BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard series review

You'll find 3 boards in the BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard series to select from, and in this article we will explain why they are excellent entry level paddle boards, that will also keep you going in the water as you become more experienced.

Features

• These boards provide an ideal balance between thickness, width, and classic longboard shape
• BIC Sport DURA-TEC Polyethylene construction for good strength and durability
• Integrated deck pad for comfort and traction and comes standard with an FCS Dolphin fin and also integrated leash plug
• Integrated deep-set carry handle for convenient transport

Dimensions
There are 3 board dimensions to choose from, but we recommend that if you weigh less than 200lbs (90kgs) you select the nine foot 10 inches (9’ 10”) model. This is thirty two point five inches (32.5”) wide and four point six inches (4.6”) thick. This board weighs forty pounds (40lbs/18kg).

If you weigh more, you will be best off opting for the eleven feet four inch (11’ 4”) model, since this has more volume (205L). The width of this board is thirty two inches (32”) and four point five inches (4.5”) thick. This board weighs in at forty one pounds (41lbs/18.5kg).

If you're of petite or lightweight stature, then why not get the nine foot four inches (9’ 4”) model? It could take longer to master, because of its shorter length, but is going to be far more dynamic in the water when you get experienced. The width of this board is twenty seven point five inches (27.5”) and weighs thirty pounds (30lbs/13.5kg). The volume of this model is 120L.

There were other sizes initially in the BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard series (as you can see by some of the product images), but these seem to have been streamlined by BIC into the three currently now available.

Construction
The BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard is made from BICs Dura-Tec construction. This integrates an ultra-durable polyethylene outer shell (a bit similar to a kayak, but lighter in weight) with a full polyurethane foam core (a lot like a surfboard). The board is thermo-formed inside steel molds to ensure consistent and accurate reproduction of the original shape. This all promises great board durability and ruggedness.

Accessories
The BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard comes with a 10 inch FCS Dolphin center fin. You also get an integrated diamond-groove deck pad to assist with retaining a firm grip on the board.

There is also an integrated leash plug and built in deep-set carry handle for easy transport, but sadly, you will have to buy a separate paddle and leash, since they are not provided with the BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard.

Brand information
BIC sport is a French company, and has been involved with making watercraft since 1979. Since that time, they have made top quality wind surfers, surfboards, and stand up paddle boards. And if you're wondering, yes they are the same company that produces the famous BIC pens and shavers!

Performance
This stand up paddle board is superb for beginners wanting to get into this sport. As long as the right size is purchased, you can learn how to SUP easily on the BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard, and when you're more experienced you can use it to do more advanced paddle boarding.
These boards possess a fairly flat deck as well, so are ideal for SUP yoga. They are also perfectly suited to either flat water, or beach break paddle boarding.

These boards perform similarly to EPS boards, and tend to sit ON the water. Stand up paddle boards (and surfboards, for that matter) made out of fibreglass tend to sit IN the water. This means nothing really, but some people prefer one to the other, and there can be cases where it is more apparent, such as on a windy day.

Consumer ratings/reviews
The rubber is peeling up a bit, but not enough to complain… If your over 220 pounds, hold off for a longer bigger board.

Great board. Easy for beginner and experienced. Cleaning is my only criticism, the muddy water tends to stain the board and becomes hard to get off. I've bumped into paddle boats without dents, very durable.

Got this for my birthday, and I love it. Perfect all around paddle board. Well constructed, great quality. If you're worried about ordering a paddle board online, don't! Online delivery was great, and packing was "not-a-scratch" perfect. Great for our whole family - we're ready to order a 2nd! Be sure to plan for someone to be home to sign for the delivery.

Pros

• Well constructed
• Great durability - tough
• Easy to use - excellent dimensions

Cons

1. No paddle or leash provided
2. Some may find the boards slightly hefty

Price
The BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard series is listed under $900, and individual pricing is determined by the board dimensions you order.

These boards are certainly priced greater than some of the other SUPs we have reviewed on paddleboardssale.com, so that should be considered in your overall decision, but when it comes to build quality, they'll last as long as more pricey brands and models.

BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard Summary

The BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard series is an excellent introduction into the fun world of stand up paddle boarding. They're very easy to ride, stable, and just the thing for both flat water paddle boarding (on lakes etc) or down at the beach (in small to medium waves). BIC carries a good reputation when it comes to quality construction, and these boards aren't any different. If you want a board that will last you as long time, then the BIC Sport Dura-Tec Stand Up Paddleboard series is without a doubt worth considering.

Top 10 paddle board accessories list

Buying a stand up paddle board is a fantastic time, however when you receive your board you may be disappointed to know there are paddle board accessories you need but do not have. Fear not - we've come up with a list of top 10 paddle board accessories to get you going!

Paddle board accessories - Paddle
Above all, you cannot do much paddle boarding with no paddle! Many boards do have a paddle included in the package, but there are several that don't.

Even the stand up paddle board packages that do include a paddle tend to supply an aluminum paddle only. These paddles are perfectly fine to get you started, but as you progress you will discover you'll need something with more flex and strength. A carbon fiber stand up paddle board paddle has both those qualities, not to mention being much lighter to hold and also buoyant within the water (you do not want your paddle to sink if you drop it!).

Paddle board accessories - Leash/leg rope
While not being as essential on a stand up paddle board as a surfboard, you can nevertheless make great use out of a leash/leg rope. These attach to the tail of your board, and then to your leg so that if you fall off your board, if will not float away from you, out of reach.

Whenever you purchase a leash/leg rope, make sure to buy one that is the approximate length of your board.

Paddle board accessories - Deck grip
To keep your feet properly planted on the board while paddle boarding, you need some deck grip. Deck grip is typically made out of EVA foam, and covers the region of the board you stand on and provides grip so you don't slip off.

Paddle board accessories - Fins
The fins of a stand up paddle board allow you to go in the direction you're paddling. If you were not to have any fins, you would slide all over the place and have no control of the board. All boards have a large center fin, and depending on the style of the paddle board, some have side fins on both sides.

When selecting a fin for your stand up paddle board, you need to make certain what type of fin box you have. Some less well-known brands use their own personal proprietary system, while others use either FCS or Futures. These aren't compatible with one another, so if unsure, get a hold of the paddle board manufacturer.

It also pays to purchase fins dependent on what type of paddle boarding you will be mostly doing. If you will mainly be flat water paddling, your center fin should have more surface area, whereas a surfing fin will have less surface area and be more rounded (somewhat similar to a dolphin's dorsal fin) to allow easy manoeuvrability in surf.

Paddle board accessories - Rail guard/tape
Using your new paddle board, it's not going to take long to realize it is easy to bang the side of your board with your paddle. With time, this causes dings to your board, and can damage your paddle. The perfect solution is to add some rail guard or tape to the sides of the paddle board (referred to as the ‘rails’). These are really easy to apply, and keep the board looking new for longer, along with shielding it from inadvertent taps from your paddle.

Paddle board accessories - Cover
When you are not using your stand up paddle board, it needs to be protected - both from the elements and from inadvertent user interaction.

A high quality board cover will protect your board when travelling on the roof of your car, and assist in preventing inadvertent dings when moving in/out of the vehicle to/from your storage area.Most are well padded and have shoulder straps, which can make it simpler to carry your board to/from your paddling destination.

Look for ones which have a silver looking exterior, since these can reflect heat from the board, and are waterproof.

Paddle board accessories - Surf racks/storage solutions
Stand up paddle boards are quite big, and can also be challenging to transport and store. If you have a small car, try to find some soft racks, as they can be stored in the boot of the car when not being used. When venturing out for a paddle, they can be temporarily attached to the roof of your car to transport your paddle board.

When storing your SUP within your garage, its best to try and keep it off the ground. There are several different solutions to this, including:

• Storage straps
• Wall sling/strap
• Wall cradles

Paddle board accessories - Ding repair kit
The time will come eventually when you ding your board. This may be from inadvertently scraping a rock to a heavy knock with your paddle. If the ding is big, you will be best off taking it to a professional surfboard repairer, but if it is only a small ding, you can do the repair yourself. Whilst not looking as good as a professional job, it will keep your board watertight and on the water!

Some kits cover both fibreglass and EPS boards, but if not, just be sure to discover what your board is constructed of, to obtain the correct repair kit.

Paddle board accessories - Deck bungee
For people who are seeking to go flat water paddle boarding, a deck bungee (also known as a deck rigging kit) is a good option if you don't currently have one built onto your paddle board.

A deck bungee commonly hooks up to the front of your paddle board, and means that you can store extra things you may want to take with you for a day out paddle boarding - water bottle, lunch, clothing, etc.

An very good option to achieve the most out of your flat water paddling!

Paddle board accessories - Additional clothing

Paddle boarding in a bikini is typically how the sport is advertised (to women, at least!), but the truth is that during the summer - when you don't need a wetsuit - you need some form of protection when on the water for long periods of time. Things like the O'Neill Superlite Jacket are great, as they allow you to avoid the suns harsh rays, and also provide extra storage choices for small items like your phone, iPod, energy bars etc.