TOWER ADVENTURER 9’10” INFLATABLE SUP - review

INFLATABLE STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS (SUPS) HAVE OPENED THE SPORT UP TO MANY PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT HAD THE ABILITY TO TRY THIS FANTASTIC SPORT, BECAUSE OF EITHER TRANSPORTATION LIMITATIONS (TRY CARTING A SUP ON A BUS!) OR NOT HAVING AVAILABLE STORAGE OPTIONS.

Inflatable SUPs have had a reputation of not being as good as normal fiberglass models, but this latest model from Tower is about to take inflatable SUPs to a higher level!

DIMENSIONS
The Tower Adventurer inflatable SUP measures in at nine foot, ten inches (9’10”). While it isn't really particularly long for a stand up paddle board, it more than makes up for it in width at thirty two inches (32”), and a thickness of six inches (6”). These dimensions will allow you to easily help keep your balance, while being able to steer the board with minimal trouble.

This stand up paddle board is incredibly rigid,and has a weight limit of 400 lbs (181 kgs) on the water. When fully inflated, it feels very much like a regular fibreglass board. It can be inflated up to 25 PSI, but will feel very stiff – 10-11 PSI is the manufacturer’s recommendation.

The board has a nose rocker of 4 inches (4”), which means the curvature of the nose from the board deck angles up to this height, allowing you to glide easily across the water.
The boards volume is unknown, but is approx. 300 liters.

CONSTRUCTION
The Tower Adventurer inflatable SUP is made from Military-grade PVC materials, with durable drop-stitch construction throughout. This paddle board should endure most knocks related to paddle boarding, whereas fibreglass boards are susceptible to dings and board cracks. Obviously, care must be used around sharp objects. If you are planning to to take the dog for a paddle around the lake, make sure to tape the board deck up so pooches toenails don’t go through the surface!

FEATURES
The most obvious feature of this stand up paddle board is that it is inflatable. As mentioned above, those that do not have much space to store a full-sized paddle board will be very glad to know it will roll up into a duffle bag not much more than a foot long, and 33 inches wide.

The portability of the board is great – you can easily take this along with you on getaways, without it taking much room in the car (or bus).

The Tower Inflatable SUP comes with a 2 year warranty, for ease of mind. This includes just about everything other than general wear and tear. Great for those that worrying an inflatable SUP could be susceptible to punctures.

ACCESSORIES
The package comes with a manual hand pump, and a 3-piece aluminum paddle. The paddle will suit most conditions, but many stand up paddle boarders upgrade to the better carbon fibre paddle. These tend to cost more, but are much stronger and won't bend or snap.

You also get a diamond grooved deck pad (with a rear kick tail, for all you hoping to try some surfing tricks!), removable center fin, a hand hold strap, a roll-up carrying strap, a towing ring on the nose, and a leash attachment ring on the tail, but you will need to buy a leash to keep you and the board from drifting apart should you end up in the water.

PERFORMANCE
This board is designed for beginner to intermediate level, even though anyone can have fun with this inflatable SUP, if they require a board that doesn't take up very much space, compared to an equivalent fibreglass model. Due to the width and height of this board, i wouldn’t be expecting to do much beach surfing where the waves are more than a couple of feet.

BRAND INFORMATION
Tower is a stand up paddle board manufacturer located in San Diego. They provide direct pricing on their stand up paddle boards, inflatable SUPs and accessories, making their products cheap in cost, but not in quality. Customers can visit their store in San Diego, where they can take part in stand up paddle board lessons, or hire one of the many Tower paddle boards for a try.

PROS
The quality of Tower  paddle board products is generally of a really high standard, and this product is no different. If you need a stand up paddle board, but don’t have the room for a fibreglass/EPS paddle board, then this inflatable SUP could well be your answer!

This inflatable SUP rolls up to the size of a small duffle bag.

2 year warranty

CONS
The pressure gauge on the pump does not always register the correct psi. If you're using a pump other than the one supplied, you need to be careful about over-inflating the board.

The paddle does not float. As mentioned previously, most people who own aluminium paddles eventually upgrade to the more popular carbon fibre paddle. As a result paddle being metal, be sure to rinse off after using in salt water to avoid corrosion.

No leash

TOWER ADVENTURER 9’10” INFLATABLE SUP SUMMARY

The Tower Adventurer inflatable SUP is an excellent choice for those wanting to get fitter – or to try a new activity – using a stand up paddle board. By being inflatable, it also means less space is needed to store or transport the board. While not really aimed toward the advanced paddle boarder, those wishing to learn to paddle board – or those wanting to keep a SUP at their holiday home – should take a closer look at the Tower inflatable SUP.