Glenn’s Picks: Cruiser SUP Kona LTD Ultra-Lite Bamboo

There is no single product testing day that I look forward to more in a year than the Saturday evening before Mothers day. Why?  For the last several years running, I have always gone to a lake about 45 minutes from home on the evening before Mothers Day.  I save the one board that I am most excited to test for that evening. It is the lake I grew up on as a kid,  spending nearly all my summers on it and in it.  I take my own family to that same lake as often as I can, it is also the lake that my fathers ashes are spread over.  It is my Graceland.

The board I am always most excited about gets tested that session because every year that session is always my favorite session of the year, and  that board turns out to be my favorite board. Sometimes conditions are great, like this year, glass calm and 80 degrees. Sometimes, they are not so great, like last year – foggy and about 50 degrees.  The board that is tested that evening has ever growing shoes to fill in terms of my performance expectations from t  he year previous. This year it was the Kona LTD,  and like all past years, my new favorite board has been found.

First- the appearance.  Hands down the best looking board Cruiser SUP has offered. The color contrast between the two shades of blue and the green is best described as striking. The matte finish is just icing on the cake. I do like the version of the Kona Classic with the exposed bamboo – but thelook of the LTD is exciting and motivating. Digging in that little bit harder for some more glide speed just comes naturally with the LTD graphics.

I have loved the Kona Classic series for years, in 2013 it was hard to pry out of my hands. For 2015, some pretty big steps have been taken to take it to the next stratosphere.  CNC shaping and molding means total consistency in shaping. Moulded construction with bamboo on the deck and carbon reinforced standing area and bottom, makes the Kona LTD stiff and lively feeling.  Throw in Kevlar rails and a you have a serious performance machine that can take a few knocks. I know, as I gave it a couple of clunks into the dock on the way in and out of the water – all without a scratch.  After paddle hits (including a few just to test durability) the board looks just like it did when it left the showroom.

Performance wise, exactly what an all round board should offer. Quick to accelerate, tracks like it is on rails, and maintains glide even when the paddle stroke rate drops off a little bit.  I have only tested it so far in oil slick calm water – but was averaging about 10-12 strokes per side before having to change paddling sides, which rivals some displacement nose touring boards I have tested.  However, with the Kona  LTD – you can take it out in surf and tear it up in small to medium sized waves (hopefully soon to be tested by me).  Plus, with the extended deck pad it makes a great fitness board for Yoga, or letting your young kids ride along on the board with you.  The extended pad, which is crocodile skin texture for total comfort, has a grippy, but firm feel. Personally I have never loved super soft feeling pads, then seem to throw off balance, but the premium pad on the LTD is soft enough to be comfortable for long sessions, but firm enough to feel solid underfoot.

Overall – what a true all round board should be – fast, smooth, and versatile. Having tested my share of boards in this range, it is hands down the best “all water”  I have paddled. Which is why it is now a permanent fixture for the summer on my roof rack.  

Glenn’s Pick: Cruiser Crossover

Generally, I loathe sports equipment that claims to do everything.  For example, skis that claim they are great in powder, but also carve as well as slalom skis on ice? No dice.  For the most part -the more elements of performance a single piece of equipment tries to do, the worse it gets until eventually that piece of equipment that is supposed to be good at everything, is terrible at everything.

Enter the Cruiser SUP Crossover series to change my opinion on that subject.  As the name implies, it allows a huge amount of crossover between different conditions.  While I am not professing it is a master at any one of them (i.e.  waves, race, etc), it is the most solid “jack of all trades” boards I have paddled in years.  Size wise – I am not overly partial to any one size, base your purchase around the weight ratings. Personally, I spend a lot of time on the 11’6. Anyone who has read previous Glenn’s Picks knows that I am lighter (160lbs) but opt to use a larger board in a lot of cases as I have an 8 year old daughter who spends a lot of time riding on the nose.  That being said – all the sizes are great and work perfectly in the weight ranges outlined in the sizing charts.

Condition wise, I refer to is as a “real world” condition board. Flat water in a lake, river, or ocean, rough and choppy waters, and small surf are what it does best. In flat water it is lively and quick feeling, with very true tracking. The full deck pad is great for kids to ride along, pets, or for anyone doing fitness activities like yoga or pilates. The main standing area is a crocodile texture pad, while the front blue area is a brushed EVA texture, which translates into grip and comfort everywhere on the deck.

Many notice the Crossover and the Dura-Soft series are similar. In fact, they are identical as far as board shape and construction.  However, the Crossover does not have the full EVA pad that covers the rails. This speeds the Crossover up in the water compared to the Dura-Soft Series (see Glenn’s Pick on the Dura-Soft 11’6 at https://cruisersup.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/glenns-pick-cruiser-koa-dura-soft-116/), however if more durability is required, the Dura-Soft with the full EVA covered rails could be a better option.

In surf, it catches everything.  The Crossover does best for someone who long board surfs, or wants to learn how to SUP Surf, but also wants a board that is good in flat water. There are boards available that are more surf specific (i.e. Cruiser SUP Nalu), but you have to give up the full pad.  Given the Crossover does so well in flat water, but then can “cross over” so well into small to medium surf conditions, it really is a great board for anyone who wants a board that offers great versatility and great pricing.   With the Crossover you could do a morning Yoga practice, cruise around with your kids/pets in the afternoon, then catch a sunset surf session – all on the same board.  To that versatility, I say “yes, please!”

Glenn’s Picks: The V-max Air vs. V-max Rigid

If it is a SUP board, there are very high odds I have paddled it.  Give me two boards to compare with as little of a few mm’s of spec different and I can tell them apart. Point being, when I test boards, I am running constantly comparing it to the database in my mind of boards I have paddled and pay attention to small details.  Comparing the V-max Air to the V-max rigid – there are a huge number of similarities, but also a huge number of differences.  First of all, the Air is inflatable – there is no mistaking that. While stiff – you can tell it is inflatable (softer feel – but very stiff). The softer feel is almost comforting as in rougher conditions, it isn’t as rough of ride as the rigid board can me in steep and close tougher chop. A few insights into a different aspects of the two boards for comparison follows below.

Transport – No question the Air takes it. I drive a pretty small car – and while I do often carry several boards on the roof, the back pack size of the Air in the back seat was a nice treat instead of the constantly howling coming from the roof rack with a rigid board (or two) on racks.

Durability – No question the Air wins – the rigid V-max while tough – if dropped or impacted into something like a rock is most likely going to be a little worse for the wear. The Air, don’t set out to abuse, but tick it off a rock on the way into the water it will just bounce off.

Glide and tracking – I would call it a dead heat. Both average about 12-14 stokes per side.  The rigid does crisper on the first couple of strokes and to accelerate, but once at speed both maintain momentum equally well.

Going downwind – This is the one I have to give to the rigid version, but barely and with explanation.  Getting a glide on the rigid version takes nothing more than putting yourself in front of the piece of swell and let the board do the rest. The Air, as it does need an extra stroke or two to get the board up to speed, does take a little extra power in the first stroke or two.  But, rewind to the rock I hit on the beach – and realize that if I was using the rigid, that I would not have even been on the water to catch that swell, that took one more stroke to catch, as I would have spent the day fixing the board, and I quickly forget that it took one more stroke to catch the swell.

Looks – Tough call. I like red, and I like bamboo, so I like them all and graphics tastes are pretty much down to the individual. However, both options are very attractive.

Overall – When I factor on the convenience and the toughness, the Air V-max is my preferred version of the V-max. For sure still a place in my board quiver for the rigid version. I will use both the Air and the rigid, but most likely the Air will become a fixture in my car just for the flat out reason that the performance is so similar, the Air is so much tougher, the Air is so much more portable and convenient.  Factor in the price difference between the Air and rigid – very tough to find any reason not to use the Air.

Check out this video of the Vmax Inflatables. Great for your next family vacation to the lake or the ocean!

Glenn’s Pick: Cruiser Koa Dura-soft 11’6

I like to do lots of things on the water – flat water cruise, surf, yoga, hard endurance style paddles, and ride with my 8 year old on the nose of the board. The one glitch in liking to do so many things on the water is that it can mean having to carry around a lot of boards – however, as of late, the only board making its way onto my roof rack is the Koa Durasoft 11’6.

I am 6 ft, 160 lbs, so not exactly a heavy weight which may have some wondering why I like the largest 11’6 so much? For anyone who has kids who will tandem on the nose of the board – it is key to factor their weight into board sizing selection. My daughter is 70lbs – so even though I weigh 160, with her on board, the combined weight on the board is 230lbs (it will easily handle up to 275lbs) . I could use the 11ft – but, the extra bit of stability in the 11’6 coupled the extra bit of glide speed makes the 11’6 ideal. Speed and simplicity are two things I like very much- and the 11’6 gives that in spades.

Looking at the Durasoft from inside out – it is a pretty impressive board. The Molded Wood Technology construction makes it super light and stiff, but also very tough. I have paddled boards that have pricing of $1400 and higher than have not been anywhere as stiff or light, and have been so fragile that you just need to wink at the board and it will ding. While common sense does prevail when it comes to board care (ie don’t through it down a flight of stairs or toss it onto a pile of rocks), the Molded Wood Technology construction is incredibly durable. Then – factor in the Dura-Soft skin that goes on the board and you have a really durable, yet very high performance board. I usually describe the Durasoft series not as a soft top, but as a performance board that just happens to have a soft deck pad. I am not known to be the most “careful” when it comes to gear – so having the pad covering the entire top, rails, and nose and tail impact bumpers has me covered durability wise.
Onto performance – the Dura-Soft 11’6 is really a jack of all trades. The full pad has me covered when riding with an 8 year old on the nose. There are no slippery areas on the board, so she is free to be where ever she wants to be on the deck. That also makes life super easy for her getting back up on the board when she jumps off for a swim. Being 11’6 it does feel like a long board in the surf – but, for smaller waves, the 11’6 will catch everything and everything, making you feel somewhat like a superhero in the waves (if you have ever see me surf a regular shortboard, you will know I am no superhero). It really shines as a cruising board – fast, stable, and the 11’6 length really gives it great tracking. Yoga- no problem, full grip everywhere so lots of comfort to tackle whatever poses you are working on. Stable, easy, versatily, fast, and tough – that is a lot of words to describe on board, but they really do all apply to the Koa Dura-Soft.

Why do I like it so much? It does everything. Granted, there are faster boards like a displacement nose touring board – but I can’t surf those. There are boards more suited for surf – but I can’t do Yoga on those. But – there really aren’t boards that are as light or as durable, and as well priced as the Dura-Soft. The Molded Wood Technology really should see those boards with a much higher price tag – the value they offer is incredible. I can put the Dura-Soft 11’6 on the roof rack of my car and head to the water knowing that I have one board that can do anything and everything that I like to do. I have tested a lot of boards over the last 9 years with Paddleboard Direct, but I haven’t come across a board that can say that aside from the Dura-Soft.

Glenn’s Picks

Cruiser SUP and Paddleboard Direct are excited to announce a new addition to the SUP blog! We are starting a monthly feature, “Glenn’s Picks” that will highlight different products in a short and sweet review by one of our very own, Glenn (obviously). The intention behind Glenn’s Picks is to share Glenn’s favorite pieces of gear with his clear and concise trademark explanation of why he likes it so much, and which SUP enthusiasts will too.

Who is Glenn behind Glenn’s Picks?

Glenn is the Sales and Customer service manager at Paddleboard Direct, and a veteran of the SUP industry since its inception. He has paddled all over the world, testing everything that Paddleboard Direct sells, and for the most part, everything that we don’t sell. He loves surfing when the waves are good, loves going for super hard endurance paddles, but, also spends a large amount of time cruising with his seven year old on the nose of his board. From race boards to flat water cruising boards, Glenn takes a nearly scientific approach to testing boards to evaluate how they perform- he has been known to be able to pick out performance differences between boards that only vary in measurements of a couple of millimetres. The purpose behind his testing and evaluation madness is to be able to give our customers the absolute best advice on which boards will suit their needs and performance desires. Want to know which of the boards you are looking at is faster? Ask Glenn. Want to know which boards your kids will have more fun on? Ask Glenn. Visit our website for more on how to get in contact with the man himself.