During lockdown, it got so difficult trying to buy a SUP. Along with gazebos, firepits, garden furniture and so on, everyone was looking for bits of kit to let them do more outside.
Following on from seeing how much fun our kids had had over the summer with a mate’s SUP, we decided that we couldn’t go another season borrowing his board so we went hunting for one we could give the kids as a Xmas present. Don’t get me wrong, it would be one of those presents the whole family would benefit from. Nice big box to open on Xmas day though!
So many to choose from at the lower end of the price scale but we went for an Aquaplanet 10ft All Round SUP. I could dig out the specification but I nicked this from another site:
The Aquaplanet 10ft Allround inflatable stand up paddle board measures 10′ x 30″ x 4″ (length x width x thickness) and weighs approximately 22 pounds. It’s an all-around and has a weight capacity of 220 pounds.
Who is this for? The Aquaplanet 10ft Allround Stand Up Paddle Board is ideal for smaller paddlers, people who weigh approximately 180 pounds and below, and that’s due to the design of the board – it’s relatively narrow (30 inches), somewhat short (10ft) and thin (4 inches). A larger paddler may need a little longer and thicker board, and perhaps a wider one, too, such as the one Aquaplanet offers, the Aquaplanet 10’6 MAX iSUP for example.
How is the performance? Performance wise the Aquaplanet 10′ iSUP is definitely maneuverable, will feel responsive once you get used to the possible flex that comes with single-layer PVC construction iSUPs. The more smaller of a paddler you are, the more sturdy and stable it feels.
https://www.sunsetpaddler.com/aquaplanet-10ft-allround/
It seems reasonable for the price ( sub £300 ). Quality seems okay but how would I really know? Not expecting the world at that price when I know you can easily spend a couple of grand. Comes with all the kit you’d expect; leash, paddle, repair kit, dry bag, pump, but I’m not sure it’s going to be big enough for me. It should get the kids on the water though, which is the main idea behind getting it.
Whilst we could always test it out in the canal, I’m holding out for the travel restrictions to lift so we can test it out up at Ardlui and hire myself a grown-up RED board from Loch Lomond Wakeboard while we’re there.