For the 11th year in a row OluKai, brought together the world’s best paddlers together for a weekend of racing and give back to Hawaii at the annual Ho’olaule’a (celebration).
After personally paddling, weighing, and thoroughly testing 150+ boards, our expert staff has selected the best stand up paddle board 2019 models. These are designated by the "A" grade and organized by categories (inflatable, all-around, touring, etc).
SIC Maui and the WPA (World Paddle Association) announce the debut of the “ONE CLASS” race class that officially kicked off at the 2019 Salt Life Cup in Columbus, Georgia this past weekend (May 4, 2019).
We are just two weeks away now from the kick off of the 2019 APP World Tour Season, as the world's best prepare to do battle at the London SUP Open.
We love that brands share their awesome content on Instagram for all of us to see because you best believe we have been looking! Below we’ve made a list of our favorite stand up paddle board brands that we think are worth following on Instagram.
| Price: $1,499.95 | Build: Non-Inflatable |
| Skill: Intermediate | Use: Touring |
| Weight: 31lbs | Sizes: 11', 12'6", 14' |
About the board:If you’re looking for a non-inflatable touring board that looks and feels good under your feet, check out the Okeanos from SIC Maui. Starting at $1,499, the Okeanos sits in the mid-tier price point and is a solid board for its price. The board is 29 in. wide and is best for intermediate-level paddlers looking for mid-range to long-distance paddling. The board is offered in four sizes (11’, 12’6” x 27”, 12’6” x 29”, 14’) and has two different color variations to choose from. Read more HERE.
| Price: $2,499.95 | Build: Non-Inflatable |
| Skill: Advanced | Use: Race |
| Weight: 23.4lbs | Sizes: 12'6", 14' |
About the board:If you’re on the market for a premium race paddle board look no further. The RS by SIC Maui is short for ‘Rocket Ship’ and the name suits the board perfectly. This race board is fast and lightweight and is offered in multiple length and width combos, for both adult and youth paddlers. The RS is best for intermediate and advanced racers looking for a board that excels on flatwater but can also handle some chop. Starting at $2,499, the RS sits in the high price point tier but is a premium choice that is worth every penny. Read more HERE.
A huge part of paddle boarding is all about balance. It takes many hours of practice in order to refine your skills. SUP racers take even more time in order to be able to both balance themselves in the water and be able to race with precision. One of the best ways to gain these skills is by practicing SUP yoga.
| Price: $999.95 | Build: Inflatable |
| Skill: Intermediate | Use: Race |
| Weight: 24.7 lbs | Sizes: 11', 12'6", 14' |
About the board:If you’re on the market for a premium race inflatable paddle board but look no further. The RS by SIC Maui is short for ‘Rocket Ship’ and the name suits the board perfectly. This race board is the inflatable version of its composite counterpart and is fast and lightweight. The inflatable RS is offered in multiple length and width combos, for both adult and youth paddlers. It’s best for intermediate and advanced racers looking for a board that excels on flatwater but can also handle some chop. Starting at $999, the RS sits in the affordable price point tier and is a premium choice that is worth every penny. Read more HERE.
In stand up paddle boarding, having a good paddle stroke is crucial to seeing results and improving skill level. Many of stand up paddling's top athletes stress that the paddle stroke is one of the most important, if not the most important, tool to master when paddling. We caught up with many of stand up paddling's best athletes to get some tips on how to have a great paddle stroke. See what they had to say...
| Price: $1,899.95 | Build: Non-Inflatable |
| Skill: Intermediate | Use: Touring |
| Weight: 28.2 lbs | Sizes: 12', 14' |
About the board:If you’re looking for a classic downwind/touring board that does it all, take a look at SIC Maui’s F model. The F was designed to suit paddlers of all sizes and offers more stability than other boards in the same category due to its generous volume. The board is offered in two different sizes (12’ and 14’) and is perfect for downwind paddling. The board is fast, stable and pretty easy to carry, weighing slightly over 28 lbs. Starting at $1,899 the F is a premium paddle board that is best suited for intermediate paddlers looking for a downwind-specific board that can also be used for touring and all around paddling. Read more HERE.
| Price: $2,499 | Build: Non-Inflatable |
| Skill: Advanced | Use: Touring/Downwind |
| Weight: 24.6 lbs | Sizes: 12'6", 14', 17'1" |
About the board:The Bayonet by SIC Maui is a premium downwind specific paddle board that also doubles as a race board and works best for advanced paddlers. At 26 in. wide the board is unstable for inexperienced paddlers but can feel pretty stable for paddlers who are experienced. The Bayonet is great for paddling long distances and is fast, lightweight and easy to carry. The board weighs roughly 24.6 lbs and has a volume of 295L. This board is offered in four sizes (12’6”, 14’ x 24.5”, 14’ x 26”, 17’1”) and starts at $2,499, placing it in the high price point tier in terms of affordability. Read more HERE.