Daryl’s Review: Lots of Stand Up Paddling Gear!
Boards Tested: Aquaglide Amundson 11′3″, Naish 10′6″, Naish 11′6″
Paddles Used: Naish Stand Up, Werner Spanker
Dates: Spring 2008
Location: Central Columbia River Gorge
Conditions: Flatwater paddling
Rider: Daryl
Gender: Female
Height: 5′2″
Weight: 120 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer, intermediate paddler
Rider: Andy
Gender: Male
Weight: 85 lbs
Age: 12
Skill Level: Intermediate windsurfer (working on his jibes), beginner paddler
Daryl is one of our most knowledgeable experts here at Big Winds, having been windsurfing for over twenty years. Lately she’s been doing a lot of stand up paddling, and has amassed quite a range of experience with the gear we carry. The two of us had a chance to chat, and these are her thoughts on the stand up gear she’s tested so far.
The Aquaglide Amundson: Durable and User-Friendly
Daryl was so stoked on the Aquaglide Amundson that she went ahead and purchased two, both of them the 11′3″ Duratec soft deck model, to use between herself, her sons, and her (and their) friends. She describes it as a super easy-to-use board that glides and tracks well, and is very stable and extremely durable.
The Amundson is great for kids and adults alike, and it’s a great board for her 12-year-old son Andy, who finds it very easy to paddle. Daryl is particularly fond of the rails of the board, which are wrapped in the same EVA material as the soft deck of the board. The wrapped rails help protect paddles, but they also protect the board when her sons use their paddles as weapons and try to attack each other.
Smaller Guys or Bigger Dudes: The Naish Stand Up Boards
Daryl also tested the shorter 10′6″ Naish Stand Up board, which she says would make good board for lightweight riders. It’s shorter and narrower than the Naish 11′6″ board and as result is easy to turn, but is also more tippy. At 85 lbs, Andy loves the 10′6″ and he does all sorts freestyle tricks on it. Daryl says the 10′6″ would be a fun board for surf, but with larger riders in flatwater conditions you’d probably want to go with a larger board.
The 11′6″ Naish Stand Up board is very nice, but Daryl found it to be more board than she needed. It tracks well in flat water and has some serious thickness that keeps you up and out of the water, and average-sized guys will likely be stoked with it.
Even with the board’s large size, Andy had no problem staying with the group when paddling on the Naish 11′6″, though he found that it was not as fun and maneuverable as he likes. He was able to hold a line and speed right along, but pivot turns and maneuvers just weren’t going to happen. That’s a lot of volume for a 12-year-old to try and throw around!
Paddles: Aluminum or Carbon?
The Naish Stand Up Paddle features an aluminum shaft and handle and a plastic blade, and it is one of the most durable paddles in our lineup. Daryl got the Naish paddle for her boys to share, and it’s held up incredibly well to their abuse. That said, the Naish is quite heavy when compared to the more expensive carbon paddles, and after Andy took a session using his mom’s paddle he told her, “Mom, I need to save up so I can get a carbon.”
Daryl bought a Werner Spanker carbon paddle for herself, and she absolutely loves it. She says it’s incredibly lightweight and comfortable, and with the ergonomically curved handle it’s easy to keep a solid grip and maintain a strong stroke. The Werner is significantly lighter than an aluminum paddle, and thus requires far less paddling effort from the rider.
Carbon paddles aren’t as durable as aluminum paddles, however, and Daryl will only let her most trusted friends and family members try her Werner. The boys have to sign a waiver promising never to use the Werner in an attack.
Related Posts:
Read David’s Review of the Aquaglide Amundson 11′3″
Read Dane’s Review of the Naish 11′6″
