Red Paddle Co 11'3 Sport Review
Red Paddle Co introduced the Sport range of inflatable SUPs to fill a gap. Allround SUPs are stable and easy but not that fast. Race SUPs are super fast but pretty wobbly. Touring SUPs glide well but are not so manoeuvrable. So what about those who want it all; something that glides well, is stable and manoeuvrable. This is where the Sport comes in.
A common misconception with the Red Paddle Co Sport range seems to be created by their name; being described as the 'sports car' of paddleboards. If they're Sporty they must be only for advanced paddlers right? No! In fact, the Sport SUPs are found in the 'Touring' section. These are go-anywhere inflatable SUPs that we find offer plenty of stability for all but the largest of riders. Compared with the all-round boards the Sports have a sleeker shape with a drawn-out nose section to allow them to cut through the water more cleanly and offer greater glide with each paddle stroke. This makes them faster than the all-round boards so they can cover some distance, great for getting adventurous. At 32", the width of the Red Paddle Co 11'3 Sport is the same as the 10'6 Ride and although it's nose is narrower it has a squared-off tail, making it a good stable platform.
To give you an idea of where the 11'3 Sport sits in the range and it's all-round and touring capabilities, let's compare it to the famous 10'6 Ride and the dedicated touring board, the 12'6 Explorer.
Prices correct as date 15th March 2017 - Click here to see the lastest RED boards and prices > RED Paddle Co Inflatable Paddleboards
The width of each of these iSUPs is the same, width being a major influencer of stability. As well as the shape, the 11'3 Sport has a couple of features which make it an excellent tourer; RSS battens and an FCSII fin.
The Red Paddle Co RRS Battens slide into pockets on each rail and make the board up to 40% stiffer. A stiffer board makes for a faster board, which is what allows you to cover distance more easily. The single fin that comes with the SUP is perfect for touring, plus the FCSII fin box is compatible with any FCSII fins of your choosing should you wish to opt for something different.
If you are looking for an inflatable SUP with more performance and long-distance capability than an all-round SUP, but without sacrificing the amount of manoeuvrability that you would with a larger touring board, then the Red Paddle Co 11'3 Sport is a great choice. The Sport is also available in 11' and 12'6 versions, so there is something for everybody.
If you have any questions about the Red Paddle Co range or any other boards in our store then feel free to get in touch!
