Aqua Marina Rapid
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Only best products in a given category receive “A” grade.
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for an affordable standup paddle board designed for the river then the Rapid by Aqua Marina might be the board for you. The 9’6” inflatable paddle board is very lightweight and easy to carry, weighing just under 20lbs. Its lightweight construction does hinder the boards durability which could be problematic if you’re goal is to paddle Class III - Class V rapids. The board is however very wide and stable and could be a good option for paddlers looking to try whitewater paddle boarding at an affordable price of $699.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color of the Rapid are good with bright bold colors that are designed to catch the eye. The design of the board appears unique and has features that appear to really cater to the river paddlers. There are a number of handles placed strategically throughout the board which are helpful for put ins and the 5 fin setup on the bottom of the board really help with tracking. The board felt really stable when paddling and was very lightweight and easy to carry. The construction does appear somewhat fragile though and should be used carefully as multiple encounters with rocks and debris that are known to be in rivers might cause the board to have a shorter lifespan than what’s desired.
Benefits
-
Primary Use
RiverPaddle Boards fall into two broad categories, All-Around and Specialty boards, with all-around designed primarily for recreation while speciality boards for top performance in specific disciplines
-
Durability
Somewhat fragileDurability is largely a result of the board construction and shape, with more durable boards typically carrying more materials (added layers, PVC, etc) and as such adding to the weight.
-
Stability
StableStability is a product of construction and shape, where boards w/ 30”+ wide and 200+ liters in volume offer plenty of stability for your AVG adult while a board under 26” wide is a challenge.
-
Glide
SlowGlide is a result of board shape and construction, w/ boards weighing under 30lbs and designed for racing offering best glide while recreational boards normally being on the slow side.
Learn more on the Aqua Marina website.
Features
-
Dimensions
SUP 9'6" x 33" x 6"Industry standard in board dimensions reads: L (length, from nose to tail) x W (width, from rail to rail at midpoint length), and H (height, from top to bottom of board at midpoint length).
-
Weight
19.6 lbsStandup paddle boards tend to fall into 4 different weight classes: extremely lightweight (under 20 lbs), lightweight (20-28 lbs), average weight (28-35 lbs), heavy (above 35 lbs).
-
Volume
289 LVolume is a key metric to determine how much weight a board can carry. Boards w/ 200+ liters offer most floatation with boards under 150 liters typically for high-performance surf.
-
Capacity
287 lbs / 130 kgCapacity is the max cargo weight a stand up paddle board can carry, considering not only the paddler’s weight but whatever else the paddler may choose to carry alongside him/her.
-
Add On's
5 fins/ GoPro Mount/ Valve Adaptor/ Straps on Rails, Nose and TailAdd-on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal.
-
Handle
StrapHandles directly affect carrying ease, with external grip handles (Liftsup & EZgrab) offering most comfort, Internal Ergo Grip the mid-tier comfort, and box handles as least comfortable.
-
Holders
YesFishing rod holders and/or paddle holders can make paddling that much more pleasant, esp. when needing holders for the rod or having a safe place for the paddle during yoga.
Sizes Available
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|
Similar Products
Body Glove Performer
$899
Body Glove Outfitter
$1,199
Surftech Runabout
$999
Aqua Marina Beast
$599
For more detailed reviews and to look at similar models, visit Supconnect.com. If you like this review, give us the thumbs up. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments. And make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss the latest news and reviews from Supconnect.