After years in the making, the new Gatorshell Technology is poised to be the next game changing innovation to be introduced by the Darkroom gurus at BOTE.

This week at the annual Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Utah, Supconnect announced the 2017 Gear of the Year Awards winners from our 8th Annual Supconnect Editor's Choice Awards.

After personally paddling, weighing, and thoroughly testing 70+ boards, our expert staff has selected the best non-inflatable stand up paddle board 2017 models. These are designated by the "A" grade and organized by categories (inflatable, all-around, touring, etc).

After personally paddling, weighing, and thoroughly testing 70+ boards, our expert staff has selected the best touring stand up paddle board 2017 models. These are designated by the "A" grade and organized by categories (inflatable, all-around, touring, etc).

After personally paddling, weighing, and thoroughly testing 70+ boards, our expert staff has selected the best beginner stand up paddle board 2017 models. These are designated by the "A" grade and organized by categories (inflatable, all-around, touring, etc).

Whip out your boardshorts and bikinis, it’s summer time! Nothin’s better than summer and we’re so stoked that our favorite time of the year is finally here. Here, we’ve put together a list of SUP gear, SUP accessories, SUP boards and all the must have's for everyone from a beginner to the advanced SUP'er for the 2017 Summer SUP season, so there's sure to be something in this guide for everyone!

The sun is starting to shine, ice is melting and spring is starting to peek it’s head around the corner. With temperatures rising and waterways defrosting into lakes and rivers again, it’s time to start getting geared up and ready to get back on the water and out of the winter hibernation. Here, we’ve put together a list of SUP gear, accessories, and of course boards for everyone from a beginner to the advanced SUP'er for the 2017 Spring paddle boarding season, so there's sure to be something in this guide for everyone!

About the board: The HD Lowrider is an awesome non-inflatable touring board that is fit for intermediate-level paddlers and can be used in a wide range of conditions. Its shape makes the HD a great touring board that could also be used in a race because of its race-board hull design. It looks has beautiful graphics and the deckpad design flows perfectly with the color of the board. Although the board is difficult to carry has a ton of cool accessories and additions that cater to touring and fishing. It has ConnexSUP inserts which allow for endless opportunities to hook up cool gadgets and tools, it has a paddle holder on the rail of the board, cooler tie downs, fishing post inserts more. With the premium look and countless add-ons the HD Lowrider is awarded with Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

The 6th Annual Paddle at the Porch, a stand up paddle board race, will take place on Saturday, Aug. 19, in the beautiful emerald green Gulf waters behind The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House in Destin, Florida.

About the board: The Rackham is a non-inflatable, fishing-specific board that packs a punch all that it encompasses. The board is incredibly stable, perfect for what’s needed in SUP fishing and has a killer mix of colors and graphics. The board is very difficult to carry because of its size and weight, but the board comes with a ton of additions that are perfectly suited for SUP fishing. It has a paddle sheath which conveniently holds your paddle upright, ConnexSUP plugs, 2 fishing post holes, a cup holder, bottle opener, 2 through holes and 2 cooler tie downs. That’s a whole lotta extra awesomeness easily warranting it Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a stable, inflatable, all-around board to paddle short distances then the BOTE Drift is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Classic construction which is durable and has its ups and downs. Due to its width of 32 inches the board is very stable and has 2.01 lbs per foot, weighing 23.1 lbs total, making this board pretty lightweight for its size. Its shape makes the Drift an all-around board that can be used by everyone and was designed for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short distances, around the beach, dock and on rivers. Retailing at $1,250, the board is among the popular mid-tier price point in terms of affordability.

Outdoor Retailer is pleased to announce an enhanced paddle initiative with new experiences to be introduced at Summer Market, July 26-29, 2017. In addition to the Open Air Demo returning to Jordanelle, there will be new clinics, education programs and networking sessions available to help drive consumer engagement and sales.