NSP Ninja
- 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 a fast, non-inflatable, race board to paddle then the NSP Ninja is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Hybrid Carbon construction which is moderately durable and has its ups and downs. Due to its width of 27 inches the board is unstable however, the board has 2.07 lbs per foot weighing 29.01 lbs which is fairly light for a 14’ board. Its shape makes the Ninja a race board that can be used by advanced paddlers and is designed primarily for competitive SUP racing. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for spring or long distance racing in flatwater conditions. Retailing at $2,599, the board is at a premium price point but is among the best that the brand has to offer.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are good, the shape design is thoughtful and the construction seems durable. The Ninja has some nice looks, coming with an interesting mix of color and graphics that are well aligned with racing. The shape design is unique for boards in these categories and has a sunk-in standing area on the deck with raised rails making the board feel more stable than it should for its width. Because the deck is sunken in, there’s also a cool water drainage system in place for when water does get onto your standing area. This paddle board is difficult to carry but feels easier than it should likely because of its multiple grab points (center handle or rails). The glide does feel fast which is no surprise since speed-centric design is a major focus of this board. Once you put it all together, the Ninja is a fast race board that is perfect for flatwater racing and only lightweight and skilled paddlers will likely feel comfortable while paddling.
Benefits
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Primary Use
Race UsePaddle 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
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Durability
StrongDurability 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.
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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.
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Glide
FastGlide 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 Surftech USA website.
Features
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Dimensions
14' x 27"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).
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Weight
29.01 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).
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Volume
UnknownVolume 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.
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Capacity
UnknownCapacity 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.
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Add On's
Accelerated Vacuum System/Bulbous Nose/Trim Guides/GPS Mount with leash plug/Water DrainageAdd-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.
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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.
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Holders
NoFishing 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 |
|---|
| 14 Feet | 23 Inches | n/a | n/a |
| 14 Feet | 25 Inches | n/a | n/a |
| 14 Feet | 27 Inches | n/a | n/a |
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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.