Wednesday, October 8, 2014

The Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board review


The Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is regarded as the best inflatable paddle boards we've observed in the sub-$700 market for quite some time.

It is good for those interested in an inflatable SUP that's easy to paddle in flat water but still agile enough to toss around in the surf.

Features

As we've mentioned above, this inflatable SUP is amongst the best inflatable paddle boards under $700 we have looked at recently, and some of the reasons why we think this are shown below:

  1. Good dimensions for beginner through to advanced users
  2. Very good price point for the high quality provided in this stand up paddle board
  3. Fantastic user ratings from people that have already bought this inflatable SUP

The package also comes with a two year warranty, which covers any construction or material problem (it does not cover damage because of normal wear and tear or improper use).

It additionally comes with a thirty day return policy, letting you buy with the confidence that in case the board doesn't work out for you in any way it is possible to return it (new or used) inside of thirty days from date of purchase for a full 100% refund of the original cost.


Dimensions

The dimensions of the Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board are excellent for anyone seeking to start paddle boarding, right through to intermediate/advanced level users seeking a well priced inflatable SUP to include in their quiver.

The board measures ten foot (10’) long, by thirty one inches (31”) wide and six inches (6”) thick. Having the board that thick means the board should be that much more stable within the water.

The board deflates down to 1 foot (1’) in diameter, and thirty-six inches (36’) wide. this board can roll up and be tossed in the corner of your car boot, or even carried on a coach bus or plane to your vacation destination.

The board weighs about twenty-four pounds (24lb, or 10.8kg), and also comes with a nine inch (9”) Center box fin as well as two side fins (which are affixed permanently).


Materials

The Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is made from PVC, and drop stitched for additional strength - this board cannot be cracked, dinged, snapped or otherwise battered in the same fashion as a rigid fibreglass board can be. It's military class material is almost impossible to wreck.


Accessories

The package also contains the following:

  1. A high pressure hand pump with PSI guage (requires approx. 10 minutes to inflate the board using this).
  2. A three piece aluminium paddle, that collapses away when not being used. It also adjusts to various rider heights.
  3. Multiple D-rings - one at the nose for pulling, one on the tail for the leash, and four in the deck for rigging up anything you need to take with you (fishing kit, picnic, etc).
  4. An EVA traction pad, to keep your feet firmly gripped on the paddle board.
  5. A repair kit for those unlucky accidents which could happen while out paddling.


Performance

The Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board ticks the boxes for most paddle boarding abilities. It offers great dimensions for a person just starting out, but is also spec'd well for those who have been paddle boarding for a while. Generally, a beginner should weigh up to 205 pounds (205lb, or 93kg), an intermediate rider up to two hundred and forty four pounds (244lb, or 110kg) and advanced users can weigh up to three hundred and seventeen pounds (317lb, or 144kg) without compromising on performance.


Brand info

Isle Surfboards and SUPs is launched by Doug Pate and Marc Miller in 2004, and as well as offering their surfboards and SUPs on the internet, they likewise have a shop located in San Diego.


Consumer ratings/reviews

The average rating of the Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board on Amazon is 4.7/5.

The Isle 10ft is very good for me because it is very stability and I'm 93 kg (about 220 pounds). That SUP is very easy to inflate, about 6 minutes. I purchased that SUP in December and since this I went 20 times to the beach with it in Brazil. I highly recommend that SUP.

We bought two of these boards, one for each of us and we love them! They are stable and ride very well. They are hard to pump the last few pounds into them!

Love this board! I got the Blue one, 10', 6" thick. I really like the extra 2" of thickness from these boards and the width definitely helps with stability. I am new to the SUP sport, but am totally loving this board.



Price

The price of the Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board does indeed enable it to be one of the best inflatable paddle boards available today. At under $700, you can have so much fun in the water after as little as 10 minutes after receiving your board.


Pros

  • Very good board dimensions make this among the best inflatable paddle boards on the sub-$700 market at the present time.
  • Paddle floats, even though aluminum.


Cons

  • Does not come with carry bag.
  • No leash.
  • Can be difficult to pump up the last few lbs of pressure.


The Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Conclusion

The Isle 10ft Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is a great all-around inflatable SUP for both beginner and anyone else needing an additional SUP for the holiday home, to keep in the boot of the car, and to store away in the corner of the apartment. It gets our vote as one of the best inflatable paddle boards under $700 currently available, and with the fantastic warranty and return policy, means you too can see what we are speaking about, with the knowledge that if you do not go along with us, you are able to ask for a refund within 30 days.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Sup buyers guide 2014



Not too long ago, it would have been unusual to find a stand up paddle board (SUP) in the water. I know personally that when friends of mine began getting into SUPs, we used to let them have a bit of stick over it. Funnily enough, some years later I often hit the water more on my SUP than my surfboard!

Though it still takes time to learn, the learning curve on using a SUP is really a lot less steep than learning to surf. Admittedly, you would be best to learn to ride a SUP on flat water to begin with; it will not take very long to get in the ocean waves, should that be what you are seeking to do.

But where do start out with regards to buying a stand up paddle board? Well, it really is dependent on what type of paddling you wish to do. You will need to think about where you're most likely to be using your stand up paddle board. If you are living close to a lake, it'd seem sensible to buy a flat water SUP. Likewise, if you reside close to the ocean, a surfing SUP would be more ideal for you.
This SUP buyers guide will provide you with an insight into the different types of boards, which will assist you to make an easier decision on what SUP would be best for you.

SUP buyers guide - Types of stand up paddle boards

All arounders
These boards are great for those who are just beginning on a SUP, or who require a board that can surf both small waves and paddle across flat water (such as lakes). They usually can be found in lengths of 10 foot 6 inches (10’6”) to twelve foot (12’). Widths cover anything from thirty inches (30”) to thirty six inches (36”). For those who are looking primarily to paddle across lakes, then go as wide and long as is possible, because this will provide you with the best stability. If you're looking to hit the surf, you will need a shorter board that's not as wide.

Remember, these types of boards aren't intended for extreme flat water racing, or large waves – they're constructed to help you get the best of both worlds.

Surfing SUPs
If you're looking to only surf waves with your SUP, you then want to go shorter in length (something less than 10 foot – 10’ - is a great starting point). Should you be coming off a surfboard, then selecting a narrow board should be perfectly fine, however for those just starting out, you will want a decent width to help with stability. Thirty—thirty two inch (30”-32”) is an ideal place to start.
These boards are usually based off their surfboard cousins in terms of design – lots of rocker (the curvature of the board toward the nose), narrow tails, and different fin configurations.

Yoga sups
For those of you seeking to get into stand up paddle board yoga (SUP Yoga), you are looking for a wide board for lots of stability. Ideally you will need a fairly flat board with minimal rocker, as well as a comfortable deck pad. Some Yoga SUPs have quite a square look – this makes them very steady within the water, but keep in mind it is not built to paddle much more than out to a suitable spot just offshore to practice your yoga.

Another good option for SUP Yoga is by using an inflatable paddle stand up paddle board.

SUP buyers guide recommendation: Tower Xplorer 14′ Inflatable Paddle Board

Racing sups
These kinds of boards are usually much longer than regular SUPs, and are also a lot less wide. They vary from 12 foot (12’) through to eighteen foot (18’) in length. Widths usually vary from twenty five inches (25”) through to thirty two inches (32”).

These boards have to plane through the water at high speed, and make use of many design techniques taken from sailing. They tend to use displacement hulls (indicated by their pointed nose), which allow the board to “slice” through the water.

These boards are typically more pricey, and are not necessarily designed for beginner use.

Touring/flat water sups
These sorts of boards are meant for use on open flat water. After you have got up to speed, it's a lot easier to continue with little effort. These boards are over ten foot six inches (10’6”) and most include tie downs and storage areas, which can also make these a fantastic choice for those that want to try their hand at fishing from a SUP.

SUP buyers guide recommendation: Keeper 10’6″ Sports Stand Up Paddle Board

Inflatable SUPs
A relatively recent inclusion to the stand up paddle board family, the inflatable SUP is a great choice for people that might not have much storage area, or trouble hauling a regular size SUP both to and from the water. Inflatable SUPs can fold away to a small size of approx. thirty two inches (32”) in many cases, and the majority of feature a storage bag of some kind.

When inflated to their suggested PSI, these boards are as stable as their fibreglass/epoxy counterparts. The fact is, some inflatable SUPs can be hard to distinguish from regular paddle boards.
These boards also make good SUP yoga boards.

SUP buyers guide recommendation: Tower Adventurer 9’10” Inflatable SUP

Paddles
Most SUPs come with paddles, but the majority of these paddles are made of aluminium. These are definitely perfectly fine in most cases, but tend to be heavy, do not float and are vulnerable to corrosion if not washed after use in salt water. A good alternative is a carbon fiber paddle. These stand up paddle board paddles are lightweight, float and don't get affected by salt water. They will cost more, but if you are looking to get the best from your paddling, it might be worth considering one of these as an investment.

Conclusion

Hopefully this SUP buyers guide was helpful to you. Just remember to be truthful with yourself about your skill level, and what it is you want to get out of stand up paddle boarding, and you are sure to make the right selection!