Naish Maleko

What the brand says

Malikos are for paddlers seeking a competitive raceboard that will perform in any water condition—whether for racing or fitness training.

What does it do?

Malikos are proven race winner no matter what discipline, from technical sprints to open ocean/downwind races.

Why is it unique?

From flatwater to open ocean to downwind, there are no conditions in which the Maliko does not excel.
The Maliko models have a legacy of being the best 14-foot open ocean boards around. This award-winning shape has garnered an endless collection of high-ranking results across a variety of race types including the M2O World Championships, all varieties of sprint races and all-time wins at downwind races (such as the Naish Gorge Paddle Challenge and many other downwind race circuits on Maui).

Crafting a champion board that performs well in both open ocean and downwind involves a lot of different factors, and we have worked to improve on every aspect. The nose rocker has been slightly raised and, combined with the added volume in the nose, widens the sweet spot for trimming when on a glide and smooth nose entry when connecting bumps. The rail has also been refined with a smooth, rounded nose that transitions into a forgiving midsection, which finally morphs into sharp rails through the tail. The forgiving rails in the nose and midsection easily allow the board to slide into glides—even if slightly sideways. The sharp rails through the tail create a clean release for higher top speeds when on a glide, while adding excellent control when steering and connecting bumps. The new pintail also adds to the top speed while maintaining control when surfing downwind.

Not to be boxed in as a downwind-only board, the Maliko also has a proven track record as the board of choice for multiple ISA World Champion and Red Bull Heavy Water winner, Casper Steinfath. The all-star took this board to victory in multiple technical sprints and broke records paddling from Denmark to Norway on his Viking Crossing Tour. Input from Steinfath and downwind wunderkind, Bernd Roediger, has made this board into the race-winning, all-water superstar it is today.

Whether you’re a downwind addict or racing on the world’s biggest stage, the Maliko has the proven ability to win in all water conditions.