Eight world-renowned international watermen were welcomed to Invercargill by Ngai Tahu tangata whenua today (Friday 31st March) marking the start of the 2017 Ultimate Waterman.
Athletes will put preparation for the start of The Ultimate Waterman briefly on hold on Friday, March 31st, as they team up with Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand, the Mauli Ola Foundation from Hawaii, and the Southland Boardriders Club to offer a unique experience for children living with CF.
| Price: $1,099 | Build: Inflatable |
| Skill: Beginner | Use: Touring |
| Weight: 23.1 lbs | Sizes: 11'6", 12'6', 14' |
About the board: The Touring Zen is an inflatable board great for paddlers of all skill levels. Primarily designed with touring in mind the board is great for paddling mid-range distances up to 3-5 miles max. It has some nice looks with a mix of bold colors, blues and greens that are very eye-catching. This paddle board is easy to carry being that it weighs slightly over 23 lbs and the glide feels fast which is very surprising since inflatables aren’t usually fast. The board comes with a tool-less FCS II fin which is a perk and also has an FCS adaptor on the deck of the board which is unusual to have on an inflatable. The board has premium features at an affordable price thus deserving Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.
| Price: $1,999 | Build: Non-inflatable |
| Skill: Intermediate | Use: All-around/Touring |
| Weight: 26.4 lbs | Sizes: 11'2", 12'2" |
About the board: The Freeride is a stable, non-inflatable board that is suited for intermediate-skilled paddlers. It has some really nice looks featuring beautiful Australian Pine and with pops of color. 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. The board is best suited for mid-range paddling between 3 and 5 miles. A premium look and feel give the Freeride a well-deserved “A” grade. Read more HERE.
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!
With the Hawaiian leg of the 2017 APP World Tour coming to a close there were some important facts to be aware of after the events wrapped up. The early leaders were named, the double-threats to look out for and more were discovered. Here are eight takeaways
World-class conditions aligned with the world’s fastest standup paddle racers for another paramount display of APP World Tour competition, as the first race event of 2017 got underway.
| Price: $1,299 | Build: Inflatable |
| Skill: Intermediate | Use: All-around |
| Weight: 19.1 lbs | Sizes: 10'5" |
Who is this for: If you’re looking for a stable, all-around inflatable board to paddle short distances then the Drive from Starboard is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Deluxe construction which is highly durable for an inflatable. Because of the width being 30 inches the board is stable and it has 1.81 lbs per foot weighing only 19.1 lbs total. Its shape makes the Drive an all-around board that can be used by everyone and it’s designed primarily for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short-distance paddling, around the beach and dock. Retailing at $1,299, the board is among the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.
Maui Pro-Am kicks off Friday, opening the Racing season in style on Maui's North Shore at the World's premiere race venue.
The eighth and final athlete has been confirmed for The Ultimate Waterman, which will take place in Southland, New Zealand from April 1-9.
Connor Baxter is making a name for himself in water sports. The twenty-two-year-old Maui-born waterman is fast becoming recognized as stand up paddle boarding’s elite male athlete, owning an impressive list of first-place finishes, including winning the overall 2016 APP World Tour title.
At just 24, Jackson Maynard has overcome more than most people have to deal with in a lifetime. The Australian has battled back from three life-threatening health issues to forge a career as a surf ironman, and is now about to take on perhaps his greatest test in the water.