Aqua Marina Monster

Overview

Overview

Paddle Board Highlights

Who is it for?

The Monster iSUP from Aqua Marina is designed for paddlers who prioritize maximum stability, high weight capacity, and easy all-around performance, making it an excellent choice for true beginners, larger paddlers, or anyone looking for a forgiving inflatable that works across a wide range of casual paddling scenarios.

Measuring 12’ long x 33” wide x 6” thick, the Monster is one of the larger boards in Aqua Marina’s all-around lineup. The increased length and substantial 390L of volume create a very confidence-inspiring platform that excels at recreational cruising, flatwater paddling, and relaxed exploration. With a listed capacity of 374 lbs, the board easily supports heavier paddlers or additional onboard weight such as gear, kids, or a dog without feeling overloaded.

Built using DS Light Tech construction, the Monster balances durability and portability at 22.7 lbs, keeping it manageable for transport given its size. While the board’s footprint and volume also make it suitable for SUP yoga or fitness, those uses are secondary to its primary role as a stable, beginner-friendly all-around inflatable.

At $549, and offered as a complete package (travel bag, dual-action pump, three-piece paddle, leash, and center fin), the Monster is well positioned for paddlers looking for an accessible, out-of-the-box solution that prioritizes comfort and confidence on the water.

First Impressions

From the moment you step on the Monster, it’s clear that stability is the defining characteristic of this board. The size is immediately noticeable, but despite its dimensions, it doesn’t feel cumbersome. Carrying the board is manageable for its class, though understandably not lightweight given the volume and thickness.

Visually, the Monster features bright, approachable graphics that stand out on the water and reinforce its beginner-friendly positioning. The design is clean and consistent with Aqua Marina’s all-around series, earning solid marks without being overly aggressive or busy.

When inflated to the recommended 15 PSI, the board feels rigid enough to maintain stability under load while still remaining manageable during setup and transport. On the water, the Monster delivers high primary stability, average glide, and very predictable handling—traits that align well with its role as a confidence-first, beginner-oriented all-around SUP rather than a speed- or distance-focused board. Despite its size, it moves forward with ease at casual cruising speeds and never feels excessively sluggish.

One point worth noting is that if Aqua Marina’s intent was to push stability as far as possible, slightly increasing the width beyond 33 inches could have further reinforced that purpose—especially given the board’s length and volume. That said, the current dimensions still provide a very stable, reassuring ride for the intended audience.

Overall, the Monster leaves a strong first impression as a well-executed, beginner-focused inflatable that prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and stability above all else—making it an excellent entry point for paddlers who want to feel secure and confident from day one.

Benefits

  • Primary Use

    All Around

    Paddle Boards fall into two broad categories, All-Around and Specialty boards, with all-around designed primarily for recreation while speciality boards for top performance in specific disciplines

  • Durability

    Average

    Durability is largely a result of the board construction and shape, with more durable boards typically carrying more materials (added layers, PVC, etc) and as such adding to the weight.

  • Carrying

    Easy

    Carrying ease is determined by board weight and handle type, where a board weighing under 20lbs with a Liftsup handle is extremely easy to carry while a 35+lbs board quite difficult.

  • Stability

    Very Stable

    Stability is a product of construction and shape, where boards w/ 30”+ wide and 200+ liters in volume offer plenty of stability for your AVG adult while a board under 26” wide is a challenge.

  • Glide

    Average

    Glide is a result of board shape and construction, w/ boards weighing under 30lbs and designed for racing offering best glide while recreational boards normally being on the slow side.

Features

  • Dimensions

    12' x 33" x 6"

    Industry standard in board dimensions reads: L (length, from nose to tail) x W (width, from rail to rail at midpoint length), and H (height, from top to bottom of board at midpoint length).

  • Weight

    22.7 lbs

    Standup paddle boards tend to fall into 4 different weight classes: extremely lightweight (under 20 lbs), lightweight (20-28 lbs), average weight (28-35 lbs), heavy (above 35 lbs).

  • Volume

    390 L

    Volume is a key metric to determine how much weight a board can carry. Boards w/ 200+ liters offer most floatation with boards under 150 liters typically for high-performance surf.

  • Capacity

    374 lbs

    Capacity is the max cargo weight a stand up paddle board can carry, considering not only the paddler’s weight but whatever else the paddler may choose to carry alongside him/her

  • Add-on’s

    Bungee Nose  D Ring Paddle Included Leash Included

    Add-on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; Connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal.

  • Handle

    Strap

    Handles directly affect carrying ease, with external grip handles (Liftsup & EZgrab) offering most comfort, Internal Ergo Grip the mid-tier comfort, and box handles as least comfortable.

  • Holders

    No

    Fishing rod holders and/or paddle holders can make paddling that much more pleasant, esp. when needing holders for the rod or having a safe place for the paddle during yoga.

Learn more on the Aqua Marina website

Similar Products

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