Name: SIC Maui RST Air Review
Item: SIC Maui RST Air
Author: Supconnect

Who is it for?

If you’re searching for a premium inflatable race standup paddle board you must take a look at the RST Air from SIC Maui. This paddleboard is best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers and works best in flatwater conditions.

The board comes with a leash, fin, pump, carry bag and repair kit. Priced at $1,299.95 this board sits in the mid-tier market in terms of affordability but delivers a premium paddle board that is able to paddle long distances.

First Impressions

The RST Air is brand new for 2024 and is the inflatable version of their popular RST race board model. The size we reviewed was the 14’ x 28” model. At first glance this board looks clean and has a classic look to it which is on point for SIC Maui. They typically take the simplistic approach to the graphic designs on their boards and we’ve always been a fan of the look of their boards.

This one is no different. When it comes to the features of the board we really like how the board is decked all the way back to the tail which allows for better traction for when you're doing buoy turns in a race.

Also noticeable was how soft the deckpad and handles were on the deck which is great, especially for those longer distance paddles or races. Speaking of the handles, SIC included two extra grab handles towards the upper deck of the board which are crucial for those beach starts and getting a better hold on the board. Nice touch!

Other cool features they included were the action camera mount on the nose if you want to capture any training videos or during your races which is always fun to have. The included accessories were also really nice and gave a premium look/feel to them. The carry bag included has some nice roller wheels on it which makes transporting the gear so much easier, especially when you’re flying. The included fin is a toolless system which is also always appreciated but is of much higher quality than what we see with other toolless systems. Bonus!

While the board doesn’t come with a paddle, this is kind of expected since it’s a race board. Typically if you’re on the market for a race board, you’ve already got a paddle that you like and suits your style. So, no need to have that included here.

On the water, this board felt surprisingly stable for the narrow width it has (28 inches). In fact, this board felt more stable than many of the boards that we’ve raced on so that says quite a lot. Turning the board was also quite easy thanks to the stability and full traction pad. Speed-wise, this board also felt pretty fast, especially for an inflatable.

Overall, the SIC Maui RST Air would be an excellent choice for someone looking for an inflatable race board that they can easily travel with and feel like they’re not compromising on quality or performance. Another A-grade board for SIC Maui.