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Hardboards – Race
The most wanted board at the launch event was the new Allstar. It was obvious that a lot of time has been spent on redeveloping an already great board with a double concave hull, work on the recessed deck and different front / nose sections depending on the size of the board with the wider 28” models significantly different to the narrower 24 and 25” models.
Available in Carbon (orange nose) and Hybrid Carbon (blue nose) this was the board the SUPboarder team wanted to get on the water the most. And we did. Having spent time on several boards in conditions that were entertaining enough to test paddler and board, it’s easy to feel the difference between this and the 2015 boards that the SUPboarder team has demo’d
It is more stable than it’s predecessor, so much so that we took the 28″ back for a 25″.
Where Starboard used to market the narrower Allstar models at “Elite Racers” the increase in stability means that the extra speed from a more efficient board is now available to more. We think that more racers will be able to downsize to a narrower board for the 2016 season. It’s that good!
The Ace has evolved for 2016 although there were none to try at the event. The Sprint has also evolved, the most noticeable change being a deck pad that undercuts the sides, a better looking version of the change Dr Bryce Dyer made to his.
Hardboards – Not Race
Through the rest of the hardboard range materials used in construction will be the big change for 2016, by reducing the use of PVC, incorporating more natural fibres and less resin in construction with no loss in performance. Not only are Starboard changing the materials used to minimise the environmental impact of construction they are also looking at smarter ways to package boards for transit and how to make their headquarters as environmentally friendly as possible.
The presentation on Starboards ‘Blue Carbon‘ programme impressed us, particularly how Starboard are working with Mangrove trees.
We will be bringing you more on Starboards environmental programme and how they are leading the way for the SUP industry.
The rest of the 2016 range has been consolidated with the addition of some new boards including a Whopper Jnr 9’5” x 33” (166l) , and a new Wide Point 11’2” x 32” ((198l).
The Pro range has been expanded with three new boards, the 9’ x 29”, (128l) which should be popular in the UK aiding the development of SUP Surfing. The two other boards are at the other end of the scale, 7’4” x 25.5” (83l) and 7’1” x 24” (70l). All of the Pro boards come with a new kick pad. Alongside the Pro range there are a whole bag of new Nut boards, with 7 Hyper Nut boards from 8’6” x 31.5” (140l) down to 6’9” x 23” (69l).
Testing the Hyper Nut range proved very, very popular particularly given that the beach wasn’t exactly a big surf spot. When first launched the square nose design was a little unusual in the SUP world but now they are popping up everywhere. The starboard design is packed full of innovation. The SUPboarder team didn’t get to test them in great surf conditions, but their square outline will help riders get on smaller volume boards than the traditional surf shapes. Stay tuned for SUPboarders review soon.
To reflect the massive growth in SUP fishing the Fisherman has been dropped from the hardboard range to be replaced by two new models. The Stealth is aimed at inland paddlers, with the sportsman for every other waterway. Finally the the Explorer range has expanded with one new model, 14’ x 30” and the rebranding of the Freeride range from all round boards to join the Explorer family.
The SUPboarder team were impressed with the range of boards available and the inclusion of some boards that should be great in UK conditions, from the new Explorer and Sportsman to the Pro. A board for every paddler.