Archive for the 'Gear Previews' Category

S.I.C. S-16 Standamaran Race SUP

Here’s the next creation from the mind of Mark Raaphorst. This is crazy. Mark says the S-16 can sustain a 6.5 mph pace…unreal. I’ll check it out on Maui next week.


(click thumbnail to launch video)

Bark 18′ and S.I.C. F-18 SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Boards

bark-18-and-sic-f-18-sup-stand-up-paddle-racing-boards-01

A while back we got a chance to demo an older model flat water Bark 18′ SUP side by side with the SIC F-18. I went with Randy Lui-Kwan and we switched off. These boards were very different even though they are both 18′ displacement hull models. Also, the Bark was a bit older, I think from early 2009 or late 2008. The picture above shows the F-18 on the left and Bark 18′ on the right. Continue reading ‘Bark 18′ and S.I.C. F-18 SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Boards’

Joe Bark 14′ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board

bark-14-sup-stand-up-paddle-board-03

On my recent visit to Joe Bark’s HQ, he showed me their latest racing stand up paddle board, the 14′ “Dominator”. According to Joe, it is the fastest and most stable 14′ that they have ever put out. They tested over 20 prototypes to get this exact board. The “Dominator” is shaped similar to one of their 12′6″ boards, just stretched out with a few contour changes. It has a flat deck which goes into a dome at the nose, a wide square tail, flat bottom and a piercing nose.
Continue reading ‘Joe Bark 14′ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board’

C4 Waterman iSup Inflatable SUP Stand Up Paddle Board

c4-waterman-isup-inflatable-sup-stand-up-paddle-board-07

During my recent visit to the C4 Waterman HQ, I had the chance to take some pictures of their new inflatable SUP stand up paddle board, the iSUP. I haven’t been able to demo the iSUP yet but it looks like a fun, family board, especially for the kids. This one may be perfect for my son.
Continue reading ‘C4 Waterman iSup Inflatable SUP Stand Up Paddle Board’

Starboard “Free Race” 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board

starboard-free-race-12-6-sup-stand-up-paddle-racing-board-3

Here’s another one from Starboard’s 2010 SUP racing line, the 12′6″ “Free Race” stand up paddle racing board. This board comes in two widths: 29″ for lighter riders and flat water conditions, and 31″ for heavier riders and rougher conditions.
Continue reading ‘Starboard “Free Race” 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board’

Starboard “Surf Race” 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board

starboard-surf-race-12-6-sup-stand-up-paddle-racing-board-4

Here’s another set of photos sent to us by Margareta from Starboard. This time for the 12′6″ “Surf Race” stand up paddle racing board. Svein Rasmussen, the CEO of Starboard suggested this board for races in Hawaiian waters that have trailing swells to catch.
Continue reading ‘Starboard “Surf Race” 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board’

Starboard “The NEW” 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board

starboard-the-new-12-6-sup-stand-up-paddle-racing-board-09

Margareta from Starboard sent us these photos of their new 12′6″ racing stand up paddle board called “The NEW” shaped by Brian Szymanski. This is one of the most space ship looking race SUP’s I’ve seen so far. I actually saw the prototype at the 2009 Battle of the Paddle but didn’t get a chance to demo it. Here’s the info we got from Margareta.
Continue reading ‘Starboard “The NEW” 12′6″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board’

New 2010 Surftech Softop SUP Stand Up Paddle Boards

new-2010-surftech-softop-sup-stand-up-paddle-boards-21

I recently visited Surftech’s HQ and got the chance to take some pictures and a short video of their new Softop models for 2010. Check out the video:
Continue reading ‘New 2010 Surftech Softop SUP Stand Up Paddle Boards’

C4 Waterman’s New Pohaku SDK Soft Deck SUP Boards at the Surf Expo Tradeshow in Orlando

c4-waterman-pohaku-sdk-soft-deck-sup-boards-at-surfexpo-1

This was just sent in by Greg Wunderlich from C4 Waterman:
Continue reading ‘C4 Waterman’s New Pohaku SDK Soft Deck SUP Boards at the Surf Expo Tradeshow in Orlando’

Altered M6 800 “Green Machine” Electric Skateboard

altered-electric-skateboard-05

I recently visited Robert Stehlik at the Bionic Wheels office and Boardworks warehouse to check out the M6 800 “Green Machine” from Altered Electric Skateboards. I was supposed to try an earlier China brand model that Todd Bradley had but it wasn’t working. After forgetting about it for a while I asked Robert to demo one of his Altered Electric models. I’m glad I did.
Continue reading ‘Altered M6 800 “Green Machine” Electric Skateboard’

Tropical Blends Paddle Straps and Leash

tropical-blends-paddle-straps-and-leash-06

Tropical Blends Surf has some new SUP accessories.  They have a branded line of ankle and calf leashes.  The ones shown below are 10′ long.  They also have a redesigned paddle strap used with the dual deck leash plugs on their boards to carry the paddle and to use the paddle as a handle.  These are heavy duty with a design drawn from the leash strap.
Continue reading ‘Tropical Blends Paddle Straps and Leash’

StickyWheel Board Transportation Device

stickywheel-board-transportation-device-2

This is another interesting product I saw at the 2009 Battle of the Paddle, the StickyWheel Board Transportation Device. Here’s a description from their website:
Continue reading ‘StickyWheel Board Transportation Device’

S.I.C. Fw-14 Displacement Hull Stand Up Paddle SUP Race Board

sic-fw-14-displacement-hull-stand-up-paddle-sup-race-board-08

The wait is over. I finally got my full displacement hull version of the SIC F-14, renamed the FW-14. I suggested to Mark that he name it the F-14e but I guess he didn’t like that name. I’ve only had 2 sessions on this board due to the recent lack of trade winds. The first session was in 20 mph+ conditions and waist high swell. That session was fun and fairly effortless. I was surprised that with such a flat rocker, the FW-14 had no problem pearling or nose poking too much. I think this may have to do with the ideal length to fit in the trough but it could also be the design.
Continue reading ‘S.I.C. Fw-14 Displacement Hull Stand Up Paddle SUP Race Board’

On It Pro Blue Goo and Xtreme Cream for SUP

on-it-pro-blue-goo-and-xtreme-cream-1

I saw some interesting products on display during the 2009 Battle of the Paddle. Among them was the Blue Goo board cleaner and Xtreme Cream bottom coating from On It Pro. Check out the video for a demo on how to use them on a stand up board:
Continue reading ‘On It Pro Blue Goo and Xtreme Cream for SUP’

Sandwich Island Composites (S.I.C.) F-Series Promo Video

Mark Raaphorst sent us this video featuring their F-Series Stand Up Paddle boards. Check it out:


(click thumbnail to launch video)