California Board Company is a well-regarded brand for producing some quality stand up paddleboards (SUPs). They produce the classic Hydra paddle board, a hardshell board that features some distinct differences over its inflatable cousins.

Design

At 10’6″, the Hydra is one of the larger SUPs on the market.

The tie-down cords are near the front of the board cover a wider area than normal, allowing you to put down larger objects like coolers. Though it may seem insignificant, this expanded tie-down area means you can extend the duration of your trips without having to worry about food and drink.

The EPS foam that the board is made out of is rated to carry close to 300 lbs of total weight while only weighing 24 lbs in total. Don’t worry too much about shifting your position on the board because you’ve got a cooler or similar large object tied down in the cords.

Performance

What’s the big difference between inflatable SUPs and inflatable SUPs? The obvious difference is the material the shells are made out of. Inflatables are usually made out of PVC while hard shells like the Hydra use EPS foam.

However, the bottom side of the Hydra is coated with heat-laminated polyethylene. This makes the bottom surface extremely slick, and allowing for quicker overall movement through calmer waters.

That’s not to say that inflatable SUPs move like rocks, but the shape of the Hydra and materials its made out of give it the edge over inflatables.

Uses

Due to its slicker underside, this board will actually perform better on the oceans and seas than inflatable SUPs. The increased weight capacity also means yoga is a possibility as well if you think you’ve got the balance for it.

The nose of the board also has a hard point of you want to mount an action camera to capture all of your adventures.

Overall

Since the Hydra is a hard shell board, its generally going to be more expensive than inflatable SUPs. The hard EPS foam is usually of better quality for gliding through the water with only one fin anyway.

In addition to purchasing the board, you also get its accessories including adjustable aluminum paddle. This CBC specific paddle also has a blade shield to protect you and the board from the sharp edges of the paddle. Perhaps one of the more important inclusions among the accessories is roof racks. These devices can be a pain to search for individually, but CBC has you covered and its all included in the total cost.

In the end, I think this board is well worth the price. It might take some getting used to considering it doesn’t have a grip space in the mid-section. Once you’ve mastered balance, however, you’ll find that the Hydra is one of the best boards around for cruising the water.

 

What is it about SereneLife’s Premium inflatable SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) that makes it one of the most popular SUPs on the water? Apart from things like a couple of different color schemes and a pretty average price, its construction and surface make it one of the more user-friendly boards around.

Let’s look at some individual details:

Design

The board is constructed of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) material. When fully inflated, the shell of the paddleboard is tough and water-tight. You almost wouldn’t know the difference between this material and other, denser materials.

The underside of the board features a triple fin placement, allowing for a smoother ride through the water. The tail end of the stern is flat, also making it easier to manuever in the water. These simple but innovative improvements make the board simple to operate despite its size. Even when fully inflated, the board only weighs around 30lbs and has a carrying handle in the middle for easy transportation.

If you’re looking to take items with you on your journey across the water, the front end has bungee cords you can use to tie things down.

Performance

A tri-fin board is easy to come by nowadays thanks to SereneLife, and its combined with the flat-tail, you won’t have to put as much effort into each paddle swing.

The board measures 10’5 feet long & 30 inches wide and has an ergonomic midsection for better grip. Ideally, the SereneLife board will perform best on the calm waters of lakes, ponds, rivers, and even the ocean. Just be aware that the rougher the waters are, the worse the board will perform.

If you grow tired of standing, you can also sit down on that ergonomic section to give your feet a rest. The board will still balance your weight just as easily. The aluminum paddle is also collapsible so you can find the length that works for you.

Overall

We can see why this particular board is so popular. Not only is it a sturdy and trustworthy board, you get all the accessories with your purchase including the aluminum paddle carrying bag. When fully deflated, the board folds up nice and compact in the bag so you can take it just about anywhere.

SereneLife makes a good case for the best inflatable SUP on the market. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s the perfect blend of price, construction, and accessories.