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Product Review: 2015 Red Air Sport 11 Inflatable SUP Board from Red Paddle Co.

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We recently had an opportunity to get a sneak preview on some of the newest 2015 Red Air inflatable paddle board models from Red Paddle Co.

Included is the new Sport 11 ISUP – a sleek, streamlined inflatable SUP featuring 120mm drop-stitch material and the revolutionary new rocker stiffening system (RSS), making it a whopping 20+% tougher and more rigid than most ISUPs on the market.
Founded in 2007, Red Paddle Company is a UK-based business focused solely on the design and manufacture of inflatable paddle boards and accessories. While well known throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand, if was only in the past couple of years that the Red Airs started arriving in the US.
Each of the Red Air boards utilize high pressure drop-stitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction and double layering. Each board comes with the Red Air EZee pump, allowing one to inflate a paddle board to 20 PSI and higher in less than 10 minutes.

This is the third in the series on the new 2015 models – the first was on the Ten Six Ride, followed by the Twelve Six Explorer. So, here is our write-up on the 2015 Red Air Sport 11 from Red Paddle Company. (Please note: Some of this will be repeated from previous write-ups.)

Red Air Sport 11: Getting Started
The box as received weighs 38 lbs, measuring 38 x 15 x 15 inches.

Inside the box is the SUP body, two RSS side battens, HP EZee pump, pressure gauge, backpack, cinch belt, removable fin, instructions and repair kit – as well as a bonus cell phone case. Once rolled up, the SUP board and paddle fit into the backpack, as well as optional breakdown paddles under 37 inches.

Weight is 33 lbs for backpack, board and pump, which all easily fit in the back of a small car. The board alone is approximately 25 lbs.
Red Air Sport 11: Setup
The Red Air Sport 11 inflatable SUP arrives rolled up around the high pressure EZee pump, inside the backpack.

While the box included instructions in French, if you locate the cell phone case (attached to the back pack), the English version is folded inside the case.

For your first set up, remove and unroll the SUP body. Lay it out face up so that you can access the military valve.

The Red Air Sport 11 utilizes one spring-loaded military valve for inflation. These are very simple to use and feature a deflate mode (spring plunger is DOWN) and inflate mode (spring plunger is UP). By using your finger to push on the plunger, it can be moved to the inflate mode (air goes in and doesn’t come back out) and deflate mode

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Guide to Choosing Your 2015 Red Air Inflatable SUP Board from Red Paddle Co

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The new 2015 Red Paddle Co inflatable SUPs are rolling into town, and  everyone is inquiring about standup paddle boards. With all the models, sizes, thicknesses and activity types, how does one choose the best board?
We’ve updated our previous post on Choosing your Red Air Paddle Board – now for the 2015 models, which are arriving through January. The table (below) will hopefully take away some of the guesswork and confusing options when looking at the Red Air iSUPs.

For 2015, Red Paddle Company offers 12 models ranging in size from 9 ft 2 inches to 14 ft. 0 inches. This includes the introduction of 3 new models, a revamped look on the current nine models. Four models have been retired. (See a complete list of the new 2015 Red Air Line on this blog article.)
Well-known for their ruggedness throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand, each of the Red Air boards utilize high pressure drop-stitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction, double layering, thick traction pads and fins. Each board comes with the Red Air EZee or EZee HP pump, allowing one to inflate a paddle board to 18 PSI and higher in less than 10 minutes.
All 2015 Red Air iSUPs now come with an updated backpack featuring integrated wheels, making it easier to thread through airport lobbies, while still comfortable enough to pack into the remote country. The new packs are beefed up with tougher sail-cloth construction, larger wheels and heftier zippers that can take a beating.
This year we’ve added a couple more categories, separating “down river paddling” (wide rivers) versus “whitewater” (eddies and drops), and now including the popular “yoga” option.
How do you use this table? 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

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: 2015 Red Air Ride 10-6 Inflatable SUP from Red Paddle Co.

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We first stumbled across the Red Air inflatable SUPs from Red Paddle Company in early 2012.
Founded in 2007, Red Paddle Co. is a UK-based business focused solely on the design and manufacture of inflatable paddle boards and accessories – and rapidly becoming one of the most popular.

Well-known for their ruggedness, each of the Red Air boards utilize high-pressure, dropstitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25 PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction with double layering.
In October, some of the new 2015 models arrived in the States; having previously reviewed the 2012 and 2013 models, we were eager to take a re-look to see how the boards had evolved.
Our first choice was the new 2015 Ride 10-6 – one of the new “blue bellies” from Red Paddle Co – surely one of the top selling inflatable boards, and rapidly becoming an industry classic.
Following is our (re) write-up on the 2015 Red Air Ten Six Ride from Red Paddle Company. (Please note, some of this is repeated from previous writeups.)
Getting Started with the Red Paddle Co Ride 10-6
The box as received weighs 38 lbs, measuring 37 x 15 x 15 inches.

Inside the box is the SUP body, back pack, HP EZee pump, pressure gauge, cinch belt, fin guards, instructions and repair kit – and a very nifty bonus cell phone case! Once rolled up, the SUP board and pump fit into the backpack, as well as a breakdown paddle under 37 inches.

Weight is 34 lbs for backpack, board and pump, which all easily fit in the back of a small car. The board alone is 25 lbs.
Ride 10-6 Set-Up and Inflation
The 10’6 Ride inflatable SUP arrives rolled up around the high pressure EZee pump, inside the backpack. While the box included instructions in French, if you locate the cell phone case (attached to the back pack), the English version is folded inside the case.

Remove the fin guards and unroll the SUP body. There are three integrated tracking fins at the rear of the board. Lay it out face up (fins down) so that you can access the military valve.

The Red Air Ride 10’6 utilizes one spring-loaded military valve for inflation. These are very simple to use and feature an inflate mode (spring plunger is UP) and a deflate mode (spring plunger is DOWN). By using your finger to gently push on the plunger, it can be moved to the inflate mode (air goes in and doesn’t come back out) and deflate mode (air goes in and comes back out). Before you go to all the effort of inflating the board, PLEASE make sure the plunger is in the inflate position.

The included single-action pump comes with a pressure gauge, so

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: 2015 Red Air Explorer 12-6 Inflatable SUP from Red Paddle Co.

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In late October, we received the first few 2015 Red Paddle Co. inflatable boards for review. As it had been two years since our previous writeup, we were excited when UPS backed up the truck and delivered a 2015 Red Air Explorer 12-6.

We first stumbled across the Red Air inflatable SUPs from Red Paddle Company in early 2012. Founded in 2007, Red Paddle Company is a UK-based business focused solely on the design and manufacture of inflatable paddle boards and accessories.
Well-known for their ruggedness, each of the Red Air boards utilize high pressure drop-stitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25 PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction and double layering. The larger boards come with the Red Air EZee pump, allowing one to inflate a paddle board in less than 10 minutes.
So, we opened the box and started getting ourselves reacquainted with the Explorer 12-6. (Please note, some of the information here will be repeated from other writeups.)
Red Air Twelve Six Explorer: Getting Started
The box as received weighs 47 lbs, measuring 37 x 15 x 15 inches.

Inside the box is the SUP body, EZee pump, pressure gauge, backpack, cinch belt, removable fin, instructions and repair kit – as well as a very neat bonus cell phone case.

Once rolled up, the SUP board and paddle fit into the backpack, as well as optional breakdown paddles under 37 inches. Weight is 43 lbs for backpack, board and pump, which all easily fit in the back of a small car. The board alone is approximately 35 lbs.
Red Air Twelve Six Explorer: Setup
The Red Air 12’6 Explorer inflatable SUP arrives rolled up around the EZee pump, inside the backpack. While there are French instructions in the box, you will find the English version folded up inside the cell phone case attached to the back pack.

For your first set up, remove and unroll the SUP body. Lay it out face up so that you can access the military valve.

The Red Air 12’6 Explorer utilizes one spring-loaded military valve for inflation. These are very simple to use and feature an inflate mode (spring plunger is UP) and a deflate mode (spring plunger is DOWN). By using your finger to gently push on the plunger, it can be moved to the inflate mode (air goes in and doesn’t come back out) and deflate mode (air goes in and comes back out). Before you go to all the effort of inflating the board, PLEASE make sure the plunger is in the inflate position.

The included single-action pump comes with a pressure gauge, so you can monitor the board’s PSI. The gauge screws onto the pump – pull the pump handle up (so the pump body doesn’t

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: 2015 Red Air Sport 11 Inflatable SUP Board from Red Paddle Co.

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We recently had an opportunity to get a sneak preview on some of the newest 2015 Red Air inflatable paddle board models from Red Paddle Co.

Included is the new Sport 11 ISUP – a sleek, streamlined inflatable SUP featuring 120mm drop-stitch material and the revolutionary new rocker stiffening system (RSS), making it a whopping 20+% tougher and more rigid than most ISUPs on the market.
Founded in 2007, Red Paddle Company is a UK-based business focused solely on the design and manufacture of inflatable paddle boards and accessories. While well known throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand, if was only in the past couple of years that the Red Airs started arriving in the US.
Each of the Red Air boards utilize high pressure drop-stitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction and double layering. Each board comes with the Red Air EZee pump, allowing one to inflate a paddle board to 20 PSI and higher in less than 10 minutes.

This is the third in the series on the new 2015 models – the first was on the Ten Six Ride, followed by the Twelve Six Explorer. So, here is our write-up on the 2015 Red Air Sport 11 from Red Paddle Company. (Please note: Some of this will be repeated from previous write-ups.)

Red Air Sport 11: Getting Started
The box as received weighs 38 lbs, measuring 38 x 15 x 15 inches.

Inside the box is the SUP body, two RSS side battens, HP EZee pump, pressure gauge, backpack, cinch belt, removable fin, instructions and repair kit – as well as a bonus cell phone case. Once rolled up, the SUP board and paddle fit into the backpack, as well as optional breakdown paddles under 37 inches.

Weight is 33 lbs for backpack, board and pump, which all easily fit in the back of a small car. The board alone is approximately 25 lbs.
Red Air Sport 11: Setup
The Red Air Sport 11 inflatable SUP arrives rolled up around the high pressure EZee pump, inside the backpack.

While the box included instructions in French, if you locate the cell phone case (attached to the back pack), the English version is folded inside the case.

For your first set up, remove and unroll the SUP body. Lay it out face up so that you can access the military valve.

The Red Air Sport 11 utilizes one spring-loaded military valve for inflation. These are very simple to use and feature a deflate mode (spring plunger is DOWN) and inflate mode (spring plunger is UP). By using your finger to push on the plunger, it can be moved to the inflate mode (air goes in and doesn’t come back out) and deflate mode

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: 2015 Red Air Explorer 12-6 Inflatable SUP from Red Paddle Co.

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In late October, we received the first few 2015 Red Paddle Co. inflatable boards for review. As it had been two years since our previous writeup, we were excited when UPS backed up the truck and delivered a 2015 Red Air Explorer 12-6.

We first stumbled across the Red Air inflatable SUPs from Red Paddle Company in early 2012. Founded in 2007, Red Paddle Company is a UK-based business focused solely on the design and manufacture of inflatable paddle boards and accessories.
Well-known for their ruggedness, each of the Red Air boards utilize high pressure drop-stitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25 PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction and double layering. The larger boards come with the Red Air EZee pump, allowing one to inflate a paddle board in less than 10 minutes.
So, we opened the box and started getting ourselves reacquainted with the Explorer 12-6. (Please note, some of the information here will be repeated from other writeups.)
Red Air Twelve Six Explorer: Getting Started
The box as received weighs 47 lbs, measuring 37 x 15 x 15 inches.

Inside the box is the SUP body, EZee pump, pressure gauge, backpack, cinch belt, removable fin, instructions and repair kit – as well as a very neat bonus cell phone case.

Once rolled up, the SUP board and paddle fit into the backpack, as well as optional breakdown paddles under 37 inches. Weight is 43 lbs for backpack, board and pump, which all easily fit in the back of a small car. The board alone is approximately 35 lbs.
Red Air Twelve Six Explorer: Setup
The Red Air 12’6 Explorer inflatable SUP arrives rolled up around the EZee pump, inside the backpack. While there are French instructions in the box, you will find the English version folded up inside the cell phone case attached to the back pack.

For your first set up, remove and unroll the SUP body. Lay it out face up so that you can access the military valve.

The Red Air 12’6 Explorer utilizes one spring-loaded military valve for inflation. These are very simple to use and feature an inflate mode (spring plunger is UP) and a deflate mode (spring plunger is DOWN). By using your finger to gently push on the plunger, it can be moved to the inflate mode (air goes in and doesn’t come back out) and deflate mode (air goes in and comes back out). Before you go to all the effort of inflating the board, PLEASE make sure the plunger is in the inflate position.

The included single-action pump comes with a pressure gauge, so you can monitor the board’s PSI. The gauge screws onto the pump – pull the pump handle up (so the pump body doesn’t

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Product Review: 2015 Red Air Ride 10-6 Inflatable SUP from Red Paddle Co.

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We first stumbled across the Red Air inflatable SUPs from Red Paddle Company in early 2012.
Founded in 2007, Red Paddle Co. is a UK-based business focused solely on the design and manufacture of inflatable paddle boards and accessories – and rapidly becoming one of the most popular.

Well-known for their ruggedness, each of the Red Air boards utilize high-pressure, dropstitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25 PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction with double layering.
In October, some of the new 2015 models arrived in the States; having previously reviewed the 2012 and 2013 models, we were eager to take a re-look to see how the boards had evolved.
Our first choice was the new 2015 Ride 10-6 – one of the new “blue bellies” from Red Paddle Co – surely one of the top selling inflatable boards, and rapidly becoming an industry classic.
Following is our (re) write-up on the 2015 Red Air Ten Six Ride from Red Paddle Company. (Please note, some of this is repeated from previous writeups.)
Getting Started with the Red Paddle Co Ride 10-6
The box as received weighs 38 lbs, measuring 37 x 15 x 15 inches.

Inside the box is the SUP body, back pack, HP EZee pump, pressure gauge, cinch belt, fin guards, instructions and repair kit – and a very nifty bonus cell phone case! Once rolled up, the SUP board and pump fit into the backpack, as well as a breakdown paddle under 37 inches.

Weight is 34 lbs for backpack, board and pump, which all easily fit in the back of a small car. The board alone is 25 lbs.
Ride 10-6 Set-Up and Inflation
The 10’6 Ride inflatable SUP arrives rolled up around the high pressure EZee pump, inside the backpack. While the box included instructions in French, if you locate the cell phone case (attached to the back pack), the English version is folded inside the case.

Remove the fin guards and unroll the SUP body. There are three integrated tracking fins at the rear of the board. Lay it out face up (fins down) so that you can access the military valve.

The Red Air Ride 10’6 utilizes one spring-loaded military valve for inflation. These are very simple to use and feature an inflate mode (spring plunger is UP) and a deflate mode (spring plunger is DOWN). By using your finger to gently push on the plunger, it can be moved to the inflate mode (air goes in and doesn’t come back out) and deflate mode (air goes in and comes back out). Before you go to all the effort of inflating the board, PLEASE make sure the plunger is in the inflate position.

The included single-action pump comes with a pressure gauge, so

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

New 2015 Red Air Inflatable SUP Lineup from Red Paddle Co.

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We recently received details on Red Paddle Company’s exciting new Red Air inflatable SUPs being introduced for 2015.
Well-known throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the Red Air line has steadily gained traction in the US. Noted for their ruggedness and performance, each of the Red Air boards utilize high pressure drop-stitch technology – allowing them to be inflated from 15-25 PSI – and feature quadruple rail construction, double layering, thick traction pads and fins.

The 2015 line has been redesigned, culminating in a striking, easily identifiable look. Color options have been decreased, with emphasis on categorizing boards by usage. For 2015, Red Paddle Co has 12 models for surfing, touring and racing, ranging in size from 9’2 to 14’0. This includes the introduction of 3 new models, revamped graphics on the current nine models, and four retiring models.
For 2015, Red Paddle Co has expanded the best-selling Ride to three versions perfect for all-around use – the Ride 9-8, the Ride 10-6 and the Ride 10-8. Each of the three models features d-rings, bungee deck lacing and three fixed fins.

The Ride 9-8 combines the best characteristics of the 9-6 AllWater and the Surfer/Venus 10-0 to create a great all-around and surfing board for riders up to 80 and 95kg, respectively. With a 31 inch beam, the Ride 9-8 is built from 100mm material, creating a responsive board that is 3.93 inches thick, but fitted with the Rocker Stiffening System (RSS) for increased rigidity. Capacity up to 180/lbs all-around or 210 lbs surfing. MSRP $1299.

The popular Ride 10-6 features the same best-selling features with an updated look. A classic model, great for cruising, small wave surfing, fishing,exploring. Specifications: 10’6 x 32 inches wide, 120mm/4.72 inches thick, capacity 225 lbs.  MSRP $1299.

The 10-8 Ride is a revamped 10-8 Mega, appealing to families or the larger paddler. With a (now) narrower beam of 34 inches, and a board construction of 120mm material, the 10-8 Ride is a rigid, super-stable 4.72 inches thick, providing lots of buoyancy for beefier or multiple paddlers, while still maintaining responsiveness. Good for cruising, small wave surfing, fishing, exploring, boat tender Capacity up to 265 lbs. MSRP $1379

The new Sport 11-0 RSS joins the lineup, perfectly positioned between the Rides and the 12-6 boards. With a narrower beam of 30 inches, a removable US Box deep water fin, rigid 4.72 inch/120mm construction and the RSS system, the Sport 11-0 is faster than the Ride series, yet easier to inflate and carry than the 12-6 models. This is a zippy board with great glide, yet is nimble enough for small waves. Capacity 225 lbs. MSRP $1449.

With whitewater SUP one of the hottest new paddling sports, Red Paddle has introduced the 9-6 Flow.

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

Guide: Choosing a Pump for your High-Pressure Inflatable SUP Paddle Board.

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As high-pressure inflatable paddle boards have increased in popularity – and the development of even higher-pressure materials on the rise – the issue of pumps has become a hot topic.
Specifically, what is the simplest, easiest way to get your inflatable SUP to the higher pressures of 18 to 20 PSI without developing a hernia or popping a blood vessel?

While we have used many of the pumps that have come through the door, we had not actually compared one to another. So, we pulled out all the SUP pumps in the warehouse, lined them up and tried them out, one by one.
Before going further, here are a few things you need to keep in mind when reading our review:

All pumping times and amounts are dependent on the size of board (length, width and thickness) which equates to the volume of air you will be pumping. Many of the popular boards run from 190 to 220 liters, but we do have smaller boards down to 160 liters and some big, beefy boards at 370 liters.
Despite what the manufacturer may tell you, try out the board and figure out what PSI you actually need – no sense in spending the time and energy pumping something up with little gain. While some boards can be inflated to 25 PSI, for most of us that is overkill. Smaller people may get away with 12 PSI and we had one 6’4, 300lb customer fine at 19 PSI. But in no case should you go higher than the manufacturer recommended pressure.
I have ranked them by “difficulty” level, but I am a smaller adult at 5’4″. Larger people may have an easier time reaching higher pressures.
The pumps we used all have the Halkey-Roberts (HR) valves and attachments. If you purchase an aftermarket pump, please make sure that a) the adaptors that come with it will work with your board or b) that you can get your hands on an adaptor and glue it onto the hose end. The HR valves are on the following inflatable boards that we know of: Red Paddle Co, C4 Waterman, Advanced Elements, AquaGlide, Airis Inflatables, Conquest, BIC.
To give a rough factoring, we’ve listed the air volume for the pumps – check on the volume for your pump. For example, 2000 cm3 is equal to 2.0 liters. If a pump puts out 2 liters and the board is 200 liters, theoretically it would take 100 full strokes to fill the board – we didn’t always see that, though. So, a 2000 cm3 pump will put out less air – and be easier to pump to higher pressures – than a 2500 cm3 pump. The 2500 cm3 pump will fill out a board faster, but

Original Source: AirKayaks >>

How to Straighten a Bent Fin on an Inflatable Kayak or SUP

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It’s a common occurrence – you just purchased an inflatable kayak or paddle board and excitedly open the box to discover – bent fins!

While this might appear devastating at first, straightening an integrated bent fin on an inflatable is a fairly easy task – basically, the application of heat allows it to return to normal. (Please note, this is just for the integrated flexi-fins found on many inflatables, not the removable rigid fins.)
Here are three options:
1) If it is a minor bend, flip your inflatable upside down and let it sit in the sun for a while. This often will return it to a straight position. (Please note: do NOT put your inflatable in the sun at full pressure – release some of the air so that it feels soft.)

2) For tougher bends, use a hair dryer. Hold the fin and after about 5 or 10 minutes the fin should soften enough to slowly straighten.

3) Very tough bends may require a little more effort. We thank Red Paddle Co for the photos and information on the “hot water” fix per below:

Pour hot water from the kettle on to the fin to make the fin flexible.

Straighten the fin with your hands and then using sticky tape secure the fin in its upright position.

Allow to cool either naturally or by pouring cold water over the fin. You should find your fin is now straight.

How to ensure this doesn’t happen again?
Make sure to store the inflatable in such a way that the fins are not bent. Some of this can be accomplished by folding. For instance the Airis paddle boards are folded one third up, then one-third again, then the fin is folded over (sticking up into the air). The board is then folded in half the long way, which nestles the fin between the layers.

 
Some inflatables come with fin protectors – bladder rings that slip over the fins.

If you don’t have fin protectors, you can easily fashion some by cutting a slit in a large block of styrofoam – any pressure will rest on the block, and not the fin itself.
Also make sure to not sit in the kayak when on dry ground for any length of time. If you must, then provide some type of support underneath.

Taking any of these simple steps will ensure that you are paddling on a straight course, and not “around in circles.”

Original Source: AirKayaks >>