Category Archives: Boards

Inflatable SUPs

Inflatable SUPs have gained popularity over the past couple of years for a few reasons:

1) They are durable
2) They are light
3) They pack down to fit in the trunk of your car.

Starboard Whopper

For 2013, we are witnessing a stiffer construction due to 6″ wall thickness. At Big Winds, we offer a number of inflatable options, so we put a couple of our favorites to the stiffness test. In the first test, we pumped up the 2013 Starboard Inflatable Astro Whopper (10′ x 35″) to the manufacturer’s recommended 18 PSI. We placed the board on a couple of sawhorses and bounced on it to see how much the board deflects. The Deluxe construction offered by Starboard this year makes for a very stiff ride, with only 1″ deflection.

Naish Mana

We next tested the 2013 Naish Mana Air (10′ x 33″). We pumped it up to the manufacturer’s recommended 14 PSI and found it stiffer then any of our 4″ wall thickness offerings. With only 1.5″ deflection, the 2013 Naish Mana Air proved to be another great contender in our 2013 inflatable line-up.

All-around SUP boards

At Big Winds we’re often asked by customers looking to get into Stand Up, “What is a great choice for an all-around board?” They’re seeking something they can paddle around on lakes, rivers, take out in bays, and maybe even ride some small surf. Another factor people often look for is something they can take their dogs on, or their kids. At Big Winds we have a full selection of outstanding All-around boards that really fit these needs.

Two size ranges I like to focus on when people are looking for all-around SUP boards are those in the 10’6” and 11’6” range. The Starboard Drive, the Naish Nalu 10’6.5”, the Surftech Generator 10’6” and the Amundson 10’6” are three great choices for small all rounders. They are all about 30” wide, glide reasonably well, are stable and lightweight. For the larger all rounders, the Starboard Blend (pictured), the Naish Nalu 11’6” and the Amundson 11’6” are all excellent boards, offering excellent glide, stability and are all very affordable. And for folks looking for even more stability, the Starboard Big Easy is the ticket, at 12’ X 32”.

The Starboard Blend is a beautiful and functional all-around SUP board.

Give us a call (888-509-4210 or 541-386-6086) and let us help guide you into the perfect all around board for you and your family!

Review: 2009 JP X-Cite Ride 100

Board Tested: 2009 JP Australia X-Cite Ride 100
Sails Used: 2009 Naish Sprint 7.3
Location: Columbia River Gorge: Event Site
Conditions: 15-22 mph

Rider: Mike
Gender: Male
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 165 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer, Expert kiteboarder

What a smooth board! It jumped on a plane, held its speed through the lulls and quick tacked easily. For jibes, I could take long, smooth turns in smooth water or turn it quickly inside short chop. Easy pivot jibes, too. This board is built for no-hassle, pure fun sailing in all but extreme conditions. Want H2O fun? This is the one!

Review: 2009 Starboard Futura 101

Board Tested: 2009 Starboard Futura 101
Sails Used: 2009 Naish Sprint 7.3
Location: Columbia River Gorge: Event Site
Conditions: 15-22 mph

Rider: Mike
Gender: Male
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 165 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer, Expert kiteboarder

I got fast acceleration and instant planing. I had a lot of power from the 7.3 and got it really moving upwind. This was the fastest board I’ve sailed in awhile. It didn’t make the sharpest turns so for jibing I compensated by keeping my speed up and widening the radius. I dialed into a couple drag races and moved away easily. Huge speed, big fun!

2 Reviews: 2009 Naish Global Wave

Board Tested: 2009 Naish Global Wave 78
Sails Used: 2009 Naish All Terrain 5.0
Location: Columbia River Gorge: Rowena
Conditions: Marginal 5.0 filling in to solid 4.2 conditions

Rider: Joe
Gender: Male
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 185 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer

No problem getting onto a plane. The key is to move back into the straps as soon as you begin to accelerate. It glides through the lulls allowing you to go chase that next puff. I was able to flow over the chop smoothly. The excellent pads and straps contribute to a plush ride. It was surprisingly fast for a wave oriented board. For jibing, it stays on a plane easily allowing you to control the radius of the jibe as necessary. Also, it holds a rail solidly and would be a pleasure to bottom turn on true, down the line waves. Naish hit the mark with this board as an incredibly versatile wave/bump board. The Global Wave would be a great first wave board for advancing intermediate windsurfers.

Board Tested: 2009 Naish Global Wave 70
Sails Used: 2009 Neil Pryde Zone
Location: Columbia River Gorge: Hatchery
Conditions: 18-20 mph

Rider: Daryl
Gender: Female
Height: 5’2″
Weight: 120 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer

Quick to plane, easy to jibe, fun on the small swells, I highly recommend the Global Wave to light weight wave sailors using 3.2 to 5.2 sails. This is the nicest board I have ever sailed. It’s so smooth, totally comfortable, not bouncy yet still fast. It’s an excellent gorge board. I want to buy one for my 13-year-old. Loved it!

2 Reviews: 2009 Starboard Kode

Board Tested: 2009 Starboard Kode 95
Sails Used: 2009 Naish All Terrain 5.0
Location: Columbia River Gorge: White Salmon Bridge
Conditions: Gusty 25mph

Rider: Joe
Gender: Male
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 185 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer

This board popped onto a plane quickly which made an otherwise marginal day into a memorable session. It glided through the lulls easily, rarely dropping off a plane before the next puff came through. And even in the extreme chop it felt fast and lively. From slashy jibes onto the swell to drawn out, planning jibes the Kode 86 felt solid and stable, inspiring me to push it harder and harder. Whether slamming into a pivot jibe at speed or hitting race car like slalom jibes, the board just never faltered or failed in its mission to put a big grin on my face. This is a truly inspiring board for those learning to master jibes of any style. This board flowed over the voodoo chop of the day, no problem. The comfortable pads and straps give it a stable, secure feeling. The fin generated enough power to plane easily while providing a snappy feel when I applied rail pressure.

The Kode 86 rocks! It works as an excellent Gorge high wind board for heavier sailors or as a light wind board for everyone else.

Board Tested: 2009 Starboard Kode 95
Sails Used: 2009 Naish Sails Session
Location: Columbia River Gorge: Event Site
Conditions: 17-24 mph

Rider: Mike
Gender: Male
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 165 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer, Expert kiteboarder

Wow, the Kode was quick to plane and made snappy, controlled jibes. The rails had a lot of grip allowing for lots of confidence when laying into the turns. This board will work great for aggressive wave riders. Five stars for this board!

Review: 2009 Naish All Terrain

Board Tested: 2009 Naish All Terrain 85
Sail Used: 2009 Naish Force 5.0
Location: Columbia River Gorge
Conditions: 15-25mph, classic after work session

Rider: Steve
Gender: Male
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 150 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer

The All Terrain is the quintessential bump and jump board, quick, lively, smooth and effortless to jibe, with emphasis on effortless. This board / sail combination was like pairing a Chateau Lafite Rothschild with filet mignon. The Force 5.0 is a solid bump and jump sail providing plenty of horsepower when needed. The All Terrain lived up to its name, performing well whether in smooth water or cranking it down the line. This combo would work well for any intermediate sailor looking to get into the more advanced Gorge conditions.

Review: 2009 Starboard Evil Twin

Board Tested: 2009 Starboard Windsurf Evil Twin 74
Sails Used: 2009 Naish Force 4.2

Location: Columbia River Gorge: Hatchery
Conditions: Windy 4.2 conditions, flat water, some swell

Rider: Steve
Gender: Male
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 150 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer

This board is designed to live in good swell or waves. It doesn’t quite have the tracking grip of a single fin board but it has incredible looseness in terms of change of direction. It was slower to plane than the single fin but plenty fast running off the wind and was really fun board for ripping turns. For jumping, it took off when going right at the ramp instead turning into one.

New drake straps are the most comfortable straps ever; very cushy and responsive. The finish detail of the board is spectacular, with beautiful graphics.

Beautiful Weather and an Amazing Demo Day!

Tons of people braved warm weather and blazing sunshine to join us last Saturday for our Naish Stand Up Paddling Demo, and we want to extend a hearty thank you to everyone who showed up! We also want to shout out a huge thanks to the guys at Naish for putting together this fun-filled afternoon, offering up their boards and paddles, and for keeping things running smoothly all day. We took tons of pictures, and it looks like everyone had a great time!

If you missed this event, don’t worry! Once Memorial Day rolls around we’ll be running stand up demos over the entire summer, with tons of rental gear available at a modest price. Feel free to call us if you need any details, and we hope to see you in Hood River this summer!