Ask The Experts has evolved to bring you discussions, insights, rants, news and our general thoughts about the SUP industry. Of course, we still answer your questions and weave these answers into the discussion. We hope you enjoy.
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Andrew Goodricke
3 years ago
You’ve not done much on foiling or winging recently, is this an a domain you’re no longer focusing on? You mentioned a foil head-to-head test, is this off the cards?
Hey Andrew. No Winging and foil is very much still on the cards with us. We are riding new wings this week, if the wind comes in! We are going to put together a pretty big (job-wise) foil buyers guide. Where we look at many different brands and ride there best foils and help other understand if the foils are right for them. Its sort of a test in some ways i guess. I hope thats the answer you wanted? Thanks Reuben
I’m with Lucy on the two piece dry suit, for where i paddle in the UK it’s perfect, with all the different options you get, and .. even if you do fall in, you dont get that wet, and being windproof you can warm up again, or at least stay warm till you get back. i’ve seen the Supskins race suit, and it looks and feels Amazing, and certainly on my list for the future, i think these are a far better option for “most” UK paddling, i love how you can have it custom sized too!! the one thing… Read more »
Thanks for talking about lighter riders! I’m 5’4” and 120lbs but regularly join distance paddles with a performance group here in Canada. I would like a 14’ isup so I can have the glide and speed to keep with the group without having to work harder! But most of the longer boards are just so heavy, with unnecessary volume or width etc.
Hey Jane, Im sure the more we all talk about it, the more the brands will take notice and make boards in better sizes for lighter riders. What width do you think would be best for you, out of interest?
I have tried a friend’s 14′ x 25′ (maybe 24″?) Starboard All Star inflatable but I found it a bit too unstable. I prefer to stay on the board when doing buoy turns! I recently borrowed a 14′ x 27″ NSP O2 Race FSL, and found the additional width added great stability, yet narrow enough to be comfy to paddle, but it had a very low inflated PSI, no bungies, no kickboard etc., so haven’t wanted to bite the bullet and buy one without exploring other options. I’ve looked at other inflatable race boards (I don’t really need all the… Read more »
Hi Jane , Sorry for the delay on getting back. I hear your dilemma. There are not actually that many boards that potentially tick the right boxes?! I will do a bit of research and try and find out the actual weight of the new Naish’s. Because the last one we tested were definitely not the lightest boards! I will see on what I can find out, but please give me a prod if you haven’t heard back from me in a while. Thanks Reuben
Sorry to butt in, but I’ve always been annoyed that Naish don’t publish their weights, making desktop comparisons very difficult. I leaves me feeling they are trying to hide something, which I suspect they are. I would suggest to Naish they are not really playing with the big boys until they publish their weights. Disclosure of weights would inevitably put pressure on their design team to innovate resulting in lighter Naish boards over time. Hiding this sort of data ultimately hurts their brand.
Hi Reuben! Were you by any chance able to find actual weights for the Maliko Carbon Lights? I’ve already hit up Naish on their IG but was ignored. Seeing as they are advertising the Carbon Light as “Lightest Inflatable Race Board Available” on their website, the lack of weight information is highly dubious. They also state, “This construction reduces weight, but increases puncture resistance, durability, and to a degree, overall stiffness, making the Maliko Light a better choice only for lighter riders.”, which doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. I found that for some reason unsubstantiated marketing hyperbole and poorly kept… Read more »
Yes I completely agree with you Yuki. It’s all very confusing and a little bit misleading to say the least. I will have a dig around myself and see what we can find out about the boards. It’s not the first time Naish I’ve done this sort of thing :-).
Thanks Reuben! I hope Naish is more inclined to communicate with the press than they are with potential customers. I’ve been in contact (or tried to) with a couple of the premium sup brands and the overall experience was abysmal. Surprisingly the budget brands handled their communication way better. Frankly, I find it repugnant by the likes of Naish considering they are selling a premium priced product on which they are likely making a gross margin of around 60-70%.
I completely agree. We have so much trouble trying to deal with some of the bigger brands maybe regarding buying equipment for test or are lining up boards to demo for review. Don’t think that we get much better service we are constantly pulling our hair out. And agree the smaller brands seem to be in control a little bit more.
Hi Jane! Sorry, for reviving this old conversation but I was curious about what board you finally settled on. I’m 175cm (5’9″) and 54kg (119lbs) and struggling with the same purchasing decision.
Damienpc
3 years ago
A future content suggestion….I’ve noticed there’s heaps of video out there on catching and surfing a wave, surf etiquette and everything else but very little about getting through the break zone, which I find the most challenging part. I think that SUP surfers making the videos often forget how hard it was getting through the break zone when they were starting out. Thx Damien
Thanks for bringing this point up Damien. We did a few videos a couple of years ago about this but I think you are right we could do it again and in a series of videos too. Great comment its on the list! Thanks Reuben
idguinness
3 years ago
For gear longevity. In 2016 I bought Red Paddle Co 12’6″ Sport and Red Paddle Co 11’0″ Sport SUP. I inflate and deflate for almost every use. The boards have held up to tons of use and still work great, to the point that I kind of wish the 12’6″ would go to allow me to buy a new board.
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You’ve not done much on foiling or winging recently, is this an a domain you’re no longer focusing on? You mentioned a foil head-to-head test, is this off the cards?
Hey Andrew. No Winging and foil is very much still on the cards with us. We are riding new wings this week, if the wind comes in!
We are going to put together a pretty big (job-wise) foil buyers guide. Where we look at many different brands and ride there best foils and help other understand if the foils are right for them. Its sort of a test in some ways i guess. I hope thats the answer you wanted? Thanks Reuben
Great to hear! I shall look forward to it.
I’m with Lucy on the two piece dry suit, for where i paddle in the UK it’s perfect, with all the different options you get, and .. even if you do fall in, you dont get that wet, and being windproof you can warm up again, or at least stay warm till you get back. i’ve seen the Supskins race suit, and it looks and feels Amazing, and certainly on my list for the future, i think these are a far better option for “most” UK paddling, i love how you can have it custom sized too!! the one thing… Read more »
Good words Jonny
Thanks for talking about lighter riders! I’m 5’4” and 120lbs but regularly join distance paddles with a performance group here in Canada. I would like a 14’ isup so I can have the glide and speed to keep with the group without having to work harder! But most of the longer boards are just so heavy, with unnecessary volume or width etc.
Hey Jane, Im sure the more we all talk about it, the more the brands will take notice and make boards in better sizes for lighter riders.
What width do you think would be best for you, out of interest?
I have tried a friend’s 14′ x 25′ (maybe 24″?) Starboard All Star inflatable but I found it a bit too unstable. I prefer to stay on the board when doing buoy turns! I recently borrowed a 14′ x 27″ NSP O2 Race FSL, and found the additional width added great stability, yet narrow enough to be comfy to paddle, but it had a very low inflated PSI, no bungies, no kickboard etc., so haven’t wanted to bite the bullet and buy one without exploring other options. I’ve looked at other inflatable race boards (I don’t really need all the… Read more »
Hi Jane , Sorry for the delay on getting back. I hear your dilemma. There are not actually that many boards that potentially tick the right boxes?! I will do a bit of research and try and find out the actual weight of the new Naish’s. Because the last one we tested were definitely not the lightest boards! I will see on what I can find out, but please give me a prod if you haven’t heard back from me in a while. Thanks Reuben
Sorry to butt in, but I’ve always been annoyed that Naish don’t publish their weights, making desktop comparisons very difficult. I leaves me feeling they are trying to hide something, which I suspect they are. I would suggest to Naish they are not really playing with the big boys until they publish their weights. Disclosure of weights would inevitably put pressure on their design team to innovate resulting in lighter Naish boards over time. Hiding this sort of data ultimately hurts their brand.
Yeah I agree with you Damien. Its a simple thing to do. A really well raised point. Nice one.
Hi Reuben! Were you by any chance able to find actual weights for the Maliko Carbon Lights? I’ve already hit up Naish on their IG but was ignored. Seeing as they are advertising the Carbon Light as “Lightest Inflatable Race Board Available” on their website, the lack of weight information is highly dubious. They also state, “This construction reduces weight, but increases puncture resistance, durability, and to a degree, overall stiffness, making the Maliko Light a better choice only for lighter riders.”, which doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. I found that for some reason unsubstantiated marketing hyperbole and poorly kept… Read more »
Yes I completely agree with you Yuki. It’s all very confusing and a little bit misleading to say the least. I will have a dig around myself and see what we can find out about the boards. It’s not the first time Naish I’ve done this sort of thing :-).
Thanks Reuben! I hope Naish is more inclined to communicate with the press than they are with potential customers. I’ve been in contact (or tried to) with a couple of the premium sup brands and the overall experience was abysmal. Surprisingly the budget brands handled their communication way better. Frankly, I find it repugnant by the likes of Naish considering they are selling a premium priced product on which they are likely making a gross margin of around 60-70%.
I completely agree. We have so much trouble trying to deal with some of the bigger brands maybe regarding buying equipment for test or are lining up boards to demo for review.
Don’t think that we get much better service we are constantly pulling our hair out.
And agree the smaller brands seem to be in control a little bit more.
Hi Jane! Sorry, for reviving this old conversation but I was curious about what board you finally settled on. I’m 175cm (5’9″) and 54kg (119lbs) and struggling with the same purchasing decision.
A future content suggestion….I’ve noticed there’s heaps of video out there on catching and surfing a wave, surf etiquette and everything else but very little about getting through the break zone, which I find the most challenging part. I think that SUP surfers making the videos often forget how hard it was getting through the break zone when they were starting out. Thx Damien
Thanks for bringing this point up Damien. We did a few videos a couple of years ago about this but I think you are right we could do it again and in a series of videos too. Great comment its on the list! Thanks Reuben
For gear longevity. In 2016 I bought Red Paddle Co 12’6″ Sport and Red Paddle Co 11’0″ Sport SUP. I inflate and deflate for almost every use. The boards have held up to tons of use and still work great, to the point that I kind of wish the 12’6″ would go to allow me to buy a new board.
This is great feedback, thanks