The 2017 Red Paddle Co inflatable paddle boards have hit the market! With all the models, activity types, sizes and features, how does one choose the best board? Each year we update our previous posts to reflect the new Red Paddle Co models and product upgrades – use this guide to take away some of the guesswork when looking at the myriad of options with Red Paddle Co iSUPs.
For 2017, Red Paddle Co has 22 models for surfing, whitewater, recreation, touring and racing, ranging in size from 8’10” to 22’0. This includes the introduction of 5 new models – Sport 11’3, Race 14’0, Dragon 22’0, Windsurf 10’7″ and Ride L – revamped graphics, added features on several of the current models and updated accessories.
The more noticeable new features include:
- Further advances in Red Paddle’s innovative new Monocoque Structural Laminate (MSL) fusion technology. For 2017, Red Paddle again tweaked the material across the entire product line, making the injected, reinforced second layer thicker with increased bond strength – producing a lighterweight yet more rigid board than most competitor’s. See the Red Paddle Co YouTube Video on MSL Technology.
- Boards with removable fins now sport standard US Fin boxes which fit 90% of the fins on the market.
- Introduction of the FCS II Connect Tool-less Fin System on several models – these quickly snap into position without need for hardware or tools.
- Integrated RAM mount threads on several models, allowing one to add an optional universal RAM mount socket. With this socket, paddlers can purchase a myriad of RAM accessories allowing one to attach a cell phone holder, camera mount, fishing gear, Go-Pro fixture or cup holders.
- Forward Flex Control (FFC) stiffening rod on the two Elite racing models. Working in conjunction with the RSS Rocker Stiffening System fiberglass battens, nose flex is removed, ensuring an incredibly rigid ride while retaining the portability and storage advantages of an inflatable.
- Beefed-up features on the Titan dual cylinder hand pump as well as an internal upgrade.
- Foil lining on the wheeled backpack and integrated paddle holder.
Prices are generally remaining the same with some slight increases over 2016. (See a complete list of the new 2017 Red Paddle Co Line and new features on this blog article.)
Well-known for their ruggedness throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand, each of the Red Paddle Co boards utilize high pressure drop-stitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 16-22 PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction, double layering, traction pads and fins.
All 2017 Red Paddle Co iSUPs come with the roller backpack featuring integrated wheels, making it easier to thread through airport lobbies, while still comfortable enough to pack into the remote country. Most of the boards come with the Titan dual action pump; the two smaller Whip 8-10 and Snapper 9-4 boards – as well as the larger Dragon, Ride XL and Ride L – come with the Red Air HP EZee pump.
How do you use the following tables? First, ascertain your size from the list:
- Big & Tall – 210+ lbs and 6’1″ plus inches in height
- Average – 140-200 lbs, 5’7″ to 6’0″ inches in height
- Small – Under 140 lbs, Under 5’7″ inches in height
- Child – Under 100 lbs, under 5’0 inches in height
Then decide the type(s) of paddling you want to do (paddling situations):
- Touring – Ocean, waves, long paddles, camping
- Recreational – Lakes, sloughs, slower rivers, coastal, calm
- Whitewater – Fast-moving maneuvering with eddies, drops.
- Downriver – Wide-open moving water.
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Racing
- Yoga
Determine what attributes are important (or not!) to you – do you want versatility or storage capacity? Stability or speed?
Rank your experience level, realizing that the more you get out on the water, the better you will get. More experienced paddlers can get away with smaller boards. Last of all, will this be used by various members of the family? Do you want the ability to bring along a child, dog or gear? Might two people be on this together?
- Multi Paddlers/Family: Two small adults, Adult and child or dog.
- Beginner
- Intermediate/Medium
- Advanced Paddler
Follow the color key to decide what board is good for varying sizes and activities:
- Blue – The board is great!
- Green – The board is good.
- Yellow – This board is not recommended.
For instance, if you were 5 feet 10 inches with a weight of 180 lbs, and whitewater rivers was the highest priority with a bit of recreational paddling, the Flow 9-6 would be a good choice. But, if you wished to do predominantly recreational paddling with a bit of whitewater, the Ride 10-6 would be best.
For easier viewing, the Red Paddle Co boards in the following tables have been separated into three categories: recreational, specialty and race. If you are having trouble viewing the details in the three tables, follow this link for a larger and printable PDF version of the Choosing Your 2017 Red Paddle Co Inflatable Paddle Board iSUP.
2017 Red Paddle Co Recreational Inflatable SUPS.
This section outlines the recreational models, which include the Ride 9-8, 10-6 and 10-8, the Sport 11-0, 11-3 and 12-6, and the Explorer 12-6 and 13-2.
2017 Red Paddle Co Specialty Inflatable SUPS.
The table below outlines the specialty boards, which include the Whip 8-10, Snapper 9-4, Flow 9-6, Windsup 10-7, WindSurf 10-7, Activ 10-8, Ride L and the Ride XL.
2017 Red Paddle Co Racing Inflatable SUPS.
The last table below outlines the racing boards, which include the Max Race 10-6, Race 12-6, Race 14-0, Elites 12-6 and 14-0 and the Dragon 22-0.
Why are there varying board thicknesses?
Some of the larger boards feature heavier drop-stitch materials, thus making the boards thicker. What does this mean? The thicker the board (and larger the board) the greater the air volume. This will increase the board rigidity at lower pressures. The Sports, Ride 10-6 and 10-8 boards – constructed from 120mm materials – will have roughly 20% greater rigidity at 15 PSI than the 100mm material boards (Whip, Snapper, Ride 9-8), thus will carry more weight. The 150mm material boards – such as the Flow, Race, Elites and Explorers – will exhibit roughly 50% greater rigidity. But, the 100mm boards (as well as the 150mm Race and Elites) have been beefed up with the Rocker Stiffening System (RSS), which also gives them a roughly 20% boost over the 100mm boards built by other manufacturers.
Do I really need to pump this up to 25 PSI for best performance?
No. Recommended pressure is 16-22 PSI, with an optimum of 18PSI. We suggest starting off at 15 PSI, and then deciding if you need to go higher – no sense spending time and effort reaching the highest PSI, when it may not get you any better performance. For instance, as a smaller person, I generally don’t pump up my boards higher than 12 PSI. And one of our customers – at 6’3″ and 300 lbs – found his 12-6 Explorer was perfectly fine at 20 PSI.
You can read more about SUP pumps in our Guide to Choosing a Pump for your High Pressure Inflatable SUP.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can view details on the various Red Paddle Co Inflatable SUPS at http://www.AirKayaks.com.
We also have detailed product reviews on the following:
Still having trouble? Feel free to Contact Us via email, or give us a call at 707-998-0135.
Here is Red Paddle Co’s video on the new 2017 product line.
This comparision tabels are awsome, they helped me alot to see the difference between two sup boarda! Thank you!