SUP Awards: 2026 Gear of the Year Winners
SAN DIEGO, California – Following weeks of evaluation and community input, Supconnect is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year Awards, part of the 17th Annual Supconnect Awards. This year's program recognized excellence across five product categories, showcasing the latest innovations in stand-up paddleboarding equipment from brands around the world.
The Gear of the Year winners were selected through a comprehensive evaluation process that combined public voting, feedback from retailers and industry professionals, recommendations from the Supconnect advisory board, and insights from the Supconnect editorial team. Together, these perspectives help identify the products that have made the greatest impact on the sport over the past year.
Without further ado, here are the winners of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year Awards.
All Around - Starboard GO
The Starboard Go has been named the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year in the Best All-Around SUP category. Long regarded as one of the most versatile paddleboards on the market, the Go continues to deliver an exceptional balance of stability, glide, and performance for paddlers of all skill levels. Its thoughtfully refined shape makes it equally at home for recreational cruising, family outings, fitness paddling, and those looking to build confidence on the water.
With Starboard's continued commitment to innovation, sustainable manufacturing, and premium construction, the Go remains a benchmark in the all-around category. Its versatility and broad appeal earned it high marks from paddlers, retailers, and industry experts alike, making the Starboard Go a deserving recipient of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year – Best All-Around SUP award.
Race - Starboard AllStar
The Starboard AllStar has been named the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year in the Best Race SUP category. A perennial favorite among competitive paddlers, the AllStar continues to set the standard for race board versatility, excelling across technical courses, open water, and flatwater conditions. Its refined design delivers an impressive combination of speed, stability, and control, giving racers the confidence to perform at the highest level in a wide range of environments.
Backed by years of continuous refinement and proven success on the international racing circuit, the AllStar remains one of the most trusted race boards in the sport. Its exceptional all-around performance and enduring reputation earned it high praise from paddlers, retailers, and industry experts alike, making the Starboard AllStar a deserving recipient of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year – Best Race SUP award.
Inflatable - ISLE Switch
The ISLE Switch Pro Kayak Hybrid has been named the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year in the Best Inflatable SUP category. Redefining versatility on the water, the Switch Pro seamlessly transitions between a stand-up paddleboard and a sit-on-top kayak, giving paddlers the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and adventure styles. Its premium construction, innovative hybrid design, and attention to comfort make it an excellent choice for everyone from recreational paddlers to seasoned explorers.
By combining performance, portability, and multi-purpose functionality into a single platform, the Switch Pro continues to push the boundaries of what an inflatable paddleboard can be. Its thoughtful design and broad appeal earned high marks from paddlers, retailers, and industry experts alike, making the ISLE Switch Pro Kayak Hybrid a deserving recipient of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year – Best Inflatable SUP award.
Surf - Infinity Blurr V3
The Infinity BLURR V3 has been named the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year in the Best Surf SUP category. Designed for performance in a wide range of surf conditions, the BLURR V3 combines responsive handling, smooth rail-to-rail transitions, and exceptional speed to deliver a dynamic surfing experience. Its refined shape allows riders to generate speed effortlessly while maintaining the control and precision needed for critical maneuvers on the wave.
Building on Infinity's long-standing reputation for high-performance surf shapes, the BLURR V3 represents the latest evolution in SUP surfboard design. Its blend of innovation, versatility, and proven wave-riding performance earned high praise from paddlers, retailers, and industry experts alike, making the Infinity BLURR V3 a deserving recipient of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year – Best Surf SUP award.
Touring - Red Paddle Co Sport
The Red Paddle Co Sport has been named the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year in the Best Touring SUP category. Engineered for paddlers looking to cover greater distances with confidence and efficiency, the Sport delivers an exceptional blend of speed, glide, and stability. Its streamlined shape and premium construction make it equally suited for fitness paddling, day touring, and extended adventures, offering a responsive ride without sacrificing comfort or control.
As one of the flagship models in Red Paddle Co's renowned inflatable lineup, the Sport continues to showcase the brand's commitment to innovation, durability, and on-water performance. Its proven design and versatility earned high praise from paddlers, retailers, and industry experts alike, making the Red Paddle Co Sport a deserving recipient of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year – Best Touring SUP award.
Overall - Surftech Chameleon
The Surftech Chameleon has been named the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year in the Overall SUP category, recognizing it as the standout paddleboard of the year across all disciplines. True to its name, the Chameleon excels in a wide variety of conditions, offering a rare combination of stability, efficiency, maneuverability, and versatility. Whether used for casual cruising, fitness paddling, light touring, or exploring new waterways, it delivers a well-rounded experience that appeals to both newcomers and experienced paddlers alike.
By blending thoughtful design with dependable all-around performance, the Surftech Chameleon has established itself as one of the most versatile hard boards on the market. Its ability to perform across multiple paddling styles, combined with Surftech's reputation for quality construction and craftsmanship, earned high praise from paddlers, retailers, and industry experts alike, making the Surftech Chameleon a deserving recipient of the 2026 Supconnect Gear of the Year – Overall SUP award.
Congratulations to all the Gear of the Year winners of the 2026 Supconnect Awards! Your innovation, dedication, and impact continue to elevate the sport and inspire the global SUP community.