear, we’re also including some of our best print photos from the year that was.

We have a lot of shiny stuff cross our desks, but it never leaves looking that way.

We make the test gear pay the price to bring you insightful reviews on the standup market’s best tools. And now we’ve put it all in one place.

We hope you enjoy our 2013 Gear In Review and find the perfect holiday gift for you or a loved one. Take it out there and put it to good use. Make that gear part of your story. —Will Taylor

Robert Zaleski

g e a r

Sawyer Flex Tour With a carbon fiber-wrapped Douglas Fir shaft and laminated Red Cedar blade, the Flex Tour is a finelooking paddle. It performs as well as it looks. Wood has generous flex that is gentle on your wrist and shoulder joints for longer paddles. Even with that flex, it still performed well in the surf and on the river.

It also has a ToughEdge reinforcement, preventing wear and tear on the blade edge. Whatever you got, the Flex Tour can take. ($200, Paddlesandoars.com)

Tour

Naish Nalu 10’10” GS 10’10” X 32” X 4 3/8” (201 LITERS) The Nalu 10’10” GS is ideal for beginners: it’s so stable on the water that it almost feels like standing on a sidewalk yet the channelized bottom and low rocker makes the board track straight, meaning less work for you on each outing. Getting the board to and from the water is easy, thanks to Naish’s exclusive Ledge Carry handle, the most comfortable one we’ve used.

It’s also set up with eight insert holes for using bungee cords to secure dry bags, coolers or whatever else you might carry. Adventure-ready. ($1,500, Naishsurfing.com)

Roxy Sea Blazer Amphibians are cool. Why do you think many of us land-dwellers are so attracted to the water? The Sea

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Blazer neoprene hoody from Roxy is a rare piece of clothing that meets the demands of both the terra firma and the liquid realm. It repels water, it protects you from the sun (UPF 50+), it dries quickly and it looks good. Wear it where you will. ($108, Roxy.com) CamelBak Tahoe LR Keep your shoulders free with CamelBak’s Tahoe LR. The SUP-specific lumbar pack includes an actual whistle, as well as plenty of bells—like an open-mesh back, “paddle holster,” side pockets, an easy-to-fill, simple-to-clean 50-ounce reservoir, plus space to load lunch, an extra layer, or an inflatable PFD. ($70, Camelbak.com)

MTI Fluid Fun Fact: SUPs qualify as vessels. The short version? The US Coast Guard requires you carry a PFD onboard your SUP when you’re not surfing.

Inflatable waist packs are a perfect, low-profile way to carry your mandatory PFD. MTI has the market cornered with their Fluid belt back. A small CO2 container and the folded PFD fits inside the pack, ready to inflate with the tug of a cord. It also features a safety whistle, stash pocket and comes in Hawaiian print. Follow the law with flair and simplicity. ($125, MTIAdventurewear.com)

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Moonwalker

g e a r

surf

BIC Sport 10’6” ACE-TEC 10’6” X 31.5” X 4.5” (185 LITERS) We’ll come out and say it: SUPs can be unwieldy. They bounce off stairs, they get away from us in the surf and they fall off roofracks. Enter BIC. Their construction technology, featuring an epoxy-and-fiberglass-wrapped, polystyrene foam core covered with a heat-molded plastic skin, is light and nearly indestructible. The 10’6” ACE-TEC is also shaped in a highly-versatile longboard design, ideal for surfing or touring. It’s BIC’s best-selling SUP and we know why: you can’t break it and it works in a variety of conditions. You’ll be paddle it for years. ($1,050, BICSup.com)

SUP ATX CFS Lightweight, affordable and strong: these are the characteristics you want when taking a paddle out for the first time. The CFS paddle from SUP ATX fits the bill as entry-level. Their new blade has shed some ounces for a light swing weight, which equates to catching more waves. The shaft has a nice flex profile that will be easy on your joints for longer tours or downwinders. ($145, Supatx.com)

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Surf More XM Power Clip Leashes protect you by keeping your best flotation device attached to you and protect others by keeping that floatation device from destroying the lineup.

The Power Clip does that plus incorporates safety: if you’re surfing in an area where your leash may get caught on rocks, a pier or anything else, there is the option of releasing it, thanks to the quick-release loop at the ankle. Get in a jam, pull the yellow loop and you’re free. ($25, Surfmorexm.com)

Body Glove S.U.P Performance Long John We work hard when we paddle. That’s why we don’t always need a full suit. The 2mm S.U.P. Performance Long John keeps the heat close to your core so you stay warm but don’t overheat. Plus your arms are free so you avoid chafing during the full paddle stroke rotation. The anatomically-cut suit literally forms to your body’s contours and looks good in a lineup. Ladies will want to check out Body Glove’s S.U.P. Capri Racerback Jane. ($130, Bodyglove.com) 75

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Brian Grossenbacher

g e a r

Shred Ready Standard Half Cut Helmets are a must when running whitewater on an SUP, and they’re just getting better and more stylie thanks to companies like Shred Ready, who make good-looking, bombproof watersport-lids like the Standard Half Cut to protect your precious noggin.

Rocks are hard. ($70, Shredready.com)

whiTewaTer

NRS Baron 6 11’4” X 36” X 6” (358 LITERS) It doesn’t get more stable than the Baron 6. This inflatable SUP is the perfect beginner river-running board. The included pump and pressure gauge allow for 15 PSI of pressure, minimizing unwanted flex while navigating rapids. When you fall, three grab handles allow you to stay with your craft.

And if you want to carry your own gear, the D-rings are made to secure your stuff. NRS has been building quality river equipment for decades so plan on having the Baron 6 join your quiver indefinitely thanks to its durability. ($1,395, Nrsweb.com)

Kialoa Lau Lau Adjustable The Lau Lau is one of the sturdiest adjustable paddles out there. Kialoa’s LeverLock system makes it a snap to adjust the paddle to your height (it’s marked on the handle) and get on the river. The large blade

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allows you to get moving quickly and make moves in critical situations. It’ll also cross-over to perform in the surf or on tours. ($319, Kialoa.com) NRS Ninja When you’re paddling a SUP on the river, you want to move with stealth, freely, feeling the current. Kind of like a Ninja. That’s why the low-profile NRS Ninja has four side adjustments and two shoulder levers so you can fit it to form. The Cordura build wears well after weeks on the river and a front mesh pocket holds the essentials (See: energy bar). ($90, NRSweb.com)

Creatures of Leisure SUP 10 Coiled Leashes are a subject of controversy in whitewater SUP (see page 56). The SUP 10 Coiled leash is coiled along its entire length so it doesn’t drag through the water behind you, reducing the chances of a snag. It comes in either ankle or knee cuffs so you can wear it how you like in the surf or on tours as well (always attach to a quick-release belt when on the river). Our favorite feature? The urethane release loop on the cuff makes it easier than ever to take it off when stumbling out of the water after a long paddle.

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g e a r

t he goods

sunscreen

Vertra Elemental Resistance

Watermans Applied Science

Sun Bum

Sun Resistance Cream SPF 45

Sun Cream SPF 55

Pro SPF 30+

(Vertra.com, $28)

(Watermansappliedscience, $20)

(Trustthebum.com, $18)

Darrell Wong

If you’re new to watersports your skin is in for a rude awakening. The sun not only beats down on from above but also reflects back at you from below. If you don’t protect yourself properly, you’ll end up with skin like an old leather jacket. Most mainstream sunscreens aren’t made to stay on in the water. Luckily, lines of surf-specific sunscreens have been perfecting the science of water-use sunscreens for years and the offerings are just getting better. Below are some of our personal favorites.

Face Stick SPF 33 ($16) Headhunter

Zinka

SPF 30 Clear White

Colored Nose Coat

(Headhuntersurf.com, $13)

(Zinka.com, $7)

Face Stick Tinted Light Brown

Clear Spray ($11)

SPF 30-45 ($10-15)

d o w n w i n d

Victory Hoodie Victory offers a number of hoodies for men and women that are ideal for downwind paddling: the Street Sweeper Hoodie (pictured) blocks the sun and elements while allowing for ventilation as you pump to catch the next bump.

On colder days, try the Kill the Chill Fleece, a thin fleece material that adds an extra layer of warmth that feels thicker but still allows for a full range of motion when paddling. (Street Sweeper $65, Kill the Chill $75, Victorykd.com) Werner Grand Prix The Werner Grand Prix is a super-light paddle designed for racing, but due to the amount of strokes you take when downwind paddling, we like it for riding open-ocean bump too. At around 18 ounces, it reduces strain on your upper body and increases the recovery speed of your stroke. Available in three blade sizes, the bent shaft also helps paddlers avoid wear on the shoulder and wrist joints by helping to align your arm and torso with the shoulder. ($465, Wernerpaddles.com)

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Go Pro HERO 3: Black Editon GoPro cameras are all the rage in the action sports realm. And for good reason. High quality video has never come in a smaller package. Capture every bump and analyze every stroke with the HERO3. And no more crawling up on the nose of your board thanks to the WiFi-enabled remote control, which allows you to control the camera from a panel attached to your wrist. The HERO3 is 30 percent smaller but still allows for hi-resolution video and pictures up to 12 megabytes. ($400, GoPro.com) VestPac WilsonPac The WilsonPac is an impressive little package (16.9 ounces) that’s killer for short-to-mid

distance paddles with the wind at your back, featuring slim pockets for keys and iPods. The bladder holds a liter of water and doesn’t weigh you down while the adjustable elastic straps are comfortable and don’t inhibit your stroke while paddling. It also drains and dries quickly thanks to VestPac’s proprietary mesh construction. Hydration is crucial and VestPac knows it. ($74.95, VestPac.com)

f r a m e s

stylization alan van gysen Style is tough to explain. Keahi de Aboitiz’s dad saw standup in Hawaii when it was in its infancy. He was intrigued, so he brought what he saw home to Noosa, Australia and started paddling. Soon after, Keahi grabbed a paddle too. He’s been doing it through his formative years. That’s how you develop style. “Keahi is, without a doubt, one of the most talented watermen I’ve ever worked with,” says photographer Alan van Gysen. “No surfer in South Africa had ever seen a SUPer get barreled or throw airs like that. He was the talk of the town, literally, and he will be the benchmark by which any other SUP’er is judged going forward.”

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

sliNGsHOt sPACe PiCKle

rivierA rON HOUse COAstAl CrUiser

8’6” x 30” x 4 3/16” (136 liters)

12’6” x 30” x 5.25” (239.6 liters)

SHAPER TONY LOGOSZ: The Space Pickle has evolved over

SHAPER RON HOUSE: The 12’6” Coastal Cruiser is designed to be the ultimate all-around board. It works well in flat water, great in downwind, stable in rough conditions, and has a shortboard outline and a good amount of nose rocker, enabling it to surf better than the average 12’6”. It’s also equipped with six leash plugs on the nose so you can tie down all your gear when departing on an excursion. If we had to put it in one category it wouldn’t let us.

$1,535

$1,199

rONHOUsePAddlesUrf.COM

sliNGsHOtsPOrts.COM

time and is designed for everything from flatwater paddling to small surf; I even do downwinders on it here in Hood River.

It’s a great board for an intermediate paddler looking to get into their first waves, pretty much like a stable bar of soap. A good surfer can really get it flying. It’s not going to do super vertical turns so it’s great for small days (shoulder-high and down) when you’re out groveling. That said, it’s got a double concave bottom and aggressive V-spine toward the tail that lets it transition easily from side-to-side to help with carving.

For an intermediate person it’s definitely something you can grow with.

OUr tAKe:

Okay, if you want to spend some money on an allaround board, this is one that SUP magazine highly recommends. Last year, Editor Joe Carberry wrote, “If there was such a thing as a paddling god, and if he were, for some un-godly reason, to only allow us one board for the rest of our measly paddling lives, the Coastal Cruiser would have to make the final list.” A 12’6” board seems like a whole lot of plank but the CC does everything well and is extremely mobile. Flatwater paddling, expedition paddling (the tie-downs on the nose really work for carrying gear), surfing, downwind paddling, it’s all doable on this single-fin, Ron Housedesigned classic. There’s enough volume to put firsttimers at ease and enough shape to allow anyone to progress.

OUR TAKE:

The Space Pickle looks as distinctive as it sounds. It packs a lot of volume (136 liters) into a small package and provides the stability of a much longer board, making a perfect transition stick for those paddlers looking for a step-down from bigger rides. Its bamboo veneer sandwich construction takes some solid abuse.

The potato-shaped tail bred some skeptics in the office with its unusual width, but the spread-out and set-back quad fin placement is well-planned. The board holds in critical sections and gets down the line with crazy speed.

In short, The Space Pickle is a world of fun.

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t he goods

Chris Emerick

t he goods

r i v e r s u r f

NRS Radiant The stalwart river gear crafters at NRS have stepped up their standup offering with an essential piece of outerwear, the new 3-mm Radiant. River paddlers will appreciate extras like the rugged layer of knee protection. Our nod goes to the toasty, never soggy (non-absorbent) layer of fuzzy VaporLoft lining you’d expect in a pricier full suit, which adds a warmer feel than your typical 3-mill, giving you no excuses on frigid days. ($220, nrsweb.com)

Carbonerro Honey Girl At 19.5 ounces, the Honey Girl is feather-light but doesn’t feel flimsy thanks to the all-carbon construction. The 10-degree rake combined with the smaller-than-average surface area 7.75-inch blade width creates a smooth cadence going in and out of the water with no flutter. The minimal feel allows for quick paddle strokes, essential when making the pivot to catch waves. ($339, Carbonerro.com) FCS 9” SUP Big Wave The 9” Big Wave is the Cadillac of SUP leashes: it’s heavy-duty, tricked-out and functional. A quarter of the leash is coiled, keeping it out of your way while paddling and absorbing impact on wipeouts. We had it out in double-overhead waves and it held while getting hammered on the inside. The SUP leash can be used in multiple situations from surf, to whitewater to downwinding. ($38, SurfFCS.com) Matuse Hoplite Full 2mm The Hoplite is made of what the folks at Matuse call geoprene, derived from limestone. Stiff at first, it loosens up nicely after a few sessions.

The material itself is soft, smooth and absorbs a fair bit less water and dries faster than neoprene.

We stayed plenty warm on a midwinter SUP surf session in Central California. If you’re looking for a comfortable suit that’s warm, but won’t make you sweat like a gorilla, the Hoplite is a worthy choice. ($349, Matuse.com)

Sex Wax When we need to prep for nose riding or for ripping on a board without a deck pad, we reach for Sex Wax. It makes your boards sticky, it smells good and it’s still funny after all these years (Good for your stick? Love it). What more do you need from a chunk of the sticky stuff? ($1.50, Sexwax.com)

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OAM Regular 10’ Coil The coil leash is essential in whitewater to avoid snags. Too much extra chord makes for potential disaster. OAM’s 10’ Coil features a soft calf cuff and stainless steel hardware reinforcing all attachment points and an easy grab loop for release. Plus, no more hiding your key in the wheel well with the hidden key pocket. The OAM 10’ Coil can be used on the river or in the ocean.

When on the rio, always utilize a quick release belt (see Astral PFD). ($32, OAMsurf.com)

Astral Camino 200 Flotation is critical on the river. The Astral Camino 200 provides the safety of a PFD but is constructed with AIRESCAPE technology, which allows the PFD to breathe and keeps you from overheating. Larger arm openings are designed for a full range of motion during strokes. The quick release belt is essential for SUP, providing a 1.5” O-ring for a leash attachment, which lets paddlers release the leash at the waist in case of a snag. ($130, Astralbuoyancy.com)

Level Six Emperor River aficionados have long used drysuits to protect themselves from the elements in the whitewater world. The stylish Level Six Emperor easily crosses over to the SUP where paddlers can stay warm and dry with a loose-fitting suit that allows for flexibility during the rigors of river paddling. Constructed from Level Six’s proprietary eXhaust, 3-ply fabric with extra cordura padding on the elbows, knees, forearms and other areas that wear easily, the Emperor features a fleece lined chest pocket to keep you toasty while contemplating your line. Latex wrist and neck gaskets are reinforced with adjustable neoprene. The durable Emperor makes winter or early spring paddling a whole lot more enjoyable. ($879, Levelsix.com)

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

odyssey Tour

inFinitY blurr

8’2” x 27.5” x 3.75” (100 liters)

11’ x 31” x 6” (225 liters)

$1,160-1,500 (custom options)

$949

inFinitYsurF.com

odysseysup.com

SHAPERS DAVE AND DAN BOEHNE: The Blurr SUP is Dave Boehne’s signature model and the most progressive board in the Infinity line. Infinity offers various bottom contours to match specific waves, locations and rider preferences. The rocker is tuned with a noticeable “flat” spot for speed and bend at the wing behind the fins for release. The nose and tail are very thin. The tail features a “step” in the rail behind the wing to take even more volume out where you don’t need it.

Customizing gives us the option to fine-tune the volume to a rider’s weight and skill. Custom features are endless: stringerless, carbon, resin tints, fin set-up, tail shape, etc.

SHAPER NATE BROUWER: Odyssey Tour is the result of

research and development by SUP enthusiasts who live in the mountains and on the beaches of California. It’s designed to be the perfect board for both worlds, efficiently slicing across glassy lakes and rivers with stability and performance for the variety of ocean conditions. This unique manufacturing process creates a durable and lightweight board.

o u r TA K e :

Let’s just put it out there: the Infinity Blurr is one of the most advanced surf shapes on the market. If you’ve watched the evolution of Infinity SUP surfing, you’ve noticed how both nose and tail have gotten thinner and more refined as the years have passed. The Blurr epitomizes this evolution. Once on the wave, the svelte weight (thanks to a light layup reinforced with carbon) and aforementioned thin contour of both nose and tail allow the paddler to execute turns in the most critical sections where precise maneuvers are of the upmost importance. The rail line is extremely smooth, making it easy to create drive down the face. The Blurr isn’t meant to paddle like a touring board: it’s for wave performance.

Since they’re custom, know yourself: talk with Infinity’s experts about your height, weight, surfing and paddling ability. Don’t be afraid to go a little longer, wider and thicker. The extremely light weight will make up for the extra material. Personally, I love the Blurr tail. Step over the fins and your control is pinpoint. The boys have done their homework and you can feel it –JC

OUR TAKE:

The Odyssey Tour is built with the family in mind. And parents who have the family budget to deal with. The molded EPS core is wrapped in mat-glass and foaming epoxy then pressure heated and sealed with a gel coat.

And it is durable. Drop it off the car or dock and it’ll keep on gliding. Plus, the Tour paddles remarkably well. It feels most at home in flatwater, where the displacement hull can slice through the surface and the 31-inch wide platform allows for a stable, secure ride that anyone can learn to paddle on. You may not win any races but life isn’t a race. Plus, the Tour is for covering distance. And being comfortable while doing it.

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

rogue psYcho

12’ 6” x 30 3/16” x 6 15/16”

10’0” x 35” x 6” (300 liters)

SHAPERS RICK KARR AND RICK ROCK: Our new 12’6 Psycho has been two years in the making. The Psycho has a piercing nose and a lot of V on the deck to penetrate the water and keep the board moving forward. The slight cockpit is set at a forward angle to give the paddler an aggressive stance. We’ve left a good amount of volume in the tail to help keep it from sinking in the water during the recovery of the stroke, creating less drag. The bottom of the board has a continuous rocker for excellent entry and release from the water. There is a slight roll in the bottom with vertical rails, giving the board a true displacement feel. The rails also offer a secondary point of stability. The Psycho is stable enough for your everyday paddler and fast enough to be competitive at an Elite level.

SHAPER DECLAN SACRE: There are several features that separate the 2013 Astro Whopper from other boards. First is the full EVA deck. It’s covered in very thin EVA that makes it easier to grab the board with the paddle, as well as adding more traction and comfort all the way to the nose. Second is the polycarbonate stringer up the center of the board, which is 10 inches wide and adds stability. Third, the AW is designed with high-tensile drop stitch that has more stitch per inch giving the board greater durability and allowing it to inflate to 18 psi (it also includes a custom pump that is tall and skinny allowing for easier inflation).

The Deluxe is six inches thick, which further increases stiffness of the board.

$1,460

$1,499

roguesup.com

stAr-boArD-sup.com

OUR TAKE:

OUR TAKE:

Smooth through the water, fast when it needs to be, stable. In short, the Rogue Psycho is really fun to paddle.

The biggest advancement from Rogue is the beefed up tail and the technology behind it. Think about the sinking sensation you often get between strokes. Rogue has combatted this with a thicker tale which helps keep the board on plane and moving where you want it to: towards the finish line. The stability is also key. I tested this board in rough to choppy water, with side wind, and it performed like a champ. I was able to concentrate on my strokes and keep momentum without worrying about falling. Plus, it still surfs decently because the tail thins towards the rear of the board even with the increased volume. From weekend racers to moms out for a tour on the lake, the Psycho can be used in multiple arenas. –JC

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stArboArD Astro whopper Deluxe

They say Whopper, we say tank. At 35 inches wide and 6 inches thick this beast is stable as all get-out, side-to-side and front-to-back. We put it up against some serious walls of whitewater and were able to punch through standing, even if we looked like baby giraffes trying to find their footing. The stability sacrifices some maneuverability but the Whopper still responds nicely to pivot turns and sweep strokes. It pumps up to a surprisingly stiff 18 PSI, making for a rigid ride for an inflatable and the stitching, gluing, D-ring placement and front tie-downs are high-quality. It also packs into an included backpack that has room for additional gear and the included pump and patch kit. This thing is ready for all the whitewater glory you can throw at it.—WT

Photo: JP VAN SWAE

1/29/13 6:00 PM

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B o a r d s

stANDUP PADDLe comPANY mermAiD

B o a r d s

10’10” X 30.25” X 4.25” (180 Liters, 25 Lbs)

8’4” x 28.5” x 4.3” (110.5 liters)

SHAPER: Tommy Donnelly HIS TAKE: This board is perfect for

SHAPER MARK JOHNSON: We call it the RAW because it’s all you need, no bells, no whistles. you can actually see the construction that happened here in the USA. The shape came from four years of R&D with Colin McPhillips. It incorporates high-performance longboard characteristics into a SUP: it’s got perfect rocker, good volume, nose concave, flat center section with tucked rail, good balance of foam from nose to tail and a lot of V and double concave at the sweet spot where you surf it. The strength comes from the Cross Link high-tension Kevlar in a 70-degree pattern. It allows the board to be stiff lengthwise while still having a lively flex pattern. It’s lightweight (around 12 pounds) and durable. We haven’t been able to break one yet.

$1,399

$1,699

sUPcomPANY.com

hobie.com

flatwater cruising, SUP surfing, SUP Yoga or the most gorgeous piece of artwork in your house! This board contains an EPS foam core with T-stringer support and reinforced sealed rails. Both tail and nose are reinforced as well. Several layers of 4-ounce fiberglass cloth add to the strength of the PVC foam layer. This is all coated with an epoxy resin and external polymers paint finish.

OUR TAKE:

OUR TAKE:

If you want a shred sled the CM RAW is a ripping-good option. It’s stupid-light thanks to a stringer-less design, small hand-hold, and light glass job. Don’t let that deter you though. The rails are reinforced with Kevlar mesh (to prevent paddle dings) as are the rear three-quarters of the deck and base. Hobie has thinned out the tail and nose for this year’s model, giving even more control on the wave face. It worked: the board still has enough planing speed to get into and through slow sections but where it really picks up is in the pocket, where it feels flowy and loose, linking maneuvers like floaters and top turns with ease. If you want to spend more time in the water the RAW will get you psyched to do so.—Will Taylor

Gillian Gibree, SUP yogi, fitness guru and ocean wanderer helped design this longboard shape from SUPCO. It’s as functional a ride as you’ll find, with a nice, wide planing nose pulled back into a pintail, making for a fun ride, perfect for average surf. It also cruises flatwater and is stable enough for yoga. The Mermaid makes for nice eye candy too, with an underwater scene on the base and a sea foam green deck pad. Functional and good-looking; the best combo there is.

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hobie cm rAw

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g i v i n g

s h a p e

h a r o l d

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i g e Harold “Iggy” Ige left this world doing what he loved: playing in the water. Ige, who was the head shaper for Naish, passed away from a heart attack in January 2012 while testing new prototypes near Lanikai, Oahu, leaving a serious void in the culture of standup craftsmanship. Getting his start with Dale Velzy in Southern California before joining Dewey Weber (who was also mentoring future SUP-shaper Donald Takayama), Ige joined Rick and Robbie Naish in the late 1970’s to form the Naish brand, helping to create most of the modern SUP line for the iconic company.

“Harold was an awesome man,” says Kai Lenny, who dedicated his 2012 Standup World Series title to the shaper. “He shaped all my world title boards on both the surf and race side. I want to give him as much credit as possible. He really deserves more than that.”

julia schweiger

g e a r

g e a r

O’Neill 365 Divine Tank $38, Oneillclothing.com SUPreme Women’s Catch Jacket $120, Supremepaddle.com

By Divine, O’Neill means this tank will smell better, longer.

Their Dri-release fabric dries four times faster than cotton thanks to wicking technology and odor-resistant treatment.

So whether you’re in the yoga studio or on the beach, you’re covered.

The Catch is 1.5 millimeters thick to help you retain the heat you produce from paddling on colder days and features multiple pockets for bars, gels, water or iPods. Surf, tour, downwind: the Catch has you set on all fronts.

Patagonia Women’s Shortie Board Shorts $45, Patagonia.com Recycled polyester and spandex material make the slimfitting Shortie fast-drying and comfortable in and out of the water. With an elastic waistband, tie string and sea-going looks, you might have a hard time ever taking these off.

Women’s Kanaha $90, Bluesmiths.com The Kanaha is the result of paddlers, windsurfers and kitesurfers demanding a fabric to keep them warm when wet and cool when hot. Bluesmiths nailed it with their NanoSphere technology, offering a comfortable paddling shirt for any condition.

Sawyer Paddles Flex Tour Paddle $200, Paddlesandoars.com Wood paddles are gentle on your joints. The Flex Tour feels ideal in hand and is built for any kind of paddling you’re into.

Victory KoreDry Capri Pants $65, Victorykd.com Made with water-repellent fabric, Victory’s Capri Pants won’t soak through even when submerged, keeping you warm while drying quickly. Flat-stitched for women on the move, these will also protect you from the sun with their UPF 50+ protection.

Kialoa Paddles LauLau Adjustable $319, Kialoa.com This is the strongest and the lightest paddle in Kialoa’s adjustable line, allowing you to go from the river to the ocean with ease. And if sharing is your thing, the LauLau has height lines to adjust for different-sized paddlers.

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g e a r

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g e a r Roxy 2 mm Boyshort Springsuit $100, Roxy.com Run a little cold? Roxy’s Boyshort Springsuit isn’t overkill with 2 millimeters of rubber to stay warm and look good in any lineup.

Rainbow Twisted Sister $54, Rainbowsandals.com

Carbonerro Paddles Honey Girl $339, Carbonerro.com Light, stiff and aesthetically pleasing. All factors that play into the Honey Girl’s versatility. This is one of our personal favorites for any type of paddling.

Olukai Kulapa Kai $60, Olukai.com

Sanuk Yoga Sling $36, Sanuk.com

Ocean Minded Women’s Waveseeker $25, Oceanminded.com

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nile files r e d i s c o v e r i n g o n e o f e a r t h ’ s g r e at e s t r i v e r s

WORDS anD phOtOS BY seth warren

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

RivieRa Standup foR the CuRe

10’6” X 32” X 4 3/8” (171.1 Liters)

8’0” X 30 ½” X 4 9/16” (130 Liters)

SHAPER: Taylor Rambo HIS TAKE: The Riviera 10’6” is a perfect

SHAPER: Kirk McGinty HIS TAKE: The SIMSUP® by L41

board for first-time paddlers. It’s very stable making it ideal for touring and surfing. Its slightly pulled-in nose and pinched rails improve its maneuverability in the surf while the two-plus-one fin system allows you to modify your board to the conditions. This limited edition Standup For The Cure board is being sold all year long to benefit The Susan G. Komen Foundation, which works to educates about and researches breast cancer. We also sell this board in other color combinations.

Surfboards is a high-aspect ratio displacement hull inspired by the design theories of Bob Simmons. Short and wide is the secret sauce here. This combination translates into stability, effortless wave catching and instant down-the-line speed. This also allows them to be ridden much shorter than you’re used to. A rolled entry transition into a flat bottom then into a double concave with plenty of V. The quad fin configuration provides maximum feedback while minimizing drag. The unique stepped rail reduces volume where it’s not wanted and the double-winged tail profile enhances the outline curve for better performance.

Completely custom with multiple construction options available.

$1,250

$999

oriGiNAL-simsUP.com

riVierAPADDLesUrF.com

OUR TAKE:

OUR TAKE:

We’re fans of all-around boards here at SUP magazine.

Simplification will often make your life easier. The Standup for the Cure board is stable enough for a first-timer, shaped well enough to have a blast in the surf and fast enough to be used for touring on flat water. Riviera sells this shape in numerous iterations and it’s no surprise why: paddlers love the versatility and functionality of this board.

You will too. Especially if you like pink and want to promote breast cancer awareness. It’s a billboard for good that is also a heck of a lot of fun.

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L41 simsUP

Simmons-inspired SUPs are popping up all over the place.

And after riding the L41 SIMSUP we can see why: in small waves, it’s one of the fastest and funnest boards you could stand on. A deep single concave up front lets you into waves early, like a much larger board, and leads back to deep V, giving you the ability to get the extra-wide tail rail-to-rail. The SIMSUP wants to get up and go with its quad setup and massive planing surface. It doesn’t turn as easily as a more shortboard-inspired SUP due to said wide tail but it still gets up into the lip surprisingly well (it longs to come off the lip in a high-speed turn rather than a complete vertical hack) and the fins are easy to slide around. Bottom line: for shorter shapes, there’s not a better small-wave tool out there.

Photo: JP VAN SWAE

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f r a m e s B o a r d s

jeff berting This spring, Candice Appleby and Anthony Vela organized the Performance Paddling Junior Pro and Youth SUP Fiesta. Besides being a mouthful to pro-

bote WrAith ss W series

nounce, the event was a complete success, drawing youth from all over the country to compete in a race and surf competition at Bolsa Chica State Park near Huntington Beach, Calif. Here, Joshua Brackett strokes out through the surf on his way to 2nd place in the Boys 9-11 Division.

12’ 6” X 27.5” X 6” (22 Lbs) $2,100

boteboArD.com

DESIGNER: Corey Cooper. HIS TAKE: An extremely fast yet delicate board, constructed of a stringer-less blank wrapped with only a single layer of carbon laminate, the W Series Wraith SS weighs in at a minimal 22 pounds. Reduced weight, slim design, and optimum stability yields a higher energy transfer per stroke from paddler to water. The “V” Hull cuts through the water while the flat tail provides stability. Available in 25.5” and 27” widths, the board is designed for a range of female paddlers who want to look good and go fast!

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OUR TAKE:

Looks don’t always lead to performance. That’s not the case with the Bote Wraith SS. It looks fast and is fast. At a svelte 22 pounds, it’s easy to move around and when it hits the water, it flies. The Wraith is designed for flatwater use only and is a great tool for training and racing. It is, however, a delicate flower with a single layer of glass and couldn’t withstand too much abuse (ie rail bumps at buoy turns). But if you’re looking to shed as many ounces as possible and ride a moving spear, the Wraith will sling you along and make for a really fun paddle during flatwater touring.

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f r a m e s

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Zak Noyle kaiNoa McGee

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g i v i n g

s h a p e

B o a r d s

surFtech kAiwi-kAi

14’ x 28”x5.75” (325.4 liters) $2,360

surFtech.com

SHAPER GERRy LOPEz: This is my Molokai Channel board

but it’s equally at home in a lake or river. It’s a bigger version of the 12’ 6” Manu Kai and features the same displacement hull characteristics. The Kaiwi-Kai is stable and forgiving and in rough conditions, these two traits are a premium. It has a displacement bow-entry feeding into a planing hull with a slight concave amidships. The advantage of a displacement hull is that it requires less effort to move. A planing hull works best to ride a wave but you still need to catch the wave. The theory goes back to my single fins at the Pipeline compared to the more modern thruster shapes that favored the narrow nose. I always felt the narrow nose took away paddling to increase turning ability when up and riding. But just like at the Pipeline, in the open ocean your prime concern is catching the wave rather than performance once on a bump.

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our TAKe:

g e r r y

Stable, fast, easy to get into bumps. All traits of the Surftech Kaiwi-Kai. But the board’s true beauty lies in the fact that it isn’t just a downwind board. The nose features subtle displacement, making it cut through the water with ease on tranquil tours. There’s no drag as it feeds into that planing hull. But when it was time to go down coast—the winds have been good to us lately in Southern California—the rocker in the nose allowed me to catch bump without pearling. And stepping on the tail, it surfed relatively well when landing on the beach. With some 40 years of shaping experience, it’s safe to say that Gerry Lopez knows what he’s doing. Performance isn’t the most important aspect of a downwind board.

But you don’t want it to be a slug either. And it’s hard to rationalize storing a 14-foot board just to wait to use it on windy days. That’s why I really like the all-around aspect of the Kaiwi-Kai. The production model isn’t light but it definitely isn’t a tugboat. The LiftSUP handle made it easy to get off the car and onto the water. And the more I paddled it, the more I wanted to be on the water with it under my feet. –JC

l o p e z

Icon, legend, hero. All monikers to describe Gerry Lopez. And all of them fit. When Laird Hamilton was trying to have his first standup boards shaped in the early 2000s, it was Lopez who recommended he call Ron House (Lopez didn’t have the space). But Lopez’s subsequent involvement in the shaping realm lead to fantastic surf models like the timeless Lil’ Darling and downwinders like the Kaiwi-Kai, both licensed through Surftech. In his late sixties, Lopez still surfs, races and conducts yoga clinics. And above all, with his incredible aloha spirit, he remains a treasure to the waterman culture.

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gear’s g oods

B o a r d s

corebAN reActor

9’3 X 29 3/4” X 4 1/2” (150 Liters, 20 Lbs) $1,577

corebAN.com

SHAPERS: Ivan Van Vuuren, Nicki Carstens THEIR TAKE: The

Reactor is what we like to think of as perfection in meeting our goal of giving a comfortable experience in the line up without sacrificing performance. The rails in the standing area are rounded to give you standing comfort while hanging out on your feet. Once you take off and step back the tail is shaped to increase maneuverability with inset wings and a swallow tail.

The nose is pulled in slightly to give you that extra speed down the line when trying to reach critical sections of the wave. The Reactor flat out responds to a number of conditions. The volume will support riders in the 220-pound range but feel agile for the lighter weight riders looking for performance. This is a board that you will never outgrow.

Here at sUP magazine we’re outdoor people. We’re ocean people, we’re river people and we’re mountain people. and we accumulate the gear to live all those lives accordingly. in that vein, we’re launching “Gear’s Good”, to bring you the gear that’s not necessarily made for sUP, but fits right in with the outdoor lifestyle. -WT OUR TAKE:

Gibbon SlacklineS Jibline $100, Gibbonslacklines.com

The Reactor makes you, well, react, right from the get-go.

It looks like a shortboard shape but is 9’3”; it has a tight swallowtail but a fairly wide, thick nose; and it’s burly, like bombproof. We’ll cut to the point: this is a great midrange board. Looking to drop down from your longboard shape to a more aggressive ride without falling every two seconds? Reactor. Want to paddle to peaks far off down the beach and still be able to do turns? Reactor. This is a versatile machine, capable of both longboard and intro shortboard moves simultaneously. Just don’t expect it to be one or the other.

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We thought slacklining looked ridiculous, too. but a friend set one up between two ponderosa pines over a holiday weekend and we couldn’t help ourselves. a couple hours, and maybe a beer or three later, and we’d figured out how to walk on the thing, albeit still a bit unstable, and we had a stupid amount of fun doing it. The next morning the soreness stretched from the lats to the obliques and our legs were noodly. it was the perfect cross-training sUP workout, hitting many of the same stabilizing muscle groups in both the core and the legs. The Gibbon Jibline makes

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setup and takedown snappy with their twopiece system, meaning you can head down to your local park and be slacking—er, we mean training—within minutes. it might not feel like you’re working hard but just wait until the morning.

has a small saw embedded in the handle so you can limb trees or severe a limb trapped by a fallen boulder. if you’re in charge of the fire an axe is mandatory. and who doesn’t want to be in charge of the fire?

PrimuS Profile Dual Stove

Gerber Gator combo axe ii

$139, PrimUscamPinG.com

$50, GerberGear.com

a person with an axe is just more useful. chopping wood, driving tent stakes, resting conveniently next to your sleeping bag to convince your girlfriend that you can actually fight off a bear—all useful things an axe can do. The Gator combo is even more useful than that. it

Portable cook stoves are not just the next best thing to fires. They’re better than fires—at least for cooking. especially the Profile Dual, which has a grill on one side and a burner on the other. That means chicken cooking on one end and pasta on the other or whatever combination of camp food you can conjure.

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p a d d l e s

B o a r d s

RivieRa Bump R8.5 CaRBon FiBeR

nRs BaRon 4

11’4” X 36” X 4” (247 LITERS, 26.6 LBS)

$399, RivieRapaddlesuRF.Com

$1,195

This is the most unique paddle we’ve dipped in the water in quite some time. While the blade and shaft are the same as in riviera’s tried-and-true Vantage series, so the blade continues to feel good in the water and the shaft feels solid, the bump is definitely a step up: the wrapped carbon around the original shaft gives a finger-friendly texture that provides an extra-solid grip and the mental satisfaction that comes along with it. This wrap also makes the paddle more sturdy for heavy surf sessions and rocky river runs. The ergo Grip handle with finger grooves is also a great addition that tells your hands that the paddle is facing the right way after a wipeout or scratching in the impact zone. a new classic.

nRsWeB.Com

THeir Take: long, wide and built to glide, the baron 4 inflatable is the board of choice for paddlers seeking smooth cruising on rivers, lakes and bays. The board gives you a sturdy platform for river running, touring, fitness paddling and sUP yoga, and the tapered tail makes it surprisingly agile for its size. With 247 liters of air volume, the 4-inch-thick baron 4 provides optimal performance and stability for paddlers. The board inflates to a rock-hard 15 psi for rigidity that rivals a hard board, then rolls up compactly when deflated for the baron. There’s always room in your home or car for an inflatable from nrs. Throw it on your back or on an airplane and you’re on your way to your next adventure.

laiRd pRo CaRBon X $389, laiRdHamilton.Com

Power meets power. That’s what we think of when referencing laird Hamilton and his admirable feats of waterman-ship. so it is no wonder that laird standup— Hamilton’s newly-formed sUP company—would develop a product equally adept at matching the power of water. The Pro carbon X—made from 100 percent carbon Fiber— balances stiffness with weight (a svelte 17.5 oz) perfectly, allowing for strong, precise stroke placement with little wear and tear on your body. The teardrop-shaped blade easily moves through the water for a clean and entry and release.

The stiffness is what we really loved. There is no bend when paddling or bracing, this paddle just feels sturdy in hand, but it’s the light weight that really makes it stand out. Whitewater, racing, surf, it’s all in your realm with the Pro carbon X.

oUr TaKE:

The baron 4 is one heck of a sUP platform. This versatile shape is equally at home on any body of water and is the perfect option for a family with limited space or looking to get their first board. but that doesn’t mean that this thing is soft. nrs made their name in the world of whitewater and their gear lasts for years. it’s also made to perform. The baron is a great board for feeling out whitewater for the first time. The 34-inch width lets you adjust your feet as you go through rapids and the pad over three-quarters of the deck helps you stick rapids even when things get crazy. if you do hit the drink, three webbing handles (two in front, one in back) will get you back on your board in a hurry. Whatever you use it for, you won’t be disappointed. -WT

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f r a m e s

always en vogue taylor rambo The cutback. Without a doubt, one of surfing’s most timeless elements. Here’s San Clemente, California’s Brandon Rambo, adding style, grace and a touch of nostalgia to his favorite mysto spot.

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

t. patteRson RisinG sun

9’2” X 29 X 4 5/16” (125 LITERS)

12’6” X 28 X 5 1/2” (280 LITERS)

THeir Take: The ‘rising sun’ was designed for the high performance sUP surfer. These boards have a shortboardinspired outline with a fishy nose and a double winged rounded pin tail. They have a single concave bottom in the center that blends to double concave, with slight vee out the tail for better maneuverability and rail-to-rail surfing. The right board for you will vary depending on your size and skill level.

THeir Take: The board that has finished in the top 5 at the battle of the Paddle every year since its introduction, the manta is the product of collaboration between champion paddler and coach mick Di betta and legendary australian shaper Dick Van strallen. This 12’6” features an optimal balance of speed and stability that works equally well in downwind, rough and flatwater conditions. single concave and nose vee simultaneously split the water and provide lift, allowing the board to surf its own wake. chimed rails narrow the water line and increase glide without sacrificing stability. The manta is the current favorite of the lahui kai Team and a perfect choice for the intermediate to advanced paddler looking to take their love of the sport to the next level.

oUr TaKE:

oUr TaKE:

The rising sun is a solid high performance shape for those looking to move down into shred-able length boards. it comes in three sizes: 10’2”, 9’2” and 8’2” (leaving us curious what an 8’6” might feel like). We found the 9’2” to have a good stability-tomaneuverability ratio, meaning this thing rips through turns while still giving you a solid ride around the lineup. The production construction by riviera is heavy-duty and comes with a quad or 2+1 option (we liked the speed of the quad and it still held on deep bottom turns). make sure to play with your fin setups on this one; it reacts like a different—and fun—beast with each one.

–WT

sUP aTX has really stepped up their game with the manta.

For a board with displacement and rocker in the nose, it moves surprisingly well through flat water. The slightly recessed deck adds balance in choppy conditions (but doesn’t shed water all that well) and the underside-beveled rails make the board more responsive than other boards of the same width. and this thing can surf. That means you’ll be chasing bumps with ease in the open ocean as well as feeling comfortable on steeper waves as you come in from runs through the beach break. You may even find yourself paddling back out for another set wave. –WT

$1,345

$1,485

tpatteRsonsuRFBoaRds.Com

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sup atX manta

supatX.Com

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

taHoe sup RuBiCon

12’ X 30” X 5” (269 LITERS, 29 LBS)

staRBoaRd aiRBoRn BRusHed CaRBon

7’10” X 30” X 3.4” (97 LITERS)

$1,299

$2,899

taHoesup.Com

STaR-BoaRd-Sup.com

THeir Take: Designed by starboard shaper matt rauzier, the airborn was created to get the best performance in mushy waves. its fish-style outline offers great shortboard carving, as well as ultra-performance and stability in small surf. The brushed carbon creates a light, strong build that offers quick, responsive control and the startouch textured deck grip only adds to the board’s performance characteristics.

THeir Take: a board inspired by the rubicon Trail, a 22-mile rugged backcountry trail located in the sierra nevada range.

The rubicon features a more versatile gear attachment system, making it easy to load for those extra long adventures. The rubicon is an “all-water” workhorse designed with functionality in mind. it is Tahoe’s most stable and versatile paddleboard, making it a great choice for beginner to intermediate paddlers looking for a reliable everyday recreational sUP board. it truly is the sUV of sUP.

ouR taKe:

“Fun.” That was the first word out of our mouths when testing the starboard airborn brushed carbon. With a fish shape, light weight and 30-inch width, this new design for 2014 was easy to paddle and, with even minimal experience, relatively stable for such a short board. starboard’s brushed carbon technology is a game-changer, especially in the weight department, making the airborn a cinch to get on rail and initiate turns (surprising for the width). We really liked the proprietary startouch grip, which is, as advertised, super-grippy and allows the paddler to go sans pad and really feel the board. The carbon gives the board a stiffer feel so it definitely takes a few waves to get used to. but if you relax, get a few pumps in, the board picks up speed exceptionally well, allowing for aggressive, vertical top turns. We tested this board in a quad setup with the red starboard Hexcel fins (by Fcs) and it worked incredibly well. With it’s shape you’d think it’d be a good board for small, mushy waves (and it is), but we also tested it in head-high conditions and were thoroughly impressed with it’s ability to hold a line, making it a solid choice as an all-around surf sUP. —JC

oUr TaKE:

The rubicon is made for adventure. The displacement nose cuts through the water nicely and adds speed to cover long distances and the strong, extra-large leash plugs on the nose and tail provide ample opportunity to tie down large loads for expeditionstyle paddling. if you do load the rubicon down, you’d better be steady: since the design is a compromise between load bearing and speed, it’s more unstable than other options on the market.

That said, the blend is perfect for long, loaded-down paddles.

The koreGuard construction will take some serious abuse, too.

This is exactly the type of board sUP magazine staffers would take on an expedition. —WT

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T he G oods

The BeST in oUr Gear cloSeT

SUP Tech

Three Pieces of Gear to Help You Live On the Water WiLL TaYLOr

Freestyle Killer sharK tide

Kyocera hydro edge

$95 FrEESTYLEUSa.COM

$ 150 BOOSTMOBiLE.COM

Freestyle has been making quality outdoor watches for over 30 years. it shows. Their Killer Shark Tide is, pun intended, a killer watch. it’s water resistant to 100 meters and has a dual alarm and a backlight. But what really makes it a paddler’s dream is the extras, from tides at 150 beaches worldwide to sunrise/sunset times to a heat timer for surf competitors. The large face makes all of the tech details easy to see while the thick silicon strap will withstand years of saltwater immersion. and it looks good, too. a must for the water lifestyle.

if you’re on a budget but still want something you can bring on your paddling adventures to capture photos and video or make a call to your significant other to let him/her know you’ll be late—while you’re still surfing—the Kyocera Hydra Edge is a solid solution.

The Edge can withstand 30 minutes submerged in freshwater water and, in our testing, survived multiple downwind missions with pictures and phone calls included. it worked after splashing through the surf and going for a swim in our trunks. a little rinse and it was good to go.

The four-inch impact-resistant screen didn’t crack or break even after multiple paddle and board hits.

The camera is only 5 megapixels, so the image quality isn’t amazing, but it gets the job done. The video quality is better, though, at 720p HD. it has all the standard features of the android family including WiFi enabling and GPS and for $55/month you get unlimited talk, text and data.

Overall, a strong phone with basic components that will perform on the water.

sony action cam as30V $299 STOrE.SONY.COM

The Sony action Cam is a fantastic point-of-view product in a crowded market. With high-quality video, 12 megapixel stills and a Carl Zeiss, 170-degree lens this camera guarantees good imagery every time you hit the water.

Speaking of hitting the water, the aS30V’s sleek, aerodynamic housing is waterproof to 197 feet while the camera itself features Sony’s proprietary SteadyShot image stabilization, which takes the shakes out of your shots when dropping in on a choppy wave or catching glides. it’s also 35 percent lighter than its predecessor and features GPS to track your speed and distance on, say, a downwinder.

One beef: this thing doesn’t shed water as easily as other cams on the market, requiring lots of wiping to get a clean shot. aside from that, the aS30V is a solid purchase that will sharply capture all of your aquatic adventures.

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

F-One MadeirO

naiSh one

8’3” X 30” X 3 1/2” (108 LiTerS)

12’6” X 30” X 6” (265 LiTerS)

DESiGNEr rEMi QUiQUE: The 8’3” Madeiro is the ideal board for riders over 175 pounds who wants to take the next step in their approach to riding waves or for less experienced riders who need a bit more volume (108 liters). its compact outline and progressive rocker allow you to easily take off on soft waves. The double concave and V-bottom shape provide quick acceleration during your first bottom turn, allowing you to hit the lip with complete control by relying on the bevel rail design. This board is best for surfers who have some experience riding waves, knowing already how to gain speed and make turns. The Madeiro also comes in 7’7” and 7’11” dimensions. With the 8’3” paddlers will take their surfing to the next level, by being more radical while keeping some paddling comfort with the generous width and flat deck.

SHaPEr MiCHi SCHWEiGEr: The Naish ONE design is the perfect

$1,299

$ 1,629

naiSHSUrFinG.COM

F-OneSUP.COM

recreational touring board for paddlers of all ages, weights and skill levels as well as a highly-competitive race design, which is fun, stable and unbelievably fast. it features a comprehensive multicolored traction pad and a high-quality construction for outstanding durability that is safe for boats, cars, pools, decks, pets and people.

The pad’s graphic layout creates a dynamic reference for proper standing position and integrates a numbered reference guide.

These numbers are perfect for teaching proper rider positioning to novice paddlers as well as providing a visual reference for racers training and comparing their paddling stance with that of other riders.

oUr TaKe:

Naish uses the ONE for their one-design competitions, where each rider races on the same board. The ONE is an excellent choice for that. Stable, streamlined, well built and fast, this board is everything that inflatable boards once lacked—and it packs down into its own bag for easy storage and transport. it also comes with a water-tight patch kit and extra-tall pump for easy inflation.

The board’s aggressive shape paddles well in all conditions from flatwater to windy although, as is true with all inflatables, there is a little wobble in the board when things get bumpy, meaning you lose some energy transfer from your paddle stroke. There is almost no rocker in the board meaning you’d also be hard-pressed to do well on downwinders or in the surf zone but that’s hardly what this board is for. The ONE will do well on tours (there is an elastic cord for lashing down water bottles, sandals or drybag) or in races—and even whitewater (San Francisco’s Ben Sarrazin won idaho’s Payette river Games on it.) if you’re a serious racer and/ or a serious paddler that wants performance without the baggage, the ONE is the, ahem, one inflatable you want.—WT

oUr TaKE:

The Madeiro 8’3” is a great compromise between small wave comfort and stability. it’s easy to stand on and to get into waves but where it really stands out is on the wave. The beveled rails and continuous double concave make for quick response both off the bottom and the top, although the width in the chest of the board feels a little sluggish and excessive when waves get steep, barreling or dumpy. The bamboo sandwich construction looks good and will take a lot of thrashing before it dings.

The 2014 board comes with a carbon layer on the base to make it lighter, a full double concave for rail-to-rail transitions and less angle in the beveled rails for a more finely-tuned riding experience. For those of you that like to rip but live in an area with soft, average surf, the Madeiro 8’3” would be an ideal wave-riding vehicle.—WT

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w i n d y w a t e r s san francisco is bump run shangri la

w o r d s b y w i l l tay l o r photographs by joe budd

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B o a r d s

B o a r d s

JacKSon KayaK SUPerFiShal

FanaTic Falcon

11’7” X 35” X 7”

14’ X 24.75” (276 LiTerS)

DESiGNEr TONY LEE: This is a fishing board for a fisherman that may have never stood up on anything besides a bass boat.

Some Midwest anglers can rival linebackers in size—and aren’t athletes. The board is roto-molded and super wide so it’s not really performance oriented but more of a durable, cargo-carrying barge. it’s totally geared toward an outdoorsman that doesn’t come from a surfing, kayaking or SUP background.

There’s a pod in the nose that you can stick your paddle in when you’re fishing, it has gear-carrying capabilities, fishing accessory inserts and we’ve developed a sliding seat that will be available in January. if you want more height for spotting fish you can stand on your cooler and cast; it’s that stable. it’s heavy, so we have six handles on the sides for pulling it around and getting it on your car. The SUPerFiSHal is ready for any fishing adventure.

SHaPEr SEBaSTiaN WENZEL: The Falcon is a very special board.

Our goal was to design a board that is capable of handling a wide variety of conditions. From choppy open seas to flat-water racing, this shape can handle it all. The unique bow design makes this board so special and easy to paddle. it just glides neutral over any chop and keeps accelerating going downwind. The flat, slightlyangled deck behind the bow secures a safe stance and does not allow any water to be kept on the board. The Falcon is the ultimate SUP race board for elite paddlers, as well as recreational racers.

$999

$ 2,499

JaCKSOnKaYaK.COM

FanaTiC-SUP.COM

oUr TaKe:

The Falcon is what the elite racers on Fanatic’s team like Jake Jensen, Chase Kosterlitz and angela Jackson paddle when they compete. it goes without saying, then, that these boards are fast as sin. But what’s with that bulbous nose? Well, that nose is what makes this board so fun. it pierces through waves and chop incredibly well, finding that perfect balance between buoyancy and sleekness. Not only that, but it seems to guide you into glides when the wind is at your back and surfs well on either waves or bumps.

The nose does change the foam distribution throughout the board, though, and may take some getting used to. For instance, the tail of the board is extra long and slender compared to other boards, requiring a step or two extra to get back and complete a clean pivot turn. Those pivot turns were extra challenging due to the 24.75” width but practice does make perfect (the Falcon also comes in more forgiving 12’6” X 27.25”). The carbon layup is light and the board’s design and graphics look good and might strike fear into the heart of your opponents at the beach start. —WT

oUr TaKE:

This might be the gnarliest fishing SUP of all time. Jackson Kayak’s fishing boats are the brand’s best-selling line and it shows in this board design. The SUPerFiSHal is ready to accessorize with items such as coolers, rod-holders, drink-holders, drybags, even a small motor. The roto-molded (tough-as-nails plastic) build will withstand anything you can throw at it from submerged rocks to dropping it off your car (seriously). at a bulky 69 pounds, it better. For its size the board is surprisingly agile, responding well to cross- and J-strokes while tracking straight due to the short, rubberized twin fins. Boards don’t get more stable than this either.

The SUPerFiSHal would also be ideal for a loaded-down camping expedition. it’s basically a moveable dock: mud flats, reedy sloughs, shallow coves or rocky rivers are all game. Definitely a ride for dedicated fisherman. —WT

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Photo: JP VAN SWAE

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Photo: JP VAN SWAE

w e T S U i T S

w e T S U i T S

SUiT UP Neoprene for the Dead of Winter

O’neiLL MUTanT 4/3

drYLOCK HOOded 5/4

The Mutant 4/3 is a thing of beauty. if we were to go on a mid-winter California SUP-surfing excursion—up to Ocean Beach for offshore bombs, to the Oregon border for some uncrowded goodness, the Central Coast on the way south—the Mutant is the one-suit answer. The zip-on hood (a crew neck is included too) is critical for those types of outings, allowing you to adjust your head temp to the water wherever you go. The 4/3 rubber is super warm and flexible thanks to O’Neill’s water-phobic neoprene (less water absorbed equals lighter weight and easier movement). The entry on the Mutant has also improved with thinner neoprene at the neck. While it’s not as warm as the other suits in this review (due to the thinner neoprene), the Mutant is much more flexible and is a must for moving between cool, cold and even colder climes. – Will Taylor

Wearing 5/4 hooded wetsuits isn’t always the most inviting proposition. Thick rubber can be hard to get on and uncomfortable once it is. But Xcel’s classic Drylock system makes suiting up in an ungodly amount of neoprene bearable, if not downright enjoyable, especially if you’re chasing good surf in cold conditions. We tested the Drylock series in the far north Pacific last spring and literally lived in this suit during boat rides, on the beach and of course, in the water. The flexibility in the Drylock allowed us to make every paddle stroke easily and never feel confined. The hood was super-comfy and protected the noggin from both the sun and wind. Xcel has actually improved this suit with their Th3rmoDry (TD3) neoprene—increasing the flexibility even further and adding to the warmth and dryness (which is also aided by the waterproof zipper). The FusionWeld system creates a watertight seam without sacrificing durability. again, the Drylock Hooded 5/4 is hard to beat in three areas: flexibility, warmth and durability. arguably, the most important things to look at when shopping for a wetsuit. – Joe Carberry

$340

$550

OneiLL.COM

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XCeLWeTSUiTS.COM

PHOTOS: JP Van sWae

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gear’s g ood

w e T S U i T S

iSUrUS i-SOLdier 454 $677

SUrFiSUrUS.COM

Only hearty cold-water animals need apply. We’re talking frost in the beard, ice in the water and snow on the ground cold conditions for donning the isurus i-Soldier 454. Highquality Yamamoto neoprene, give the suit incredible water repellency for a lighter package during and after sessions, which also leads to faster drying times than your average neoprene wetsuit. The special blend of woven materials gives superior warmth and comfort (we’re talking much warmer than your average 5/4), especially to your core, where the majority of your body’s much-needed heat is stored. The chest zip entry is tight and doesn’t allow large flushes of water to enter the suit while the panels are ergonomically designed, giving you paddling ease despite the extra rubber. These features and the top-end materials add up to one of the most expensive wetsuits in the water world. But if you’re a regular in the coldest of climates, the question is, can you afford not to have an i-Soldier? –WT

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PacK raT

The Best Beach Packs sea to summit raPid dryPacK

chrome Barrage cargo BacKPacK

daKine section Wet dry BacKPacK

$170 SEaTOSUMMiT.COM

$160 CHrOMEiNDUSTriES.COM

$130 DaKiNE.COM

Waterproof bags aren’t new. Waterproof bags this good are. On the most basic level, the rapid Drypack gives the comfort and convenience of a backpack with the durability and function of a drybag. This 26-Liter (daypack-sized) pack will fit everything you need for an afternoon at the beach, a day’s downriver run or lengthy downwind mission and keep those items dry—no matter how wet things get. But it’s the details that set it apart: the shoulder straps are comfortable and strong making it a go-to choice for side excursions while the burly 420D nylon construction won’t rip when snagged by fish hooks, snags or rocks. and the white lining on the inside of the pack for better visibility makes finding your gear easy. it looks good too, with a simple design and soft colors. Sleek, functional and dry: everything you need for a stellar SUP bag.

With its welded seams and the abrasion-resistant cordura outer shell, the Chrome Barrage Cargo is a tough rolltop that won’t quit. The main compartment expands from 22L to 34L and offers plenty of room for your wet or dry gear. But the real standout feature is the expandable cargo net which allows it to accommodate a variety of gear.

Think sopping wetsuit, PFD or whitewater helmet: the cargo net holds all of that while keeping your dry goods dry. The sternum strap comes equipped with Chrome’s iconic seat belt buckle and is handy when hauling heavier cargo while keeping the pack in place on two-wheeled rides down to the beach or your favorite play wave.

Hello, technical details. The DaKiNE Section Wet Dry isn’t your average backpack: it’s made with plenty of pockets to keep you seriously organized and all the extra built-in features you need for an overnight adventure. Keeping water athletes in mind, DaKiNE designers covered all bases by including a waterproof roll top compartment, a tarp wax pocket and two additional waterproof pockets in addition to the big 40L carrying capacity. There are also sternum straps for extra support, a fuzzy fleece-lined sunglasses pocket, a water bottle pocket and most importantly, a stealth shoulder strap bottle opener—so you can crack open whatever ice-cold bevies are stored in the insulated cooler compartment. Made from material that’s light enough to carry every day, but durable enough to protect your precious belongings, this pack is ideal for the organized ocean-goer.

PHOTOS: JP Van sWae

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wish you were here courtesy: tamara lundberg

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