In this SUPboarder PRO head to head test we put four 14' x 24" wide (+/-1") composite all round race boards up against each other. These are a great first boards for many paddlers getting into SUP racing or those interested in fast touring/ fitness paddling or longer distance endurance races. They are designed to be competitive in both flat water and all round conditions meaning they are versatile and good as a ‘one board does it all ‘ solution for many paddlers.
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sarah_supjunkie33
1 month ago
This is a brilliant resource – I love that you have used very different testers and thrown in so much info for those transitioning from iSUP to first/new race board – thanks as always x
Thank you Supboarder Mag…very comprehensive and detailed. I think it would be a big plunge for someone coming from an isup to buy one of these beauties as their first “move into race boards’..I think a year on a second hand board might be the best first step! ( Maybe revisit a test on 2019 models of RS v All-star v Blitz v Blackfish?) I love the way different boards are better in different conditions…it makes racing and general paddling more interesting. I was disappointed with the feedback on the RST..I have an RS and it’s signature is it’s predictable… Read more »
Thanks for the comment SUPtester. I too love the SIC RS and wish we still had one. Also it would of been good to compare it to the new RST. I don’t remember the bottom nose shape of the RS but Im sure it was flatter (less V) then the new RST!
Hi Reuben. I think you are correct. The old RS has less rocker, less v and a squarer tail. I still race mine and find it to be a trusty friend. Much prefer it to my Atlantis, which is beautifully made but feels heavier and more clumsy. Flat decks should not be underestimated in the whole equation…they feel more natural to me, anyway. I did fancy the RST until I watched this review. Now I am erring towards a Sunova ( not a two piece though ).
Ahh thanks for the confirmation on that. I wish the nose was more the RS for sure then. But it wouldn’t be a fast in flatter water… It’s always a compromise! Yeah the Sunova has got a lots of paddlers interested now, just a good overall shape. How would it compare next to your RS, hard to tell. That SIC RS is a great board too!
cam
1 month ago
Reuben I am looking forward to watching this on the weekend. But I couldnt help notice that 3 of the race boards have white deck pads. In another comment thread you said that white pads look good but some brown beaches make them look dirty. I wonder if companies also choose white deck pads to accommodate paddling in hot climates for delamination reasons and foot comfort ?
White deck pads do look great but like you say can hold the dirt more. I guess you are right about the heat from the sun on the deck pad, this wouldn’t be good for you or the board!
Hey Narcy, Have you manage to find the full video yet? Make sure you’er logged into your Pro account and if it still hasn’t come up try doing the process in a new internet browser. The computers cache causes it not to load correctly sometimes. Hope that helps thanks Reuben
cam
1 month ago
great video as always. I think the sunnova 2 piece is a good idea. However last year I contacted my local sunnova supplier regarding info on a 2 piece expedition .He didnt seem to like the idea cause of the weight. If I had the money and interest I would reach out to sunnova HQ to get a clear answer on the carrying capacity of a sunnova expedition 2 piece for touring.
Thanks Reuben, Another thought occured to me. If 2 piece would work on the expedition than I think this would make a lot of sense for people with limited space. Set up time wouldnt matter cause you are only touring a few times a year generally speaking. However, I wonder if using a 2 piece for regular casual or fitness paddling would get old fast because of the time it takes to set up ? It seems more time consuming than setting up an ISUP ? Thoughts ?
Hey Cam, Yes I think it may get a bit boring having to setup all of the time BUT i do think you could get pretty quick at it. I would have my sections sprayed with silicone spray and have a battery screw driver set on slow to get the board together. Im sure it would be quicker or about the same as pumping an iSUP. And paddling on the water would still be nicer.
Why did you put two piece boards back in my head 🙁 I was serious about them a couple of years back. Now you make them look good again.They do cost more and I think they are a bit heavier than the one piece version. Will you demo other models like a 2 piece surf sup ?
I have one of the boards on test, I’m not sure if this review had been posted earlier if it would have changed my decision or not. I doubt it as I love the board I bought.
However, for anyone who was in my position of not knowing what board to choose it would certainly help.
PS – for anyone looking the RST is a fantastic board, but I agree with the test, it’s definitely not a first race board!
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This is a brilliant resource – I love that you have used very different testers and thrown in so much info for those transitioning from iSUP to first/new race board – thanks as always x
Thanks Sarah its great to hear you liked it.
Thank you Supboarder Mag…very comprehensive and detailed. I think it would be a big plunge for someone coming from an isup to buy one of these beauties as their first “move into race boards’..I think a year on a second hand board might be the best first step! ( Maybe revisit a test on 2019 models of RS v All-star v Blitz v Blackfish?) I love the way different boards are better in different conditions…it makes racing and general paddling more interesting. I was disappointed with the feedback on the RST..I have an RS and it’s signature is it’s predictable… Read more »
Thanks for the comment SUPtester. I too love the SIC RS and wish we still had one. Also it would of been good to compare it to the new RST.
I don’t remember the bottom nose shape of the RS but Im sure it was flatter (less V) then the new RST!
Hi Reuben. I think you are correct. The old RS has less rocker, less v and a squarer tail. I still race mine and find it to be a trusty friend. Much prefer it to my Atlantis, which is beautifully made but feels heavier and more clumsy. Flat decks should not be underestimated in the whole equation…they feel more natural to me, anyway. I did fancy the RST until I watched this review. Now I am erring towards a Sunova ( not a two piece though ).
Ahh thanks for the confirmation on that. I wish the nose was more the RS for sure then. But it wouldn’t be a fast in flatter water… It’s always a compromise! Yeah the Sunova has got a lots of paddlers interested now, just a good overall shape. How would it compare next to your RS, hard to tell. That SIC RS is a great board too!
Reuben I am looking forward to watching this on the weekend. But I couldnt help notice that 3 of the race boards have white deck pads. In another comment thread you said that white pads look good but some brown beaches make them look dirty. I wonder if companies also choose white deck pads to accommodate paddling in hot climates for delamination reasons and foot comfort ?
White deck pads do look great but like you say can hold the dirt more. I guess you are right about the heat from the sun on the deck pad, this wouldn’t be good for you or the board!
Where I can find the all video?
Hey Narcy, Have you manage to find the full video yet? Make sure you’er logged into your Pro account and if it still hasn’t come up try doing the process in a new internet browser. The computers cache causes it not to load correctly sometimes.
Hope that helps thanks Reuben
great video as always. I think the sunnova 2 piece is a good idea. However last year I contacted my local sunnova supplier regarding info on a 2 piece expedition .He didnt seem to like the idea cause of the weight. If I had the money and interest I would reach out to sunnova HQ to get a clear answer on the carrying capacity of a sunnova expedition 2 piece for touring.
Hey Cam I imagine the carrying capacity should be fairly high. We were very impressed with the connection of the 2 sections.
Thanks Reuben, Another thought occured to me. If 2 piece would work on the expedition than I think this would make a lot of sense for people with limited space. Set up time wouldnt matter cause you are only touring a few times a year generally speaking. However, I wonder if using a 2 piece for regular casual or fitness paddling would get old fast because of the time it takes to set up ? It seems more time consuming than setting up an ISUP ? Thoughts ?
Hey Cam, Yes I think it may get a bit boring having to setup all of the time BUT i do think you could get pretty quick at it. I would have my sections sprayed with silicone spray and have a battery screw driver set on slow to get the board together. Im sure it would be quicker or about the same as pumping an iSUP. And paddling on the water would still be nicer.
Why did you put two piece boards back in my head 🙁 I was serious about them a couple of years back. Now you make them look good again.They do cost more and I think they are a bit heavier than the one piece version. Will you demo other models like a 2 piece surf sup ?
Hey Cam, we would love to demo more 2 piece boards. Haven’t got any plans in place at the moment. It would be nice to try a surf shape.
Super informative and helpful! These are the kinds of reviews/comparisons that I enjoy and help me with choosing a future board.
Glad it was informative
I have one of the boards on test, I’m not sure if this review had been posted earlier if it would have changed my decision or not. I doubt it as I love the board I bought.
However, for anyone who was in my position of not knowing what board to choose it would certainly help.
PS – for anyone looking the RST is a fantastic board, but I agree with the test, it’s definitely not a first race board!
Hey James thanks for your words and feedback.