Starboard Freeride
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for a stable, non-inflatable, all-around board then Starboard’s Freeride SUP is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Pine Tek construction which is durable and has its ups and downs. Due to is 29 inch width, the board is somewhat stable and has 2.35 lbs per foot weighing 26.4 lbs total. Its shape makes the Freeride an all-around board that can be used by intermediate paddlers and is designed primarily for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for mid-range distance paddling between 3 to 5 miles max. Retailing at $1,999 the board is among the high-tier price pint but comes with the best the brand has to offer.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are good, the shape design is quite thoughtful and the construction strikes as durable. The Freeride has some really nice looks featuring beautiful Australian Pine and with pops of color. The shape design is thoughtful and unique for boards in these categories and the construction does appear moderately strong. This paddle board is pretty easy to carry since it’s only 26.4 lbs and the glide feels fast. And although the width is a bit narrower at 29 inches, it does feel very stable when paddling. Once you put it all together the Freeride is a stable board that most people should be able to easily stand on it and paddle away with ease.
Benefits
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Primary Use
All-Around 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
Very 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 Starboard website.
Features
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Dimensions
11'2" x 29" x 5.8"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
26.4 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
222LVolume 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
200 lbsCapacity 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
BungeeAdd-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
Internal Ergo GripHandles 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 |
|---|
Similar Products
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Surftech Universal
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BOTE Flood Core
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Boardworks Kraken
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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.