“Modern stand-up paddleboarding first began in the 1940s and rose to prominence in the early 2000s. A cousin of surfing, the sport lets riders stay upright the whole time, offering them a helpful vantage point on what's around the next bend. Traditionally made from fiberglass, epoxy and carbon fiber, the boards are generally quite large, ranging from about 8 feet to 14 feet.
The first batch of inflatable SUPs was released in the early 2010s as an easy-to-store alternative to hard boards, a variant that didn't require a truck bed or roof rack to transport. While those initial inflatables tended to deteriorate quickly due to weak glue along the side rails, many of the latest ones rely on a strong, drop-stitch nylon core. Thousands of strong polymer threads, strung between top and bottom panels often made from sandwiched layers of laminated PVC, hold the board stiffly together as you fill it with air with an included pump.
"Inflatable SUPs are actually more durable than hard boards in certain ways," said Shenglong You, co-founder of inflatable SUP company Thurso Surf. "Because they have a little give, they actually won't be damaged if you hit a rock or drop [them]. And unless you're racing, the performance is similar."
According to Mr. You, inflatable SUPs are ideal for beginners who want to take up a new sport but can't immediately commit to the cumbersome reality of owning a hard board.
With inflatables, you can neatly fit into an oversize backpack all the equipment you need: the SUP itself rolled tightly like a sleeping bag; the pump; a leash to keep your board from dangerously floating away should you fall off; and paddles that break up into pieces.
It's also a great workout, explained Tony Smith, founder of bespoke wooden SUP company Jarvis Boards. "You're working your legs through your quads and your calves because you're absorbing the waves," he said. "Each time you swing the paddle, you're toning your core and strengthening your shoulders and your arms."
Before you buy an inflatable, though, Mr. Smith suggested you consult an expert at a local shop for help finding a board that's the right size for your weight and height -- too small and it won't be stable enough, too large and it will be too heavy to push through the water. Then rent a few to make sure you find the one that meets your needs: Some inflatable models are geared toward providing a stable surface for yoga, while others are designed to quickly slice through water. "A board that feels great at first might get boring quickly, kind of like when you take the training wheels off your bike," Mr. Smith said. "You might quickly want one that's faster, more nimble, that lets you do more in the water."
There are downsides. As sturdy as the new inflatables may be, navigating any bit of bounce as you paddle absorbs energy, Mr. Smith said, dropping your performance, speed and efficiency on an inflatable SUP by about 20% compared with hard boards, which glide and maneuver better on the water. And, "Blowing them up sucks," he added. While, according to Mr. You, some inflatable versions can take up to 10 minutes to fill manually, I pumped up each of mine in about two minutes. (Though my shoulders burned afterward.)
---
AIR THEIR DIFFERENCES / THREE MODELS FOR VARIOUS NEEDS
For Yoga Posing: Thurso Surf Tranquility
Those who want to get into lotus position while they float will enjoy the sturdy, 34-inch-wide platform of this yoga SUP. On lazier weekend outings, you can fit a cooler and pup on its wide tail and lay in the sun without worrying about ending up all wet. $899, thursosurf.com
For Building Trust: Red 11'0" Sport MSL
While we found the surfaces of other inflatable SUPs a bit slick, the padded tread of Red's narrow, 30-inch base made standing and repositioning atop the board easier. And with its lower volume, the Red rocked less from side-to-side when boats made waves on the lake. $1,449, redpaddleco.com
For Pro-Level Gliding: Nixy Newport G4
At 10 feet 6 inches long, the Newport G4 is a shorter and lighter SUP than competing inflatables, with pointed ends and three fins to help riders carve through the water. The G4's design made for a shaky ride for a first-timer, but once we were up, it was fast and fun on the water. $895, nixysports.com” [1]
1.OFF DUTY --- Gear & Gadgets: Board Unstiff --- Why the latest, easy-to-store inflatable paddleboards outshine their rigid counterparts
Kitchen, Matthew. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]12 June 2021: D.7.
Komentarų nėra:
Rašyti komentarą